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
Dudley Chase
2-11-1831Dudley sends Chase two copied letters. In the first, he summarizes to Chase the reply he received from Richard Jeffries regarding the Moore lands in Mason County, Virginia, noting several inconsistencies in Jeffries's response. He tells Chase that he should decide for himself whether or not to redeem the lands once he has received a response from the auditor, verifying Jeffries's claims. The second letter is a copy of the response letter Dudley received from Jeffries.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-12-1831Chase apologizes for neglecting part of Dudley's previous letter and is pleased to hear of his English visit. He is still struggling with what to write in defense of himself against Mr. West's slanders. He suggests that the confusion of the matter will be cleared by his account.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-12-1831Chase planned to immediately set out for Pittsburgh, where he would quickly print his self-defense pamphlet against Mr. West, but he succeeded in obtaining a printer in Gambier. He wrote the pamphlet in haste to expose the improper conduct of West and his adherents, such as Mr. Taylor. He gives Dudley permission to show his letter to Mr. Taylor.
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Letter to James Heath
Dudley Chase
2-12-1831Two copied letters. The first is to James Heath, the first auditor for the Moore tract. Dudley asks him whether any sales of land in Mason County, Virginia, have been returned to the auditor's office and which sales were made for tax purposes. The second letter is to Bishop Chase, in which he incloses a copy of the letter to James Heath. Dudley is unsure if he did the right thing by writing to Heath, but hopes the information will be useful to Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Dudley Chase
2-17-1831Dudley suggests that Chase reduce the trust by paying direct taxes. He encloses a copy of a letter he received from James Heath of the Virginia Auditor's Office with information about the Moore lands.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-27-1831Chase recounts his travel from Gambier to Columbus, including a nostalgic stop in Worthington. He has begun printing his book and has also visited with many friends.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-2-1831Chase spent the day with Mr. Hane, who has knowledge of land and titles in Kentucky. He thinks that Mr. Hane's information may be useful to him in deciding what to do with the Moore tract of land.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Sophia Chase
3-3-1831Sophia hoped Chase would return yesterday, but assumes that he was delayed due to high water. She looked over the newspapers mentioned by Galindo and assures Chase that none of them contain mention of Mr. West or Kenyon College. Galindo hopes to hear from Chase soon but Sophia warns him to be careful. She also updates him on the debts owed by students.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-4-1831Chase describes the trip from Columbus to Chillicothe, including an unpleasant encounter with a coachman.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-10-1831Chase is on his way back to Columbus. He was very impressed by the piety of the residents of Chillicothe.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-12-1831Chase has arrived in Columbus very motivated by the events in Chillicothe. He requests that Sophia forward a letter to Mr. Denison for him, seeking "evidence what part" he has "acted in the Tragedy."
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
3-14-1831Chase received important letters from England and Nova Scotia accompanying Sophia's letter of March 10th, and provides her with general updates on his work. He also thanks his wife for the advice she gave him about Mr. Galindo.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-17-1831Chase thanks his brother for the kind attention he has paid to his affairs and has decided that he will pay the taxes on the Mason County land.
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Letter to Rev. George Boyd
Philander Chase
4-15-1831In a letter sent to Rev. George Boyd, Chase thanks Mr. Allen for his letter and hopes to see him soon. He does not yet have enough money for the pamphlet, but asks Allen to pray for the success of the College's efforts.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-15-1831Chase worries that Dudley is mad at him because he has not heard from him in a while. Chase asks that he write him to let him know if something is wrong. He also conveys his love and appreciation for Dudley.
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Letter to Philander Chase
C.W. Fitch
6-1831Fitch outlines grievances he and other faculty members have with Chase's operation of the College, specifically in regards to faculty power in decision making and faculty housing. He urges Chase to make changes in his actions in order to avoid negative consequences and benefit the welfare of the institution.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
7-14-1831A circular in which Chase publishes a private letter to a friend. In the letter, he rejects the notion that he should share power with the faculty and defends his complete authority as president of the College.
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Letter to the wardens and vestry of St. James Church
Philander Chase
7-29-1831Chase notifies the wardens and vestry of St. James Church that he will officiate in their church on July 31st.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
7-30-1831Chase gives an account of his difficult travels through high water and heavy rain, and a carriage accident that left him with an injured knee.
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Circular Letter
Philander Chase
8-8-1831Chase forwards his circular letter to Joseph Denison. In the circular, Chase publishes a private letter to a friend. He rejects the notion that he should share power with the faculty and defends his complete authority as president of the College.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
8-9-1831After hearing the whole story and Chase's reply, Marriott agrees that Mr. West's actions were wrong and that Chase has good reason for his anger towards West.
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Letter to C.W. Fitch
B.B. Smith
8-29-1831Smith extends his sympathy to Fitch for the troubles he and the other professors face at the College. He concurs Fitch's claim that Fitch declined to accept Chase's offer of a professorship unless he was explicitly promised a house in Gambier.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
9-8-1831Marriott requests Chase to draw on him for money, and updates him with other financial information.
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Letter to G.W. Marriott
Lord Kenyon
9-9-1831Lord Kenyon discusses nuances in the English and American laws of inheritance. He also feels sorry that Bp. Chase is facing troubles in Ohio, but claims that no one can help him financially.
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Report of the committee appointed to investigate the difficulties at Kenyon College
No Author
9-9-1831Report of the committee appointed to investigate the difficulties at Kenyon College.