Hartwell Philips Family

Home | Philips Family | Hartwell Philips | Philips of Early Virginia | Frederick Philips | Dr. James Philips | Judge Frederick Philips | John Ward Philips | Katherline Wimberly Philips | Philips of Early Virginia | Larry's Home Page

Judge Frederick Philips

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

Judge Frederic Philips

 

   born 14 Jan 1838

   died 14 Jan 1905

 

           

He is the son of Dr. James Jones Philips who was born 1798 and died 1874 and his wife Harriet Amanda Burt.

Horizontal Divider 3

                         Southside Virginia Families

                                   By John Bennett Boddie, Pages 350-356

 

Frederick Philips, born June 13, 1838, prominent lawyer and judge, Tarboro, N.C. died June 14, 1905, m. 1864 Martha S. Hyman, 1840-1925, daughter of Henry Hyman and Martha E. Porter.

They had issue:

1.       Anne D. Philips, born May 16, 1866, m. October

         22, 1890 Herbert Worth Jackson of Richmond, Va.                                

2.       Mary Philips, married Hal. Wood of Edenton.

3.       James Jones Philips, born 1869.

4.       Martha Hyman Philips, married Dr. Woodward(sic).

5.       Josephine Philips, born October 26, 1878, married

         April 27, 1905, Albert Pike of Rockbridge County, Va.

6.       Lela Burt Philips, married James D. Gillam.

7.       Frederick Philips.

8.       Henry Hyman Philips, married Ethel Skinner.

Horizontal Divider 3

Roster of Nash County Confederate soldiers

CONFEDERATE GUARDS—FIFTEENTH REGIMENT

COMPANY I

Turner W. Battle, Captain.

Lieutenants: Henry A. Dowd, Fred Philips, Reddin S. Sugg.

Drake's, Bryant's and Harrison's, from the names of their first captains; one, namely, company A, 47th, is given herein showing correctly from the only muster roll obtainable now, 176 members of the company, as recruits came in steadily to fill the gaps made by casualties. Of this number 16 got to Appomattox.

This work, too, enables his executors to carry out the design of our comrade, Robert H. Ricks, as inscribed on his beautiful monument to us.

For preservation, the roster of Edgecombe Confederate Soldiers, collected by Lewis Dowd, Wyatt Camp United Confederate Veterans, and compiled by comrade Frederick Philips, is included herein.

JOHN H. THORPE.

ROSTER
OF
NASH COUNTY
CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS
EXPLANATION

1. Name.

2. Date of enlistment (month and year).

3. Company letter (A to K).

4. Regiment number.

5. Rank (private unless otherwise indicated).

6. Termination of service (if before close of war).

 

Horizontal Divider 3

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

Horizontal Divider 3

The organization of Company I from May, 1861, to 1864, was composed of Turner W. Battle, captain; Henry A. Dowd, first lieutenant; Benjamin T. Hart, first lieutenant; Frederick Philips, second lieutenant; Redding S. Suggs, second lieutenant; Solomon M. Pender, second lieutenant; Edwin E. Knight, second lieutenant, and D. H. Barlow, second lieutenant. E. D. Foxhall was first sergeant and was promoted to captain May 2, 1862. Thomas W. Davis, sergeant, was also promoted to second lieutenant in the Eighth Regiment March 25, 1863. The company had 148 enlisted men, most of whom were from Edgecombe.

Horizontal Divider 3

Company F of the Thirtieth Regiment was organized in Edgecombe County the latter part of September, 1861, and was mustered into the regiment at Camp Mangum, October 7, 1861. Its first captain was Franklin G. Pitt and was succeeded by William M. B. Moore, who was promoted from first lieutenant. George K. Harrell was also first lieutenant, commissioned May 10, 1862; wounded at Sharpsburg September 17, 1862, and received a promotion immediately afterwards. Charles Vines and James Pitt were the original second lieutenants, both commissioned August 21, 1861. Pitt died in August, 1862, and Lorenzo D. Eagles, being at first a sergeant, was promoted to second lieutenant March 10, 1862, and wounded June 27, 1862, at the battle of Gaines Mill. S. R. Moore, also a sergeant, was promoted second lieutenant January 20, 1863, and became company commander in the last days of the war. The noncommissioned officers were John R. Cobb, second sergeant; L. D. Eagles, third sergeant, wounded at Cold Harbor and promoted to second lieutenant January 20, 1863; J. B. Cobb, fourth sergeant; L. H. Smith, fifth sergeant, and Spencer Sherry, T. J. Moore, James Carney, L. R. Willis, corporals. There were 140 enlisted men and with the few exceptions of about fifteen men from Wake, Greene, and Pitt counties all were Edgecombe troops.

