THE
PHILIPS FAMILY — Joseph Philips, the ancestor of the Philips family of
Mercer County, came to America in 1755. He was born in 1716, but of his
birthplace and parentage nothing is known by his family. In 1775, with
his wife and three children, David, Josiah and John, he sailed from
Pembrokeshire, South Wales, and made his first settlement in Chester
County, Penn., where he followed the occupation of a weaver. His eldest
son, the Rev. David Philips, was the progenitor of the Phillips family
of Mercer County. He served as a captain in the Continental army under
Washington, and was one of the pioneer Baptist preachers of Western
Pennsylvania, and is said to have preached at Sharon as early as 1801.
He died in 1829, never having had any residence in Mercer County. He
had thirteen children, none of whom are living. His descendants are
scattered over Western Pennsylvania, Ohio and Tennessee. Thomas, his
son, settled in Sandy Creek about 1798. He took up a tract of 424 acres
of land. His patent calls for the land known as Philipsburg, situated
in Sandy Creek. He married Sarah B. Hazen, and by this union they had
David, Isaac. Thomas, John, Sarah B., Mary and Martha. Thomas died in
1837, and his widow survived him until 1854. Isaac, the only living
representative, now residing in Sandy Creek, was born October 1, 1803.
He was reared and educated in the common schools of the day, and
learned the trade of a tailor. In 1826 he located in Sheakleyville, and
conducted that business until 1853, when he was elected justice of the
peace for the borough, and filled that office for twenty-five years,
giving his time and attention to the duties of that office. He married,
in 1827, Miss Emily, daughter of William Church, of Sandy Creek
Township, and by this marriage had eleven children, eight of whom grew
to maturity: Clarinda, Mrs. Alexander Dunn; Elvira, widow of W. S.
McCoy; Weltha, widow of David McDowell; Sarah, Mrs. William P. Couse;
Augusta, deceased wife of Joseph Limber; Anna, deceased; Meranda, Mrs.
John Clark, and Caroline, Mrs. Levi Morrison. Mrs. Philips died
in 1885. He is a member of the Georgetown Baptist Church, and held the
office of deacon for over forty years. Politically he is a Republican.
History of Mercer County, 1888, page 1101
|
|