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 Philander Chase

George Marriott
4-17-1824

Marriott is asking for a letter from Bishop Bowen so that Miss M can make a copy and share it with Lord Kenyon
Letter to Bishop of Durham

Philander Chase
4-20-1824

Bishop Chase expresses his regret to not be able to visit with Bishop of Durham due to prior engagements.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
4-24-1824

Lord Kenyon is expressing his support for Bp. Chase's seminary.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lady Rosse
4-26-1824

Lady Rosse is making a large donation to Bp. Chase
Letter to Mr. Butterworth

Philander Chase
5-1-1824

Bp. Chase sets a date to dine with Mr. Butterworth
Letter to Lady Rosse

Philander Chase
5-1-1824

Bp. Chase accepts Lady Rosse's gift of £100, but he requests that it be used to fund the construction of a Seminary chapel rather than support himself financially.
Letter to Philander Chase

George Marriott
5-1824

This is a fragment of a letter in which Marriott expresses his happiness at seeing the letter Chase received from Lord Kenyon
Letter to Philander Chase

Miss Duff Macfarlane
5-1824

Miss Duff Macfarlane is giving Bp Chase advice about how to gain support in Scotland
Memorandum of Replies to Attacks

Philander Chase
5-1824

Memorandum of replies by Bp. Chase to attacks on him mainly from Bishop Hobart.
Letter to G.W. Marriott

G W. Marriott
5-3-1824

Crawley updates G.W. Marriott of the Bishop's visit to Stowe.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
5-3-1824

Chase is updating his wife on what he has been up to. Including meeting with the Lords Gambier and Kenyon as well as Dr Gaskin.
Letter to Charles Witmore

Sophia Chase
5-4-1824

Sophia Chase updates Witmore on her husband's progress and trials in his mission. She asks Witmore to talk to Mr. Douglas regarding their wool. She also informs Witmore of Bishop Chase's death.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
5-4-1824

Philander Chase writes to his wife encouraging her and her friends to think of people to help fund his project.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
5-4-1824

Kenyon is sending along a card from another Bishop who sends his support.
Letter to Bishops Requesting Support

Philander Chase
5-5-1824

Copy of note sent by Chase to various Bishops requesting support of the "Appeal"
Letter to G.W. Marriott

R.M. Caldecott
5-9-1824

Caldecott requests information regarding Bishop Chase. He informs Marriott of the status of an appeal at Oxford.
Letter to R. M. Caldecott

G.W. Marriott
5-11-1824

Marriott details the resolution of a dispute between bishops and discusses recent subscriptions and support in England for Chase's cause.
Letter to Lord Kenyon

Philander Chase
5-12-1824

Bishop Chase discusses his task of circulating the "Appeal" around London and to promote his project in Ohio
Letter to Philander Chase

Gambier
5-12-1824

Gambier offers condoloences and support to Bp. Chase regarding the death of his son
Letter to Miss Duff Macfarlane

Philander Chase
5-13-1824

Chase writes of his troubles properly expressing his gratitude and updates Macfarlane on his travels.
Letter to James Dallin

Philander Chase
5-18-1824

Chase writes of his sadness regarding the death of his son Philander Chase Jr. He also thanks Mr. Dallin and his friends for their donations of books.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
5-20-1824

Bishop Chase inquires about the state of his wife. He updates her on Lord Kenyon and Dr. Gaskin's campaign to restore the image of himself in England.
Letter to Lady Rosse

Philander Chase
5-20-1824

Chase is impressed by the majesty of the York Minster cathedral and compares it to Niagara Falls.
Letter to Philander Chase

John B. Stuart
5-22-1824

Stuart updates Bishop Chase on the reception of his Appeal in Stuart's vicinity. Mr. Pratt has given £90.
Letter to Bishop Bowen

Philander Chase
5-22-1824

Bishop Chase thanks Bishop Bowen for the kindness with which he treated Philander Jr. in the last days of his life.