Philander Chase Letters

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 Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
3-23-1848

Philander Chase thanks his sister for her letters and announces his new motto.
Letter to Bishop Burgess

Philander Chase
3-28-1848

Philander Chase forgives William Sparrow.
Letter to Frederick Stahl

Philander Chase
7-1-1848

Philander Chase congratulates Fredrick Stahl on the erection of a new church and thanks him for the donation he had sent.
Letter to his niece Rachel Denison and his sister Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
8-29-1848

Philander Chase expresses his sympathies to his niece Rachel Denison about the sudden death of her brother Joseph.
Letter to Erastus Burr

Philander Chase
11-6-1848

Philander Chase approves of Erastus Burr's conduct and updates him on life in Illinois.
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
11-7-1848

Philander Chase tells his sister Rachel that everyone in Illinois is healthy and that he is expecting a visit from the Saffords.
Letter to Mary Olivia Chase

Philander Chase
12-6-1848

Philander Chase writes to his granddaughter Mary Olivia about all the visitors at Jubilee and about the financial situation at Kenyon College.
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
12-17-1848

Philander Chase discusses the moral foundations of Jubilee College.
Letter to Mary Olivia Chase

Philander Chase
1-18-1849

Philander Chase censures the practice of sending sick members of the "City Clergy" to Europe to cure their bronchitis.
Letter to Philander Chase

Thomas Holme
1-25-1849

Thomas Holme struggles to raise money for James George's scholarship at Jubilee College.
Letter to Philander Chase

Barclay, Bevan, Litton, and Co.
1-26-1849

Receipt of £20 from Thomas Holme
Letter to Mary Olivia Chase

Philander Chase
2-8-1849

Philander Chase hopes Mary Olivia will improve her writing skills, and laments his financial situation.
Letter to Erastus Burr

Philander Chase
4-19-1849

Philander Chase responds to Erastus Burr's dilemma in finding the source of his difficulties and concludes that it is sin.
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
5-13-1849

Philander Chase reflects on his and his sister's mortality as they grow old in age. He praises President James K. Polk for outlawing dueling.
Letter to Mrs Allonson

Philander Chase
7-31-1849

Philander Chase expresses his sympathies to Mrs. Allonson regarding the death of her husband.
Notice of refusal

Philander Chase
8-10-1849

Notice of refusal to sanction Reverend Upfold for the Espicopate of Indiana by Philander Chase
Letter to Bishop Hopkins

Philander Chase
8-28-1849

Philander Chase forwards a letter from H.P Steward concerning Dr. Upfold to Bishop Hopkins.
Letter to Rachel Denison Jr. (Niece)

Philander Chase
9-4-1849

Philander Chase apologizes to his niece for neglecting to write back to her.
Letter to Bishop Potter

Philander Chase
9-11-1849

Philander Chase justifies his opposition to the consecration of Dr. Upfold as Bishop of Indiana.
Letter to Bishop Hopkins

Philander Chase
11-9-1849

Philander Chase discusses the logistics of assembling the House of Bishops prior to the General Convention.
Letter to Philander Chase

Lord Kenyon
11-9-1849

Lord Kenyon fears the spread of Popery in the English Church.
Letter to Bishop Hopkins

Philander Chase
11-10-1849

Philander Chase amends and elaborates on his letter to Bishop Hopkins of November 9th.
Letter to Bishop Hopkins

Philander Chase
11-16-1849

Philander Chase censures the five bishops who are in favor of restoring Bishop Onderdonk.
Letter to Rachel Denison

Philander Chase
11-18-1849

Philander Chase describes his Sunday to his sister Rachel.
Letter to Laura Chase

Philander Chase
12-10-1849

Philander Chase calculates the cost of the loss of the mill at Jubilee in a fire.