These are letters that I have transcribed that are in the possession of Anne Krush, who gave me permission to copy these letters. The notes that are with most of the letters are those that Franklin T. Nevin wrote on the sheet that mounts the letters. For the most part, they identify who the various people are in the letter and what some of the background is. Sometimes he left blanks for information that it appears he was hoping to fill in later. Some of the underlines in the letters are my best guess at what was written, sometimes I was unable to guess and have left those areas bracketed "[ ]".
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4/13/1818
Notes with the letter: Grandfather Nevin to Gen. Finley
"Mother-in-Law" = Grandmother Rippey, sister of Genl Finley.
"Messrs Cook and McCoy" = Isaac Cook who married Mary Nevin, Grandfather’s younger sister, and McCoy who married Grandmother Nevin’s sister, Jane McCracken.
"Capt Rippey" = Third husband of "Betsy" Finley, Grandmother Nevin’s mother.
"Dr. Finley" = John Knox Finley, son of Gen Samuel Finley and husband of Margaret Nevin John Nevins daughter
F.T.N. 3/98
Dr Grades married Peebles, a daughter of Mrs Rippey by her first husband, Wm Peebles.
Near Shippensburg 13th April 1818
Dear Sir,
Whilst I was waiting for a reply from our Representative at Washington and from yourself, I was surprised to hear that Mr. Brown was numbered with the great majority. My friends in Chambersburg had sent me word to come up. Still I thought it indelicate to move in this business untill the late Postmaster was interr’d. On the day after the Funeral went to town and discovered that there were many applicants - that Mr. Dechart had Started for Washington at 10 o’clock on the morning after Mr. Brown’s death - that a meeting had been held in the evening after the Funeral at which I was sorry to hear that Mr. Harper who had written to me and one or two more who had written to me and one or two more who had encouraged me, were present. This meeting was organized and voted to recommend a citizen - Mr. James Jack. How it is but justice to take notice that Messrs. Crawford Hetich and others who had before spoken to me on the subject did not attend the meeting. A committee had been appointed and was then waiting in form on the citizens, for signatures, which had been called twice before. Here I would have relinquished the pursuit, but some friends calculating, perhaps too much, on the friendship, which had long subsisted between Mr. Maclay and myself, urged me to proceed and even the committee of Mr. Jack advised me to go on, assuring me that my appointment would be altogether acceptable. I set off for Washington, recommended by about Fifty respectable names, and strange to tell chiefly democratic, and arrived on 31st March abt. met Mr. Maclay at the door of the Post Office who told me that Mr. Meigs had just ordered the appointment to be made out for Mr. Deckart. I had not with me that weight of argument since received from Chilicothe and supposed that it would be fruitless to proceed. My petition was not presented.
On my return I learned that a Friend in Shippensburg had forwarded your and Mr. Macoy’s letter to Washington. It then became due to you that I should explain, which I did by giving to Mr. Meigs a statement of what had taken place, I also enclosed to him the letter from Mr. Creighton the bosom friend of my younger days. Telling him that as I had been made known to him from Chilicothe, I was both to withhold the testimony of this Gentleman. The Fact is if Jacob Deckhart is appointed, though we do not yet know it officially, R. I. Meigs Esq. Has been most grossly imposed upon. He can neither write nor dictate, and must depend entirely on clerks to perform the duties of the office. But so it is that Archibald Bard Esq, and a few others rule I’m distress of this County.
To say that I thank my Friends in Chilicothe, for their prompt and vigourous efforts in my behalf, would but meanly represent my gratitude. I do believe that had my petition been presented in time and thus inforced it would have succeeded. But as this was prevented by circumstances not under our controul "It is unchristian to murmur it is unmanly to repine." Be pleased, dear sir, to take Mr. Creighton by the hand for me, and to assure him that I cannot find words to express those agreable sensations which I really did experience when I recognised my old Classmate coming forward son handsomely in my behalf.
