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 Bishop W. Ward
Lord Kenyon
7-12-1834Kenyon writes that he always supported Chase's founding of the college. He also expresses his support for possessions of a Mr. John Bowdler being given to Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Rev. W. Ward
7-22-1834Ward introduces Anne Tyndale to Chase and sends along some editions of her album. He also praises Chase's defense of himself against his poor treatment at Kenyon.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Rev. W. Ward
7-22-1834Ward assures Chase that he believes in his innocence, and vows to do anything he can to help him with the improvement of Gilead. He criticizes republicanism as he believes it led to Chase's downfall as president of Kenyon; he believes Chase needs to give himself more absolute power in his future endeavors. Finally, he mourns Bishop Ravenscroft.
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Letter to Bishop W. Ward
Lord Kenyon
8-13-1834Kenyon expresses support and concern for Chase. He also updates Ward on his trip to Wales and on political matters.
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Letter to Bishop W. Ward
Anne Tyndale
10-7-1834Mrs. Tyndale looks forward to the future of Chase's settlement in Gilead with positive sentiment.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
B. Wells
10-13-1834Wells has recently spent a few days with Chase, and describes the Chase family's current living conditions, which Wells finds to be very impressive. He also reports that Chase is suffering from a fall off his horse.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Bp. W. Ward
11-5-1834Ward assures Chase that he is continuing to spread positive word about him in England. He also praises the work of Bishop Ravenscroft and laments the prevalence of enemies of the Church in the House of Commons.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
12-6-1834Lord Kenyon updates Chase on politics in England and on the lives of G.W. Marriott's family members.
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A Statement of some facts in Bp. Chase's history
Philander Chase
1835Philander Chase recounts a summary of his personal history, including his time in New York, Connecticut, New Orleans, and Ohio.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Palmer Dryer
2-7-1835Palmer Dryer requests Chase's assistance in forming the Diocese of Illinois and offers him the Rectorship of St. Judes' Church in Peoria, Illinois.
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Letter to Philander Chase
James C. Richmond
3-13-1835James C. Richmond follows up on Palmer Dryers letter of Feb. 7th and invites Chase to build a collegiate institution similar to Kenyon College in the developing Diocese of Illinois.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-30-1835Chase informs his brother of his invitation to join the Diocese of Illinois. With the support of most of his family, Chase says he will likely move to Illinois a few weeks after Easter.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-31-1835Chase sends his regards, wishes, and advice for his grandchildren.
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Letter to Aaron Kinney
Philander Chase
4-6-1835Chase informs Kinney of his appointment to the Episcopate of Illinois. Unsure of how he will support his family in this role, he worries for the wellbeing of his wife and children. He considers the possibility of opening a school in Illinois, but is put on guard due to what occurred in 1831 at Kenyon College.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Palmer Dryer
5-20-1835Dryer wishes that he were in Peoria to meet Chase during his visit there. He is excited about Chase's appointment as Bishop of Illinois, and is working to prepare his papers and documents for publication in a public statement.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
6-11-1835Kenyon praises Bishop McIlvaine, and looks optimistically towards the future of Kenyon College. He also praises the Archbishop of Canterbury and updates Chase on his own family and on the Marriotts.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
6-12-1835Chase does not want to sell his Gilead farm on Wall Street but rather wants buyers to purchase the property according to their own judgements. He expresses thanks to his wife for her updates on their children, and expresses other general thoughts regarding money and the children.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
6-27-1835Chase recounts his travels through Illinois with Samuel and Sarah Chase, visiting various people and performing various religious services. He also reports that he has been urged to attend the upcoming General Convention of the church in Philadelphia. Because of this, he is soon heading back to Gilead.
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Letter to Samuel Chase
Philander Chase
7-1-1835Chase updates his nephew on his travels. He assures him that he is safe and that he is about 47 miles from Springfield, Illinois.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Rev. S. Hedges
7-1-1835Hedges asks if Chase thinks he might be able to move to Illinois and become a minister in Springfield.
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Letter to Samuel Chase
Philander Chase
7-4-1835Chase is in Lafayette, Indiana, and will travel to Logan's Port and then South Bend, Indiana. He provides his nephew with details of his travel routes.
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Letter to Philander Chase
D. Spriggs
7-20-1835Spriggs deposited 200 dollars for Samuel Chase and notified him of it, requesting him to draw on the St. Louis office.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Sophia Chase
7-24-1835Sophia writes that Mr. Johns sent $100 bank note and that she has requested Mrs. Kip to put clothes in a box. She continues in small community medical endeavors and expects the harvest to commence soon.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Sophia Chase
8-8-1835Sophia updates Chase on the illness spreading through Gilead and her attempts to help those who are sick. Some of Chase's letters have been delayed and she anxiously awaits the rest. She also includes a list, left in Chase's desk, of men who own land in Illinois.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Juliana Miller
8-16-1835Miller hopes to meet Chase in New York City and asks him to tell her when she should come. She has been getting over an illness but should be well enough to meet him.