Emeric Chase (1824-1864)
This letter was written by William Chase (1824-1860), the son of John Merrill Chase (1801-1827) and Alice Young (1801-18xx). We learn from this letter that William resided for a time in Dodgeville, Wisconsin before returning to Meigs County, Ohio to marry Elvira Winn (1822-1876) in April 1849. The 1850 Census shows the couple living in Huntington, Gallia County, Ohio though they appear to have returned to Rutland, Meigs County, Ohio by 1854. William served three years in the Federal army during the civil war, a member of Company E and later Company C of the 2d Colorado Cavalry. A record of William’s death cannot be found but it appears he died prior to 1870 because Elvira is listed as the head of household in the 1870 Meigs County, Ohio census and she applied for a widow’s pension in 1873. Perhaps the family had moved to Kansas Territory prior to the Civil War and Elvira returned to Ohio with their children during or after the war.
Nancy (Winn) Chase (1827-1864)
William wrote the letter to his cousin, Emeric Chase (1826-1864), the son of Thomas Jefferson Chase (1806-1879) and Rebecca Romine (1804-1853) of Meigs County, Ohio. Emeric married Nancy Winn (1827-1864) in August 1848. Emeric and Nancy relocated from Ohio to Kansas Territory sometime prior to 1858, settling in Liberty Township, in Woodson County. During the Civil War, Emeric served as a private in Co. F., 9th Kansas Cavalry. He died in November 1864 and is buried (Plot: 33 0 3147) in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
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TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Emeric Chase, Harrisonville, Meigs County, Ohio
Dodgeville [Wisconsin]
July 24th 1848
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter of June 23d and was glad to hear that you was all well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I was very glad to hear that you and George had got religion. I hope you will be faithful and remember me in your prayers.
I received a letter from Freeman Winn a few days ago and he told me in his letter that the prospect was very good for George’s being a man of a family if I did come back soon. He says that he has trained him up in the way he shall go and that he goes so well that there is more hopes of him than there is of himself.
Things are going on about right here. The Sons of Temperance have had a great celebration here today. We had over two thousand members of the different lodges. One year ago we numbered in Dodgeville 8 and now we have one hundred and fifty.
Believed to be Elvira Winn
I received a letter from Elvira Winn and have answered it. I do not want you to let anybody see it. Be very careful not to let any of the boys get a hold of your letters when I write to you anything about our love matters. I think for fear of something wrong you had better learn them as quick as you read them. Give my love to all my friends and relation. Tell Freeman that I shall answer his letter in a few days. Give my love to every one that you hear speak of me.
John sends his love to you all. It is getting dark and I cannot see to write any more. I hope soon to be with you and tell you a thousand things that I cannot tell you in a letter. Your dear cousin, — William Chase
Widow’s Pension Application Filed by Elvira Winn Chase
Grave Marker of Emeric(k) Chase at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery
Spared & Shared 1 
September 28th, 2014 at 1:01 pm
I was thrilled to find this letter today! Emeric Chase is my great great grandfather. We are proud that he put his life on the line to oppose slavery in Bleeding Kansas and of his Civil War service. It seems to have been a very politically conscious family and now I can add the temperance movement to their causes.
I know so little about Emeric’s wife Nancy Winn. This letter also gives me some new names to search in the Winn family.
I applaud what you are doing and am grateful to have found this. Best wishes.
September 28th, 2014 at 4:05 pm
Suzanne; Glad you found the letter. — Griff
August 4th, 2018 at 10:05 pm
I am just starting a family tree for my husbands side of the family and found your post. Emeric and Nancy are his great great grandparents.I would love to know how you found it.
August 5th, 2018 at 4:57 am
Purchased and subsequently sold again on e-bay by a friend of mine who permitted me to scan and post a transcription of the letter on this webpage in exchange for the transcript/research. Glad you found the letter and that you thought it useful in your genealogical quest. — Griff