RICHARD PHILLIPS 1635-1695

[Ancestral Link: Lura Minnie Parker (Stagge), daughter of Minnie May Elmer (Parker), daughter of Mark Alfred Elmer, son of Hannah Polina Child (Elmer), daughter of Alfred Bosworth Child, son of Mark Anthony Child, son of Increase Child, son of Mary Lyon (Child), daughter of Elizabeth Phillips (Lyon), daughter of Caleb Phillips, son of Richard Phillips.]

About Richard Phillips (by Michael J. Roman)
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.

Mary died before Richard, and he married the widow Elizabeth Kingman. Richard made his will October 27, 1695, and it was proved December 19, 1695. In it were mentioned his wife Elizabeth, grandson 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 November 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, born Weymouth, Massachusetts 7 December 1657, probably died young
2. Caleb, born 1659, lived in Roxbury, married Elizabeth ____
3. Mary, born Weymouth, Massachusetts 21 May 1660, died soon
4. Mary, born Weymouth 24 May 1661, married(1) about 1678 Jonas Humphrey (son Jonas Humphrey and Martha), born 1655, died 1689, married(2) Peter Newcomb of Braintree
5. Joshua, born Weymouth 1 March 1661-2, died about 1690, married Amy ____
6. Nicholas, born Weymouth 30 March 1664, died Weymouth 11 March 1750-1, married(1) about 1686 Amy ____, married(2) Mary ____, born about 1666, died Weymouth 11 February 1748-9
7. Elizabeth, born Weymouth 27 November 1665, died before 27 October 1695
8. Richard, born Weymouth 20 October 1667
9. Samuel, born Weymouth 7 May 1670
10. John, born about 1672, died Easton, Massachusetts 17 November 1760, married about 1690 Elizabeth Drake, died Easton 24 June 1748

Copyright © Michael J. Roman, 1968-2000, all rights reserved.
found on ancestry.com

Born on the voyage to the Colonies
1635, Shipboard on way to Massachusetts Bay Colony

It is listed in one of the records (Family Data Collection) that Richard was born en route to Colonies. Other records of the same name offer his birth date as 1634 or 1635 and in England and in Massachusetts so it is difficult to glean which is the most factual. From what I can find about his parents' immigration from England to the Colonies it would appear that he might indeed have been born en route because it appears that the date of their arrival must have been around 1635 or early 1636. Michael Roman wrote about the family (see other story listed) and placed Nicholas into Dedham (then known as Contentment) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony by August 18, 1636 where he was granted 12 acres of land. Wherever the truth lies Richard's birth coincides with the family's arrival into the Massachusetts Bay Colony but admittedly, being born on shipboard makes the best story!
found on ancestry.com

Further Information About Richard Phillips
"Ricerd Phellipes" was born either in England or possibly aboard ship en route to America in 1638. He grew up as a farmer raising sheep and spinning the wool into yarn on the family spinning wheel. This was a period of relative calm in the colony; by now most of the Native American population had been ravaged by smallpox.

He was made freeman 8 May 1678. In his will of 1695 he left to his grandson Caleb Phillips a ewe and to his eldest son Caleb, "if he be living, or if not to his widow Elizabeth Phillips, now dwelling in Roxbury a double portion." He died between 27 October and 22 November 1695.(Phillips Genealogy)

Like his father before him, Richard Phillips was a civic minded individual; he was elected Town Constable, was made Freeman of the Massachusetts Bay Colony charter, appointed Clerk of the Market, and became Sergeant as a Selectman of the Town, later acquiring the title of Ensign -- a designation he carried to the end of his life.
found on ancestry.com

Will
Richard Phillips of Weymouth, "being sick and weak of bidy," made his will 27 October 1685, and it was proved 19 December 1695. To his wife Elizabeth, according to a contract made before marriage, E10 and pewter marked R & P. To his grandson Caleb Phillips, a ewe. To his wife's daughter Susannah Kingman, another ewe. To his eldest son Caleb Phillips, if he be living, or of not to his widow Elizabeth Phillips, now dwelling in Roxbury, a double portion. To his three sons and two daughters. viz. Nicholas Phillips, Samuel Phillips,, John Phillips, his daughter Mary Humphrey, and his daughter-in-law Amy Phillips, the remainder. "The andirons which my Father Packer gave me, I give to my son John Phillips." Sons Nicholas, Samuel and John to have his wearing apparel. Sons Nicholas and Sam to have L3 each and be executors. Witnesses John Bicknell, Nathaniel Ford, and William Chard. Inventory of the estate of Ensign Richard Phillips taken by Joseph Green, James Richards, and Nathaniel Ford, 22-Nov-16985, mentions fowling pieces, musket and sword; total L242, 11s. (Suffolk Probate, 13: 705, 706).
found on ancestry.com