Ethel Hill Chase (1866 - 1904) Biography/ Mariana Davenport/ Steven Davenport

Ethel Hill Chase Bonnell (1866 - 1904) Biography

Ethel Hill Chase born February 16, 1866, in Wilkes-Barre, PA.  She attended the Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA in 1885.  She married Henry Houston Bonnell of Elizabeth, NJ on January 16, 1901 at the First Presbyterian Church.  

They had a daughter Mariana Bonnell on April 20, 1902 in Chestnut Hill, PA near Philadelphia.  (Mariana married Stephen Rintoul Davenport on October 13,1928 and had 4 sons (Henry Bonnell, Stephen R. Jr,  Samuel Chase and John Leverett ).  

Ethel died November 26, 1904 in Philadelphia, PA, and is buried Hollenback cemetery, Wilkes-Barre, PA.  (See her obituary below)

After Ethel died, Henry Houston Bonnell married Helen Safford Knowles (a 1907 Wellesley graduate).  When Henry died in 1926, his estate was valued at $1.9 million.  His library was given to Univ. of Pennsylvania and the Morgan Library.  His large collection of manuscripts and first editions of the works of the Bronte sisters went to the Bronte Museum in Hawarth, England.  Helen Knowles Bonnell died in April of 1969.

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A review of one of her recitations:

“Miss Ethel Hill Chase, whose monologues are inimitable, was received with enthusiasm and her selections were of a style that made tears come to the eyes as well as laughter to the lips.  Her first number, The German Opera, which she adapted from Clyde Finch’s article in The Smart Set, was one of the most deliciously funny things that was ever written, and was given with a delightful appreciation of its humor.  

The second was the story of The Boy Orator as told by Richard Harding Davis, and was told with a pathos of tone and gesture which went straight to the hearts of her hearers.

To the determined recall, she responded with Encouragement, a negro dialect verse in which Miss Chase is quite as proficient as in the other class of representations.  

Her last number, The Lady Trimmer, written for her, was admirably given, and caused frequent outbursts of laughter from the audience.  Miss Chase is as graceful as she is clever and ranks deservedly high among the society entertainers of the metropolis.  She will always be sure of finding a more than cordial welcome from Richfield audiences.”

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Obituary from the Wilkes-Barre Record, November 28, 1904

There comes from Philadelphia the painful news that Mrs. Ethel H. Chase Bonnell died at her home on Chestnut Hill on Saturday.  Though Mrs. Bonnell had been indisposed there was no thought of serious consequence, and her taking off was a cruel shock to her family and friends.

Four years ago she became the wife of Henry H. Bonnell and she has never been in rugged health since the birth of a daughter, now left motherless at the age of three years.

Mrs. Bonnell was the possessor of One of the happiest of dispositions and wherever she went she scattered sunshine and was the life of every social circle in which she mingled.  She was loving, gentle, generous, useful, in fact it may truly be said that there were none of the attributes of wifehood, motherhood and womanhood that she did not possess to a bountiful degree.

Her friends will recall the delight which she used to give favored audiences in the matter of recitations.  She was an accomplished amateur elocutionist and might easily have won professional honors had not her career, so full of promise, been cut short by her marriage.

She was a life long member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wilkes-Barre and an active participant in the religious and benevolent activities for which that congregation is noted.  Mrs. Bonnell was born in Wilkes-Barre thirty eight years ago and was the elder daughter of Edward H. Chase and his wife Elisabeth Taylor Chase.  Her mother died in 1896.

Besides her husband, she is survived by sister, Miss Frances Chase, brother, Samuel C. Chase, both of whom reside with their father in Wilkes-Barre and a second brother, Harold T. Chase, editor of the Topeka Capital.

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Ethel H Chase, 1882, "With love to Mabel"

Ethel H Chase by Prince Studio, 31 Union Square, NJ

Ethel Chase Bonnell holding daughter Marianna, 3 months old, 1902

Marianna Bonnell, 1905 or 1906

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

21 East 51st Terrace, Kansas City, 2, Missouri

From Mrs. Stephen R. Davenport, R.D. No. 1, Box 157A, Willowmere, Riverside, CT

March 4, 1950

Dea Lieuween and Hamp:

It was fine to hear from you -- it must be a sign of mental telepathy as I was about to write to you.  But you musn’t thank me for having Frances.  It was sheer pleasure from beginning to end of her visit, and we all enjoyed her (    ).  I think she’s a lovely person and the most thoughtful, considerate and helpful guest.  She offered to do anything, everything to give me a hand; and except for the (  ) with Henry, she had a very quiet time, but seemed to enjoy that too!  And made us feel that anything we do was fun -- reading, knitting, just sitting about.  It was really a delight knowing her and I hope she can come again, perhaps in June when all the gang is here as she seemed to get quite a kick out of the fun, foolery and kidding (and that with only half of us here)!

