Phillips Family Papers Box 1

__ page Cambridge 9 June 1769

M?

Mr Rupert has been at Cambridge and given me an opportunity of waiting upon him, we have had considerable Conversations about Coz^n Lydia, it appears her Affections are not yet set, & it is vary probable if Cop^rl [Jones?] should go to wait upon her from North Yarmouth, The Matter would be beyond the Power of her Friends; therefore if anything is done, it must be Speedily, I hope her Friends will treat her with the Dielicacy it requires, if she should cross her Inclinations purely to gratify her Friends, their Ends wont be effect'd, which I imagine is her Happiness, for if she should always remain in a single State, one may assure ourselves she will reflect with Regret on the refusal of so good an offer, I never thought it was so unfit, as some of her Relations, and others, M^ Jones is certainly a good natured Man, he has got a pretty Estate, he without doubt will afford her all the help she desires, & there is a considerable Doubt in my Mind, whether she will ever have another ^offer for she ^is advanced someways in Life and when a Woman has seen 23 years, and hardly ever had one Suitor, I believe it is pretty seldom that any she is fitted in Matrimony, so if she can be persuaded herself that

I can have a Teacher come up to Cambridge as cheap as I can get one in Boston, and a Number of well disposed Persons will be glad to joyn & have forwarded the thing, I believe my Father is not really against it, for my Aunt mentioned the thing to me of her own accord, and she could not know of it unless by my Father, I asked her whether that was the way she got her Information she made no reply, she, Cous^n Nabby & the S[?]avins highly recom mended, by the Way I scare ever spent my Time in a Visit more agreably, besides this, after I thought I had made several slips at Madame Foxcroft's when I ^was alone in the Room, with one of the young women, in Con versation I was speaking of the great Disadvantage Country Schol lars were under ^on the [ ? ] to their Business and having no Opportunity to correct themselves, she did not say it was not so, but sayd that a dancing school was of very great Use upon that Account, so we both con vey'd our sentiments in a way a little obfuse, which I thought was very pretty, however dont think I give myself any uneasiness about it for I would by no means enter such a school, if it is in the least I was agreable to my Father, I thot I am almost certain ^I will not so engross my attention as to be a Detriment to my Studies, I suppose my Father will aquaint you with the Mark of respect which I received from the Governor of the Colleges, and of the happy Situation of my Affairs, such things seem to add ones Life & Spirits, but be passed over in Silen I confess would work upon my Pride, which ought be mortify'd, if my Father is for Qualifying one for usefulness, I hope he wont think that lost which is laid out for that End loss

Samuel Phillips was the only son of Hon Samuel Phillips of North Andover - where he was born Feb 16, 1752 grad H. U 1771 married to Miss Pheobe Foxcroft of Cambridge in 1773. died Feb 10. 1802 aged 50. He was Lieut Governor of the State at the time of his decease. He prepared for college at Dunmer Academy under "Master Moody" -

In his 24th year he was elected by his fellow citizens (in 1775) a member of the Provincial Congress and continued to represent them in the existing Legislature till 1789 and was employed on the most important committees of the Revolution. He was a member of Convention in 1779 that formed the Constitution of Massachusetts and of the Committee by which it was drawn up. After its adoption he was immediately chosen to the Senate and except one year, in which he was then employed on State business he continued a Senator till 1801 - Fifteen of these years he was elected President - In 1801 he was elected Lieut Governor - In 1781 he was appointed Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and held that office till 1797 when declining health induced him to resign. He was one of the original members of the Am. Academy of Arts & Sciences and received the degree of L.L.D. from Harvard University in 1793.

"His person was tall and slender, and his manners were a happy combination of simplicity with refinement, of modesty with dignity. His countenance was grave, mild and commanding; his features were in the sedateness of thought, and gentle with the [amenity?] of virtue" -

Mrs Phillips died Nov. 1812 aged 70 - they had two sons John and Samuel - the latter a promising youth who died while a member of the Academy in 1796.

Newbury June 15, 1767

Honoured Parents

Dummer's Sons begin to feal the Approach of Commencement; ardently and impatiently to wait the wished for Time, and yet with fear to dread it, when we must pass the fiery Tryal, and be weigh'd in the Sails. I hope no part thereof is rusty, & that any of us will not be be found despicably wanting; - The very thought striks my dastardly pusillanimous Soul with Fear, - I labour under a great Disadvantage in this Respect, I can scarce perform one period to my Master without a strange palpitation 13 Schollars to be oferd from Dummer School for an Admittance into Harvard this year a Class in Numbers truly respectible. I count it an Honour to be of the Number, it is possible it will a third part highly probable it will be a fourth part of the Class at College should we keep a happy Harmony Friendship & Correspondence we should be likely to have considerable influence

Mr Moody says that our Glory will consist in our Union -- Can any ever Master boast on the Continent boast of the like Number. I scarce think it. Indeed it seems very hard that after a Master has laboured, woried fatiegu'd and laid out himself for the utmost to nourish Sons for Alma Mater, they should reject his Service I desire to be thankful that I have a pretty good standing with

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