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
Barrett Potter
8-9-1823A business transaction. Dudley is being asked to settle his debts with interest. A note from Dudley at following Potter's letter confirms that he has.
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Fragment to letter to Philander Chase
William White
8-13-1823Fragment of letter to Chase refusing to support his trip to England.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Thomas Osborne
8-28-1823Osborne showing support for Chase's journey to England.
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Fragment of Memorandum
Philander Chase
8-30-1823Reasons for leaving Cincinnati College detailed in other letters. Sermons he wishes to take with him.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Charles Sigourney
9-9-1823Mr. Sigourney invites Philander Chase to visit him and his friends in Hartford. He has also sent a letter to Albany incase Chase missed this one. He also predicts that Chase will be successful in Great Britain and urges him to expand his business there too. Mr. Sigourney would like Bishop Chase to stay at his home while in Hartford and give a service at the church.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Reverend Noble
9-19-1823Reverend Noble wishes to see Philander Chase, should he visit New York. Noble also advises Chase to disregard the opinions saying that he should not visit England. He predicts that Chase will be very successful in England and encourages him to travel there.
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Letter to William Lyman
Dudley Chase
9-19-1823Dudley Chase requests William Lyman to transport a note of $600 to a Mr. Potter and forward the same amount back to Dudley.
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Letter to Philander Chase
B G. Noble
9-24-1823Wishing Bp. Chase good luck on his voyage. Warning him against entering a deal with Bp W[hite].
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
10-29-1823Details of the voyage to England, prayers to bless his family
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Letter to Philander Chase Jr
Philander Chase
11-3-1823Recounting the dangerous parts of his voyage to England, but Good Providence and prayer kept him safe.
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Letter to Timothy Wiggin
Philander Chase
11-18-1823Trip to Oxford and St. Mary' s Church. Chase is amazed at the pious behavior of the men at the school there. Learns about the spot where Archbishop Cranmer was put to death.
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Note to Philander Chase
C. Crosby
11-20-1823Crosby wishes for Bp. Chase to call on him at his home.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Anson Hayden
11-23-1823Hayden sends his apologies for having misdirecteing Chase's letters
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Gambier
11-24-1823Gambier says that he has received a note from Chase, and he states that he is glad than Henry Clay acquainted the two of them. He regrets his absence from London but invites Chase to an Anniversary Meeting of an Auxiliary Bible Society in London. Afterward, he offers to lodge Chase at Iver Grove.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
11-24-1823Timothy Wiggin wishes Bp. Chase well on his endeavor, and hopes for a reconciliation with Bishop Hobart. He has no further information from Dr. Smith or Mr. Johnson since they all dined together, but he continues to search for support for Chase's cause.
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Letter to Philander Chase
C. Crosby
11-25-1823Croby looks forward to dining with Chase at two o'clock
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Letter to Timothy Wiggin
Philander Chase
12-1-1823A few pages in the "British Critic" have denounced Chase's motives. He copies a letter from Charles Sigourney that has cheered him up, it mentions an address Reverend Baldwin of Saratoga, who shares the same feelings as Chase on establishing a theological society in the west.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
12-1-1823Wiggin advises Bishop Chase to focus his efforts on winning over Lord Gambier and hopes that Chase will remain untied to any party within the church for the sake of his success in winning widespread support.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
12-11-1823Discussion of funding for new educational institution and the duties of the Church. Wiggin gives permission to add his name to a list of subscribers.
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Letter to Timothy Wiggin
Philander Chase
12-15-1823Excerpts from Gambier's letter of the 11th copied, letter was shown to Mr. Pratt, who agrees that Gambier is an exemplary Christian man. Pratt advises Chase not to go to war with Hobart.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Lord Gambier
12-16-1823Gambier encourages Chase to counteract the unfavorable opinion of him and his cause by publishing a concise explanation of his cause to be circulated among potential benefactors. He mentions Chase's desire to be introduced to Sir Thomas Baring.
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Letter to Dudley Chase
Philander Chase
12-16-1823States that he will not fight Hobart and instead be a better Christian. Upset mostly because his assaults lower the dignity of the American Church in the eyes of the English Church. He asks Dudley to help him get support in Vermont.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
12-18-1823Timothy Wiggin expresses his support for Philander Chase and offers him advice on how to garner support in the English country and which people are most influential.
