GEORGE PHILLIPS [#1980], b. Rainham, St. Martins, Norfolk, England abt. 1593, d. Watertown, MA 1 Jul 1644, m(1) a daughter of Richard Sargent, m(2) Elizabeth ____, prob. the widow of Capt. Robert Weldon, d. 27 Jun 1681
Reverend George Phillips, the first minister of Watertown, was the son of Christopher Phillips of Rainham, Norfolk. He was born around 1593 probably at Rainham, St. Martins, near Rougham, in the hundred or district of Gallow, county of Norfolk, England. George matriculated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in April 1610 and graduated as B.A. in 1613 and received the degree of M.A. in 1617. "He gave early indications of deep piety, uncommon talents, and love of learning, and at the University distinguished himself by his remarkable progress in learning, especially in the theological studies for which he manifested an early partiality" (source of quote not provided).[1/9] He took orders in the Church of England and served for some years as vicar at Boxtead, Essex though the length of his service is uncertain, owing to the loss of the parish registers.[3]
George Phillips was settled for a time in the ministry in Suffolk County, but suffering from the storm of persecution which then threatened the non-conformists of England, he determined to leave the mother country and take his lot with the puritans.[1/910] John Maidstone, a nephew of John Winthrop's second wife, was among George's parishoners (and later an officer in Cromwell's household) and wrote Winthrop on 4 Nov 1629 stating that Phillips was resolved to go to Massachusetts and highly recommending him.[3] He embarked for America 12 Apr 1630 in the Arabella, with his wife and two children, as fellow passengers with Governor Winthrop and Sir Richard Saltonstall, and he arrived at Salem June 12th. Before the final embarkation which had been considerably delayed, Gov. Winthrop says in a letter to his son John Winthrop, "From aboard the Arabella, riding before Yarmouth, April 5, 1630. Yesterday we kept a fast aboard our ship and in the Talbot. Mr. Phillips exercised with us the whole day, and gave very good content to all the company, as he doth in all his exercises, so as we have much cause to bless God for him".[1/910] George was one of the seven signers of The Humble Request, which is dated April 7, on the eve of sailing, and which was printed that same year. There seems to be some ground for believing that George Phillips drafted this noble statement.[3]
George's wife died soon after arrival in Salem and was buried by the side of Lady Arabella Johnson, both, evidently, being unable to endure the hardship and exposure incident to a tedious ocean passage. He soon located in Watertown, and without delay settled over the church in that place which was called together in July. At the Court of Assistants, 23 Aug 1630, it was "ordered that Mr. Phillips shall have allowed to him 3 hogsheads of meale, 1 hogsh of malte, 4 bushells of Indian corn, 1 bushel of oatmeale, halfe an hundred of salte fish". Another statement from the same source says, "Mr. Phillips hath 30 ac of land graunted him vpp Charles Ryver on the South side". His first residence was burnt before the close of the year. His later house was "opposite the ancient burial ground, back from the road".[1/10]
George continued to be the pastor of the Watertown church, greatly respected and beloved, until his death 14 years after his arrival. He died at the age of about fifty-one years, 1 Jul 1644 and was buried July 2. "He was the earliest advocate of the Congregational order and discipline. His views were for a long time regarded as novel, suspicious, and extreme, and he, with his ruling elder, Mr. Richard Brown, stood almost unaided and alone, until the arrival of Mr. John Cotton, in maintaining what was and still is, the Congregationalism of New England. It is not now easy to estimate the extent and importance of the influence of Mr. Phillips in giving form and character to the civil and ecclesiastical institutions of New England" (source of quote not provided).[1/1011] In 1632 George was one of the leaders in the protest made by Watertown against the action of the governor and assistants in arbitrarily levying a tax on the town. The tax was not remitted, but within three months an election of representatives to the General Court was agreed upon, with the understanding that in future no taxes should be levied without the consent of the court. To this Watertown protest is rightly traced the beginning of representative government in Massachusetts.[3]
George's lands were described in the second inventory of grants and possessions of Watertown in 1644. They included 1) a homestall of twelve acres by estimation bounded east by Thomas Arnold, west and north with the highway, and south by Edward How; 2) seven acres of upland bounded north with Cambridge line, south by Samuel Saltonstall, and west by Isaac Hart; 3) a homestall of five acres bounded southwest and northwest with the highways and east with a driftway; 4) forty acres of plowland in the hither plain bounded east by Edward How, west with the driftway, north with the highway, and south with the way betwixt the lots; 5) thirty acres of remote meadow bounded with the farmland, lot 93; 6) eighty acres of upland being a great Divident in the second division, lot 28; 7) fifteen acres of upland upon the meeting house Common; and 8) thirty acres of meadow bounded west with the river and southeast with the Cambridge line.[2/1:6970]
George's name appears in the list of those admitted freeman 18 May 1631, which is the earliest date of any such admission. His inventory amounted to 550.2.9. His library was valued at 71.9.9.[1/11]
REF: [1] Genealogy of Rev. George Phillips - A.M. Phillips, 1885
[2] Records of Watertown, 1894 (Lands, Grants, and Possessions)
[3] Dictionary of American Biography - Dumas Malone, 1934, Vol.
