Phillips Family Papers

Andover Apl 22 1790 Honoured Sir,

Mr Lakeman has just hinted that my opinion was desired, whether the settlement of a rigid Hopkintonian as a successor to Mr Rogers & his being concerned in the instruction of the Academy, would promote its usefulness? — I wish for more hours than I can now have minutes to write on the subject—but have no hesitation in saying, I should be exceeding slow to say or do any thing that might be construed to favor the affirmative of the question under present views.

Those people who run into extremes in doctrinal points & are exceedingly sanguine in their opinions, unless in cases where our Divine Teacher has removed all grounds of doubt (& in such cases there can be no extremes) do not appear to me calculated to do the most good: our blessed Saviour, when he condescended to

to be an instructor of men, instead of insisting chiefly on those doctrines which his hearers could hardly understand, dwelt on those Duties which are the best evidence of that Love to God & Love to Man, which, it was the great business of his life and death to produce & advance. Can his ministers or any human instructors have a better example? In some instances, the effect of a zealous propagation of the sentiments in question have been truly melancholy. At present, I should greatly fear the consequences to the Academy.

My Father with difficulty rode here today—his strength is failing & flesh wasting. May gracious Heaven prepare us for the event.

Mrs Philips & the children join in most respectful addresses with

your very dutiful Nephew S. Phillips jr.

H. Col Nov 11. 1791

Hon’d Papa,

I received your good Letter, this evening with a pair of fellows and a bundle, where I found a prize – Mama’s letter. From the advice of both those letters may I be enabled to practice. If I am not good, Industrious, & certainly the fault will be mine – for I have had had line upon line, & precept upon precept to which has been added Example. — This is an important consideration, that to whom much is given, of him will much be required. May this sink deep, & make a lasting impression. We do not know how to value our blessings ‘till they are fled.

I enquired for, at Larkins & Hurd’s for Dogs, & they had none & likewise at Mr.Torrey’s – he had none; & aunt Phillips advised me not to purchase any ‘till you came down & she lent me a pair. Tomorrow PM I expect to go to Boston. Perhaps I may find the promise of a horse or if not, perhaps an invitation for next Thursday. Uncle and aunt & captain White & his family are gone to Plimouth & I believe will spend Thanksgiving there. I delivered that money immediately after I arrived in Cambridge to Mr.Pearson. He had not returned. —I dined with Mr.Pearson on Sabath day by his desire & I think I spent my time usefully hearing a very good Sermon.–

Wood is about 22 pr cord & 24— I send a bundle of dirty cloathes with this. In the morning I will go to Mr.Moore’s fir & enquire particularly about the Harness–

Please to give my duty to Mama, & book to Samuel.— My Chum offers his respects he is abed & I am very sleepy, I must go to bed, too, relying on my Gardian GOD to preserve me through the night.

I am Sir, with sentiments of Esteem

& Love — your dutiful Son

John Phillips

Hon. Samuel Phillips

P.S. I have enquired, Sir, of Mr. Moore concerning the Harness & he informs me that that there was no [illegible] there beside yours & Mr. John Heard’s of Ipswich who lives about an half of a Mile from the Court house.

He is distiller— Perhaps, Sir, Mr. Smith when he is going that way can carry it in ye Wagn & exchange—it was owing to the carefulness of Mr. More’s Negro—the harnesses were both taken and put in to a place together.

The bell now sings for Mr. Webber’s Lecture.

Extract from the votes of the Trustees of Phillips Academy in Andover August 17th, 1802

“Whereas the late Lieut governor Phillips was Executor of the last Will of the late decd John Phillips whose estate, except a few legacies, is given to the two Academies of Exeter and Andover, Viz. to the Trustees of Exeter two thirds, and to the Trustees of Phillips Academy in Andover one third; and as the administrator to the estate of said Executor wishes to close and settle the account with the late Dr. Phillips estate, therefor,

Voted that if upon the settlement of the estate of Dr. Phillips by the Judge of Probate, there shall be a ballance due to his executor the late Lieut Governor, the treasurer of Phillips Academy is hereby authorized to pay one third of said balance to Capt John Phillips Administrator after having examined said account as the part of the trustees of Phillips Academy.”

