The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D.D. was the founder and first President of Kenyon College serving from 1824 to 1831. Chase was also the first Episcopal Bishop of Ohio. This collection of his letters is kept in the College Archives and is available to researchers.
The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
4-22-1794Written when Bishop Chase was 19 years old and an undergraduate at Dartmouth, in danger of suspension for supposedly cutting off a freshman's hair during prayer. Chase claims he was framed by his enemy, Nathan Noyes, who accused Chase of the crime.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-17-1795Recounting how Philander Chase was cleared of the haircutting crime.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
6-29-1795Recounting how he was cleared of the hair-cutting crime.
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Letter to Parents: Dudley and Alice Chase
Philander Chase
11-5-1796Philander Chase requests money from his parents in order to afford board.
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Letter to Dudley and Alice Chase
Philander Chase
1797Letter to his parents describing the soul and the body. He is frustrated by overly zealous and emotional believers, as they do not accurately represent God.
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Anecdote, Thousands such souls might dance on needles points
Philander Chase
7-26-1797Anecdote regarding mens' complaints and difficult people
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
8-5-1797Philander Chase writes a letter to his father detailing a fire in Albany .
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Letter to Dudley and Alice Chase
Philander Chase
2-12-1798Letter from Philander Chase to his father regarding a possible appointment as clergyman.
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Letter to Dudley and Alice Chase
Philander Chase
5-31-1798Philander tells his parents he will be traveling to New York on a new assignment and asks them to send money so that he may purchase a horse and supplies.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
1800Philander writes Dudley, discusses Dudley's son, George, and the current political turmoil.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-21-1800Philander updates Dudley on his family life and his new wife.
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Letter to Dudley and Alice Chase
Philander Chase
6-10-1800Philander thanks his father for the money he sent.
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Copy of Inscription in the Uncas Burial Ground
Philander Chase
7-23-1800Copy of Inscription in the Uncas Burial Ground
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
11-28-1800Philander invites his sister to stay for the winter.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-29-1801Philander shares an excerpt of a poem by Robert Bloomsfield. He is grateful to hear from Dudley after Dudley's perilous journey. He misses his son, George, and New York.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
7-4-1801Philander scorns Rachel for not writing after her travels. He updates her on his wife's health.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
11-12-1801Philander updates Rachel on his family's health. He offers her a teaching job.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-1-1802Edwin Dudley, Philander's youngest son, has died. Philander informs Dudley of his job offer to Rachel.
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The New Instructor Being the Second Part of the American Spelling Book
Philander Chase
12-6-1804A recommendation for The New Instructor by Asa Rhoads.
