Henry Phillips, of Dedham & Boston

Evidence needed to support Henry Phillips, of Dedham & Boston as son of Nicholas Phillips, ll and Abigail Philips

Henry Phillips

• Born about 1614 in England
• Died before 13 Feb 1686 at about age 72 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Disputed Origins

His ancestry is uncertain, but he was named in the 1671 will of Nicholas Phillips, of Weymouth, who is thought to have come from Wendover (Buckingham). There is reason to believe they were brothers of Martin Phillips. Richard Ripley, who information is often unreliable, thought he was born 19 Mar 1619/1620 in East Grinstead (Sussex), son of John Phillips and Joan Mary Dyer.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Phillips-3974

His parents and origins are unknown. Although unsourced suggestions include John Phillips and Mary Ruth Gerrard; another has suggested a specific birth of 3 Feb 1614 in Dedham, Essex, son of Nicholas Phillips without source. Until proof of his origins is found, these origins have been removed.

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Phillips-3974

Ensign Henry Phillips was born say 1614 based on the date of his first marriage, his parents and origins are still unknown.[1]. Death likely about February, 1686, due to the number of deeds he signed in 1685.

He arrived by 1637 at Dedham.[1] He then moved to Boston where he was a butcher. [2]

He served as Ensign at Dedham and in Boston in Captain Oliver's company. [3]

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/65036399/henry-phillips

He married (1) MARY (ELIZABETH) BROCK January 05, 1639 in Dedham, Massachusetts (Source: Vital Records of Dedham Massachusetts, - Henry Phillips & Mary Brock, were married the 5 of the 1 mo.), daughter of Henry Brock and Elizabeth Wreford. She was born Apr 11, 1621 in Moreton Hampstead, Devon, England, she died August 01, 1640 in Dedham, Massachusetts (Source: Vital Records of Dedham Massachusetts – Phillips Elizabeth (Brock) w/o Henry d. 8/1/1640.).

He married (2) ANN HUNTING March 01, 1641 in Boston, Massachusetts (Source: Vital Records of Dedham Massachusetts – Henry Phillips & An Hunting, were married the 1 of the 3 mo), daughter of WILLIAM HUNTING and JANIA LECHE [NO] She was born March 1, 1616/17 in Flixborough, Lincoln, England [NO], and died about 1656 in Dedham, Massachusetts . Correct information - Ann HUNTING was christened 2 Jan 1614 in Thrandeston, Suffolk, England daughter of William Hunting and Margaret Randall/Randolf, She died before 24 Jun 1653 in Dedham, Norfolk, Massachusetts (date of her husband's remarriage).

He married (3) MARY DWIGHT after. 1656 in Boston, Massachusetts, daughter of JOHN DWIGHT and HANNAH _______. She was born July 25, 1635 in Dedham, Massachusetts (Source: Vital Records of Dedham Massachusetts – Dwight Mary, d/o John & Hannah b. 7/25/1635; bapt 5/5/1639) and died January 8, 1713/14 (Source: Boston Deaths 1700 to 1709 - Mary, Mrs. 8 Jan 1713/4 79y wf. of Henry; dau. John Dwight).

Will

His will was written on August 7, 1682. In it he names: [14]

• wife Mary, my whole and real estate to be improved on for her own comfortable maintenance and the education of my younger children
• daughters Hannah Negus, Abigail East, and son Eleazer, I have already given them L100 each
• sons Samuel, Timothy and John, L100 each when they attain the age of 21
• son John to be educated until he attain his second degree at the college of his inclination
• daughters Mehitable and Elizabeth L100 when they reach the age of 21, or on the day they marry
• Mehitable, Elizabeth and John are also to have L9 10s each from the division of the estate of their late brother Nathaniel who died intestate, and L5 each from the estate of their late brother Henry, deceased, which I now have in my hands
• after my legacies are paid, from the remaining funds, I give my son Eleazer L100
• my others sons that are then living L50 each
• the remainder should be divided equally among all my children that are living
• wife Mary to be sole exectutrix
• friends Deacon Henry Allen and John Brigham to be overseers
• post script: as daughters Hannah and Abigail have received their portions of their brother Nathaniel's estate, their portions should be abated by L9 10s [14]

In a Codicil to the above will, dated December 4, 1685, Henry writes that:

• his executrix pay his just debts, particularly his obligation to Francis East and his heirs
• and further that sons Samuel and Timothy, have already received their L100 legacy share
• that in his possession, he has L40 belonging of wife Mary's 'own and proper estate' to be paid to her as a 'just debt' [14]

He was buried on February 3, 1685/6 [2] in the new burial place at Copp's Hill. [3]

His widow Mary presented the will to the probate court at Boston on February 18, 1685/6 [14]

Buried with Military honors at Copps Hill, Boston.

