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 Dudley Chase
Dudley Chase II
10-26-1837Dudley Chase Jr. informs his uncle Dudley that his father Philander has allowed him to ask for pecuniary assistance for college, as he had previously forbidden him from doing so.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Dudley Chase II
11-21-1837Dudley Chase Jr. recounts his travels from Hartford, Connecticut to Illinois to pause his studies and spend the winter with his family.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
12-10-1837Philander Chase writes his brother to inform him that Dudley Jr. has arrived in Illinois and that he and his family are all healthy.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Paul Beck
12-23-1837Paul Beck apologizes for his delayed response and says he will help should a draft ever appear, though he doubts one will.
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Letter to James De Pui
Philander Chase
1-1-1838Philander Chase inquires about the status of a student at the seminary, named Mr. Lovejoy.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Dudley Chase II
2-16-1838Dudle Chase Jr. writes his uncle, once again asking for a loan as he has declined the offer from the Society of Episcopal Ladies to fund his college tuition so long as he joins the ministry after graduating.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
2-22-1838Philander Chase asks his wife Sophia to read a sermon entitled "The Blessings of Hungering and Thirsting of the Righteousness" to a Mr Radley before he reads it himself.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
3-6-1838Philander Chase informs his nephew Intrepid Morse that he will be sending his granddaughter Mary to stay with him.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Elizabeth Pratt
3-12-1838Elizabeth Pratt asks Philander Chase to send her a copy of a sermon of his she heard while he was in England.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
5-1-1838Philander Chase tells his brother about the goings-on of and departures from Robinsnest.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
5-14-1838Chase updates his nephew on the wellbeing of his children and their upcoming travel plans. Dudley will end his studies at Washington College in Connecticut in order to study at the Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
5-14-1838Chase updates his nephew on the wellbeing of his children and their upcoming travel plans. Dudley will end his studies at Washington College in Connecticut in order to study at the Theological Seminary in Alexandria.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
6-11-1838Chase gives his wife a brief summary of his tour through the diocese and asks her to prepare it as a memorandum.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Unknown
7-6-1838The unknown author writes to Chase, wishing him good fortune, sending him seeds, and asking about Mrs. Wiggin. The author also makes reference to the coronation of Queen Victoria.
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Letter to Intrepid Morse
Philander Chase
7-7-1838Philander Chase once again tells his nephew Intrepid Morse about his garden and how successful his summer harvest has been. He also lists the cities he visited during his tour of the Diocese of Illinois.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Mary Chase
8-30-1838Mary Chase writes her mother about her journey to stay with the Morses in Steubenville. She asks that her mother and brothers write her more often, and tells her she is homesick.
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Certificate of Standing for G.M. West
Standing Committee of Trinity Church
8-30-1838Certificate of Standing for G. M. West
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Certificate of Standing for G.M. West
Standing Committee of Trinity Church
8-30-1838Certificate of Standing for G.M. West
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
9-4-1838Philander Chase urges his brother Dudley to come visit him in Philadelphia as he attends the General Convention of the Episcopal Church there.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
9-13-1838Philander Chase thanks his brother for his letter and updates him on parts of the General Convention: there will be a new Diocese in Arkansas, which seems to cause Chase some amusement.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
2-5-1839Philander Chase praises his wife Sophia's virtues extensively. He then updates his brother Dudley on the goings-on of his children.
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Letter to Mrs. Wiggin
Sophia Chase
4-11-1839Sophia provides Mrs. Wiggin with updates about her family and Bp. Chase's progress with Jubilee College. She also includes an account collected by Ralston, detailing donations for the new College.
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Letter to Rebecca Morse
Intrepid Morse
4-15-1839Intrepid provides general updates to his wife and daughter regarding recent visitors and the health of family and friends. He also transcribes a "Traveller's Hymn" by Mr. Croswell.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
4-27-1839Philander sends the blueprint plans of Jubilee College to his brother, and writes to him of the building progress.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
8-12-1839Philander Chase informs his brother Dudley about his wife's terrible illness.