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 George Chase
Dudley Chase
12-25-1815D. Chase expresses satisfaction with George's embrace of the American principles of liberty and freedom; he expresses concern over certain citizens who wish to undermine patriotism in the educational system.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
2-9-1816D. Chase, working with George, discusses the course of action to procure money from business they have conducted with Smith and Dana. He deplores the conditions of the penitentiary at Newgate but discusses the better circumstances at Windsor. He apologizes for the delay in writing George back, and he wishes his parents and brother well.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
3-4-1816Dudley praises George's patriotism. He disagrees with George's argument to legalize sin as has been done in New England. Dudley dined with General Mason and his family and praises his estate. Dudley makes predictions about the upcoming Presidential election and predicts that Monroe will succeed.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
3-6-1816The announcement of a new baby boy; Chase's wife is in exceptionally good health. He is concerned that Philander Jr. does not want to write to his uncle because his uncle has not written any letters to him.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
3-11-1816Dudley is very excited about Philander's news of the new baby boy's birth.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
3-31-1816Dudley thanks George for his friend's letter. Dudley is worried about the upcoming election, and is trying to avoid being too confident. Dudley congratulates George on his news (the birth of his son) and expresses his concern for George's mother's health.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
4-24-1816Dudley tells George to use the money that George will be giving to Dudley when he next visits Vermont for his own use, to be replaced by Dudley when he arrives. Dudley expresses his pride in George.
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Letter to Hobart
Philander Chase
6-27-1816Requesting that George Leonard be made a Lay Reader of the parish. Chase wants Hobart to visit during the summer.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
7-17-1816Dudley wants Chase to visit him, but Chase cannot because of want of money. He is starting to feel better after his sickness.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
8-14-1816Dudley chastises George for not responding to his letter. He reports on the publishing success of Martha Cotton and expresses concern over George's mental well being at College.
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Letter to Philander Chase, Jr.
Philander Chase
8-17-1816Detailing Chase's trip to New York, especially his return to Poughkeepsie.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
9-11-1816Chase is having trouble coming up with the funds to send Philander Jr. to Cambridge. He asks his brother for a one thousand dollar loan, and feels terrible for doing so.
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Letter to Philander Chase, Jr.
Philander Chase
10-19-1816The loan Chase asked for from Dudley is unable to be paid, so he will have to make some sacrifices for his sons' education. Updates on the wellbeing of his family, including a new servant boy he will be educating.
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Letter to Philander Chase, Jr.
Philander Chase
10-31-1816$50 dollars from Mr. Brinley will be applied to Philander Jr's benefit. He will soon meet a gentleman who will help him get acquainted with worthy people at Cambridge.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
11-13-1816Feels terrible asking Dudley for more money; he has received a small sum from New Orleans which he believes will sustain him for a while.
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Letter to Philander Chase, Jr.
Philander Chase
11-19-1816Proud that his son is resisting the temptations and vices rampant at Cambridge. Update on the sicknesses in his family.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
12-4-1816Dudley Chase recounts his delayed journey to Washington, D.C.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
12-6-1816Responds to a letter, giving his opinion of George's undertaking of an expedition.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
12-13-1816One page letter from Dudley Chase (Washington) sent to George Chase.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
12-30-1816Updates on the Bissel family. Philander just came home from school and George will soon.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
1-19-1817A one page letter where Dudley Chase hastily explains to George Chase that he has been busy attending to business but that he enjoyed reading about a favor George offered him.
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Letter to George Chase
Dudley Chase
1-24-1817A one page letter written by Dudley Chase addressed to George Chase that explains the contents of a packet and about one of his friends that would like to meet George.
