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
Sophia Chase
11-13-1827Mrs. Chase reports that, though Fanny is sick, her own health is very good. Gadfrey Swells is also sick. New boys have arrived in Worthington. Mrs. Douglas wants to know if her husband is coming.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
11-24-1827Lord Kenyon thanks Chase for his letter and reiterates his support and appreciation for Mr. West, who has just returned to Ireland. Kenyon also discusses progress with subscriptions as well as his efforts to provide Mr. West with a good number of men to accompany him to Ohio.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Bp. W. Ward
12-1827Bp. Ward writes about land inheritance, his endeavors in building new churches, conflicts within Europe and emigration, amongst other updates.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
12-19-1827Kenyon updates Chase on his affairs as well as the lives of their friends in England.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
12-24-1827Marriott updates Chase on his recent writing and promises to respond to Chase's last letter more directly in a following letter. He expresses his satisfaction with the appointment of a new bishop.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
12-30-1827Chase is conflicted with whether he should go to Gambier to see the ill Mr. Douglass, because he must also oversee the examination and ordination of Mr. Stem. He asks his wife for her advice and tells her to do what she thinks is best.
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Diploma from St. Patrick's Church for G. M. West
Deans of St. Patrick's Church, Dublin
1-9-1828Diploma from St. Patrick's Church for G. M. West
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Letter to Benjamin Allen
Philander Chase
1-10-1828Chase tells Allen of the passage of a bill in the Ohio legislature authorizing a grant of lands to Kenyon College.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-25-1828Fragment of a letter in which Chase describes staying with a family who had no knowledge of religion, and whom he attempted to teach by providing an example of a man who once worked in Gambier but died in a drunken accident.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-27-1828Chase discusses an incident at the school and tells his wife that he authorizes Mr. Sparrow to take appropriate measures to resolve it. He assures his wife of his continued love and support.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
George Chase
2-2-1828George discusses the low levels of support for Jackson in Randolph and expresses his frustrations with his work as a lawyer.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-8-1828Chase describes his affairs in Washington, including dinner with the President. He is very busy and asks for continued prayers for his success.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-10-1828Chase updates his wife on what he has been doing in Washington and responds to letters enclosed with her last.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-13-1828Chase discusses his meetings in Alexandria and Washington as well as updates to the subscription list. He is in good health and is with his wife's family in Washington.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-15-1828Chase responds to ongoing issues at the school mentioned in his wife's last letter. He has good reason to believe his petition will be favorably received by the Senate. The Milnor Professorship has been filled.
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Letter to Lord Kenyon
Philander Chase
2-20-1828Chase updates Lord Kenyon on his progress with the petition in Washington as well as the development of the buildings in Gambier.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-21-1828Chase describes a dinner he attended at Mr. Clay's and a party with Mr. and Mrs. Adams, at which he had an opportunity to speak with a few other friends.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-22-1828Chase discusses his affairs in Washington and tells his wife that he will have to go to New York to invest the money for the Milnor Professorship.
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Letter to Benjamin Allen
Philander Chase
2-22-1828Chase tells Allen of trouble he has had in securing funds for the Milnor professorship and of his fears that he will have to finance it himself in part. He tells Allen not to go to England.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-28-1828Chase has officially offered the Milnor professorship to Dr. Keith and hopes he will accept.
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Letter to Lord Kenyon
Philander Chase
3-1-1828Chase is optimistic about his petition being accepted but wishes he could return to Knox County. He discusses the subscription of Arthur Tappan towards a professorship as well as Dr. Keith's nomination for the position. Chase regrets that the College cannot accept more students given its popularity at the moment.
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Letter to Bishop Brownell
Philander Chase
3-1-1828Chase discusses his progress in petitioning Congress as well as a negative article written by Bishop Hobart. The paper also includes a brief note to Chase's wife.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-1-1828Chase expresses his love for his wife and updates her on his endeavors in Washington. Col. Johnson told him that he will begin Chase's bill in the Senate next week.
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Letter to Rev. William Meade
R.R. Wormeley
3-5-1828Wormeley discusses meeting Bishop Chase in England and the reaction to his cause there.
