Philander Chase Letters

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 Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
9-10-1831

Chase notifies his sister, Rachel, that he has resigned his presidency at Kenyon College. This letter includes Chase's September 13th letter to Rachael Denison, for which there is a separate typewritten transcription ("Letter to Rachel Denison," 09-13-1831).
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
9-13-1831

Typed copy in which Chase gives an account of the convention that resulted in his resignation. Dudley injured his leg, but after recovering for a few days, they went together to see Mrs. Russell's land.
Letter to G. W. Marriott

Lord Bexley
9-16-1831

Bexley thanks Marriott for letting him look at Chase's letters and is sending him money. He also showed the letters to Mr. Cresson.
Letter to Philander Chase

G. W. Marriott
10-10-1831

Marriott encloses the letter he just received from Lord Bexley. Marriott tells Chase that West's reply is "most censurable" and sure to gain favor for Chase.
Letter to G. W. Marriott

Lord Bexley
10-10-1831

Bexley has read West's pamphlet and is astonished by the "performance" of it. He encloses a letter for Chase.
Letter to Mary Ward

G. W. Marriott
10-17-1831

Marriott is upset to inform Mary that Chase has resigned as Bishop and Head of the College. Mr. McIlvaine has replaced him as Bishop but there is no replacement for the Head.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
10-23-1831

Lord Kenyon has been informed of Chase's resignation. He trusts Chase's judgment and is sure that the future holds great things for Chase.
Letter to Philander Chase

Bishop W. Ward
10-28-1831

Bp. Ward is confused and upset as to why Chase has resigned from the College. He expresses his continual support for Chase and implies that it is a mistake for the College to drive him out, because it will fail without his leadership.
Letter to Philander Chase

Mary Chapman
12-23-1831

Mary Chapman requests information from Chase regarding the death of her son, Anthony Chapman, who was a student in Gambier.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
1-17-1832

Chase updates his wife on the progress of printing his pamphlet. Mr. Paxton of Canton can only print 8 pages of octavo per week, but told him that Mr. Wilson in Steubenville would be able to print more, quickly and cheaply. Chase has decided to go see Mr. Wilson.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
1-24-1832

After travel delayed by bad weather, Chase arrives in Steubenville and solidifies a printing deal for his pamphlet there. He also tries to figure out an issue with the bank, as he is unsure why his checks were protested for nonacceptance and nonpayment.
Letter to Dudley Chase

Philander Chase
2-9-1832

Chase is writing a new pamphlet in defense of himself and his actions taken in governing the College. He claims that his pamphlet utilizes the opinion of a high-ranked legal character who lends support to Chase's supervisory power. Despite this self-defense, Chase feels as though he is ready to retire from political and public affairs.
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
2-13-1832

Chase came to Steubenville to print his pamphlet defending himself, after a lack of success in Canton and Wooster. He contemplates questions of what might happen at the College now that he is no longer president.
Letter to C.W. Fitch

B.B. Smith
2-28-1832

Smith discusses the upcoming General Convention and wonders about what may happen at the College now that Chase has resigned and Bp. McIlvaine will be in power.
Letter to Juliana Miller

Philander Chase
3-14-1832

Chase contemplates details of what may happen at the College following the General Convention and meeting of bishops.
Letter to C.W. Fitch

B.B. Smith
4-26-1832

Smith praises Fitch's calm resolve in the midst of intense controversy at the College. He discusses Bp. Chase's pamphlet and instructs Fitch to keep his thoughts and words towards God while dealing with the controversy on the Hill.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
4-30-1832

After traveling up the Maumee River, Chase turned around to find a different route to St. Joseph that didn't require going through the woods. He preached nearby and visited a dying man.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
5-25-1832

Chase is preaching regularly and tells his wife not to worry that he has been gone for so long. He also tells her to disregard anything she reads in the papers about the Indians being troublesome.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
7-2-1832

Chase continues to travel through Michigan with his sons and hopes to arrive in Gilead on Wednesday. He traded some cattle with Mr. Critchfield and reunited with old friends. He assures his wife that their sons are doing very well, and also assures her that they are safe from "Indian depredation."
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
7-10-1832

Chase travels to White Pigeon in the Mongoquinon prairies to get wheat ground at a mill in order to make bread for his family to sustain on. He updates his wife on their sons and the rest of Chase's company, as well as the building projects he has undertaken.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Gambier
7-12-1832

Gambier apologizes for his lack of communication as his failing eyesight makes it difficult to write. He extends great sympathy towards Chase for the troubles he endured at the College, and is upset that he is no longer the president. He believes that G.M. West is the prime cause of Chase's difficulties.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
7-14-1832

Chase writes about the continued development of building additions to his small Michigan dwelling. He addresses his children back home, Mary and Philander, assuring them of his love and how he misses them. Chase also asks his wife to send him more laborers, if possible.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
8-11-1832

Chase like's Sophia's plan for coming to Michigan but is worried about her selling the farm in Ohio. He holds great resentment towards Ohio and wishes never to visit again.
Letter to Sophia Chase

Philander Chase
8-11-1832

Chase updates his wife on life in Gilead. Mr. Wells has arrived, the building projects at the house are progressing, and his sons are helping with chores. Chase also asks Sophia to tell Mr. Douglass to sell the Worthington farm.
Letter to Dudley Chase

Samuel Chase
10-1832

Fragment of a letter in which Samuel tells Dudley that his brother, Philander, would like to borrow some money from Dudley in order to ensure swift completion of his farm. Samuel is convinced Philander "acted judiciously" in resigning.