The historical facts of the founding of Theta Chi were taken from old minute books, old correspondence, and the personal recollections of Alpha members who related, many years later, what had been passed on to them.
In this early period of American college life, fraternities were being organized in institutions all over the country. Many were local societies which enjoyed brief existences, while others, planned along national lines, grew, flourished, and expanded and are the national fraternities which we know today.
Freeman and Chase, together with Egbert Phelps, ex-'56, had been planning the organization of the society for more than two years prior to the organizational meeting. Phelps left Norwich in 1854 and entered Union College where he joined Chi Psi Fraternity, but he kept in contact with Freeman and helped so much with his advice and suggestions that it is felt he should be credited, at least, with being the "assistant founder" of Theta Chi. It was Phelps who suggested the name of the Society and designed the first badge which was virtually the same as the official badge used today. Perhaps from his fraternity experience at Union College, he passed on to Freeman additional advice and suggestions which were helpful in writing our first ritual and constitution.
