Slide 29
Bishop Chase and Sophia
About a week later, Chase would write Sophia again.
Cumberland, March 24, 1830.
My DEAR WIFE -
Last night I suffered much pain. At two o'clock in the morning the doctor was sent for, who bled me the sixth time. To-day I am better, though the pain is still acute under my broken ribs, near the lungs.
March 26th.
Every day serves to discover some additional wound which my poor frame received when overturned in the stagecoach; my left elbow was so full of pain, that till this morning I did not discover that one of the ribs on my right side had been fractured.
My general health is good, and the family of the Rev. Mr. Johns, and all his parishioners, continue their exceeding kindness to your faithful and affectionate husband,
PHILANDER CHASE
Despite his constant travel in support of Kenyon College, Chase would not remain in Gambier long. Growing tensions between Chase, the diocese, and the faculty centered around how much authority Chase should wield. Chase argued that since he was bishop and president, he should have absolute control over all aspects of the college, the seminary, and the diocese. In 1831, the Ohio Convention demanded that he relinquish some power. Chase, instead, immediately resigned the presidency of Kenyon College and the bishopric of Ohio.
Chase left Gambier in 1831 and settled near Millersburg, Ohio on a farm he dubbed The Valley of Peace. In 1832, Chase and his family removed to a lakeside farm in Gilead, Michigan. In 1835, however, the Episcopal Diocese of Illinois was formed and Chase, unknown to him, was elected its first bishop. As before, his new diocese had no money, and few ministers. So, Chase once again traveled to England to raise money for his diocese, and for another seminary. His trip proved less successful, however he did raise enough to lay the cornerstone of Jubilee College in 1839, near Peoria.