Orals with an ambition to shine as sons of knowlge. At the head of these, and among the most ctive, was Phillips, whose name and character were ften mentioned to stimulate others to adorn their wn lives. He was graduated in 1771. When he eft college it was supposed he would enter one of the professions; but he turned his attention to other pursuits. He was, however, persuaded to go into publick life, and though he never neglected his private concerns, but was a diligent promoter of every good thing in the small circle of those, who "rose up and called him blessed," yet was he as assiduous and unwearied in his attention to his publick duties of the general court. He seemed to make it a part of religious principle to be punctual to his engagements, that he might redeem time in every way possible. Hence he was able to accomplish so much business, besides alluring others to diligence by his example. He was representative from his native town in the year 1775, a year remarkable in our annals, and was then called one of the best speakers in the assembly. For a number of years he was in the lower house; but as soon as the constitution was formed for the state, he was chosen a senator from the county of Essex. It was during the winter of 1779, 80, the draught of the committee, which was presented to the convention, became the subject of discussion. Mr. Phillips was of the committee that made the draught, and supported the main questions in it in the larger assembly. In 1785, he was chosen president of the senate, and continued to be elected till he was honoured with the second place in the government. In 1781, he was also appointed justice of the court of common pleas, and held the office till the year 1797. It During the whole period of his publick life, he was very friendly to the interests of literature. was a rare thing to find him absent from the board of overseers of the University. He was often on committees, and improved the opportunities to render essential services to the place of his educa tion. He was one of the founders and original members of the academy of arts and sciences. In 1793, he received a diploma of doctor of laws, which, in the opinion of our first lawyers, was be. stowed with great judgment. He was a professor of religion from his youth, and possessed a very evangelical spirit. This was manifested in fruits of piety, virtue and benevolence. By his will, we find he employed his last days in exhibitions of the law of kindness which should yield their fragrance after his body was laid in the dust. The first object of his legacies was, to serve the rising generation, that they might early know, that, without being good, they could never be happy. He also left a considerable sum towards promoting the cause of religion and learning, which is not in. cluded in the charity for the benefit of district schools. He supported years of ill health and bo. dily infirmities, until he breathed his last, Feb. 10, 1802, in the 50th year of his age.* Other gentlemen of the name of Phillips have made a considerable figure in New England,either as magistrates, or divines. Rev. Samuel Phillips of Rowley, and the rev. Samuel Phil- lips, grandfather to the lieut. governour, and pastor of the first church in Andover, were gentlemen highly respectable in their profession. The hon. John Phillips, of Charlestown, who died in 1709. He was for many years one of his majesty's council. John Phillips, esq. of Boston, colonel of the Boston regiment, and representative for the town at the general court. William Phillips, esq. of Boston, son of the rev. Mr. P. of Andover, was highly distinguished among the patriots of 1775. At that time he was one of the Boston representatives, and was afterwards of the senate of Massachusetts. He was one of the most opulent merchants in the town, and his name is worthy of respect for his many benevolent exertions to promote useful institutions. Mr. Phillips was a member of the convention which formed the state constitution; and also a member of the convention which adopted the constitution of the United States. Samuel Phillips, the father of the lieut. governour, was a per Of He PHIPS SIR WILLIAM, was born at Pemaquid, Feb. 2, 1650. His mother had 26 children. these, 21 were sons, and William one of the young. est, who lived with his mother until he was 18 years old. The father died when he was a child. then bound himself to a ship carpenter, and afterwards set up his trade at Boston. He was so illiterate that he could not read nor write, but discovered talents, and a remarkable spirit of enterprise. He soon acquired learning sufficient for all the pur. poses of common life, and address enough to recommend himself to a young widow of a respectable family, with whom he became connected by marriage. When he became master of his trade, he built a ship at Sheepscot river; but was soon driven off by the Indians. Afterwards he followed the sea, and hearing of a Spanish wreck near the Bahamas, he went to England, and offered to go in search of it. They sent