There were no known children of Henry Phillips and Mary, his 1st wife.

Children of Henry Phillips and Ann, his 2nd wife:

1. Eleizer was born at Dedham on the 30th 11 mo. 1641 [January 30, 1642]; and died there on 14th 12 mo. [February, 14, 1642]. [10]
2. Hannah was born at Dedham on 25th 3 mo. 1643 [May 35, 1643] [10] ' married ___ Negus. [14]
3. Abigail was born at Dedham on the 2nd 8 mo. 1645 [October 2, 1645] [10]; married David East. [14]
4. John, born at Dedham on the 20th 4 mo. 1648 [June 20, 1648] [10]; likely died young.
5. Sarah born at Dedham on 30th 6 mo. 1650 [August 30, 1650] [10]; likely died prior to 1682, not mentioned in her father's will. Married William Jamison.
6. Nathaniel of brother Philips, baptized at the First Church, Dedham on 3d 2 mo. 1653 [April 3, 1653] [15]; died by December 10, 1678, when Henry and Eleazer Philips and Jabez Negus posted bond to administer his estate. [16]

Children of Henry Phillips and Mary, his 3rd wife:

1. Eleazer son of Henry Philips was baptised 8d 8m 1654 [October 8, 1654] . [15]
2. Henry Philips, son of Henry of Dedham was born on October 4, 1656 and baptized at the First Church of Boston on 28 day 7 mo 1656 [ September 28, 1656] [17]; died on January 11, 1680. [18]
3. Timothy born on September 15, 1658 and baptized at the First Church, Boston 19 day 7 mo. 1658 [September 19, 1658] [17]
4. Mary born on November 28, 1660 and baptized on 2 day 10 mo. 1660 [December 2, 1660] [17]; likely died before August, 1682, as she is not mentioned in her father's will. [14]. Married Samuel Phipps.
5. Samuel baptized at the First Church, Boston on 2 day 9 mo. 1662 [ November 2, 1662] [17]
6. Elishu born on May 12, 1665 and was baptized at the First Church, Boston on May 15, 1665 [17] ; likely died before August, 1682, as he is not mentioned in his father's will. [14]
7. Jonathan born on September 12, 1666 [17]; likely died before August, 1682, as he is not mentioned in his father's will. [14]
8. Josua was baptized on was baptized on 22 day 5 mo. 1666 [July 22, 1666] [17] ; likely died before August, 1682, as he is not mentioned in his father's will. [14]
9. Mehetabel was baptized at the FIrst Church, Boston on 21 day 5 mo. 1667 [July 21, 1667] [17]; married Thomas Savage. [3]
10. John born on January 22, 1668 and baptized at the First Church, Boston on 24 day 11 mo. 1668 [January 24, 1669] [17]; died before July , 1670.
11. John born on July 9, 1670 and was baptized at the First Church, Boston on 10 day 5 mo. 1670 [July 10, 1670] [17]
12. Elizabeth born on August 29, 1672 [17]; married Benjamin Sweetser. [3]
13. Joseph born February 19, 1674/5 at Charlestown [18]; baptized at the First Church at Charlestown on February 28, 1674/5. [19]; likely died before August, 1682, as he is not mentioned in his father's will. [14]

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Children (according to Phillips Genealogies):

1. Mary: d. 1640.
2. Anne ; d. young.
3. Abigail, b. Oct. 20, 1645.
4. Nathaniel; bap. Apr. 3, 1653; d. prior to 1685.
5. Eleazer, b. Oct. 8, 1654. (No. 139.)
6. Timothy, b. Sept 15 (bap. 19), 1658. (No. 143.)
7. Mary, b. Nov. 28, 1660.
8. Elislia. b. May 12 (bap. 15), 1665.
9. Jonathan, b. Sept. 12, 1666.
10. John. b. July 9 (bap. 10), 1670; of Boston : m. at Charlestown, Mary Gross of Boston, June 25. 1797; d. prior to 1705.
11. Joseph. b. Feb. 19 (bap. 28), 1674-5.

Savage says:

