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 Montgomery West
3-1-1829West sends a long letter in which he outlines the facts of how he complied with Chases's requests and expectations.
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Letter from Lord Gambier
Lord Gambier
3-20-1829Gambier gives road directions to a dinner party. He also expresses his satisfaction with Mr. West's work and mourns the death of Mr. Horace.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
4-11-1829Chase thanks his brother for his successful handling of the business of the Milnor Professorship.
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Letter to Lord Kenyon
Henry Heap
4-16-1829Heap sends the receipts of the subscriptions and collections that Mr. West has received. He also expresses his fondness for Mr. West and his sermons.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
4-29-1829Letter fragment. Marriott is glad to hear from Chase after a long silence, and regrets that he has also taken so long to reply himself. Lord Kenyon donated a sum of money to Chase in honor of his late daughter, Margaret. Marriott also apologizes for the anxiety that Mr. West has caused Chase, but assures him that everything will work out between them.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
5-1-1829Lord Kenyon tells Chase the sad news of his daughter Margaret's death. He also discusses current affairs in England and reiterates his confidence in Mr. West.
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Letter to Mary Olivia Chase
Philander Chase
5-12-1829Chase instructs his granddaughter Mary on how to be a good child in Christ.
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Letter to Rev. William Meade
Philander Chase
6-2-1829Survey of land. Describes Cornish township, designed to accompany map
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
6-3-1829Marriott updates Chase on various English bishops as well as the affairs of his English friends. He hopes that Mr. West will go to Ohio in the fall.
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Letter to Lord Bishop of Salisbury
Philander Chase
6-6-1829Chase asks the Bishop of Salisbury to review accompanying documents. He also assures him of his nephew's health and wellbeing as a student at Kenyon College.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
6-7-1829Marriott tells Chase that Mr. West is uneasy about sailing to America when he does not know where he stands with Chase, and requests that the Bishop send a letter confirming whether West will be accepted in Gambier. He reiterates his support for Mr. West and encourages Chase to accept his help in Ohio.
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Letter to Lord Bexley
Philander Chase
6-10-1829Damaged letter in which Chase mentions the Lord Bishop of Salisbury's nephew, who is a student at Kenyon College.
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Letter to Lord Gambier
Philander Chase
6-11-1829Chase discusses progress with the College buildings, particularly Old Kenyon. He asks where Mr. West is, as he has only received a few letters from him since he went to England.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Philander Chase
7-2-1829Chase is grateful for the money bequeathed to him from Margaret Kenyon, as it will help him pay the mortgage on his Ohio estate. Also included is a verse piece titled "The Three Architects."
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Letter to Philander Chase
Mary Caroline Ward
7-31-1829Mary Ward expresses her love and support for Chase and discusses the importance of education, mentioning a popular interest in female schools of industry. She also asks him to send more seeds from Ohio that she could plant in her American garden.
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Prospectus for Students
Philander Chase
8-6-1829Prospectus for Students. Details charges for room and board, as well as requesting that expenses be paid a year in advance.
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Letter to James Greenleaf
Philander Chase
8-6-1829Chase updates his Uncle on his family's well-being and sends his best to Aunt Cranch.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Gambier
8-10-1829Gambier discusses Chase's continued support in England and thanks him for his account of the buildings of Kenyon College.
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Letter to John Crowell
Philander Chase
8-15-1829Chase sends an invitation for a divine service in Warren on August 21.
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Letter to Rachael Denison
Philander Chase
8-16-1829Chase is delighted that his sister may send her son to Kenyon. He asks for updates on friends and family members and provides a short update on happenings in his own life.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
8-16-1829Chase assures his wife that he is well and hopes that the English men have arrived in Gambier.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Bexley
8-18-1829Bexley offers his continued support for Chase's institution and provides an update on the slow progress of the Episcopal College in London.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
8-26-1829Chase details his affairs as he travels consecrating various churches in America. He plans to be in Washington the next week and to return to Ohio after that.
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Letter to Dr. J. Denison
Philander Chase
9-7-1829Chase asks his brother-in-law to send his son James along with George Denison to Kenyon College.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Philander Chase
9-15-1829Chase wishes Mr. West to return and promises to treat him well, though he is upset at the miscommunications that have occurred. He believes that he is in the right and wants Mr. West to apologize to him.