him upon this business in the Algier and Rose frigates, but he failed of success. This was in 1683. But instead of being discouraged he importuned to be sent once more with a son of note in the town and country where he lived. He was graduated at Cambridge, 1734, was justice of the peace, representative and counsellor. He founded the academy at Andover, in 1778, with the assistance of his brother William Phillips, esq. and his other brother John Phillips, esq. of Exeter in New Hampshire. The gentleman last mentioned was graduated at Harvard College, 1735; had a degree of doctor of laws from Dartmouth University, and rendered himself very conspicuous, while he lived, for his benevolent deeds. He founded and liberally endowed an academy at Exeter,and at his death left large sums for pious and literary institutions. In the "retrospect of the eighteenth century" by the rev. Dr. Miller of New York, that excellent writer observes, "The family of Phillips in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, has been long distinguished for its great wealth, and also for its love of religion and literature. A complete history of the munificence towards publick institutions at different times, by the members of this family, would probably furnish an amount of benefactions seldom equalled in this country." He also observes," that in furnishing instances of individual liberality to publick institutions it is believed that Massachusetts exceeds all other states." kind of romantick assurance which might strike adventurers, but would never, succeed with men of calculation. The duke of Albemarle fitted him out for a second voyage, and he brought from the wreck 300,000 pounds, his own share being only about 16,000. For this success he was much applauded, and the king knighted him. He also appointed him high sheriff of New England, but not falling in with the measures of Andross and Randolph, his place was not easy to him, and he returned to the old country. While he remained in Boston, he built a large brick house in Charter street, which even at this day makes an elegant appearance. He always said that when he was a poor sheep shearer at Kennebeck river, he dreamt that he should be captain of a ship, and build a brick house in Boston. This is related by C. Mather, with a number of marvellous circumstances. King James offered him the government of New England, but he did not accept it. In 1690, he took Port Royal, but was not so successful in the expedition against Quebec. The accounts of these military enterprises are recorded in the annals of those times. At the anniversary election, 1690, May 30, sir William Phips was chosen by the freemen a magistrate of the colony. He did not stay long in Boston, however, but embarked again for England, to solicit an expedition to Canada, being fully assured that it was in his power to reduce the province to the subjection of the British government. At this time the agents of Massachusetts were making application to king William for a restoration of their old charter. When this could not be obtained, and the charter of William and Mary was accepted, sir William Phips was invested with a commission to be "captain general and governour in chief over the province of Massachusetts Bay in New England." He arrived at Boston, May 14, 1690. Different opinions will always be held of men in PHI 383 public stations. is not enough to call him "father of the province, but he should be called the angel, assigned to the special care of it, by a singular deputation from heaven." In another place, he speaks of his "being dropped from the machine of heaven." seems, however, that sir William had the passions It of men, and discovered strong corporeal qualities; for he would quarrel, sometimes, with the officers of government, and use his fists upon certain occasions to bring them to his own views of a proper conduct. Instances of this sort with a captain of a man of war, and a collector, occasioned complaints against him, which he was sent for to answer. had an opportunity there to justify himself, accordHe ing to Mr. Hutchinson, and was about returning to his government, but was taken sick and died in London about the middle of February, 1694. was buried in the church of St. Mary Wolnoth. He The character of sir William Phips which others give, setting aside the life of him by Dr. Cotton Mather, which is rather an eulogy upon one of the pious members of his church, is, that he was a blunt honest man, who had a lively confidence in every thing he undertook, open hearted and generous, but vulgar in speech and manners. His talents were considerable, otherwise he never could have done so much, or obtained such promotion. This, however, has been attributed to fortunate circumstances rather than to superiour abilities. Histories of New England, by Mather, Douglass, Hutchinson. PHIPS SPENCER, lieut. governour of Massachusetts, was nephew, and adopted son, of sir William. He was a man of respectability rather than influence in the province, and was more indebted to his |