John and I are about to have a marvelous and I guess what will prove to be memorable -- we are going to hear “Rigoletto” at the “Met” with our next -door neighbor singing (He’s the baritone at the “Met”).  When I asked him if he thought this was a good choice for a 13-year old’s first opera, he said “Yes, very medlodius, tuneful, etc.”  “Do come back stage and ask for me in the intermission.”  How’s that !!

I forwarded your letter to (   ) Hamp, and hope and pray he answers it soon.  He’s one (proud) boy, but his shining characteristic is not prompt correspondence.

I had a fine 5-day visit with Aunt Fan in January and found her fine - her interest in things is amazing.  She took me up to see the place where they paint and I think her oils are remarkable.  She and her gals have a lot of fun out of life, which I wonder if I shall at 70 +?

Come East again soon

As ever, with love,

Mariana

P.S. Johnny sends his best.  Steve Jr. is in California on a business trip or he would too.

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To Mr. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66205

From Mrs. Stephen R. Davenport, Cove View Avenue, Riverside, CT

February 11, 1962, Sunday

Dear Hamp

Greeting and Salutations!  Just a line today -- I was in Chestnut Hill last weekend, going over old albums, old letters and a trunk my father had used.  Folded and put away some of my mother’s dresses, furs, linen combos etc. -- all very nostalgic although of course, I never knew her.  I spent a long time so doing and brought back a few of her things (but no one I know could ever use them, such a long waist and size).  But I thought the family would like to see a few.

In the course of going through some of Dad’s letters and old postcards, I found the enclosed.  Shades of our past !  These must have been taken at Craigville, where the wonderful acres of cranberries grew (transcriber’s note:  Cape Cod).  

We are all fine.  It was reassuring, though, knowing how well I feel.  Not surprising to hear from x-rays (taken the end of January), 6 months or so since the operation, that I was fine -- no signs of the cancer.  So now, Steven and I will try again (keep fingers crossed) to get to Italy in early April.  It was a huge disappointment to put it on hold last April.  But here it is almost the end of February.  So, April will come again.

John is now at Camp Bragg N.C.  He went to Dix in August, had his 8 weeks basic training, the out to Oklahoma for 5 weeks -- home December to early January.   Then, back again to North Carolina.  Rumors are that they will let the boys out by June.   They can’t keep them longer than October.  He never complains and takes it all in his stride but longs to get out and started.  He passed his bar exams in October (took them in July).  He has had a few interviews with lawyers needless to say -- is antsy to “get going”.

Sam is keen on his job with Norton Company in Worcester -- does a lot of skating -- works with cut scenes every so often -- on Vestry at church, teaches Sunday school and fishes when its Spring!  

Steve is still teaching school outside of Hartford. He, Jo and Wendy (4 ½) have a new little house in deep country a half mile away.  They all come to see us in March for his vacation.

Henry, Lucy and their 2 are in Bedford, very near us.

Did I say -- “just a line” ?

Also, thought the enclosed clipping I cut out January 31st might amuse you.  Slightly dated but still pretty right.

I do hope you and Lieuween have kept well and free of all the nasty flu germs and viruses.

I think I should get up to see Aunt Fan before I leave for Italy.  Her life seems so restricted and a bit dull, though she keeps remarkably well.  I went up this time last year and had a good visit (no trains anymore, went by Greyhound).  Not wanting to be abroad for 3 months without saying “goodbye”.  But I feel a little pushed, what with new glasses, shoes, packing, putting blankets away and having family in!

However, she’s an old lady and I’d feel terrible if anything happened and I did not see her.

How do you think she is ?

This is really the end now!

Steve sends his best with mine to you and Lieuween.  It’s just too bad we live a ½ continent apart.

Much love to you both, as always,

Nana

P.S.  Do we now leave out “Kansas City” on your address?

Hamilton Chase in Craigville, probably 1911

Perhaps Hamilton Chase, Harold T. Chase and Annie Chase
Craigville, Cape Cod around 1911

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, 66205

From Stephen R. Davenport at Kidney Pond Lodge, Millinocket, Maine, 04462 (Mariana Bonnell’s husband)

September 17, 1969

(writing at the time of Hamilton Chase’s sudden death)

Dear Lieween, 

This is to express our sympathy to you on your loss of Hamilton so suddenly.  It must have been a great shock to you.  It was to Nana when she opened the telegram which reached  here last Thursday night.

He was still comparatively young as ages go these days and when it comes suddenly that makes it all the more of a shock.  But for the one who is taken, it is better than going through a long lingering illness.

Words do not fill up the blank and living through bereavement is one of the hardest things to bear.  But time softens that and one has to keep remembering that he is no more prone to pain or anxiety -- just rest and peace waiting for the time of the Resurrection.

 Affectionately,

Stephen