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 Philander Chase

Mary Caroline Ward
10-4-1832

Mary expresses deep sympathy for Chase at this time of turbulence in his life. She tells him that her father is helping to build a church and college on the Isle of Man. She also asks Chase for information about a woman she once corresponded with named Sarah King.
Letter to Mrs. Samuel Fuller, Jr.

Samuel Fuller Jr.
10-18-1832

Fuller provides his wife with an account of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church being held in New York City. The "Ohio business" is yet to be resolved.
Report of the Committee on Chase's Resignation

William White
10-19-1832

The committee resolves to recognize Chase's resignation following his letter and his moving to Michigan.
Report of the minority of the committee on Bp. Chase's case

Philander Chase
10-20-1832

Report of the minority of the committee on Bp. Chase's case
Letter to Mrs. Samuel Fuller Jr.

Samuel Fuller Jr.
10-20-1832

Fuller summarizes the committees' reports on the "Ohio business." The committee reported that the Episcopate of Ohio was vacant upon Bp. Chase's removal but filled by the election of Dr. McIlvaine, and provides other information discussed at the Conventions.
Letter to Rachel and Dr. Denison

Philander Chase
12-3-1832

Chase tells his sister about his travels to Holmes County and discusses his break with the Episcopate of Ohio.
Letter to B.M. Atherton

Philander Chase
2-8-1833

Chase seeks the counsel of Atherton and outlines his various claims against the College. Primarily, he seeks money back from the institution, as well as certain items such as a Communion plate and the organ gifted to him by Lady Rosse.
Letter to Rev. W. Ward

Philander Chase
3-15-1833

In a long letter which appears to have been written over the course of many months, Chase elaborates upon the conditions which led to his leaving Gambier for Michigan and the reasons he cannot return. He also describes the means by which he and his family have made a home for themselves in Gilead. Finally, he mourns the death of G. W. Marriott.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
3-23-1833

Kenyon informs Chase of the death of G.W. Marriott.
Letter to Philander Chase

Dudley Chase
4-8-1833

Dudley notifies Chase that he will send a letter to the President of Woodstack Bank requesting that a friend of his be allowed to withdraw 500 dollars. He also apologizes for his recent silence and explains why he has not written much recently.
Letter to his nephew

Philander Chase
8-8-1833

Chase spent 11 days traveling on a tour of to west in which he spoke publicly and gave divine services. He asks that his nephew call on Mr. Douglass to pay him what he owes in rent from the farm.
Receipt for Communion set from English friends

Philander Chase
8-9-1833

Receipt for Communion set from English friends.
Letter to J. G. Whitewell

Philander Chase
9-3-1833

Chase inquires after a draft his brother Dudley promised to send him awhile ago. He suspects someone may have stolen the money before he could receive it.
Letter to Philander Chase

Rev. W. Ward
9-11-1833

Rev. Ward tells Chase to rejoice for his troubles and difficulties, as it shows the favor God has bestowed upon him. He expresses his concerns with Republicanism and updates Chase on the success of his own endeavors, as well as the health of his family.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
9-11-1833

Lord Kenyon provides an account of his family and wishes Chase well.
Letter to Bishop White

Rev. W. Ward
9-23-1833

After giving an account of Bp. Chase's success in England, Rev. Ward inquires about why he has resigned his Bishopric and been dismissed from Kenyon College. He hopes that Chase will be enabled to form a new diocese and found another seminary.
Letter to Philander Chase

Mrs. G.W. Marriott
12-19-1833

Mrs. G.W. Marriott updates Chase on her life and her children's wellbeing since G.W. Marriott has passed away. She is grieving his death, but takes comfort in God's grace and mercy.
Letter to Philander Chase

Anne Tyndale
12-24-1833

Mrs. Tyndale recalls the day she met Chase, and asks for his input on how to help her "peculiar" son reach his potential. She is trying to prepare a way for him to become a settler in Canada.
Letter to Dudley Chase

Philander Chase
1834

Chase relays Mr. Well's request to know when Dudley will visit Gilead. He strongly urges Dudley to visit.
Letter to Bishop W. Ward

Anne Tyndale
1834

Fragment of a letter in which Mrs. Tyndale praises the work of a certain bishop (probably Ravenscroft) and agrees with Ward that republicanism is dangerous.
Letter to Philander Chase

Rev. W. Ward
1-3-1834

Rev. Ward suggests that Chase spiritually cultivate the land he now inhabits in Gilead, Michigan and offers him men from Ireland who are willing to work. He gives an update on his own spiritual projects, including King William's College and seven new churches, and also informs Chase that Hannah More died in August.
Letter to Philander Chase

Rev. W. Ward
4-3-1834

Rev. Ward is anxious to hear how Chase's cultivation of the Gilead settlement is going and entreats him to write in response. He hopes that Chase will be offered the position of Bishop of Michigan, and he again offers the labor of several Irishmen who are "bred to labour & industry," suggesting that they would arrive in the spring or summer. King William's College has been finished and Rev. Ward is building an eighth church.
Letter to Philander Chase

George Stow
6-7-1834

Includes a notice of sale for a Freehold Chapel in Warwick County and a short letter to Philander Chase, in which Mr. Stow mentions that Bishop West has applied to purchase the chapel and inquires whether he is a regularly consecrated Bishop of the American Episcopal Church.
Letter to Philander Chase

Rev. W. Ward
6-11-1834

Rev. Ward still wishes for Chase to write him and wants him to be appointed Bishop of Michigan. The building of college is finished and he is working on expanding his churches. He thinks that Kenyon College has too much republican principle in it to be successful.
Letter to Bishop W. Ward

Anne Tyndale
6-21-1834

Mrs. Tyndale is creating an album to facilitate the sharing of information between friends in England and settlers in America. She has included part of Chase's memoirs in this album and asks Ward if he could share more of Chase's writing with her.