HENRY, Dedham, freeman 13 March 1639, had wife Elizabeth Brock, who d. 1 August 1640, and married 1 May 1641, Ann Hunting, probably sister of Elder John, had Eleazur, b. 30 January bapt. 6 February 1642, d. in few days; Hannah, 25, bapt. 28 May 1643; Abigail, 20 October 1645; and by third wife Mary, daughter of John Dwight, had Nathaniel, bapt. 3 April 1653, d. before his father; and Eleazur, 8 Oct. 1654; was ensign of the Military Company 1648; removed to Boston to follow his trade of a butcher; there had Henry, b. 1, bapt. 26 October 1656, d. before his father; Timothy, 15, bapt. 19 September 1658; Mary, 28 November bapt. 2 December 1660; Samuel, bapt. 2 November 1662; Elisha, 12, bapt. 15 May 1665; Jonathan, 12 September 1666, bapt. uncertain day; Mehitable, bapt. 21 July 1667; John, 22, bapt. 24 January 1669, d. soon; John, again, 9, bapt. 10 July 1670; and Elizabeth 9. bapt. 18 August 1672. In this yr. he was made deacon of the first church and representative for Hadley. Judge Sewall, in his diary, chronicles his burial 3 Feb. 1686. His will of 7 Aug. 1682, with codicile 4 December 1685, probably 18 February following disposes of good estate names wife, sons Eleazer, Timothy, Samuel, and John, direct, this last for college, ds. Hannah Negus, Abigail East, Mehitable, and Elizabeth also notices Henry and Nathaniel as dec. so that probably both had reached mature years. A Mary P. who may have been his mother or child d. 2 July 1640. He was much esteemed; and his youngest son John might have made good the place of Christian minister (that his father was desirable to undertake, as Farmer tells), had he obtained the education indentured but probably he d. early. Elizabeth married a Ruggles.

Henry is known to be in the New World at Watertown, Massachusetts as early as 1629. He was among the earliest settlers of Dedham, Coming as a ministerial candidate. He never became a minister and was known to Cotton Mather who listed him as a minister residing in Dedham. He became a "Freeman" of the Massachusetts Bay Colony at Dedham in 1638. Henry was later listed as an Ensign. Henry lived in Dedham, Massachusetts at least through January 1657; he was listed in church records April 29, 1639. He later lived in Boston where he served as a purveyor of goods and a butcher. It was said that he had eleven children, his Third wife Mary Dwight was the daughter of John and Hannah Dwight; John died January 24, 1661 and Hannah died September 5, 1656. Henry was admitted to the Dedham Church First Parish April 24, 1639

Phillips Genealogies says:

Henry Phillips ; butcher ; of Dedham and Boston ; said to have gone first fi'om Watertown to Dedham ; chosen ensign of Dedham, Oct. 27, 1648 ; was of Boston, 1664. He was evidently brother of Dea. Nicholas Phillips of Weymouth, and may have been bro. of John of Dorchester, or, possibly bro. of John of Charlestowu ; cl. 1686, buried Feb. 3. He m. (1st) Elizabeth Brock, who d. Aug. 1, 1640; (2d) Anne Hunting. May 1, 1641, at Dedham ; (3d) Mary Dwight.

GEDCOM Note

Category: Signers of the Dedham Covenant

Biography

Henry Phillips was born around 1609 [SIC] in England. He is the son of Nicholas Phillips and Abigail Sewell.[SIC] Phillips Page 4 says it has not been discovered where Nicholas was born nor who his parents were, which presumably goes for Henry as well. However, this Henry is, by definition, the "loving brother of Nicholas Phillips" from the will of Nicholas Phillips.

Henry was in Watertown as early as 1629 [??]. He likely came to America alone as a ministerial candidate but was unable to settle in Watertown as a minister. He moved on to Dedham and was known to Cotton Mather who listed him as a minister resident in Dedham. In fact, he was unable to settle in Dedham as a minister either and became "a discouraged and broken hearted Christian". He and his brothers, Nicholas and Martin, signed the covenant at Dedham in the Massachusetts Bay Colony on August 18, 1636.

Ref:Dedham Town Records, 1: 20

He was probably granted land then. Henry married Ann around 1641. They had four children. Henry appears to have been involved with the early militia as he is called "Ensign". Eventually, Henry moved to Boston where he was a purveyor of goods to the upper classes there. He continued to own land in Dedham though living in Boston. In 1656, the Dedham Council passed a law that proprietors who did not live in the town should not have the rights to put cattle in the cow commons, but could have dividends from their lands. Henry led the aggrieved proprietors in an appeal to the General Court of the colony which annulled the law.

Research Notes

• A birth of March 19, 1619, East Grinstead, Sussex, England, was givenwithout source. This date does not agree with a death date for his father of 1615 which is also unsourced. A valid source for the birth information should be sought before making this change.

