Sometime before the Chase reunion in Salt Lake City, William Chase, the host, wrote to the Chase Manhattan Bank. I have not seen that letter but below is the bank's answer to it. Quite informative for all of us who always have wondered which Chase founded the bank. (; >) Dear Mr. Chase: Thank you for your invitation and your interest in the Chase Manhattan Bank. The origin of the word Chase in our name dates back to the founding of the Chase National Bank in 1877 when John Thompson, founder of the Chase National Bank, decided to name his bank after his respected colleague, Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury under Abraham Lincoln. John Thompson and Salmon P. Chase worked together to bring into effect many of the banking laws that exist today. For that, John Thompson named his bank after Salmon P. Chase several years after Chase's death. There is no other connection to the name and/or family other than that. Salmon P. Chase never worked at the bank, and nor did any of his relatives. If you have any other questions, please let us know. Good luck with your event. Sincerely, Jean Elliott Archivist