The troops were drilled at Fort Johnson and Camp Wyatt, near Fort Fisher. Winter quarters were made at Camp Wyatt until the army at Wilmington was reinforced by the regiment in early spring. The company was with the regiment in the attack against Burnside's cavalry, and the defense of Newbern. The battle of Seven Pines gave the troops the season of war. The regiment fought at Gaines Mill where Frederick Philips, of Edgecombe,was appointed adjutant and commissioned July 5, 1862. Dr. F. M. Garrett, also of Edgecombe, was commissioned surgeon on August 20, 1862, in place of Surgeon Henry Joyner, who had resigned.

The troops were then moved to Sharpsburg September, 1862, where a terrible slaughter met the Edgecombe company. It was here also that Lieutenant Philips received a severe wound. The fire was very fierce and the report came that General Anderson was wounded and had left his command. Courier Baggarly, from brigade headquarters, was unable to find Colonel Tew, of the Second North Carolina, who was senior colonel of the regiment. The report was made to Colonel F. M. Parker, who instructed his adjutant, Lieutenant Philips, “to proceed cautiously down the line, observe what was going on, and if possible to find Colonel Tew and carry him Baggarly's report.” In attempting this dangerous task Lieutenant Philips received several shots through his clothing, and succeeded in reaching hailing distance of Colonel Tew. He reported his message and in order to be certain his message was understood, asked Colonel Tew, who at the time was standing, to give him a sign that he had heard completely. Colonel Tew lifted his hat and gave a polite bow, and fell instantly with a bullet in his head. On his return Lieutenant Philips also received a severe wound on the head, which occasioned his leaving the field. Colonel Parker, perceiving the situation, attempted to reach the left of the brigade to rally the troops, and after going about ten steps he also received a minnie ball on the head and was carried from the field.

The next encounter with the Federal troops was at Chancellorsville. Here again the strength of the North Carolina troops was felt. This regiment also constituted the rear guard of Rhodes's Division at Gettysburg and drove the enemy from behind a stone wall into town. Immediately after this Adjutant Philips received a bad wound at Kelly's Ford, and in November, 1863, was appointed captain and assigned to duty in the spring of 1864. He bore the reputation of being an efficient assistant quartermaster.

Horizontal Divider 3

Extensive plans had been made for a canvass of the county, led by Judge Howard, Fred Philips, and other able men. A mass meeting and barbecue was held October 24, 1868, and many notables were in attendance, among whom were Colonel R. H. Cowan, Honorable J. R. Stubbs, General M. W. Ransom, Colonels W. A. Jenkins and J. W. Hinton, of Norfolk, Virginia, Colonel E. C. Yellowley, Major John Hughes, Captain J. J. Davis, Colonel Thomas S. Kenan, and other influential citizens of the State. The radicals also had the pleasure of a visitor from Ohio, Colonel Davy Heaton, and Judge Rodman, of Beaufort. The local paper states that more than 10,000 people were present.

Horizontal Divider 3

There were two parties in the field—Democrats or conservatives, and Republicans or radicals. The Democrats of Edgecombe met in convention on Saturday, July 1, 1871, and nominated as their candidates for the State Convention H. T. Clark and William F. Lewis. The convention that nominated these gentlemen was reputed to be the largest and most harmonious ever
held in Edgecombe. Nearly every township was represented, and a wonderful spirit of unanimity prevailed throughout the entire proceedings.