Mother in law’s eyesight has failed very much. Her health is good and she is chearful as usual. Whether it is that she would not give any uneasiness to her children and Friends, or from what cause. I know not, But she is unwilling that her loss should be taken notice of. It had been told in Chilicothe, perhaps thro’ my letter to Bro. Samuel - and Mssrs. Cook and Macoy in their letters to Shippensburg sympathized with our dear Mother on the failure of vision. She was rather offended. "It is not so bad," said she, "as has been represented. Do help yourself to some Ham" at the same time handing to me a dish of potatoes. I relate this, believing that it will give you a more correct idea of her situation than anything I could write. I love Capt. Rippey for that attention which he pays her, in cutting the meat on her plate reading to her &c. One of her Grand Daughters genually attends her - she moves through her own house with ease, visits her friends, rides to Newville and to our house in the sleigh or cariole and appears quite comfortable. Dr. Finley says he is persuaded it is a cataract, and would willingly attempt to remove it by instruments. Our Mother hesitates and indeed we are afraid to persuade her. I have not heard Dr. Geddes’ opinion. What would you say? Perhaps one eye might be attempted. Dr. Finley says the operation is not so painful as imagined. Yet surely the eye is a tender organ for the knife or probe to operate upon.
I must close this letter with a Tale of deep and real distress. Our Nephew Jno. Geddes has left his Fathers house without their knowledge or consent with an intention, as is said, of Joining the Patriots in Spain. Ezekiel Dunbar, son of I. Dunbar Newville, had eloped about a fortnight before John Geddes took his departure. The Doctor had sent his son to collect money in Carlisle in the latter end of March abt. and he has not heard of him since. Imagine the grief of his Parents. Their only son.
In order to meet an opportunity of sending this letter to Shippensburg I have written in much haste of which the [?] been evident tokens.
Please to give our love to all Friends in Chilicothe
Affectionably Yours
John Nevin
Samuel Finley Esq:
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Notes on letter: Grandfather Nevin to Genl Finley.
"My son Williamson" was John Williamson Nevin, eldest son of John and Martha Nevin. - (Our "Uncle Williamson")
"Dr. Geddes" I don’t know. The Geddes family is related to the Peebles.*
"Mr Cochran’s" A Mr Cochran named youngest child of David Henderson and Sarah Nevin, next older sister of Grandfather Nevin.
"William" = William McCracken Nevin, third child of Grandfather Nevin. ("Uncle William")
F.T.N. 3/98
*______ Peebles, daughter of Elizabeth Finley by her first husband Wm Peebles, married a Geddes. Dr W. Nevin Geddes of Williamsport Pa is her grandson. F.T.N. 12 ‘02
_______ Peebles, son of Elizabeth Finley by her first husband, Wm Peebles, was the father of John G. Peebles of Portsmouth, Ohio. F.T.N. 12 - ‘02
Near Shippensburg 5th Feb. 1822
Dear Sir,
I was much pleased to receive a letter from you by the return of my son Williamson. Your instructions relative to your papers have been attended to by Dr. Geddis and to day I carry the box to Mr. Cochran’s where the wagons will call for it.
Mr. W’mson did not make his intended tour, yet his visit to your state has certainly been of use to him. He enjoys better health an looks much bustier than any time before since he left College.
Dr. Mason delivered his inaugural address on taking charge of Dickinson College, last month. I went down to hear him. Having read a good deal of his publications, and heard of the great applause bestowed on him in Europe as well as at home. I took my seat to listen to Dr. Mason with an unusual degree of Interest. He had proceeded a while, before I could discover, examining with all the criticism I was master of, wherein consisted that eloquence which had acquired so much celebrity. But er’e long I became delighted with his manner. Dr. Mason uses none of that thumping Rhetoric, that profession of language and Embroidery of words which a viliated taste would approve. His utterance is particularly emphatic, and his quotations from scripture seemed to make a deeper impression from his manner of reading. It will suffer nari my pen but I will try to give you an Example. When on Education Dr. M. Quoted a verse from Prov. ending "Despise not your mother when she is old." He repeated the four last words "When she is old" with such a peculiar tone and unplain as found its way into the head of every one present more possibly than any commentary would have done.