A true copy copy attest Jonathan French, Clerk of Trustees

Andover, Novr. 5. 1769

Dear Son,

Your's of Fryday last have rec'd and for answer, say that you have said and done Enough, and think it much but that you write nothing but make your self Easy, If there is any blame it belongs to Mr Quincy for being too regarding of you being a Stranger, and relation, and younger, much than he is Mr Willard told me that as I had given him the reasons of your Absence fm. College, there would be no Dfificulty about iut.

As it is unlikely that Colo.Brattle will go his Journey [UNFINISHED]

Keep good hours, go to [?missing?] good Season. rise Early, you will find it much, better, than seting up late, on all accounts. I am very Sorry to hear by your, Mother, y'ry retain, your, Inclination [?y?] to learn, to dance you have Enough to think of and Attend to with [byicle?] I very much fear it will prove a Snare to at College and am sure it will be no way for Credit or Advantage when, your [?] leaves College but Shall not forbid your joing as have Said before Recollect and [Contemplate?] well, all former, advice Directions, Especially those that relate to a Soul and a future State, that have been, [Sen?] By your Affectionate Father Samuel [Phill?]

To be placed in a situation where they may have an extensive effect? — I am not sure but with the advantages he might have, he bids as fair to approval towards the character of a Doddridge as any man of his standing in this State, — is it right that a man, who has such a foundation, should be so much engrossed by the duties of a small Parish? — I am confident you wont answer readily in the affirmative; — neither do I think it would be right that he should be engrossed by the exercises of the Academy; — if he should act as an instructor to Students in divinity, his sphere of usefulness would be greatly enlarged, and he might have from time to time, Some of the best character that are coming upon the Stage, whose example would have an happy Influence, & who might be amused & profitted by assisting an hour or two in a day, in the instrution of the Scholars of the Acady; — and I concieve that our Revd Friend - Mr F--- he is peculiarly calculated to favor & benefit young Candidates, by his knowledge of

To the Hon: & Revd. the Trustees of Phillips Academy Gentlemen--

During my residence with Madam Phillips, of nine years & upwards, she copied out from the favorite Authors, which she read for her own edification, a multitude of extracts, which she, in various ways, passed to me, for my use. I do not know how to dispose of these papers, as the time approaches when they must pass into other hands, better than to tender them to your acceptance & care, to be preserved as a memorial of the Religious Taste & Doctrinal partialities of one of the Founders of the Theological Institution.

I also place in the Trunk, with the above mentioned papers, a little book, the Choice Drop of Honey from the Rock Christ, which she carried in her pocket many years, for ready & convenient use, that she might have something at hand to occupy her mind, & give her thoughts a profitable direction, whenever she found herself unoccupied. At the close of her life she gave this copy to me.

I also take the liberty to add another small book, (now in a new edition) which was, for a long time, held by her in high estimation. The Contemplations & Letters of Henry Dorney she had, in an old edition, which came down to her from her pious ancestors. It was on her table next to her Bible & Hymn Book. The high value, in which she held it, may be perceived by the very large extracts she made from it for my use. The high value, in which she held it, may be perceived

It is thought possible that these contents of this little Trunk may be read at some future time, perhaps centuries hence, with special interest, it may be with advantage.

The sermon of Dr. Pearson, preached at the funeral of Madam Phillips, I add, which contains, in an appendix three of her letters to me. I also add two gold finger rings, presented to me by dear friends, one as a memorial of Madam Phillips, the other of the Hon. Samuel Phillips, her revered husband. I do not know what more suitable deposit I can make of these hallowed mementos.

With great respect gentlemen, your friend & obt. sert.

Saml. Farrar

This Trunk & the Pocketbook were from the same kind friend as the Papers.