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Note: icate that their father (Simeon) was born in Connecticut.
The fact that Simeon named his eldest son Daniel and his eldest daughter Dorcas suggests the possibility that he was a son of or very closely related to Daniel and Dorcas (Clark) Phillips of Plainfield, Connecticut. Simeon was appointed the administrator of the estate of one Daniel Phillips in Onondaga Co., New York in 1813. (Daniel Phillips was aged 45+ in 1810 and when he was enumerated next-door to Elijah Phillips, Sr., all suggesting a close connection.)
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Simeon Phillips had a daughter named Maria Phillips, who was born 8 January 1813, and was baptized 10 July 1823 at Christ Church, Manlius, Onondaga Co., New York.
Simeon Phillips was born abt. 1760. It is claimed that he was a veteran of the American War for independence, and served in Capt. Nathan Rowle’s Company, Hampshire Co., Mass.—however, this appears to be erroneous, and the Simeon Phillips who served in Hampshire Co., Mass. seems to have remained there. Simeon Phillips died in Onondaga Co., NY, 7 Feb. 1826, aged 66, and was buried in Breed Cemetery. His widow, Phebe, married seconds Samuel Usher; she died 15 Aug. 1858, aged 72 years, 9 months and 8 days. (Revolutionary Soldiers of Onondaga County, compiled by Franklin H. Chase, et al., Publications of the Onondaga Historical Association, Vol. I, No. 2, April 1912)
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It is claimed that Simeon Phillips (1760-1826) who lived and died in Manlius, New York, was a veteran of the American Revolution, and had served in Capt. Nathan Rowle’s Company in Hampshire Co., Massachusetts (noting that he was not found in the 1790 census).
In 1976, a DAR marker was placed at the grave of Simeon Phillips in Dry Hill (Breed) Cemetery. A newspaper article describing the event states that “Research by Mrs. Kelly verified the Revolutionary War service of Gershom Breed and Simeon Phillips ... Mrs. Kelly said little is known about Simeon Phillips, who died February 2, 1826, aged 66. He served under Capt. Nathan Rowles from Hampshire Co. Mass.” (Eagle Bulletin, DeWitt News-Times, Oct. 21. 1976, pp. 18 & 27)
However, the claim that Simeon Phillips was a veteran of the American War for Independence goes back to at least 1912, and is found in “Revolutionary Soldiers in Onondaga Co.” (compiled by William Martin Beauchamp , based on a pension list compiled by Franklin Henry Chase ), Publications of the Onondaga Historical Association, Vol. 1, No. 2, April 1912. This was reprinted in 1913 as “Revolutionary soldiers resident or dying in Onondaga County, N. Y.” The information on Simeon Phillips (noting him and his wife and the information on their gravestones) can be found on p. 94.
However, I cannot find reference to a pension list nor any other evidence that the Simeon Phillips who died in Manlius in 1826, at the age of 66, was the same who served in the Revolution, nor that he ever lived in Hampshire Co., Massachusetts. Census records of his children indicate that Simeon was born in Connecticut. Moreover, while there may not be a Simeon Phillips in Hampshire Co., Mass. in the 1790 census, several men named Simeon Phillips were enumerated in subsequent census records in Hampshire Co., Mass.--two each in 1800, 1810, and (in what had been Hampshire Co.) in 1820. It would seem more likely that one of them was the same who served in Nathan Rowle’s Company in that same place.
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From a U.S. Census index:
1800
Simeon Phillips : Ashfield, Hampshire Co., MA
Simeon Phillips : W. Springfield, Hampshire Co., MA
1810
Simeon Phillips : Ashfield, Hampshire Co., MA
Simeon Phillips : W. Springfield, Hampshire Co., MA
Simeon Phillips : Hague, Washington Co., NY
Simeon Phillips : Hague, Washington Co., NY
1820
Simeon Phillips : Ashfield, Franklin Co., MA
Simeon Phillips : W. Springfield, Hampden Co., MA
Simeon Phillips : Hague, Washington Co., NY
Simeon Phillips : Voluntown, Windham Co., CT
Simeon Phillips : Canterbury, Windham Co., CT
Simeon Phillips : Manlius, Onondaga Co., NY
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A family sketch called “The Phillips Family in the Town of Manlius, New York” was compiled by Fred Ketchum Armstrong (1870-1947) about 1928, and offers some interesting information. The primary outline for the Simeon Phillips family and the birthdates of his children are taken from this sketch.