The address is published and lest it should not find its way into your papers I will send it to you. But I must not conceal, that people or at least a great number of people here disapprove of it. The "hand passibus equis" is thought secure, and some think that he heed not have consigned Dumus to the plough to follow their more intelligent horses &c.
But whilst we, good Democrats, contend, and justly too, for equal rights and privileges as citizens, yet when we pass into the region of mind the equality ceases to exist, and we are obliged to confess that intellect has not been distributed with an equal hand. Between the mind of Sir Isaac Newton and that of one of the Bushmen whom our missionaries have discovered, there is, I presume, as long a link in the chain of living, as between the Bushmen and an Ourangaoutang or between Sir Isaac and an Angel of Heaven, for Man was created but a little lower than the angels.
Mrs. Rippey continues to enjoy his usual good health. May you, my dear Sir, be long exempted from the ordinary defects and privations attendant upon old age. May yours be
-"like a lust Winter"
"Frosty but kindly."
Be pleased to present my but respects to Mrs. Finley and your family and be assured that I remain
Your affectionate nephew
John Nevin
Mrs. Rippey, my Martha and W’mson and William desire to be affectionately remembered by you.
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6/19/1824
Notes with letter: Grandfather Nevin to his Second son, William, a student at Princeton.
"Cousin Martha Mathers"
"Uncle Williamson" either Hugh (d. 1819) or John (d. 1831). More probably John "our benevolent Kinsman." He left $8000.00 to each of Grandfather’s children excepting William, on his death. (They all [?] up with William.)
"Rev. Mr. Peebles" I didn’t know, but he was, of course, related to Grandmother Rippey’s first husband, Wm Peebles.
"David Williamson" was a brother of our great grandmother Margaret Nevin and also of John and Hugh Williamson. He is the ancestors of the Creighs, Andersons, Maguire, Caruthers, Talmages &c of Huntingdon PA &c.
"Dr. Hosack" a celebrated M.D. of New York. Intimate friend of Hugh Williamson & possessor of the oil painting of the latter from which nearly all of the engraved portraits are copied.
"Elizabeth" who writes the P.S. is "Aunt Elizabeth Brown" second daughter of Grandfather Nevin, married Dr. Alexander Blaine Brown.
"Martha Mary" is Aunt Martha Mary Irwin youngest child of Grandfather Nevin.
"Isaac Melancthon Cook" and "Sarah Cook" are children of Grandfather Nevin’s sister Mary.
"John Maclay" is their half brother.
"Robert" is Uncle Robert P. Nevin, Grandfather’s youngest son, and
"Margaret" is his oldest daughter who married Dr. John Knox Finley.
F.T.N. 3/98
Near Shippensburg 19th June 1824
Dear Son
I had written a letter a few days ago, to send to Williamson by Mr. Henry a young man, who stopp’d at Mr. Moody’s, and desired me, Mrs Robert Moody, to write by him. I sent the letter up in the evening but he had let off. He is on his way to the Theological Seminary, from the vicinity of Pittsburgh, and performs the Journey on foot. The letter contained nothing of importance, except the marriage of your cousin Martha Mathers to James Shannon Esq. May be so deem’d.
