Mercer County PAGenWeb

THE PHILIPS FAMILY 

 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





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