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 Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-16-1830Chase asks his wife to manage and record financial transactions for him.
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Letter to Rev. Fitch
Philander Chase
1-20-1830Chase offers his deepest condolences to Rev. Fitch, whose wife died. He likens life to a short voyage along a narrow river.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-28-1830Chase temporarily left Washington because of a lack of progress with his bill and provides small updates on his time in Alexandria. He is frustrated that he has not received any letters from his wife and implores her to write more.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Dr. and Mrs. Lovell
2-11-1830Dr. and Mrs. Lovell send an invitation to Philander Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
2-19-1830Kenyon discusses weather and politics in England and updates Chase on Mr. West's plan to sail to American in the spring.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-26-1830Chase updates his brother on his recent injuries, from which he is suffering but hopes also to be recovering.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-30-1830Chase updates Dudley on his health and asks him to write regarding the state of the bill for creating a township in Ohio.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-1-1830Chase writes to his wife about his health and tells her he may be moved to his physician's house.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-2-1830Chase has received word that both his bills in Congress are likely to pass. He is still suffering from his injuries but has been moved to his doctor's house.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-3-1830Chase updates his wife on his injuries and recovery progress.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-3-1830Chase thanks his wife for her recent letters and tells her not to worry about the persistence of his faith. He also updates Sophia on his health and discusses his affairs in Maryland.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-4-1830Chase writes to Sophia about his health and tells her that he has written to Mr. McIlvaine.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-5-1830Chase updates his wife on his health and provides instructions for the crops and the purchasing of goods for construction in Gambier.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-5-1830Chase discusses his health and tells his wife when he plans to return home.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
4-5-1830Chase thanks Dudley for his letters and discusses the bill to grant a deed of township still being debated in Congress. His injuries are doing better though he is still having trouble sleeping.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-8-1830Chase tells his wife he wishes she could come to see him but knows she is needed at the College. He includes instructions for Mr. Douglas and asks why none of the Professors or Tutors have written to him since his accident.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-8-1830Chase updates his wife on his health, which is improving. He also tells her of his upcoming travels plans and that he might preach on Easter.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-9-1830Chase chastises Sophia for her lack of recent correspondence. He tells her he must leave for home soon even though doctors recommend against it.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-10-1830Chase reports that his condition has improved further and he hopes to leave Cumberland in two days. He again laments the lack of letters from Sophia.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-12-1830Chase has had his coach fitted with a bed and is ready to leave Cumberland tomorrow. He is feeling much better and has preached and consecrated a school.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-14-1830Chase recounts his journey from Cumberland to Little Meadows. He enjoyed the hospitality of several people along the way. He is disappointed that Rev. Ethan Allen did not arrive to replace him before he left. He is once again in great pain.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-15-1830Chase hopes the Englishmen in Gambier will not leave before he arrives. His journey continues to be rough and he is thankful to be alive.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
4-27-1830Chase has arrived in Gambier safely. He updates Dudley on the construction going on at the College, which is "overflowing with students."
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Letter to Philander Chase
Rev. W. Ward
5-10-1830Ward discusses the purchasing of lands around Gambier and tells Chase of an endowment that, if secured, will be split between his and Chase's colleges. He asks Chase to continue to press for a hundred acres of land in Ohio to be purchased in his daughter Mary's name.
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Letter to Mr. Bates
Philander Chase
7-23-1830Chase describes the progress with the buildings at Kenyon. He also tells Bates of his disappointment with Mr. West, who was seeking to succeed Chase in his role as Bishop, which Chase claimed he could not support as the appointment of a Bishop should not be sought out. Mr. West has since returned to New York and is no longer connected with Chase.