Last evening I received a Letter from Williamson. He tells me that Dr Lindsly (or Lindsley as he will have it) has accepted the invitation to Nashville. Who is expected to fill his place at Nassau hall? The Trustees of Dickinson College having chosen the Rev. Mr. McClelland Presideent of that institution in the room of Dr. Mason resigned. However eminent Dr. Mason may have been and competent to direct the collegiate exercises, he is now only "Troja fuit". Mr. McClelland is young, perhaps rather too young for that station (29 years old). He was born in Scotland, came to this country at 3 or 4 years old, graduated at Union College I am told, and read divinity two years under Dr. Anderson a [?] in the Western part of this state, and two years under Dr. Mason in New York and was licensed to preach the Gospel in the 21st year of his age. It is probable that no one will be appointed to the professorship which he held in College, and as his salary as principal is $400 less than Dr. Mason’s there will be an annual saving of $1600 to the College funds. The Trustees have also reduced the college bills and the board is reduced from 2.25 to 1.87 per week. All these things considered, I think it will be better for you to leave Princeton at the end of the present session and finish your course in Carlisle. I think you can certainly enter the class in the latter place which will be sophomore in the latter end of August or whatever time thier session commences. You would have no vacation or but a very short one, but you would in this case obtain your Baccalaureate their months sooner, you will also have by this change of institutions the advantage of the calf that sucked two cows. However I only mention this plan as a matter for consideration and wish you and W’mson to make comments on it you think proper. Your college will sustain a loss in Dr. Lindsly which will not be easily repaired. Could you get anything for your furniture? Or could you procure a large trunk and bring the greater part of it with you?
I am well aware that without Talents, application and a desire to excel, no Faculty however learned and however extensive and complete their library and apparatus can by any process make good scholars, such would remain dunces even if brought up at the feet of Gamaliel. And there are geniuses which under every difficulty will rise to eminence, and attain that rank and usefulness in society which their way of means and opportunity seemed to have denied them.
We have just began to cut clover to day. The weather has been for some time unseasonably cold and dry. We had frost this week which killed cucumber vines and in some places the corn & potatoes &c. Our corn and Barley are short but our Wheat & Rye promise abundance. The field next the School house is beautiful. Ask W’mson whether Clippinus or Weakley’s seed was sown on that field.
As it is probable that Uncle Williamson will call on you on his way from Philadelphia to new york. I wish one of you to write that he has done so, as that will be the first intelligence we will be likely to have of his arrival. In a letter which I had from him on my return from Ohio he said he would be with us as soon as he was last year. Williamson and you must devise some means of making our benevolent Kinsman as comfortable as you can during the short time which he will be in Princeton. If Williamson has a good row of potatoes or some flourishing beans in the garden, which the Rev Mr. Peebles tells me is wrought by the students and the product devoted to charitable purposes, he can take him to walk n that garden. You can perhaps introduce him to Messrs Alston or Elliot with whose families he is doubtless acquainted. Aged relatives, and more especially such as have ever evinced a paternal care for the welfare and improvement of their young friends, feel any neglect or want of attention more forcibly and poignantly, than any other species of ingratitude.
David Williamson has been sick for some time. He was for 5 or 6 days quite deranged. His reason is now restored and he is likely to recover. His disorder as I suspect, is a "Mania a potu." People of weak nerves and vivid imaginations ought to be particularly cautious never to have anything to do with ardent spirits.
When you write give us a particular account of your visit to New York. Did you see Mr. McEaus? Or Dr. Hosack? Having been so long in that great City you can certainly file a sheet without difficulty. The family all send their love to you and Williamson, and I remain
Your affectionate Father
John Nevin
On looking over this letter perhaps I have not been sufficiently explicit as to your entering the Sophomore Class in Carlisle. The Commencement takes place in Carlisle on the last Wednesday in this month. Then there is a vacation. I forget how many weeks, but I know it is a long one. In Princeton the Commencement is on the last Wednesday in Sept. Of course the Sophomore Class in Carlisle would not be more than a few weeks ahead of you, and by entering it you would gain three months.
It is not necessary that you should mention your intended removal as yet to any one but your brother.