I must note that while much of the basic information for the Simeon Phillips family seems to be accurate, there are a number of errors, and so this account must be taken with that in mind. I add some of my notes in brackets [--NMS]. The following information is edited somewhat for readability, but all claims and details are preserved:
“The following Phillips Family data is the result of several conversations in 1886, which I (F. Armstrong) had as a school-boy with my mother’s mother, Maria Elizabeth (Phillips) Ketchum. Grandmother was then in full possession of her faculties. Her recollection of her husband’s family (Ketchum) was so full and accurate that I place great dependence in her story of the Phillips family. Yet the recollections of any elderly person are apt to contain misstatements unintentionally.
“I have made no corrections (save in my spelling, which is a family scandal) in the conversational style I just used. So the word ‘grandma’ always means Mrs. Maria Elizabeth (Phillips) Ketchum. I hope the reader will be able to correct and supplement the data here given. Personally, I have doubts only as to the exact identity of the many “Elijah’s” in this family.”
“Simeon Phillips was one of the earliest comers to Manlius Square—probably before 1800. He had his farm 1 mile no. of Manlius, and ran a tavern at corner of Academy & Main St. (Manlius). Land now containing the old Academy in wh. Dr. E. B. Merwin is living, the old Geo Inn, or Davidson—then Adsit (now in 1928 the Red Fox Inn) property. Simeon sold ginger, bread & root beer to travelers, ‘no strong drinks.’ All Phillips families related to our line were Episcopalians and Grandma was baptized in the Jamesville church, which was then a mission of Christ Church. Simeon died in 1826, Feb. 7 (‘when I was about 13 yrs. old,’ Grandma says). His widow, Phoebe, remarried to Samuel Usher, a distant relative of Grandma’s son-in-law (Nelson Morgan). Phoebe died Aug. 15, 1858, ‘aged 72 yrs., 9 mo & eight days.’ The headstone reads: ‘Phebe, wife of Simeon Phillips and wife of Samuel Usher.’ She d. at Onondaga Hill and is buried in old Phillips or “Dry Hill” Cemetery.”
The Simeon Phillips family “lived on ‘Dry Hill’ or ‘Breeds Corners,’ 1 mile north of Manlius, 1 mile east of Fayetteville, N.Y., a sightly location and a thriving hamlet before Syracuse existed. Cemetery at N.E. corner of crossroads.”
“Children of Simeon and Phoebe (Burcham) Phillips “Maria Eliz. (Phillips) Ketchum, born Jan. 23, 1813, was the fifth child of Simeon and Phoebe (Burcham) Phillips. The names and birthdates of herself, her brothers and sisters, are taken from the Phillips Family Bible. They are verified by family letters, especially by the data of her sister, Phoebe Ann (Phillips) White, given Grandfather Ezra Grenell Ketchum, and preserved by him in the long red & green leather wallet, found in his effects after his death, Oct 16, 1847 in Chicago, Ill. Grandmother was “all packed up,” ready to move to Chicago to be with her husband, when the news of his [Ezra Grenell Ketchum’s] rather sudden death was [received] by her, in Manlius, NY. (Wallet & letter I have FKA)”
1)Dorcas, b. Oct or Dec 21, 1802, “died young”
2)Daniel, b. May 3, 1804, m. Elvira Woodard of Cicero, N.Y. After the death of their oldest son, William, at the age of 18 or 19, the parents (Daniel and Elvira) went to Jackson, Michigan. [Daniel and Elvira “Phelps” and family show up in the 1860 U.S. Census in Jackson, Michigan.—NMS]
3)Henry B., b. June 21, 1806, m. Mary Jane Jackson, born Sept. 26 1808. lived and died in Manlius, N.Y. He was tailor by trade and Grandmother made custom vests for him as a young widow. He was a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church, Manlius, N.Y. in the 1840’s and 50’s as shown by church records. Henry B. m. Mary Jane Jackson [sic—her surname was Janes] who was Peter Wormwood’s first wife’s sister. They had four children: Louisa Jane, b. April 23 or 25, 1830, who m. King H. C. Preston from Ohio. He was of the old firm? of Preston & Cheney (Stephen), now S. Cheney & Son, Manlius, N.Y. She died on Shonnard St., Syracuse, N.Y., April 20, 1874. Her daughter Katherine m. Dr. Geo. K. Kinne who was doctor for Solvay Co. in Solvay, N.Y. for many years. A daughter, Grace, m. Geo. White—Dey Bros., now (1928) in West Va. [Henry’s wife’s maiden name was actually Janes. FKA states that they had four children, but gives an incomplete list. Census records indicate they had more than four children, Louisa being the oldest. It is unclear exactly how if Katherine and Grace fit, and I do not find these names in census records.—NMS]
