Philander Chase Letters

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 Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
2-2-1824

Journey to Derby and Ockbrook with Rev. Sanders. Descriptions of the Moravian Village.
Letter to Philander Chase

Rev. Peter Roe
2-2-1824

Roe encourages Chase to visit his native land, Ireland. He would meet first the Primate and Archbishop of Dublin, which will secure him general attention.
Letter to Philander Chase

Reverend I.G. Howard
2-2-1824

Howard has always wanted to be a Missionary. Should he return to America with Chase and view the state of the churches there, bringing a report back to England?
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
2-3-1824

Hastily written letter, Chase will go next to Sheffield and then to Leeds
Letter to Timothy Wiggin

Philander Chase
2-3-1824

Bishop Hobart is making collections in favor of the New York Seminary, which bodes well for Chase's cause. Chase details his time in Derby and Ockbrook with Mr. Evans and Mr. Howard.
Letter to Philander Chase

Josiah Pratt
2-5-1824

Pratt has sent 100 copies of the "Appeal" for Chase to distribute to the people he meets on his travels, so they can forward their names and subscription fees to the Treasurer. He wants Chase to stay in the North until April and come to London again in the spring.
Letter to George Mariott

Philander Chase
2-5-1824

Chase is on his way to Leeds to visit the family of Intrepid Morse's deceased wife. Expression of thankfulness to Marriott, Lord Kenyon, and Dr. Gaskin.
Letter to Philander Chase

Timothy Wiggin
2-5-1824

Wiggin has received subscriptions from the Warden and Dr. Smith. Lord Kenyon's name is of great service.
Letter to Philander Chase

Anson Hayden
2-7-1824

Everybody in London misses Chase. Bishop Hobart has visited and is changing his direction towards Chase's cause, he has proposed making Chase's school a Branch of the General Theological Seminary.
Letter to Philander Chase

Timothy Wiggin
2-9-1824

Wiggin has had some trouble soliciting subscriptions, but the Warden's subscription makes him optimistic. Suggests that Chase visit Huddersfield, Halifax, and Bradford.
Letter to Philander Chase

Geroge Marriott
2-9-1824

Confidential letter: Bishop Hobart visited Marriott seeking peace between himself and Chase. However Marriott does not want his name to appear on Chase's subscription list until after the matter is resolved.
Letter to Philander Chase

George Marriott
2-10-1824

Public letter: Bishop Hobart's desires create a Branch School in Ohio and assurance that it will not be met with opposition from the American Church at large.
Letter to Timothy Wiggin

Philander Chase
2-10-1824

Details of Chase's new acquaintances at Leeds. The Vicar of Chesterfield has proposed donating books to Chase.
Letter to Philander Chase

John Longmire
2-10-1824

Contribution of five pounds to Chase's cause. Asks if Chase and his infant institution would find value in a collection of books and periodicals he has.
Letter to Philander Chase

Timothy Wiggin
2-13-1824

Wiggin is working on getting subscriptions. Bishop Hobart is in London. Wiggin does not believe that Chase ever intended any harm to the unity of the Church. The subscribers would not like it if Chase's institution became a branch, under the control of only one or two individuals.
Letter to Timothy Wiggin

Philander Chase
2-13-1824

At York, Chase met Mr. Gray. Mr. Pratt suggests that Chase meet as many people in the North of England as possible. Bishop Hobart may help Chase get a Branch School in America. Chase is astonished, but is afraid of what will happen if he refuses the offer.
Letter to Thomas S. B. Reade

Timothy Wiggin
2-15-1824

Wiggin sends Reade 12 copies of the appeal and is glad that he is joining the cause.
Letter to Philander Chase

Timothy Wiggin
2-17-1824

Bishop Hobart's offer to get Chase a branch school may be unavailing. He may also want to divide the subscriptions. Many subscribers would not have subscribed if the subscriptions were contained to one party. Wiggin includes a list of all of the subscribers he has procured and the amounts they give. Mr. Johnson has received an anonymous note from London which disapproves the subscription, and he may be using his influence against Wiggin.
Letter to Philander Chase

Pratt Josiah
2-17-1824

Bishop Hobart is in London and met with Pratt. Pratt told Hobart that Chase would agree to a connection of the Ohio School with the General Seminary, if the Convention of Ohio would have control of its own school. A memorandum of what was agreed upon Pratt and Hobart.
Letter to Philander Chase

Robert Twellddell
2-18-1824

Tweddell explains the personal circumstances which prevent him from donating to Chase's cause more generously. He also warns Chase of a "party-spirit" in many English Christians, which leaves them bigoted and ignorant.
Letter to Philander Chase

Josiah Pratt
2-19-1824

Advice on a letter Chase drafted to George Marriott. Updates on the Memorandum given to Bishop Hobart. If the Convention of Ohio should not agree to the school being a Branch, then it should be a Diocesan school.
Letter to Philander Chase

Reverend I.G. Howard
2-19-1824

Howard believes that he should be the right man toaccompany Chase back to America, and he will visit the West Indes on his return to England. Though his health has been failing for about 7 years, travelling has often been beneficial to him.
Letter to Philander Chase

Timothy Wiggin
2-20-1824

Wiggin received a protest of Hobart's proceedings, signed by Elijah Hayward, which should prove useful to Chase. List of new subscribers. The Warden advises that Chase make his school a Branch School. Wiggin believes that if it does become a Branch School, Chase will get more support from Bartlett's Buildings Society.
Letter to Philander Chase

Josiah Pratt
2-21-1824

Pratt met with Lord Gambier today, and showed him the correspondence between Chase and Marriott. Gambier is anxious to secure the independence of the Ohio Sanctuary.
Letter to George Mariott

Philander Chase
2-23-1824

Response to Marriott's letter of the tenth and reiteration of the pledges that Chase has procurred. Chase will do everything he can to come to an agreement with Bishop Hobart.