NICHOLAS PHILLIPS [#352 & #376], b. abt. 1611, d. Weymouth, MA between 2 Jun 1671 and 7 Sep 1672, m? Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England 26 Jun 1631 ELIZABETH JEWSON, bap. Wendover, England 29 Nov 1612.
Nicholas Phillips was a resident of Dedham (then known as Contentment) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony by August 18, 1636 for on that day he was granted 12 acres of land there.[2/3:20] He had probably moved there within the year as he was not listed as an attendee of the first town meeting, held September 1, 1635, but was for subsequent ones. The 12 acres bordered the Charles River and, interestingly enough, the land of Ezekiel Holliman, who is possibly an ancestor in the Westcott line. Ezekiel moved to Providence by 1637 and joined in founding the first Baptist Church in America. In November of 1637 Nicholas and three others were commissioned to fell trees for a meeting house.[2/3:39] He was also chosen on August 28, 1638 to mow, gather up, and bring in thatch for the meeting house.[2/3:48]
On August 1, 1639 Nicholas sold his Dedham land and no longer attended town meetings after that date. This is probably about the time he removed to the nearby town of Weymouth. He became a freeman on May 13, 1640. By Feb. 8, 1660 Nicholas Phillips had become a deacon in the First Congregational Church in Weymouth. The fact that he was such an active and respected member in the church suggests that he may have come to this country for religious freedom. It may also give the reason he left Dedham. It is known that Ezekiel Holliman left Massachusetts because of its religious intolerance. Dedham may not have been to Nicholas' liking. Martin Phillips had also moved from Dedham to Weymouth and was a neighbor to Nicholas in the latter town. Martin may have been a brother to Nicholas as was Henry Phillips who remained in Dedham.[3] Nicholas promised part of his lot to Martin,[2/3:33] which is a very good indication of a family relationship. Nicholas sold some of his land to Henry Phillips.[2/3:84]
The name of Nicholas' wife was Elizabeth. This fact is established from a record in which Elizabeth Phillips, the wife of Nicholas Phillips of Weymouth, acknowledges before the commissioners appointed to end small causes her consent to her husband's sale of a house and several parcels of land to Francis Smyth of Hingham. Dated "11th day of the Sixth month 1651 in the presence of John Whitman, Thomas Dyer, Willm Torrey Commissioners". She signed with E P as a mark.[5/63:298] This appears to be the only existant record in which she is mentioned.
Elizabeth's surname may have been Jewson as a marriage was recorded between Nicholas Phillips and Elizabeth Jewson on June 26, 1631 in Wendover, Buckinghamshire, England.[4/2:6] It is not known from where in England the immigrant ancestor Nicholas Phillips came, but in his will Nicholas mentioned his loving friend Jonas Humphrey. Jonas was the son of another ancestor, Jonas Humphrey, who came from Wendover. The evidence, other than names, linking Nicholas of Wendover with Nicholas of Massachusetts is therefore very weak. In addition, Nicholas and Elizabeth of Wendover had a daughter Elizabeth born in 1633, but Nicholas of Dedham did not have a daughter of this name. She may have died young however. The births of several Phillips children were recorded in Wendover in the early 1600s, the time frame for Nicholas' birth. However neither Nicholas' nor his brother's name is among them. In fact, Sarah Phillips was baptised in 1611, the year that Nicholas is presumed to have been born. Further research needs to be done in this area as Nicholas and his brothers might be found in a nearby town which would solidify the connection. Elizabeth's parents were Richard Jewson and Elizabeth Kipping who married October 29, 1607. In addition to Elizabeth they were the parents of Helen, bap. Sep. 22, 1611, Mary, bap. March 26, 1615, and Sarah, bap. July 28, 1620.[4]
Nicholas was probably born about 1611 as he made his will June 2, 1671 "age about Sixty Yeares or theirabout".[1/7:248] He died prior to September 7, 1672 when the inventory of the estate was taken, which amounted to 257.11.6 and was presented by his son Richard on October 3, 1672.[1/7:250] In the will he mentioned his sons in order: Richard, Joshua, and Benjamin. He also mentioned his daughters Alice Shaw, Experience King, Hannah White, and Abigail Phillips and "My loving brother Henry Phillips and my loving friends Thomas Dyer and Jonas Humphrey".[1]