15 (pgs.540-1)
Children (by first wife):
1. Samuel, b. Eng. abt. 1625, d. Rowley, MA 22 Apr 1696, m. Oct 1651 Sarah Appleton, b. Reydon, Eng. abt. 1629, d. Rowley, MA 15 Jul 1714 2. Elizabeth, b. Eng., m. before 17 May 1651 Job Bishop of Ipswich
Children (by Elizabeth):
3. Zerobabel, b. Watertown, MA 5 Apr 1632, m. Ann White 4. Jonathan, b. Watertown 16 Nov 1633 5. Theophilus, b. Watertown 28 May 1636, m(1) Watertown 3 Nov 1666 Bethiah Kedell, d. Watertown 15 Mar 1668, m(2) Watertown 21 Nov 1677 Mary Bennett 6. Annabel, b. Dec 1637, bur. 17 Apr 1638 7. Ephraim, b. Jun 1640 or 1641, d. young 8. Obadiah, bur. 5 Apr 1641 9. Abigail, m. Watertown 8 Oct 1666 James Barnard (son John Barnard and Phebe), b. 1637
SAMUEL PHILLIPS [#990], b. probably Boxtead, Suffolk, England abt. 1625, d. Rowley, MA 22 Apr 1696,[4] m. Oct 1651 SARAH APPLETON (dau. of Samuel Appleton and Judith Everard), b. Reydon, England abt. 1629, d. Rowley, MA 15 Jul 1714, "age 86".[4]
Samuel Phillips was the oldest child of Reverend George Phillips, the first minister of Watertown. He was born about 1625, probably in Boxtead, Suffolk, England. At the age of five he embarked for New England aboard the Arabella with his family and fellow passengers. The Arabella was one ship of the "Winthrop Fleet" that embarked from Yarmouth, England 20 Apr 1630 and arrived at Salem in the Massachusetts Bay June 12.[2]
On 1 Jul 1644 Samuel's father died, leaving him a double portion as his share of the estate. His step-mother died in 1681 and left "to son Samuel all Latin, Greek, and Hebrew books now in the house". Cotton Mather stated, the Watertown Church "testified their Affection to their deceased Pastor, by a Special Care to promote and perfect the Education of his eldest son, whereof all the country, but especially the town of Rowley, have since reaped the benefit".[2]
Samuel entered Harvard College where he graduated with an M.A. in 1650, and the following year in June 1651 he settled on a salary varying from 50 to 90 pounds, according to the expenses of living, as teacher of the church at Rowley, MA. Reverend Ezekiel Rogers was the pastor there until his death in January 1660-1. Soon after Rogers' death his widow accused Phillips of receiving and retaining five pounds which she claimed as her due, but which the Selectmen had ordered to be paid to Samuel in consideration of his carrying on the entire work of the ministry during Rogers' illness. The controversy continued for some time and even went to court after the widow's death in early 1679. In her will, dated July 22, 1679, after stating that she has not received the five pounds, says, "Therefore I would earnestly desire Mr. Sammuell Phillips and Deacon Jewet that they would not ronge me in this particular, least it be a greefe to them at the apearinge of Jesus Christ". While Samuel was thus annoyed, the church in Barnstable invited him to succeed the Reverend Thomas Walley as their pastor. In reply to GovernorThomas Hinckley's letter on the subject, Samuel wrote: "Yours of the 6th of June [1679] came to hand on the 15th instant, and was read before the church in Rowley the same day, and the result is, that almost the whole church did show their dissent as to parting with their minister, and not one would show any consent to it: so that, at present, the holy providence of God doth seem to fasten me where by his mercy I have had so long continuance. The brethren that have dissented from me, and the major part of the church, as to some late transactions among us (which ere long are to be looked into by a council of our honored General Court's sending), they will yield no consent to any motion of my going from them; and did express themselves, some of them, to be utterly against my removal: and a great part of the town are of the same mind with the church. Some brethren did express themselves somewhat troubled that a letter upon such an account should come from your worship; but they did withal acknowledge that your motion to our church was so piously, wisely, and with good cautions, expressed, that there was no just matter of offence. Moreover, it seems