4)Nathaniel Norman b. April -, 1809, m. Adeline Clark. “Went west,” Wis., no c. His second wife was Harriet Dodge Warfield, a relative of the Candees of old Candee Hotel, Syr., N.Y. She brought him to live & die at Truxton, N.Y., not notifying any of his relatives until after his death, about 1883. [Nathaniel N. Phillips actually died in 1888. He is found in census records in Waupaca Co., Wisconin where his first wife died and is buried. Nathaniel and his second wife are buried at Truxton, Cortland Co., New York.—NMS]
5)Maria Elizabeth, b. Jan. 24, 1813, m. Nov 1833 h. Ezra Grenell Ketchum, d. Oct. 11, 1891 Manlius, NY -- house was called “Red Fox Inn, “ Manlius NY
6)Elijah, b. Aug. 16, 1815. Went west, never married. “Died in Mexican War.” He wrote his brother Nathaniel that he had bought land & oxen, liked the country very much. Nathaniel ans’d the letter but never rec’d any reply; wrote the P.M. but the P.M. ans. “No such man here.”
7)Simeon Jr., b. Jan. or April 19, 1818, m. Isabella, from Canada and had 6 or 7 children. He d. in Dakota Feby. 26 1889. Buried in Minneapolis, Minn. [Simeon & Isabella Phillips were enumerated in 1880 in Bloomfield, Fillmore Co., Minnesota.—NMS]
8)Phoebe Ann, b. June 13, 1820, m. Lou White [or Geo. White], d. Manlius, N.Y.; Moved to Wis. & lived near her brother, Nathaniel N. 2 ch. Phoebe, an early widow; she d. single. 2 children: Webster and Kendrick. [I have not found Phoebe White in any census records. In 1860, there was a Phebe Phillips, the right age, with three children named Phillips—no Webster or Kendrick--living in Waupaca Co., Wisconsin.—NMS]
...
[Fred K. Armstrong also gives an account of the Elijah Phillips family, claiming that Simeon Phillips was a son of Elijah, and that Elijah was probably the son of Daniel. However, this account is a bit confused (see notes below).]
“Grandma cannot remember her father’s father—Elijah Phillips; and Elijah’s father was probably Daniel Phillips.
“Elijah Phillips had five sons & two daughters: 1)Elijah Jr. m. Amanda Danforth; they had two children, Nelson and Lucia, who are probably about Grandma’s age. The parents lived in Syracuse, N.Y.
2)Daniel married but that is all I know of him.
3)Lyman m. a woman “whom her mother-in-law cited very nice.”
4)Elihu, the youngest, m. a southern lady named Eleanor, & had a dau. named Eleanor. Elihu was once a sheriff of Onondaga County (1838). He went to Michigan [sic], where he died. The last Grandma heard was that their dau. Eleanor was in poor health.
5)Simeon
6)Sarah m. Pearl Bennett(?). They lived in Pompey N.Y. & had two sons, Pearl & James. Sarah became gloomy & finally hung her garters over a brace? in a back room & committed suicide. No cause save melancholy can be attributed o this act, as she had no family trouble. (Note: I can recall questioning Grandmother at this point, on how a pair of garters—the only kind I knew about, could possibly hold a person up long enough to kill. Grandma said in these days garters were made of [illegible: “f----ing”]—without elastic & a yard long—FKA, 1928) Sarah’s husband & sons moved away & no trace of them can be found.
7)Susan Phillips m. Nathan Williams of Pompey, N.Y. They had a large family:
1)Nathan Williams, Jr. m. & died in Pompey, N.Y.
2)Elisha Williams now in business in Auburn, N.Y.
3)Daniel Williams d. of consumption--?--old H. D. Nottingham farm, Pompey.
He had several ch: Herman, who m. Laurie, dau. of David Ketchum
4)Isaac Williams m. a woman “who lived only a short time.”
