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 Laura Chase
Philander Chase
1-2-1844Philander Chase writes to his granddaughter Laura to wish her a happy new year and to tell her about his Christmas and New Years. He and his family visited the Cockles in Knoxville, Illinois and experienced bad weather on the way home, causing some sicknesses.
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Letter to Olivea Chase
Philander Chase
1-4-1844Philander Chase sympathizes with his siblings in the afflictions that come with old age. He tells his sister Olivea about the progress on Reminiscences; that the seventh number of it is to be sent to the publisher soon, but that he is struggling to remember specific dates as many of his letters were lost in his house fire in 1836. He then tells her about Christmas and the bad weather and updates her on his grandchildren.
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Letter to Samuel Chase
Philander Chase
1-22-1844Philander Chase amends an advertisement prepared by Samuel Chase regarding the teaching of abolition in schools.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
1-28-1844Philander Chase reassures his sister Rachel about the promise of heaven and life after death.
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Letter to Laura Chase
Philander Chase
2-26-1844Philander Chase tells his granddaughter about the mild winter Illinois has had. He then tells her the "Pastoral Letter" of Bishop Onderdonk will reach her soon and asks her not to let it turn her against him, as he does not support either Calvinism or Romanism. He says he will publish his rebuttal and defense of an investigation into Arthur Carey soon but that it won't be circulated widely.
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Letter to Olivea Chase
Philander Chase
3-8-1844Philander informs Olivea that, due to financial problems, he is selling his family's farm in Michigan. He also asks her for feedback on his reply to Bishop Benjamin Onderdonk's pastoral letter.
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Letter to Laura Chase
Philander Chase
3-27-1844Philander reflects on the institution of marriage. He also reports on George Chase's impending move to Jubilee and the recent improvement in weather.
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Letter to Laura Chase
Philander Chase
5-16-1844Philander tells Laura he will have to sell his farms in Michigan due to his rising debts. He is planning to set off on his "last journey to the east" soon and needs more money to fund this trip. He also reports that Dudley's wife Sarah will begin teaching the girls' school at Jubilee, and praises his wife Sophia for all her help with the running of the College.
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Letter to Philander Chase
James Ramsey
5-20-1844James Ramsey sends money from friends in England for Bishop Chase's cause. He also informs Chase of the death of Mary Caroline Ward, and praises Chase's "protest against Tractarianism."
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Letter to Laura Chase
Philander Chase
6-10-1844Philander Chase writes to his granddaughter Laura about his reason for being detained in Chicago: he is there to attend the trial of a Presbyter while Dudley Chase has gone to Michigan for other business. He hopes to see Laura soon when he visits Vermont. Philander also warns Laura about the son of his brother Baruch, who was found to have tried to kill his brother and friends.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
7-10-1844Philander Chase has arrivved in New York to do some printing. He will stay for two or three weeks before he sets off for New England.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
7-17-1844Philander Chase informs Dudley and all those in Vermont of his plans in the Northeast.
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Letter to William Sparrow
James May
8-19-1844James May writes that he is expecting William Sparrow to come visit him in Wilkes Barre and offers several routes Sparrow can take to do this. He then expresses his opinion on the potential trial of Bishop Onderdonk, which he thinks will happen soon.
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Letter to William Sparrow
John Johns
8-22-1844Bishop Johns writes to William Sparrow that he is willing to write recommendations for some candidates prior to the General Convention.
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Letter to Samuel Chase
Philander Chase
9-2-1844Philander Chase updates Samuel Chase on the preaching he's done on his tour of New York and New England. In a private letter, he is shocked at the prospect of William Sparrow becoming the new President of Kenyon College, and expresses sympathy for Bishop McIlvaine.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
9-23-1844Philander Chase writes to his brother Dudley about his Northeastern travels. He despairs that his daughter might leave the journey early and leave him alone. He has almost finished the Pastoral Letter before the General Convention begins.
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Letter to Olivea Chase
Philander Chase
11-6-1844Philander Chase informs his sister-in-law Olivea about his itinerary in New York and that he is unsure when he will be able to return home.
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Letter to Olivea Chase
Philander Chase
11-25-1844Philander Chase writes his sister-in-law Olivea from Norwich, Connecticut, where she was born. He tells her of his itinerary, planning to go to New London for a week prior to returning to New York for the trial of Bishop Onderdonk.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
12-6-1844Philander reports on Church activities in New York, including the planning of a mission in China. He is feeling hopeful about the future of his plan in Jubilee and the Episcopal Church in general.
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Letter to Laura Chase
Philander Chase
12-9-1844Philander grieves the death of his sister Alice, who he describes as a sort of surrogate mother to him. He is upset that no one wrote him to tell him about this sooner, and that Laura claims no one knew his address in New York.
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Letter to Rachel Denison
Philander Chase
12-23-1844Philander Chase writes to his sister Rachel about the death of their sister Alice Chase. He laments that he's now been left with her as his only remaining sister out of six, but assures her that Alice's soul is now with God.
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Letter to James Ramsey
Philander Chase
1-8-1845Philander Chase thanks Dr. Ramsey for his generous donation of 100 pounds bequest of Miss Bates. He explains the significance of donations to Jubilee College in their ability to provide for the pupils. Chase amends the letter one month later, having forgotten to send it.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-9-1845Timothy Wiggin writes that the Bishops of London and Exeter have been soiled by Puseyism and have been giving funds to Puseyites that Wiggin thinks should go to the poor. He then writes that the British have lost confidence in the American government due to the results of the 1844 election, in which James K. Polk won the presidency.
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Letter to Mary Olivia Chase
Philander Chase
1-21-1845Philander Chase tells his granddaughter Mary Olivia why he is staying in Louisville but informs her that he might have a chance to catch a boat back to Ohio today.