not unworthy noting, that your godly letter, though it prevails not as to the obtaining what your worship and your good people desire (according to God) with reference to my worthless self, yet it has (so far as I can discern) been beneficial to unite our hearts more together, wherein your worship has obtained one gracious end of your writing. There has been and still is love in the body of the church, both brethren and sisters, to their weak earthen vessel; and speeches about parting has drawn it forth ... But that your worship and good people should have any thoughts toward myself (a poor shrub to have made up that breach where so fruitful a tree lately stood) is a matter of wonderment to me, especially when I consider what great ground I have to look upon myself as less than the least of all of God's saints, and also at this time under a cloud of obloquy; yet such was your charity, that you would not admit any alienting impressions upon your spirits, but even at such a time express your abundant love to me. My God and my father's God reward it to you; for you have been a comfort to me, and, as it were, companions with me in my trials. And, indeed, so affecting is your undeserved kindness herein, that the thankful sense of it will (by God's help) abide with me whilst I live. And, did Providence open a door for my leaving the place where I am, I know no other place that my heart is so much endeared to as to yourselves; and the rather that I might have the help and comfort of your worship's society, as well as the rest of God's dear people with you".[2]
Samuel Shepard was ordained pastor of the church at Rowley 15 Nov 1665, Samuel Phillips continuing to be teacher. Shepard died 7 Apr 1668, and Edward Payson was ordained teacher 25 Oct 1682 while Samuel took the office of pastor, which he continued 14 years until his death on 22 Apr 1696 at the age of about 71.
Samuel was married in the autumn after his ordination as teacher at Rowley. "Att the request of Mr. Phillipps, of Rowley, who hath been published accordinge to law, Mr. Wm Hubbard, of Ipswich, in the absence of a magistrate, is [by the General Court, at its session 14 Oct 1651] hereby empowered to marry him". His wife was Sarah Appleton, who died 15 Jul 1714, aged 86, having outlived him more than 18 years.[2] Her funeral sermon was preached by her grandson Reverend Samuel Phillips of South Andover, in which he says, "She was an early seeker of God, and spent much of her time daily in reading the word and in prayer ... She took care of her children's souls ... She was always humble and penitent, and as she lived, so she died, depending on Christ for righteousness and salvation".[3] The remains of Samuel and Sarah repose in the ancient burying ground at Rowley.[2]
REF: [1] The History of Newbury - Joshua Coffin, 1845 (pgs.80,104-109)
[2] Harvard Graduates - John Sibley, 1873 (Class of 1650, pg.221)
[3] Genealogy of Reverend George Phillips - A.M. Phillips, 1885
(pg.12)
[4] Vital Records of Rowley, Massachusetts to the end of the
Year 1849 - The Essex Institute, 1931 (Phillips births
vol 1 pgs.161-162; marriages pgs.370-371; deaths pg.505)
[5] Records of the Quarterly Courts of Essex County, 1911
Children (born in Rowley, MA):
1. Samuel, b. Mar 1654,[4] d. young 2. Sarah, b. Rowley, MA 7 Mar 1656-7,[4] d. Taunton, MA 10 Feb 1706, m(1) Rowley 3 Nov 1680[4] Stephen Mighill, b. Rowley 27 Feb 1651-2, d. Rowley 16 Apr 1687, m(2) Rowley 6 Mar 1687-8[4/301] Robert Greenough, d. Rowley 30 Mar 1718 3. Samuel, b. 13 (or 23) Mar 1657-8,[4] d. soon 4. George, b. 23 Nov 1659,[4] bur. Rowley 18 Jun 1662[4] 5. Elizabeth, b. 10 Nov 1661,[4] bur. Rowley 10 Jun 1662[4] 6. Ezekiel, b. 12 Feb 1662-3,[4] bur. Rowley 1 Mar 1662-3[4] 7. George, b. 3 Jun 1664[4] 8. Elizabeth, b. 2 Aug 1665,[4] d. 1724, m. Rowley 7 Nov 1683[4] Rev. Edward Payson, b. 20 Jun 1657, d. 22 Aug 1732 9. Dorcas, bap. 6 Jan 1666,[4] m? Rowley 13 Nov 1710[4] John Bartlett 10. Mary, b. 15 Feb 1667-8,[4] m. Rowley 14 Jun 1688[4] Samuel Payson 11. John, b. 23 Oct 1670,[4] bur. Rowley 23 Nov 1670[4]
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