These candidates, who promised a thorough and active canvass in the county, were supported by George Howard, John L. Bridgers, Fred Philips, C. M. Wesson, T. R. Owens, Jr., J. S. Barlow, H. L. Station, Jr., B. H. Bunn, and J. L. Bridgers, Jr., who were the county's best speakers at this time and who explained the importance of the issues at stake. An appeal published in the local paper gives an example of the Democratic sentiment:

“LET FRIDAY THE 13TH DAY OF JANUARY be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer, throughout our habitations. Let no strong drink or other luxuries be used for the three days preceding. Let the people assemble in their places of worship and cry mightily unto the Lord. Let the maidservants whose employment will not permit them to worship during the forenoon ask their employers to allow them the afternoon, that they may spend it in fasting and prayer on behalf of the government and our suffering people.

“Let the minister of the Gospel proclaim this fast and see that it is observed. If this call is heartily responded to, God will deliver us.”

Horizontal Divider 3

In 1882 the Democrats gained an advantage when Frederick Philips was nominated by the judicial convention in Weldon on June 22, 1882, for judge of the Superior Court of the Second
Judicial District. He received the hearty support of both parties. His training qualified him for the position, having been engrossing clerk of the Legislature of 1865, master of equity of Edgecombe County in 1866, and later prosecuting attorney for Nash County. He had also been mayor of Tarboro two terms beginning with 1875. Judge Philips was of a strong and courageous character, and presided with great efficiency while upon the bench.


Horizontal Divider 3

Fountain had, soon after writing the above, turned a Democrat and supported those who had no issue but the cry of “nigger.” The point with Fountain was that he saw the race question as an “overshadowing issue” and at the same time thought he saw a prospective seat in Congress. Even when he was writing his letter the negroes throughout the State were organizing to seize all legislative and judicial offices of the State, and make this land a paradise for the negroes. The crime of the days of reconstruction had returned in all its lawlessness and horror. Princeville, just across the river from Tarboro, was a perfect scene of unrestrained violence. Drew Battle and William Morris burned Judge Philips's stables, while Clarence Davis, for a heinous crime,1 had a reward of $200.00 offered by the Governor for his capture. He was later captured and carried to Durham for safe keeping until a special term of court could be called to pass sentence. The State generally was in such lawless state that the northern press turned to North Carolina for its sensational news reports.

Horizontal Divider 3

Probably at no time since the war did Tarboro have such inducements as were presented during this period. The merchants were doing splendid business, having purchased goods to the amount of $400,000.00 for six months ending 1891. This was unprecedented in the town's history, and indicated that trade was increasing. Men embarked in greater mercantile undertakings and increased the capital invested in existing firms. Scarcely a house could be rented, especially a business house. Capitalists were investing in real estate and buildings. Tarboro and Rocky Mount began to make improvements in town and city administration and conveniences. The State Legislature authorized an issue of bonds for water, sewerage, and lights in 1899. A board of public works was erected in Tarboro, consisting of George Howard, D. Litchenstein, Fred Philips, A. M. Failey, W. E. Fountain, J. H. Baker, and R. H. Gatlin. Under the board's direction and after the bond issues of $40,000.00, T. H. Gatlin and E. P. Meridith, of Winston, began the survey of the town preliminary to the installation of water mains and sewers. Rocky Mount the same year began its work on improvements, having voted a bond issue of $49,000.00. More than nine and one-half miles of piping was laid.

Horizontal Divider 3

At the meeting of the Diocesan Convention of 1889 the Reverend Joseph Blount Cheshire, Jr., very appropriately offered a resolution that the one hundredth anniversary of the election of the first bishop in North Carolina be observed by a celebration at Tarboro, the first bishop having been elected there. The Reverend Cheshire, Jr., Mr. Samuel Nash, and Judge Philips, of Tarboro, were appointed on a committee with others to carry word to the diocese of East Carolina and to give them an invitation to be

present, Mr. Nash acting as special messenger. The joint celebration in Tarboro lasted for three days, beginning May 16, 1890. The joint centennial convention constitutes a history in itself as copied from the state papers. A general review of the history of the church was elaborately discussed in valuable historical contributions by various men of the church. Judge Philips, of Tarboro, delivered the address of welcome.