June 21
Dear Brother
Father says I may have room to write a few lines. Martha Mary can run all about the house and is beginning to Speak. She can say Anna and Isa little. Isaac Melancthon Cook is a fine boy a little bigger than Robert has a great deal of talk, but stutters pretty bad. Sarah Cook lives with aunt Henderson. They are both well contented. John Maclay starts to Virginia this week to try to get a School. John Pomroy says a lesson every day to Mr Wilson. He will go to Canonsburg in the fall. We have got a cage and a pet robin.
We have sold Burr, $100, Bony was very near going for the same price. But, we cant spare him, the little gray has not . . . . the water melons do not grow well, the season is too dry. The Peacock is very mischievious he wont let the hens cluck, it is probable that we will kill him perhaps Margaret & I will go to the Commencement. Margaret was at Martha Shannon’s marriage. Bell is very bad I dont think she will get well for some time. Our Cheries are begining to reden. Robert has got to wear pantaloons, we have got a singing every 2 weeks on Saturday Evening.
I was out picking currants and Margaret has wrote all this in my name and I was afraid you would think I took the pants and was sent of & Margaret finish it.
Your affectionate sister
Elizabeth
You must mind in future to send your best respects to Grandmother.
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9/13/1824
Notes with letter: Grandfather Nevin to his other son, John Williamson, student at Princeton Seminary.
"Our Late Excellent Uncle" Hugh Williamson who died in 1819.
"The Nation’s Guest" was the Marquis de la Fayette
*"Rev Mr. Moody" I don’t know. James Moody years after, married daughter of Caroline Olivia Nevin and Dr Rankin, in Shippensburg
**"Uncle" = John Williamson who visited his nephew John Nevin every summer.
F.T.N 3/98
**More likely the writer’s brother David Nevin.
F.T.N. 8/1904
*Rev. Moody was the pastor of Middle Spring Church.
Near Shippensburg Sept. 13th 1824
My Dear Son
I had a letter last week from New York, in which the Executors request that I would attend, clothed with powers from the other legatees to make a final settlement of the estate of our late excellent Uncle, on the 10th of October next. With this invitation I must comply. I take notice that the commencement at Nassau Hall takes place on the penultimate day of this month. Now the most convenient and economical plan is that I go in the barouche early in October to Princeton, where give it to you and William to return home. In this way William can bring with him, more than he could in the stage and the expenses will be much less. I would be in Princeton earlier or later in October. Just as you inform me how you and he will tell me. As to my going sooner than the day assigned for settlement it will make no great difference, as I can spend six or eight days very comfortably at Dr. Johnstons, or if I should be so fortunate in my tour as to come in contact with the "Nation’s Guest" I would chearfully give a few days to have a peep at the manner in which a free and a grateful people delight to honour their benefactor. I wish you to write soon after the reciept of this and assist William to pack up his goods that no delay may take place after my arrival.
The Rev. Mr. Moody requests you to send by mail to himself and to the Rev. Elliott Mercersburg Pa., one copy to each, of Dr. Millers introductory lecture on Creeds and Confessions. I believe I am correct in the title of the pamphlet and I think Mr. Elliott’s name is David. He is anxious to have his copy soon.
Our neighbour Andrew Moore was buried last week. There are some cases of fever and ague in town and in the pines, but on the whole I think this settlement must be called healthy at present. You have heard I suppose the Rev. Mr. Trimble is dead. It is said here, but I know not on what authority that he was on his return from the State of Indiana to take a wife, a Miss Ross of Princeton. I was sorry for his death, for I had believed that he would make an able and useful advocate in the cause of his thanks.
I suppose I need not tell you that as Uncle will expect to be shewn your letter, and will most probably bring it to me from the office, as he attends Mr. McClure regularly twice a week, you should make mention of him with that affection which he so richly merits at your hand. The old blue coat may be stowed away in some corner of William’s trunk incog.
Your affectionate father
John Nevin
Williams letter dated Sept. 3d 1823 was recieved last week.
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