5)David Williams lived in Pompey, m. Polly Ball & had 3 ch: Hiram, Horace & Carpenter Williams. Horace & Carpenter d. in Mich. & left families there. Hiram had no ch. , m. ----Brown, adopted Isaac Waterbury who d. in Syracuse, N.Y. (I recall camping in Cazenovia Lake with Hiram Williams, “Uncle Hi” as we called him. He was a jolly old man—I saw his wife about 1877, in a “sink” (or recess) bed, smoking a clay pipe, who impressed me! FKA)
(and others)
* NOTES by Nick Sheedy, on the Phillips family as given by Fred K. Armstrong:
The details offered by Fred K. Armstrong (especially those for Elijah, Jr. and Elihu) are specific enough that we know these two were the same, actual sons of Elijah & Susannah (Gates) Phillips. The fact that these families kept informed of one another strongly indicates that the Simeon Phillips family was related to the Elijah Phillips family.
However, Simeon was not a son of Elijah & Susannah (Gates) Phillips. The strongest evidence for this is the fact that Maria E. (Phillips) Ketchum was living in 1884 when Elihu L. Phillips died, but she did not receive inheritance from his estate (nor died he siblings, a couple of whom also appear to have been living in 1884). While it might be argued that the Elihu L. Phillips executors may have failed to locate a niece, it must be understood that all other known nieces and nephews who were living at the time did receive inheritance—and they were variously located in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa. It can hardly be presumed that they would have failed to locate a niece who was still living in Elihu L. Phillips’ old hometown of Manlius. This would indicate that Maria E. (Phillips) Ketchum was not a niece, and hence Elihu L. Phillips was not a brother of Simeon (nor were Elijah, Jr. and Lyman H., proven brothers of Elihu).
Instead, Elijah Phillips, Sr. and Simeon Phillips may have been brothers (or perhaps cousins or uncle-nephew). If Elijah was an older brother or uncle, and Simeon’s father had died while he was young, then Elijah may have assumed a paternal role in Simeon’s life. The mention of en elder Daniel Phillips probably being Elijah's father is very interesting. One Daniel Phillips (age 45+) was living next-door to Elijah Phillips, Sr., in Manlius in 1810. He is presumably the Daniel Phillips who died intestate in 1813—and Simeon Phillips was granted letters of administration for Daniel’s estate. Since it seems likely that Elijah Phillips, Sr. (~1755~1811), the Daniel Phillips (d. 1813) and Simeon Phillips (1760-1826) were related somehow, it may be that certain names would be common in their respective families, and these relatives with the same names might have been confused by later generations.
Fred K. Armstong includes three names on his list of children for Elijah Phillips that are not found in the family Bible registry of Josephine Phillips: Daniel, Simeon and Sarah. He also omits several other names, and provides some conflicting information: e.g., he states that Susan Phillips married Nathan Williams and goes on to list her children, some of whom he knew. This suggests to me that Simeon Phillips did indeed have a sister named Susan who married Nathan Williams. But we know there was another Susan Phillips (actual daughter of Elijah & Susannah (Gates) Phillips) who married Dr. John Washburn and died at Parma, Monroe Co., NY.
Similarly, the claim that Lyman Phillips’s mother thought that his wife was very nice is quite curious. Lyman H. Phillips (actual son of Elijah & Susannah (Gates) Phillips) was said to have been orphaned when young (probably between 1810 and 1815) and lived with his elder brothers until he was 21. He did not marry Celestia Case until 1824, at which time his mother had probably been dead for a decade. This suggests perhaps there was a second Lyman Phillips who was actually a brother of Simeon. There were several men named Lyman Phillips in central and western New York.
And so I conclude that Simeon Phillips (1760-1826) was not a child of Elijah Phillips, Sr. I also conclude that he probably did have sisters named Sarah (m. Pearl Bennett) and Susan (m. Nathan William), a brother named Daniel, and perhaps a brother named Lyman. I suspect that these siblings may have been children of the Daniel Phillips who was enumerated next-door to Elijah Phillips, Sr. in Manlius in 1810, and who died in 1813. The fact that Simeon Phillips was granted letters of administration for Daniel Phillips’ estate is strong evidence that they were father-son (or at least closely related).
Note: 1880 census data from three children (Nathaniel, Maria and Simeon), ind
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