Horizontal Divider 3

Horizontal Divider 3

The whole issue was that Dr. Hall, a Democrat, had turned Republican to beat the bank law. The Democrats were weak, and it was strongly desired to keep the Federalists, who were for a National Bank, from controlling the Government, whereas the Republicans were strong for a national treasury. However, under the leadership of North Carolina politicians, the State Bank gained rapidly in the popular mind, and in 1830 a branch bank was established at Tarboro. This bank was eventually followed by the Pamlico Bank in 1875. The late George Howard was its first president and John S. Dancy its first vice-president. The late Fred Philips succeeded Mr. Howard as president, while H. L. Staton, the third president remained in this office for several years. Matthew Weddell was the first cashier of this bank, and remained as such for some time. Theophilus P. Cheshire was for many years the cashier.

 
 
COMPANY I-Edgecombe County-Captains, T. W. Battle and E. D. Foxhall; First Lieutenants, H. A. Dowd and B. T. Hart; Second Lieutenants, Fred. Philips, R. S. Suggs, S. M. Pender, E. E. Knight and D. H. Barlow. Enlisted men, one hundred and forty-eight.

Horizontal Divider 3

 
On the 20th of May, 1864, the writer having been wounded the day before, was placed in an ambulance with Colonel F. M. Parker, of the Thirtieth Regiment, a most gallant and faithful soldier, who also had been wounded and was very weak. Captain Fred. Philips, since Judge Philips, of Tarboro, had
charge of the wagon train, and took the best of care of us as we were conveyed towards Richmond with the other wounded men. The day was hot and we were parched with fever and thirst; but he supplied us from time to time with refreshing draughts of buttermilk and ice which the good people of the country gave him. It was served in a horse-bucket; but never was sweeter or more refreshing draughts served, nor men more grateful than we were.

Horizontal Divider 3

Adjutant Carter having resigned, Frederick Philips, of Edgecombe, was appointed Adjutant, and commissioned 5 July, 1862.
 
Dr. F. M. Garret, of Edgecombe, was commissioned Surgeon of the Thirtieth North Carolina Troops, on 23 August, 1862, in place of Surgeon Henry Joyner, resigned.

After remaining in camp near Richmond, D. H. Hill's division marched to join the army in Northern Virginia, and reached the field of Second Manassas the day after that battle had been won.

With the Army of Northern Virginia, we crossed into Maryland. At the battle of South Mountain, 14 September, 1862, the division did the hardest service of any one day of the war. Hill's small division kept at bay the entire army of McClellan until nightfall, when we moved in the direction of Sharpsburg.

Anderson's Brigade occupied different positions on the field of Sharpsburg, on 15 and 16 September, 1862. On the night of the 16th, we occupied the historic "bloody lane," and held it during the battle of the 17th, until driven by a direct and cross fire from either flank. The terrible slaughter of the enemy in our immediate front, as witnessed by our own men, who were taken prisoners when we changed front, tells of the good work done by our brigade. The Thirtieth held the right of the brigade, and was much exposed by reason of our position on the crest of the hill.

While the firing was very hot, Courier Baggarly, from brigade headquarters, reported to me that General Anderson was wounded and had left the field; that he was unable to find Colonel Tew, of the Second North Carolina, the Senior Colonel of the brigade, and that he made this report to me, being next in command. I then instructed my Adjutant, Lieutenant Phillips, to proceed cautiously down the line, observe what was going on, and if possible, to find Colonel Tew, and carry to him Baggarly's report.

Lieutenant Philips undertook this perilous duty, receiving several shots through his clothing, came in hailing distance of Colonel Tew and reported to that officer. And to be sure that his message was understood, asked Colonel Tew to give him some intimation that he was heard. Colonel Tew, who was standing erect, lifted his hat and made Philips a polite bow, and fell immediately from a wound in the head.