REF: [1] Suffolk County Probate (Docket 610)
[2] Dedham Town Records, 1892
[3] The History of Weymouth - George Chamberlain, 1923 (pgs.464-5)
[4] Buckinghamshire Parish Registers - W. Phillimore, 1904
[5] New England Historic Genealogical Register, 1909 (pg.298)
Children:
1. Richard, "eldest son" on 2 Jun 1671, d. Weymouth, MA 1695, m(1) Mary Packard, m(2) Elizabeth (Edson) Kingman (dau. Samuel Edson and Susanna) 2. Alice, b. abt. 1632, d. after 17 Oct 1704, m. abt. 1651 John Shaw, bap. Halifax, Yorkshire, Eng. 23 May 1630, d. Weymouth, MA 16 Sep 1704 3. Experience, b. Weymouth, MA 8 May 1641, m. Weymouth 17 Sep 1658 Samuel King 4. Caleb, b. Weymouth 22 Jan 1643, prob. d. before 2 Jun 1671 5. Joshua, b. abt. 1647, d. Weymouth 1679 Benjamin, d. Charlestown, MA 13 Feb 1687, m. Anne ___ 6. Hannah, m. 1671 Ebenezer White of Weymouth (son of Thomas White), b. 1648 7. Abigail, m. prob. abt. 1684 John Blanchard of Weymouth
RICHARD PHILLIPS [#176 & #188], b. before 1641, d. Weymouth, MA between 27 Oct and 22 Nov 1695, m(1) MARY PACKARD (dau. of Samuel Packard and Elizabeth), m(2) Elizabeth (Edson) Kingman (dau. Samuel Edson and Susanna).
Richard Phillips was probably born in England or soon after his parents arrived in Massachusetts. He married Mary Packard, a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Packard, who had settled in nearby Hingham but removed to Weymouth in 1653. Richard was elected one of the two constables in town in 1673 and became a freeman May 8, 1678. Being chosen a constable, Richard was obviously a well respected citizen. As such, he was chosen to other positions of public trust. In 1680 he was elected clerk of the market of the town of Weymouth, and the town provided him with scales and weights so he could carry out his duties. On November 27, 1682 he was on the committee to decide if the old meeting house should be repaired or replaced. The following month a new one was recommended. Richard obviously saw some military duty as in 1683 he was elected, as Sergeant Phillips, as one of the seven Selectmen of town. In 1690 he had advanced in rank to Ensign, which was between sergeant and lieutenant.[3]
Mary died before Richard, and he married the widow Elizabeth Kingman. Richard made his will Oct. 27, 1695, and it was proved Dec. 19, 1695. In it were mentioned his wife Elizabeth, grandon Caleb Phillips, his wife's daughter Susannah Kingman, eldest son Caleb Phillips and his wife Elizabeth of Roxbury, sons Nicholas, Samuel, and John Phillips, daughter Mary Humphrey, and daughter-in-law Amy Phillips. He also made reference to "my Father Packer", i.e. his father-in-law by his first wife. The will was witnessed by John Bicknell, Nathaniel Ford, and William Chard.[1/13:705] Inventory of the estate was taken Nov. 22, 1695 by Joseph Green, James Richards, and Nathaniel Ford and totaled 242.11.00.[1/13:706]
REF: [1] Suffolk County Proabte
[2] The History of Weymouth - George Chamberlain, 1923 (pgs.465-6)
[3] Deacon Nicholas Phillips of Dedham and Weymouth, Massachusetts
- C. Arthur Phillips, 1976
Children:
1. son, b. Weymouth, MA 7 Dec 1657, prob. d. young 2. Caleb, b. 1659, lived in Roxbury, m. Elizabeth ____ 3. Mary, b. Weymouth, MA 21 May 1660, d. soon 4. Mary, b. Weymouth 24 May 1661, m(1) abt. 1678 Jonas Humphrey (son Jonas Humphrey and Martha), b. 1655, d. 1689, m(2) Peter Newcomb of Braintree 5. Joshua, b. Weymouth 1 Mar 1661-2, d. abt. 1690, m. Amy ____ 6. Nicholas, b. Weymouth 30 Mar 1664, d. Weymouth 11 Mar 1750-1, m(1) abt. 1686 Amy ____, m(2) Mary ____, b. abt. 1666, d. Weymouth 11 Feb 1748-9 7. Elizabeth, b. Weymouth 27 Nov 1665, d. before 27 Oct 1695 8. Richard, b. Weymouth 20 Oct 1667 9. Samuel, b. Weymouth 7 May 1670 10. John, b. abt. 1672, d. Easton, MA 17 Nov 1760, m. abt. 1690 Elizabeth Drake, d. Easton 24 Jun 1748
JOHN PHILLIPS (Capt.) [#88 & #94], d. Easton, MA 14 Nov 1760, m(1) abt. 1690 ELIZABETH DRAKE (dau. of Thomas Drake and Jane Holbrook), d. Easton, MA 24 Jun 1748, m(2) Bridget Southworth.
| 44. Samuel Phillips
|
88. John Phillips |
176. Richard Phillips |
352. Nicholas Phillips c.1611-1671 | 353. Elizabeth Jewson 1612-? |
| 177. Mary Packard |
354. Samuel Packard ?-1684 | 355. Elizabeth ____ ?-aft. 1694 |
|
|
89. Elizabeth Drake |
178. Thomas Drake |
356. William Drake? ?-? | 357. Margaret Westover? ?-? |
| 179. Jane Holbrook |
358. Thomas Holbrook c.1589-1677 | 359. Jane Powys ?-? |
John Phillips was a captain and took part in an expedition undertaken by the Colonies in 1690 for the reduction of Quebec (see below for some history of this expedition). For this service he became entitled, about 40 years afterwards, to "Rights" of land in what is now Ashfield, MA. Undoubtedly this fact is what led his son Thomas and his son-in-law Richard Ellis to seek homes in this then wilderness region. It was said of Capt. John Phillips that he was a man of unusual ability and integrity of character. He removed from Weymouth to the part of the east end of the Taunton North Purchase that later became Easton where he was one of the earliest settlers in 1694. Capt. Phillips was a prominent man in the early town history and was the first town clerk, serving for 12 years.[2] He is noted as the first person in Easton who held a commission as captain.[3/41]
At the first town meeting of Easton March 2, 1725-6 John Phillips was chosen town clerk for the year ensuing.[3/84] He served in this office for the years 172632, 173439, and 1753.[3/640] He was a selectman in 1726, 1734, 1744, and 174649.[3/641] John was also moderator of town meetings 173334, 1737, 174041, 1744, and 1751[3/636] and was the Easton representative to the General Court in 1754.[3/645] Inventory of his estate was taken Feb. 4, 1761 by Robert Randall, Zephraim Keith, and Joseph Fobes and amounted to 224.06.03.[1/18:43]
In May 1689, England, under its new Dutch king, William III, entered the War of the Grand Alliance against France. The war was known as King William's War in this country. That summer in America an Iroquois raiding party struck hard at the French settlement of Lachine near Montreal. Soon a new French governor, the comte de Frontenac, arrived in New France and initiated a counteroffensive against the English frontier, carried out in 1690 by mixed parties of French and Indians. Their ferocity and destructiveness did much to establish a pattern of savagery in border warfare for the next century. Serious losses were suffered by the English at Schenectady, Salmon Falls, and Falmouth (now Portland, Maine). Recognizing that Quebec on the Saint Lawrence River was the heart to New France, English leaders decided to attempt its capture. A land army was to advance down the Champlain Valley toward Montreal, while a fleet commanded by Sir William Phips was to proceed from Boston to the Saint Lawrence and up to Quebec. The failure of the land army to get within one hunderd miles of Montreal enabled Fontenac to shift troops from that town to Quebec. Phips took Port Royal, but by the time he reached Quebec in October 1690, that city was too strongly defended to be taken. Phips demanded the city's surrender, but Frontenac sent back a comtemptuous reply, and the English left after a harmless bombardment.
