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 Mr. Dallin
Philander Chase
9-15-1824As Chase prepares to leave New York for Ohio, he fills Dallin in on his trip across the Atlantic, the birth and baptism of his son Philander, and other updates.
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Letter to Lord Gambier
Philander Chase
9-15-1824Chase tells Lord Gambier of his continued dispute with Bishop Hobart and updates him on his travels to Ohio
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Letter to Sir Thomas Acland
Philander Chase
9-15-1824Chase writes of his voyage to America and reunion with his family. He also discusses the Church Convention in Ohio and the prospect of using a printing press in Connecticut.
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Letter to Philander Chase
L. Kip
9-18-1824Kip copies down several newspaper excerpts regarding Mr. Onderdonk's letter to the Evening Post and provides his own commentary on the situation.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
9-18-1824Wiggin updates Chase on the situation with Bishop Hobart and assures him that Lord Kenyon and Mr. Marriott among others are on his side as always. Wiggin also updates Chase on the progress of the subscriptions in England and tells him of the status of his friends there.
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Letter to Charles Hammond
Philander Chase
10-9-1824Chase writes of his plans in Ohio and discusses the question of where the Theological Seminary will be founded
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Letter to Reverend John Armstrong
Philander Chase
10-9-1824Chase invites Armstrong to the Ohio Convention in November and asks him to forward him the inventory and address of a number of boxes that he forgot to account for
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Letters to Intrepid Morse & Daniel Collier
Philander Chase
10-11-1824Two letters on the same piece of paper. Chase discusses writing his address and insists that his nephew make sure Mr. Wells assists with the councils. Chase writes to Collier about the evening convention and report on the state of the missionary fund. He asks him to send him a letter and updates him on his travel.
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Letter to Henry Clay
Philander Chase
10-14-1824Chase sends Clay a letter from Lord Gambier and invites him to the convention in Chillicothe on November 3rd.
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Letter to Dr. Davis
Philander Chase
10-15-1824Chase apologizes for not being able to answer all of Davis's questions but updates him on the state of the institution.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Miss Duff Macfarlane
10-19-1824Miss Macfarlane tells Chase of her visit to see Mr. and Mrs. Wiggin and wishes him well in America.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lady Olivia Sparrow
10-20-1824Lady Sparrow updates Chase on her family, her travel, her friends, and her correspondence with Lord Kenyon
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
10-25-1824Kenyon recounts times shared with Chase in England, prays for him, briefly discusses Chase's school in Ohio, and provides other updates
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
10-29-1824Wiggin writes about his confidence in Chase's friends regarding their interest in the Seminary, despite issues caused by Bishop Hobart. He also discusses funding and provides advice on obtaining land and formatting rules and regulation for the school. He is very interested in continuing to provide Chase with support and advice surrounding his cause.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
11-11-1824Chase thanks Rachel for her letter, expresses his excitment about her upcoming visit, and updates her on the construction of the College which he hopes will be completed in about a month.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Philander Chase
12-15-1824Chase writes about attacks in the weekly and monthly publications, mentions the gift of 441£ from Oxford, and provides life updates in response to Marriott's letter.
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Letter to Olivia Chase
George Chase
12-23-1824George writes to his Aunt to ask why he has not received any letters back from her or his wife. He updates them on the situation in Worthington, Philander's work, and the progress of the institution, which he claims will be incorporated that winter.
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Act of Incorporation
General Assembly of Ohio
12-24-1824Act of Incorporation: includes original Act from 1824 incorporating seminary as well as 1826 addendum officially recognizing name Kenyon College.
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Periodical Proposals
Philander Chase
12-31-1824Proposals for publishing a periodical work entitled "The Christian Star in the West."
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"A Declaration and Statement of my Worldly Affairs when I returned from England, 1824"
Philander Chase
12-31-1824Chase asks that considering his successes in England, his original salary be reinstated and the costs he endured be defrayed
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
1-1-1825Marriott expresses his delight in reading Chase's last letter and details sharing copies with many others. He describes his admiration for the success of new churches in America and Chase's dedication to God.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Margaret Kenyon
1-1-1825Margaret Kenyon thanks Chase for his letter and assures him of her family's support. She also discusses her plans for an "Ohio garden" and asks Chase to send more Ohio plants.
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Opinion Concerning Alterations to Constitution
Lord Kenyon
1825Lord Kenyon's opinion "Concerning Alterations in Constitution of Theological Seminary in Ohio"
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Pamphlet on Progress
Philander Chase
1-2-1825Chase discusses his project as well as Bishop Hobart's influence