While Lieutenant Philips was returning, he received a severe wound on the head, which caused him to leave the field, much to the loss of the command. I at once attempted to go to the left of the brigade, and had not proceeded ten paces, when I was struck by a minie ball on the head and was taken from the field. In a recent correspondence with an officer of the Sixty-fourth New York Regiment, he says "I remember very well what a warm reception you gave us, when you left the Bloody Lane, and we moved in."

Horizontal Divider 3

During the winter of 1863-64 the following changes in the staff of the Thirtieth were made: Adjutant Philips, who had received a disabling wound at Kelly's Ford in November, 1863, was appointed Captain and assigned to duty in the spring of 1864 as Assistant Quartermaster in place of Williams, promoted. The regiment thus lost an excellent Adjutant, but duplicated a No. 1 Assistant Quartermaster. P. W. Arrington, of Northampton, was appointed Adjutant in place of Phillips, promoted.

Horizontal Divider 3

Nonnulla; memories, stories, traditions, more or less authentic
 
And then suddenly and without warning, the Wilmington, Columbia, and Augusta Road threw up the lease, and the Wilmington and Weldon Road came again under the management of its own directors.

This action was taken by the Baltimore parties holding a controlling interest in both roads. The change caused great excitement and uneasiness among the local stockholders in Wilmington, where most of the stock, exclusive of that owned in Baltimore, was held. All sorts of conjectures as to the purpose and effect of this change were flying about. Some thought that it was a move of the Baltimore stockholders to depress the value of the stock that they might purchase it all at a low figure. The price of the stock fell greatly. I believe very little actually changed hands, but some, I know, was sold as low as fifty dollars, and I heard that it went even lower.

But there was a very general feeling that the stock was good and that it ought to maintain its value. The stockholders in Wilmington held a meeting and appointed a committee to go to Baltimore and interview Messrs. Shoemaker, Newcomer, and Walters, and endeavor to find out their purpose in their late action, that the local stockholders might understand its bearing upon the future prospects of the Road. This committee consisted of Mr. William H. McCrary, Mr. Donald MacRae, two local capitalists, and Captain Grainger, president of the Bank of New Hanover. Telegrams from the meeting were sent to Judge George Howard and Judge Frederick Philips of Tarborough, large stockholders, asking that one of them, representing the Tarborough stockholders, should join the Wilmington committee in their visit to the Baltimore men.

It happened that business engagements made it impossible for either Judge Howard or Captain Philips to leave Tarborough at that time; and they suggested that I should go to represent the Tarborough stockholders. But as I owned only fifteen shares of the stock, I did not feel that I would be a very weighty representative; and indeed I could not very well afford the expense of the trip. They, however, insisted that I should go as their representative, and as such should let them pay my expenses. They said they wished to be represented at the proposed conference, and they wished to know all that might be said in regard to the purposes of the men who controlled the Road. I therefore joined Messrs. McCrary and MacRae at Rocky Mount and proceeded with them to Baltimore. Captain Grainger was in New York, but he joined us the next morning in Baltimore.

Horizontal Divider 3

Edgecombe County. Twelve North Carolina Counties in 1810-1811. North Carolina Historical Review. VI
 

Vine Hill Academy in Halifax County offered courses in science and languages, preparatory for college entrance. In 1811, Daniel Adams of Connecticut was secured as principal, and a Mr. Hawkins had charge of the English department. The price of board was $50 per year, and the tuition rates were $12 for reading, writing, and arithmetic, $15 for grammar, and $25 each for geography and the languages. The academy prospered until in 1837 it had a male and a female department and offered a wide range of courses. C. L. Coon, op. cit., 175-177.

 

90 In 1812, Exum Lewis of Mount Prospect advertised for a man to teach English, writing, and arithmetic, giving assurance that “should any person undertake a school at this place calculated to please, he may expect on a birth for several years.” C. L. Coon, op. cit., 806. Turner and Bridgers (pp. 364-365) state that “in 1820 Mount Prospect was erected by Exum Lewis on his plantation about seven miles from Tarboro. This was a mixed school of importance. The early teachers were James C. Cary, George Pendleton, both of Virginia, