Philips Family

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(4) Etheldred Philips

Etheldred Philips, is a son of Joseph Philips, Sr who was born 6 Nov 1726 and died about 1790.

born about 1754
died about 1795
Married Jane Lewis

He is easily confused with his cousin, Etheldred Philips, who is the son of Arthur Philips who is the brother of Joseph Philips, Sr. That Etheldred was born about 1755 and so is almost the same age as this Etheldred.

The bible record below says that his wife is named Jinny, perhaps a knick-name.  The other Etheldred Philips alive in the area at that time was his cousin, the son of Arthur Philips, who is almost the same age as him but doesn't have a daughter named Nancy.

Children:
 
Exum Philip (married Sarah Nicholson and had four children)
Elizabeth Philips
Sally Philips
Nancy Philips, born 31Oct 1785, married Jesse Powell (from bible record below) 
Eaton Philips
Figers Philips
Charlote Philips (married John L. Jackson, Mr. Gray, and John D. Wood)

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JESSE POWELL BIBLE
 (John McGwigan)
Bible now in possession of Mrs. Hulday Branch Herman and was discovered among the effects of her cousin, Blanche Beavars Whitaker, widow of Stanley Whitaker, Enfield, N. C. 27823

Bible inscribed "To Jesse Powell with the affectionate regards of his grandson, John T. Watson April 1847." Published by Jesper Harding, 57 South Third Street, Philadelphia, 1845

“Nancy, wife of Jesse Powell and daughter of Etheldred Philips and his wife Jinny, was born 31 October 1785”

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Southside Virginia Families, Volume 2

By John Bennett Boddie, Published 1956, Pages 350-356

Etheldred Philips, son of Joseph. The will of Etheldred Philips, dated 12-15-1791, and probated May, 1795, bequeathed his water grist mill on Swift Creek to his sons Exum and Eaton Philips and mentioned "Other sons and daughters" but not by name. He married Jane Lewis, the daughter of Col. Exum Lewis of Edgecombe County and his wife Elizabeth Figures.

                They had issue three children who reached maturity:

1.       Charlotte Philips m. (1) Mr. Gray, (2) John L. Jackson and (3) John D. Ward. She left no living issue.

2.       Figures Philips, m. and left descendants who are untraced.

3.       Exum Philips. He m. Sally Nicholson, sister of Timothy M. Nicholson whose will, probated Nash County, May, 1808, mentions sister Sally Philips and brother-in-law Exum Philips. However, Sally is not mentioned in the will of John Nicholson, father of Timothy. Exum Philips and Sally Nicholson had issue four children: John Philips, died Savanna, Ga. , 1854; Timothy Miles Philips, died unmarried, Griffin, Ga.; Penelope Philips m. Robert H. Halstead of Ga.; and Dr. Etheldred Philips, born Nash County, 1801, died Marianna, Florida, June 29, 1870, attended U.N.C. and practiced medicine in Florida where he married Susan Gautier and had issue three sons. His interesting correspondence with his cousin Dr. James J. Philips of Edgecombe is preserved in the Southern Historical Collection at Chapel Hill, N.C.

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http://files.usgwarchives.org/nc/edgecombe/court/1757par.txt

EDGECOMBE NC COURT MINUTES -(partial) 1757-1784

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by and selected Extracts transcribed by Francie Lane - flane@otn.net:

EDGECOMBE COUNTY NC Court Minutes of the Pleas & Quarter Sessions – 1757 – 1784 - LDS Microfilm #0370142

AUGUST 1779 Deed of Sale:
William TAYLOR to Henry HORN – proved Daniel ROSS
John STALLINGS, Sr. to James STALLINGS – proved by Etheldred PHILIPS
James STALLINGS to John STALLINGS - proved by Etheldred PHILIPS

NOVEMBER, 1779:
Deed of Sale: Etheldred PHILIPS to John STALLINGS – Ack’d

MAY, 1780:
Captain PHILIPS District:
Elisha BATTLE, Sr. – Esquire
Etheldred PHILIPS – Assessor
Jacob BATTLE – Collector
West POPE, Jr. – Constable

MAY, 1781:
Deed of Sale: John STALLINGS & James TEAT to Reuben JONES – proved by Etheldred PHILIPS>

MAY, 1783:
Deed of Sale: Aaron MAINER to Willis STALLINGS – proved by Etheldred PHILIPS

http://www.tnyesterday.com/families/lancaster.html

1783*Edgecombe Co., NC, Court Minutes, Book III, pg. (225) (1775-1785)

August 1783... Edgecombe County At a County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions held for said County at the Courthouse in Tarborough on the first Monday in August and fourth day in Seventh year of Independence and in the year of our Lord 1783, Present Amos Johnston, Theophilus Thomas, Joseph Pender, Esquires. Etheldred Philips Esquire was recommended from last Court to the Governor as a proper person for Sheriff he now produce's a Commission in powering him to act as Sheriff for this county. He at the same time qualified and entered in Bond agreeable to law with Henry Hart, Matthew Kinchen and James Williams, Securities. The following Grants were issued to, William Brand, Stancil Barbree (2), Robert Lancaster, Benjamin Lancaster, Benjamin Weaver, George Bruce, Mary Coney, John Morris, Thomas Clark, Arthur Harris.

A deed of Gift from Aaron Odom to Aaron Maner proved by Etheldred Philips.

August Court 1789
Friday August 7, 1789

Petition of Etheldred Philips and Narsworth Mials for leave to turn the Road agreeable to Petition and that the following persons be a jury to lay off sd road viz Aaron Coleman, Stephen Coleman, Hartwell Philips, Noah Woodard, William Linch, James Pitt, Aaron Maner, Matthew Williams and John Williams Benjamin Philips, Joseph Philips, John Mials, Henry King, William Exum, Michale George and c. ...

Edgecombe County, NC - Edgecombe County Deed Book 6
 
 Edge. Co. Db 6, page 322, deed date 26 Jan 1791, recorded Feb Ct 1792,

Matthew Williams, Edge. Co to Etheldred Philips, county aforesaid for 95 pds, the one (fourth) part of a tract on the south side of White Oak Swamp supposed to contain 10 acres beginning at a gum, now dead, standing on the run of the swamp in the Mill Pond a little above the mill dam it being a corner made by commissioners appointed by the County Court of Edgecombe to lay off an acre of land the property of James Brown for James Williams to build a mill on the out by the line made by said commissioners first south then west then south then east or there abouts to a small branch a little above the saw mill then up by said branch to James Williams dec'd line then by said line about a south course to a corner on said line made by James Williams & Mary Bellamy then by an agreed line made by James Williams & Mary Bellamy to said White Oak Swamp then by the run of said swamp to the beginning, whereon is erected a saw mill that James Williams by his Last Will and Testament bequeathed to his (four) sons, namely (John, Matthew, James, Etheldred Williams, to have and hold the aforesaid one fourth part, signed Matthew Williams, wit wit James Williams, Ethd Williams (proved). Abstracted 6 May 07, NCA film C.037.40007 CTC.

Etheldred Philips was mentioned in the will of Joseph Sumner, on December 7, 1793...

"...Lastly I do appoint my Friends, Etheldred Philips, Jacob Battle and Demsey Battle Executors of this my last will and Testament Revoking all other Wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this 7th Day of December 1793.

Joseph Sumner (Seal)"

Etheldred Philips is mentioned in Edgecombe County May Court 1791, in WILL AND INVENTORY OF JOHN HOUSE... "Lastly I nominate and appoint my friend Jacob House Sen., Jesse Johns & Ethelred Philips my sole executors to this my last will and Testament. In witness hereof I have hear unto set my hand and affixed my seal this Eleventh day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.

JOHN HOUSE (seal)

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presents of us
Exum Philips
Benjamin Philips
William (x) Rose

NOVEMBER, 1794:

Figures LEWIS appointed Guardian to James & Milly PARKER orphans of Francis PARKER - £500 Bond with Etheldred PHILIPS & Exum PHILIPS, Sec.

Etheldred PHILIPS, John BATTLE, Abishai HORN, Hartwell PHILIPS & Frederick PHILIPS are appointed to divide the lands of Josiah MURPHREE, dec'd between John, Maluchi & Matthew MURPHREE, sons of the dec'd & make return to the next court.

FEBRUARY, 1795:

Administration granted to Levi MANER on estate of Mary HOUSE  - Bond £500 with Etheldred PHILIPS & Aaron MANER, Sec.

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ABSTRACTS OF THE WILLS OF EDGECOMBE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 1733-1856 By Ruth Smith Williams and Margarette Glenn Griffin
Published by DIXIE LETTER SERVICE, Rocky Mount, North Carolin
1956, pages 253 and 254.

PHILIPS, ETHELRED
May Ct., 1795. Bk. C, p 329.
Son: EXUM PHILIPS,474 A plantation and lands purchased of WM. ANDERSON SR. AND WM. ANDERSON, JR. and ELIJAH PRICE, also ½ of water grist mill, with about 18 A of land on Swift Creek, known as the Creek Mill, reserving etc...
Son: EATON PHILIPS, the plantation and land whereon I live, also land adjoining etc; interest in grist mill, saw mill, and Brandy still. Negroes and other estate to be kept together for support of my wife and child until son EXUM arrives at lawful age; chil to be educated and brought up in a good manner.
Exr: Bro, BENJAMIN PHILIPS; Bros-in-law, FIGURES LEWIS, EXUM LEWIS.
Proved by EXUM PHILIPS, JOHN INGLES, BYTHAL BELL.

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This David Philips is probably the son of Etheldred Philips who was born about 1755 and is the son of Arthur Philips. David Philips was born about 1770 and died about 1801 in Edgecomb Co. NC.

FROM: Estate Records of Edgecomb Co., NC 1730-1820 by Joseph W. Watson

PHILIPS, DAVID, inventory taken by Henry Philips admr., Dec 1, 1801, Feb Ct. 1803. Account of sale of the admr., Dec 15, 1801. Henry Philips and Sarah Philips were buyers, Feb Ct. 1803. Account current with the admr., Feb Ct. 1803.

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Etheldred's son Exum performed the following inventory of his wifes effects on her death.

Disposition of the proceeds of Sarah's will, which mentions most of her children...

JANE PHILIPS, inventory taken by Exum Philips, exr., March 5, 1804, August Court 1805. Account of sale by the exr., November 5, 1804 Eliza. Philips, Exum Philips, Sally Philips, Nancy Philips, and Charlotte Jackson bought everything, August Court 1805 Division of residuary estate (money) according to the will equally among all of her children, namely, Charlotte Jackson, Exum Philips, Sally Philips, Nancy Philips, Eaton Philips and Figures Philips, November 1805, November Court 1805.

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From the Sumner Family on Rootsweb
FROM: Estate Records of Edgecomb Co., NC 1730-1820 by Joseph W. Watson

Feb Court 1796
PHILIPS, Col. ETHELDRED, inventory taken by Figures Lewis, Benja. Philips, and Exum Lewis, May 9, 1795.

Aug Court 1795
Account of sale by the exrs., June 13, 1795.

Aug Ct. 1795
Additional account of sale by Exum Lewis, Junr., exr., Dec 21, 1795.

May Court 1798
Said Etheldred Philips, decd., was Sheriff in 1793 and public accounts for that year had to be adjusted.

Feb Court 1799
Division of negroes agreeable to the will among Jane Philips, widow of the decd.; Charlotte Jackson, daughter; Exum Philips, son; Elizabeth Philips, daughter; Sally Philips, daughter; Nancy Philips, daughter; Eaton Philips, son; and Figers (Figures) Philips, son, Feb 20, 1799. Jane Philips principal buyer.

Aug Court 1799
Other buyers: Exum Philips Jr., Exam Philips Sr.Eliza. Philips, Hartwell Philips, Salley Philips, and Frederick Philips.

Nov Court 1803
Division of estate agreeable to the will among the same persons listed in the above distribution, Oct. 25, 1799.

Nov Court 1803
NANCY PHILIPS, account current with David Philips, admr. Account received as her proportionate share of her father's estate, with William Philips as her former guardian.

Nov Court 1803
Account received as her proportionate share of her father's estate, with William Philips as her former guardian.

Feb Court 1804
Additional account current with the admr..

May Court 1804
Division of money arising from the estate equally among the nine claimants, namely, Ann Durden; Benja. Philips, William Philips; Solomon Philips; David Philips; Andrew Philips; Elizabeth Wiggins, wife of Thomas Wiggins; Peggy Gardner, wife of Jonathan Gardner, Junr.; and Hardy Philips, April 28, 1804.

Aug Court 1795
PHILIPS, Col. ETHELDRED, inventory taken by Figures Lewis, Benja. Philips, and Exum Lewis, May 9, 1795, Aug Ct. 1795. Aug Court 1795
Account of sale by the exrs., June 13, 1795.

Feb Court 1796
Additional account of sale by Exum Lewis, Junr., exr., Dec 21, 1795. May Court 1798
Said Etheldred Philips, decd., was Sheriff in 1793 and public accounts for that year had to be adjusted. Division of negroes agreeable to the will among Jane Philips, widow of the decd.; Charlotte Jackson, daughter; Exum Philips, son; Elizabeth philips, daughter; Sally Philips, daughter; Nancy Philips, daughter; Eaton Philips, son; and Figers (Figures) Philips, son, Feb 20, 1799.

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J. Kelly Turner and John L. Bridges, Jr.
Published 1920

CHAPTER IV Politics After the Revolution

The era of politics in Edgecombe and the beginning of the phase of public life, which was destined to make the county the scene of many hot campaigns and enthusiastic gatherings, commenced with the legislation in 1783. Many differences of opinions as to the policies affecting the State and nation were prevalent. During the Revolution parties sprang into being which favored and opposed the policies adopted against Great Britain. Two classes of men—whig and tories—lived in the county. The whigs, which constituted a majority, sought by legislative means to overpower the tories, and to some extent were successful. In 1778 about sixty-three tories were compelled to take the State oath of allegiance, before allowed to remain in the county.1

One of the early laws affecting the tory element was the confiscation acts. Considerable attention was given to this issue, and the tories had some sympathizers in the county. Many were connected with them by kindred ties and mutual feeling. With this background it is interesting to know how Edgecombe would support the law of confiscation. A bill concerning lands which had been confiscated by the State passed in the House of Commons, and was subsequently received by the Senate. In May, 1783, Elisha Battle, senator from Edgecombe, refused to support the bill and voted against its passage. Four years later the session of the General Assembly was held in Tarboro. Party differences, which were buried in oblivion in 1776, were reawakened when State and national issues came to the fore in 1787. Etheldred Philips, one of the representatives from the county, became an active supporter of the tory cause. The patriotic spirit, which was then predominate, actuated him to be mild in his support, however, and the matter of determining the disposition of Loyalist property, elicited a stand against confiscating lands, unless a trial by jury was given. This stand by Battle and Philips caused [illegible text] little interest in local politics, and had influence on the attitude these men took in 1788.
 
In the meantime it became evident, both from indications in Congress and in the State, that the advocates for different measures were fast arranging themselves into two distinct parties. The conflict of war was soon to be forgotten in the bitter struggle for political supremacy. It was apparent that the one great issue which was to elicit party lines was to be that of ratifying the Constitution. The legislature called a convention to meet at Hillsboro July, 1788. Curiously enough it was soon known that one of the most prominent leaders in North Carolina—Willie Jones—was to oppose the adoption of the new Constitution. Many others in the State were moved with a similar spirit. It was the beginning of parties; party intrigues, and alliances in North Carolina. James Iredell, one of the political giants of this time, became a strong advocate for a strong Federal Government, while Willie Jones, Timothy Bloodworth, and David Caldwell for the republican spirit.

Meanwhile local sentiment in Edgecombe was shaping the minds of the people for participation in the pending struggle. The elections for delegates to the convention was held in April, resulting in the defeat of the Federal element. In this election the Revolutionary spirit had not entirely disappeared, and it was natural that men of the conservative type should have the honor of representing the county in the first State convention. Edgecombe elected Elisha Battle, Robert Digges, Etheldred Gray, William Fort, and Bythel Bell. Elisha Battle was a man of considerable ability, wise, and an ardent Republican. He was a survival of the Revolutionary struggle, who still kept intact his wisdom, counsel, and his usual fairness in political controversy. The other delegates were also of the Republican tendency.

The delegates met with the convention in Hillsboro, July 25, 1788. The principal object was to deliberate and determine a plan for a Federal Government. Battle was placed on the committee to draw up rules of decorum. Gray was placed on the committee of elections. During the procedure of the convention James Iredell, a strong Federalist, proposed a series of amendments to the Constitution, whereby certain power was to be delegated to Congress, which would strengthen the Federal Government. This proposal strengthened the existing party lines, and the Edgecombe delegation, true to the principles of Republicanism, cast its votes solidly in the negative and with the majority. The convention, while the majority wanted ratification, neither ratified nor rejected the Constitution proposed for the government of the United States.

It is obvious, according to the Edgecombe vote, that Republican tendencies were predominate in the county. Later evidences substantiate this statement. This did not mean, however, that the county or its delegates were adverse to ratifying the Constitution, but that objection was voiced to the Federal amendment proposed by Iredell.

In the meantime the people of Edgecombe addressed a letter of grievance to Governor Samuel Johnson, in which they claimed they suffered by the decision of the late convention. They accordingly recommended another convention. The following year a convention was called to meet in Fayetteville on the 3d of November. Edgecombe sent Etheldred Gray, Jeremiah Hilliard, Etheldred Philips, William Fort, and Thomas Blount. Only two of the previous delegates were returned. Thomas Blount was perhaps the most able man in the delegation. He was a man of the Revolutionary school, having enlisted as an ensign, at the age of seventeen. He was taken prisoner during the war; sent to England, and returned after the cessation of hostilities. At the time of the convention he was a merchant in Tarboro, and later became one of the earliest Republican congressmen from this district.

After the convention was called to order and the preliminaries were dispensed with, it resolved itself into a committee of the whole convention. Immediately amendments were proposed by the Federalists to be laid before Congress. When the vote was called Philips, Blount, and Hilliard voted negatively. Gray and Fort were either not present or refused to vote. The majority desiring ratification, but preferring ratification without amendments, the question of concurring with the convention was placed on motion, and Philips, Blount, Hilliard, and Fort voted affirmatively. Gray failed to vote.

This decided tendency of Republicanism was prevalent in the county on all issues affecting national and State policies. In 1790, just before the question of refunding the State debts incurred during the Revolution, and the rise of the National Bank, President Washington, for political reasons, planned a journey through the Southern States. In 1791 he turned his attention southward, and in March he began his tour, arriving in North Carolina in April.

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John Lewis Philips is a descendant of Etheldred Philips and the following story is about him.  However, the story also gives valuble information about Etheldred and his family.  It's good reading.

Larry Feldhaus