REF: [1] Bristol County Probate
[2] Richard Ellis and His Descendants - E.R. Ellis, 1888 (pg.377)
[3] The History of Easton, Massachusetts - William Chaffin,
1886
[4] Info via e-mail from [email protected] (10/7/98)
Children:
1. John, b. Weymouth, MA 18 Feb 1692, d. Easton, MA 18 Jan 1758 2. Richard, b. Weymouth 25 Nov 1693 3. William, b. abt. 1695 4. Experience, m. 25 Jun 1739 Ichabod Manly 5. Samuel, b. Taunton, MA 17 May 1702, m. Damaris Smith, d. 13 Mar 1795 6. Joshua 7. Caleb, m. 6 Feb 1731-2 Hannah Packard 8. Jane, b. 1 Jul 1709, d. abt. 1760, m. Richard Ellis, b. 16 Aug 1704 9. Thomas, b. Easton 25 Jan 1712, d. Ashfield, MA 1791,[4] m(1) Stoughton, MA 22 Jan 1735-6 (int. 20 Dec 1735) Katherine Liscome, d. Ashfield 5 Feb 1775, age 58,[4] m(2) Ashfield 10 Jan 1777 Chil.[4]: 1) Ketura, b. 27 Dec 1736, m. 31 Dec 1764 Samuel Batcheler; 2) Phillip, b. Easton 3 Feb 1738/9, d. Ashfield 10 Aug 1800, m. 22 Sep 1758 Mercy Phillips; 3) Simeon, b. Easton 15 Apr 1742, d. 12 Dec 1770 (killed by falling tree), m. Sally Green; 4) Charity, b. 10 Oct 1744, Bap. Deerfield, MA 28 Oct 1744, d. 25 Sep 1746; 5) Thomas, b. Deerfield, MA 7 Jun 1747, bap. 12 Jul 1747, d. 9 Jul 1839, m. Easton 7 Nov 1771 Elizabeth Noyes; 6) Elizabeth, b. 31 Oct 1749, m. Ashfield 30 Nov 1768 Samuel Truesday of Chesterfield; 7) Sarah, b. abt. 1752, d. 22 Dec 1822 age 70, m(1) 31 Oct 1776 Elisha Cranson, Jr., m(2) Zachariah Howes; 8) Caleb, d. 1829, m. 3 Jan. 1781 Sally Green
SAMUEL PHILLIPS [#44], b. Taunton, MA 17 May 1702, d. between 1781 and 1784, m. abt. 1724 DAMARIS SMITH (dau. of Samuel Smith and Esther Caswell), d. 13 Mar 1795.
| 22. John Phillips
|
44. Samuel Phillips |
88. John Phillips |
176. Richard Phillips ?-1695 | 177. Mary Packard ?-? |
| 89. Elizabeth Drake |
178. Thomas Drake 1635?-1692 | 179. Jane Holbrook c.1636-? |
|
|
45. Damaris Smith |
90. Samuel Smith |
180. Samuel Smith 1639-1688 | 181. Susanna Read c.1633-? |
| 91. Esther Caswell |
182. Thomas Caswell ?-1697 | 183. Mary ____ ?-? |
Samuel Phillips lived in Taunton and Easton his entire life and was most likely a farmer. He was one of eight men who in 1724 built a dam and sawmill in the north part of the area that became the town of Easton in 1725.[2/281] He also worked on the construction of a grist mill on the same site. In 1757 Samuel was on a list that contained the names of those who were not training soldiers but were obliged to serve during an emergency.[2/509] Most of his eight children died prior to his death as only three were mentioned in his will, which was dated March 13, 1781. Samuel's son John received most of the property. Also mentioned in the will were his wife, daughters Elizabeth Turner and Damaris Pratt, daughter-in-law Sarah Phillips, grandsons Silas and Asa Phillips, and grand daughter Sarah Phillips. The will was witnessed by Sarah Lathrop, Molly Mitchell, and Seth Pratt.[1/28:135]
REF: [1] Bristol County Probate
[2] The History of Easton, Massachusetts - William L. Chaffin,
1886
[3] The History of Taunton, Massachusetts - Samuel Emery, 1893
Children (born in Easton, MA):
1. Samuel, b. 1 May 1726, d. 10 Apr 1773, m. 11 Jan 1745 Sarah Dillingham 2. Elizabeth, b. 11 Dec 1727, m. 27 Nov 1746 John Turner 3. Eliakim, b. 10 Jul 1731, d. 7 May 1736 4. John, b. Easton, MA 21 May 1734, d. 14 Feb 1805, m. Jane Ellis, b. Easton 22 Dec 1738, d. Marlborough, VT 1 Jul 1832 5. Seth, b. 13 Oct, d. 22 Oct 1736 6. Elijah, b. 20 Jul, d. 28 Jul 1738 7. Bathsheba, b. 26 May 1740, d. 24 Jun 1740 8. Damaris, b. 5 Dec 1741, d. 11 Sep 1793, m. 24 Jan 1762 Jonathan Pratt
JOHN PHILLIPS [#22], b. Easton, MA 21 May 1734, d. 14 Feb 1805, m. JANE ELLIS (dau. of Richard Ellis and Jane Phillips), b. Easton 22 Dec 1738, d. Marlborough, VT 1 Jul 1832.
