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 William Sparrow
Philander Chase
1-12-1825Chase describes an incident in which Mr. Hunter, who was staying with Chase's family and was potentially to become a teacher at the school, suddenly claimed he had been insulted by the family and had to leave. Chase claims he has no idea what could have upset Mr. Hunter and was very distraught by the event. Chase also updates Sparrow on the subscription process in England.
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Letter to Reverend J.W. Brooks
Philander Chase
1-13-1825Chase apologizes for his belated letter and updates Brooks on the proceedings of the Chillicothe Convention, in which the Seminary's charter was granted.
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Letter to Adam Hodgson
Philander Chase
1-17-1825Chase feels settled in Ohio with the seminary and thanks Hodgson for his support and help forwarding letters from England.
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Letter to B.M. Atherton
Philander Chase
1-19-1825Letter fragment in which Chase recounts opposition to his trip to England on the part of Bishop Hobart and others.
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Letter to Miss Hurdis
I. Vansittart
1-22-1825Vansittart relays news of the ongoing success of Chase's cause.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
1-22-1825Kenyon speaks of his daughter's affection for Chase as well as his plans for the rest of the month and people he knows who might be sympathetic to Chase's cause.
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Letter to Mr. Williams
Philander Chase
1-27-1825Chase invites Mr. Williams to a gathering at his home and asks him to invite and bring along several other men.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
2-7-1825Marriott discusses the acquisition and reactions to the Journal sent by Chase. Marriott updates Chase on various individuals and discussions of a potential new theological university in Yorkshire.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
2-24-1825Long letter in which Lord Kenyon updates Chase on a number of things including the support for his cause in England, the health of Kenyon's family, and his hopes for Chase's continued success.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
3-3-1825Chase writes to his nephew to tell him of a student who has dropped out of the school and changes he thinks should be made to its administration. Chase also discusses feeling overwhelmed with work as well as a response to a negative pamphlet being distributed in England and the favorable reaction to it. He also discusses his brother George's disappointing conduct and the death of his son, Philander.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-19-1825Chase updates his wife on what he has been doing over the past few days, including discussing possible lands to purchase for the Seminary and making plans to lay out the town.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Margaret Kenyon
4-3-1825Mrs. Kenyon has found prints of the Seminary and Church. Mrs. Kenyon tells Bp. about the high amount of attendees she saw at church on a festival of the church. She then expresses concern for Bp.'s health in the coming winter as he continues to oversee the building of the College.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
4-5-1825Chase discusses plans for laying out the town near Alum Creek as well as clearing the area and planting trees.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Reverend Bowdler
4-8-1825Bowdler sends a box containing a few books for the use of the Theological Seminary in the Diocese of Ohio, including a memoir of the life of his father.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
4-11-1825Lord Kenyon updates Chase on his life in England and those of his English friends and supporters.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Margaret Kenyon
4-13-1825Kenyon informs Chase that subscriptions now exceed 6000 pounds and that new subscriptions are continually flowing in.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Reverend W. Ward
4-13-1825Ward expresses his sympathy in hearing of the death of Marriott's brother and describes his own recent accident in which his son suffered a fracture in his leg.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
4-17-1825Marriott informs Chase of the death of his brother, John, and updates Chase on Bishop Hobart and others.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
4-22-1825Marriott tells Chase his brother left many sermons behind that he intends many to read. He updates Chase on the progress of others' work in seminaries and informs Chase that Mrs. Newbury has sent him a book from Mr. Raikes of Gloucester.
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Letter to Messrs. Smith and Jenkins
Philander Chase
4-25-1825Chase writes to Messrs. Smith and Jenkins about moving the Seminary from Worthington to Mrs. Reed's land on Alum Creek. He expresses to them his frustration that they will not give him any land, despite the fact that he claims it will double the value.
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Letter to James Parker
Philander Chase
4-26-1825Chase discusses possible lands to be purchased near Alum Creek for the Seminary.
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Letter to Unknown Bishop
Philander Chase
4-26-1825Chase writes about the plans to purchase certain lands and to clear an area for the construction of the Seminary. He also discusses the influence of local interests on the plans.
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Letter to Rev. Johnston
Philander Chase
4-28-1825Chase asks Johnston to send the rest of his things from Cincinnati.
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Letter to Leonard Kip
Philander Chase
4-29-1825Chase discusses a student he hopes to take on, the "wicked conduct" of a man named James Kilbourne, and the project of the Ohio Canal.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Bishop Hopkins
5-24-1825Hopkins informs Intrepid Morse of Bishop White's plans to visit and requests he be there as well.