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.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Bexley
12-10-1835Lord Bexley tells Philander Chase he can see him the following Saturday at 11 o'clock.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Mary Caroline Ward
12-17-1835Mary Caroline Ward informs Philander Chase of a doctor interested in the appeals and his efforts, and asks him to pray for her and her friend.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Kenyon
12-19-1835Lord Kenyon reports on financial matters involving Bishop Chase and Adam Hodgson of Liverpool.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Anna Tyndale
12-24-1835Anne Tyndale writes to Philander Chase about their last visit and gives an update about the appeals in the paper.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Thomas Sims
12-29-1835Reverend Sims offers the services of his people and establishment to Philander Chase to help with his efforts in the United States. He suggests at some later date he would be honored to meet with him.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Mrs Walker
12-30-1835Mrs. Walker writes a note of well wishes to Philander Chase
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Hans Hamilton
12-30-1835Hans Hamilton and Lady Maria each send Philander Chase 100 pounds. Hamilton is disappointed to not have him visit.
-
Letter from Lady Carnegie
Lady Carnegie
1-2-1836Lady Carnegie appeals to Bishop Chase to meet with her so she may hear more about his work and the church and discusses the her own experiences and connections to Chase.
-
Letters to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-2-1836Chase's 38 page account of some time spent in England appealing to different influential figures for support of Illinois, interspersed with philosophy imparted to his children.
-
Letters to Rachel & Joseph Denison
Dudley Chase II
1-29-1836Dudley Chase responds to an invitation to his aunt's home and updates her on his entry into college and the time he has spent as a farmer since his father founded Gambier.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Olivia Bernard Sparrow
1-30-1836Lady Sparrow looks forward to having Bishop Chase for dinner and having him stay the night.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Lincoln Galton
2-11-1836Reverend Galton sends his prayers to Bishop Chase for his afflictions.
-
Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-14-1836Bishop Chase reacts to the news of the fire and applauds the fortitude of his wife in light of the news.
-
Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-21-1836Bishop Chase writes to his brother planning a trip to America for the spring and reports daily headaches.
-
Letter to Sophia Chase
L.H. Sigourney
2-22-1836L.H. Sigourney writes to Mrs. Chase to send her condolences regarding the fire and report back on Bishop Chase's visit to Hartford, as well as inquiring about the Chase children.
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Mary Caroline Ward
3-1-1836Mary Caroline Ward refers Bishop Chase to her physician upon hearing he has been taking arsenic as medicine.
-
Letter to Henry Jackson
Philander Chase
3-21-1836Bishop Chase writes to Henry Jackson about his family's illness, his long days in England, and hopes to meet him in Tutbury or Birmingham.
-
Letter from Mrs. Charles Hammersley
Charles Hammersley
4-1-1836Mrs. Hammersley invites Bishop Chase for dinner.
-
Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
4-3-1836Bishop Chase writes to his wife on Easter and tells her about his day with the Pratt family.
-
Memorandum from Philander Chase
Philander Chase
4-10-1836"Memoranda of a Promise made to Clergymen who may be induced to come out to Illinois"
-
Letter to Philander Chase
Philander Chase
4-12-1836Lord Kenyon writes to discuss donating to Bishop Chase's current project, presumably the foundation of Kenyon College.
-
Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-27-1836Philander Chase writes to his brother Dudley looks forward to their reunion in Hartford as he tours the United States. He also writes about his intention to have Thomas Russell accompany him to Illinois to establish a theological school there.
-
Letter from Intrepid Morse
Intrepid Morse
6-17-1836Intrepid Morse wishes his uncle good health and good luck in his travel to Illinois.
-
Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
7-9-1836Philander Chase describes his journey from New York to Michigan to his brother Dudley.