| 11. Phoebe Phillips
|
22. John Phillips |
44. Samuel Phillips |
88. John Phillips ?-1760 | 89. Elizabeth Drake ?-1748 |
| 45. Damaris Smith |
90. Samuel Smith 1666-1718 | 91. Esther Caswell 1669-? |
|
|
23. Jane Ellis |
46. Richard Ellis |
| |
| 47. Jane Phillips |
94. John Phillips ?-1760 | 95. Elizabeth Drake ?-1748 |
John Phillips was a soldier in the Revolution and fought in the Battle of Bennington. John and Jane were most likely married in Easton as their children were all born there, however no marriage record is in existence. After the death of her husband in 1805, Jane Phillips lived in Newfane, VT. One of her grandsons, James Charter of Williamsville, VT, wrote "I was well acquainted with her. She was a very devoted Christian of the Baptist denomination." She lived to the age of 95 years. She was very smart and could walk a mile up to a week of her death. She was of medium height and weight, light complexion, and blue eyes.[1/74]
John and Jane share a gravestone in the South Newfane Cemetery in Newfane just over the Marlboro line off Augur Hole Road.[2]
REF: [1] Biographical Sketches of Richard Ellis - E.R. Ellis,
1888
[2] South Newfane Cemetery, gravestone transcriptions by Charles
Marchant, manuscript in Newfane Town Clerk's Office
Children (born in Easton, MA):
1. John, b. 16 Feb 1761, d. Marlboro, VT 23 Aug 1841,[2] m.
Ruth D. ____, d. 26 Feb 1842 age 70 years[2]
Chil.:[2] (probably incomplete list)
A) Nathan Phillips (possibly), d. 4 Mar 1844 age 56y. 11m. 4d.,
m. Hannah M. ____, d. 9 May 1840 age 50y. 5m. 3.
B) Samuel Phillips (probably), d. 12 Oct 1830 in 35th yr., m.
Mary ____, d. 15 May 1828 in 34th year
Chil.:[2]
1) Samuel W. Phillips, d. 17 Feb 1842 in 21st year
C) George Phillips (possibly), d. 11 Aug 1863 age 66 yrs.,
m(1) Polly ____, d. 20 Feb 1829 age 47, m(2) Diadamia, d.
19 Apr 1864 age 70
C) Zilpha Phillips, d. 3 Dec 1813 age 2y. 2m.[2]
2. Molly, b. 12 Nov 1763, d. 1831
3. Enos, b. 1765
4. Percis, b. 2 Jul 1767, d. Vermont Apr 1829
5. Hannah, b. 14 Mar 1770, d. 13 Jan 1850, m? ____ Fulton
6. Marcy, b. 22 Sep 1773, d. 21 Feb 1831
7. Phoebe, b. 4 Feb 1777, d. Marlborough, VT 14 Aug
1863, m(1) 5 Sep 1797 James Charter, bap. Hartford,
CT 24 May 1741, d. 21 Apr 1821, m(2) Marlborough 13 Dec
1831 Joseph Bryant, d. Marlborough 23 May 1843
8. Sally, b. 2 May 1780, d. 17 May 1862, m. Joshua Morse
Send e-mail to Michael Roman