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History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888 by Roberts, Oliver Ayer. Page 109:

References

• Findagrave.com: Henry Phillips.
• Albert Merritt Phillips, Phillips genealogies, (1885) 189.
• Extensive family genealogy information on Find a Grave
• North American Family Histories (Pope's "Pioneers of Massachusetts, page 357)
• http://www.conovergenealogy.com/dkcances/dkcances-o/p343.htm#i261251
• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~hwbradley/aqwg217...
• Will of DeaconNicholas Phillips of Dedham, Dated 2 Jun 1671, Proved 2 Oct 1672. Abstracted in Chamberlain but still looking for facsimile of original.
• Chamberlain, George Walter. History_of_Weymouth_Massachusetts, Volume 4, Weymouth Historical Society, Weymouth, Mass. (Wright & Potter Printing Co., Boston, Mass.), 1923 On Hathitrust.org
• Phillips, C. Arthur. Deacon NicholasPhillips of Dedham and Weymouth, Mass., 1636-1672, Unigraphic, Inc., Evansville, Indiana, 1976. On Archive.org - Available by joining Internet Archive Library (free).
• https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Phillips-3974 cites:

1. Robert Charles Anderson. The Great Migration Directory: Immigrants to New England, 1620–1640 (Boston, Massachusetts. New England Historic and Genealogical Society. 2015) p 262; Unknown; 1637; Dedham [DeTR 1:32; DeVR 126; DeChR 14; SPR 1:19; HAHAC 1:109; MBCR 1:375; NGSQ 78:90; DeHR 3:158-59]
2. Frederick Lewis Gay, "Extracts from the Sewell Diary," Dedham Historical Register (1892) 3:158-59
3. The Dedham Historical Register, Volumes 3-4, Published by the Dedham Historical Society, Dedham, Massachusetts, 1892 p. 158-9: 170
4. ↑ Anderson, Robert C. Great Migration Begins: Immigrants to N.E. 1620-1633, Vols. I-III, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, 1995. p. 412 (Online database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2010)
5. Hill, Don Gleason, editor. The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts 1659-1673, Volume 4. Printed at the Office of the Dedham Transcript, Dedham, Massachusetts, 1894, p. Appendix p. 288
6. Hill, Don Gleason. The Early Records of the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts: 1636-1659. Volume 3, Printed at office of the Dedham Transcript, Dedham Massachusetts, 1892. p. 32: 85: 91: 93-5: 100: 105-6: 108: 111: 126: 142-3
7. Suffolk Deeds, Volume 12, Rockwell & Churchill Press, Boston, Massachusetts, 1902 p. 73-5: 375
8. Suffolk Deeds, Volume 10, Municipal Printing Office, Boston, Massachusetts, 1910 p. 80: 254-5: 308
9. Trask, William Blake, Frank Bradish (Eliot), Charles A. Drew, A. Grace Small, editors. Suffolk Deeds, Volume 13, Rockwell & Churchill Press, Boston, Massachusetts, 1903. p. 98-9: 208-10: 330-1: 368-9
10. Hill, Don Gleason. Editor. The Records of Births, Marriages and Deaths, and Intentions of Marriage, In the Town of Dedham, Massachusetts, Parts I & II, 1635-1845, Dedham, Massachusetts, 1886, p. 2-4: 126-7
11. ↑ Leslie Mahler, FASG, "Randalls of Topcroft, Norfolk: Ancestors of John1 Hunting, Susanna1 (Hunting) Richards, Anna1 (Hunting) Phillips of Dedham, Massachusetts" in TAG (Jul 2016) 88.3:195-200
12. Robert Charles Anderson, "The English Origin of John Hunting (1602-1689) of Dedham, Massachusetts," in National Genealogical Society Quarterly (1990) 78:85-97 citing Katharine H Gannon "Hunting Family" (TS Ca, 1978)
13. Anderson, Robert C., George F. Sanborn, Jr., and Melinde Lutz Sanborn. John Dwight in: The Great Migration, Immigrants to New England, 1634-1635, Volume II, C-F, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts, 2001, p. 375 -6 (Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2008.)
14. Case 1450: p. 1-18: Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2017. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. Digitized mages provided by FamilySearch.org)
15. First Church: Dedham: p. 33: Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1621-1850 p(Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).
16. Case 1009: p. 1-5: Suffolk County, MA: Probate File Papers.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2017. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives. Digitized mages provided by FamilySearch.org)
17. Appleton, William S. Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths 1630-1699, City Document 130, Registry Dept. City of Boston, Rockwell & Churchill, Boston, Massachusetts, 1883 p. 55: 58: 65: 74: 77: 87: 97-8: 101-2: 106: 108-9: 115: 117: 124
18. Charlestown: Volume 91: p. 66: 91: Massachusetts: Vital Records, 1621-1850 (Online Database: AmericanAncestors.org, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2001-2016).
19. Hunnewell, J. F., editor. Records of the first church in Charlestown, 1632-1789, David Clapp & Sons, Boston, Massachusetts, p. 62

• Residence: Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts
  • Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Jun 2 2022, 5:38:42 UTC
• History of the Military company of the Massachusetts, now called the Ancient and honorable artillery company of Massachusetts. 1637-1888 by Roberts, Oliver Ayer. Page 109-110. <Archive.Org>
• North American Family Historíes: children of Henry Phillips <link>; also attached on the sources tab.