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
Robert Marriott
11-9-1835Robert Marriott discusses religious matters and provides updates to Chase.
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Letter to Lord Bexley
Philander Chase
11-9-1835Chase discusses funds that been raised for the project in Illinois and updates Bexley on the progress in the state. He hopes to raise enough money to hire quality teachers and professors.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Lorton
11-11-1835Lorton forwards Chase a letter and asks him to visit.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Mary Caroline Ward
11-11-1835Ward assures Chase of her continued support for him and asks whether she might be able to help his cause in Illinois by distributing his appeals.
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Letter to Philander Chase
I. Harford
11-13-1835Harford tells Chase that he would like to see him but will be unable to support the Illinois Diocese because he is currently involved in supporting the church in Ireland.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Episcopal Recorder
11-13-1835Letter from the editor of the Recorder agreeing to an interview with Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Bishop of London
11-14-1835The Bishop of London agrees to meet with Chase.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
11-16-1835Kenyon encloses a letter and reminds Chase that he will be happy to host him whenever Chase has the opportunity to leave London.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Mr. & Mrs. Dodsworth
11-16-1835The Dodsworths invite Chase to visit them in London.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Bishop W. Ward
11-18-1835Ward reaffirms his commitment to Chase's cause and updates him on progress made with the churches on the Isle of Man.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Archbishop of Tuam
11-21-1835The Archbishop of Tuam, surprised by Chase's request of men for his mission, regrets that he cannot provide Chase with the support he requested.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Bexley
11-21-1835Lord Bexley requests more copies of Chase's Appeal.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
11-21-1835Kenyon speculates on the possible location of a donation from Lady Rosse which has gone missing. He also sends updates on various Bishops.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Anne Tyndale
11-22-1835Tyndale sends Chase a prospectus of a society for sending clergymen to upper Canada with the hope of recruiting his help. She also would like to send him a memoir for him to edit.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Sophia Chase
11-23-1835Sophia laments the lack of sympathy for Philander's cause in England. She fills Philander in on two letters received for him: one from the Episcopalians of Lower Alton, Illinois seeking his expertise in forming a congregation, another from Judge John Worthington, seeking a clergyman. She also updates him on the wellbeing of their children and others in Michigan.
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Letter to Philander Chase
W. Ward
11-24-1835Bishop W. Ward updates Philander Chase on the progress of garnering support for Chase's cause and building the Church at the Isle of Mann, particularly with respect to Lady Isabella's contributions, and suggests he circulates certain tracts in the United States.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
11-25-1835Lord Kenyon expresses his support for Chase's trip to Oxford to collect donations for his cause in Illinois. He gives Chase the names of several people in the area who might donate to him. He also encourages him to avoid controversy with the quarrelsome G. M. West.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lady Rosse
11-26-1835Lady Rosse sends her regards to Philander Chase, offering to replace his sacramental plate and invites him to stay at Hams Hall to discuss Illinois.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Josiah Pratt
11-28-1835Josiah Pratt updates Philander Chase on his efforts to get his appeal known in the newspapers, especially around the Oxford area.
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Letter to Anne Tyndale
Unknown
12-1835An unknown writer describes the enemies of the Church, the "Dissenters," who have deceived the Evangelicals by the depth of their beliefs. The writer condemns the recent behavior of the "Dissenters" and notes that the High Church's initial judgement of them was correct.
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Letter to Philander Chase
E. Bickersteth
12-1835E. Bickersteth updates Philander Chase on his new life in an agricultural village, where he keeps happy with his publications. He has sent a copy of one of his publications enclosed in the letter and hopes that he will meet with Chase again.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Henry Jackson
12-8-1835Henry Jackson invites Philander Chase to visit him in Tutbury and informs him of his relatives who serve as ministers of the Episcopal Church in the United States.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Thomas Horne
12-9-1835Thomas Horne tells Philander Chase when he is free to receive him around his other engagements.