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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B.J Sellon Letter to Philander Chase
B J. Sellon
12-21-1823Sellon is inviting Bp. Chase to dine with him.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
12-22-1823Wiggin expresses his full support for Chase's cause and suggests that introductory letters from Sir Thomas Baring or Lord Gambier could be very influential in the future.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Josiah Pratt
12-24-1823Invitation to Chase, inviting him to dine with Pratt's family on Christmas Day.
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Letter to Timothy Chase
Philander Chase
12-26-1823Chase is delaying his trip to Manchester, Mr. Crosby may have lost a package of Hobart's letters he was expected to deliver to Wiggin, Mr. Wilks's visit
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Letter to Lord Gambier
Philander Chase
12-29-1823"Bishop Chase's answer" detailing why wants to build a school in Ohio for the education of young men, despite the claim that all schools not instituted by the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in America are forbidden unless they are considered "Branch schools"
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
12-30-1823Wiggin was unaware, until Chase's letter, that the Theological School in New York had an exclusive right to set up Branch Schools. Suggests that Chase purchase a charter from the state government to raise funds.
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Letter to Timothy Wiggin
Philander Chase
12-31-1823Chase has asked Lord Gambier for letters to religious people in Manchester, Liverpool, and Derbyshire. He dined at Mr. Pratt's last night, where a sub-committee for his cause was formed. He hopes to visit Wiggin in Manchester.
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First Draft Copy of Letter to Lord Gambier
Philander Chase
12-31-1823Chase requests letters from Gambier to pious people in England. Mr. Wiggin has suggested the name of Mr. Evans. A meeting of the sub-committee is taking place today, but Chase was not with them, so he does not know what they are talking about.
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Philander Chase London Diary I
Philander Chase
1824The first of two diaries kept by Bishop Philander Chase during his 1824 journey to England, this text chronicles Chase's day-to-day affairs in his effort to raise funds to found Kenyon College. Chase recounts the many dinners, church services, and calls made during his time in London, in addition to learning of the death of his son Philander Jr. in South Carolina.
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Philander Chase London Diary II
Philander Chase
1824Bishop Philander Chase's second diary from his 1824 voyage to London. The majority of entries in this diary pertain to his departure from England and his time on the Steamship Orbit back to the U.S. This diary is of note for featuring sketches done by Chase of other passengers on the Orbit, as well as coordinates and weather data.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-3-1824The necessity of establishing the Protestant Episcopal Religion in the West before any other religious sects spread their influence. People in England do not understand a region without an established religion because their country is so well cultivated.
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
1-6-1824Marriott invites Chase to dinner, and hopes that Mr. Wheaton and Dr. Gaskin will be there
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Letter to G. W. Marriott
Philander Chase
1-6-1824Chase accepts Marriott's invitation and is excited to meet Dr. Gaskin
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Letter to Philander Chase
G.W. Marriott
1-8-1824Marriott sends the books that he had intended to show Chase the previous day. Mentions the schedule of the Birmingham Coach to Cambridge.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Josiah Pratt
1-17-1824Pratt encloses copies of the Appeal. The Bishop of St. David's will subscribe.
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Letter to Lord Gambier
Philander Chase
1-20-1824Chase's expression of thanks for the kindness Gambier has shown him, and thanksgiving to God. Wiggin received him most kindly in Manchester and he will soon go to Liverpool.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-23-1824Lord Barham as only subscribed 5 pounds, but he is still a great accession.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-24-1824Wiggin has been working getting subscriptions. He believes that the Warden will soon support his and Chase's cause. He thinks that the prospects are improving.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-26-1824Mr. Mosley has agreed to put his name down to the subscription
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Letter to Philander Chase
Charles Burton
1-26-1824The printer of Chase's appeals has deviated from their plan, so Burton is sending the work to another office. Burton rejoices to be a part of this important work.
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Letter to Philander Chase
E.B. Shaw
1-30-1824Shaw gives a list of the names of pious men Chase will meet in his travels to the North of England.
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Letter to Philander Chase
Timothy Wiggin
1-31-1824Wiggin awaits for an answer from the Warden. He hopes Chase will become friends with Dr. Gaskin.
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Letter to Sophia Chase
Philander Chase
1-31-1824Chase is staying with Mr. Evans. His wife has been acquainted with Hannah More since infancy. He dined with Evans, Rev. Sanders, and Rev. Howard, and is going to Ockbrook with Rev. Sanders to meet Rev. Connor.
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Letter to Timothy Wiggin
Dr. Calvert
1-31-1824Letter written by Dr. Calvert, Warden of Manchester, and rewritten by Wiggin, sent to Mr. Marriott. Calvert subscribes 5 pounds and agrees with Chase's plans.
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Letter to Josiah Pratt
Philander Chase
1-31-1824Pratt sends copies of the "British Review," "Christian Observer," and the "Appeal." Suggestions for Chase's trip to Cambridge and trip back to London.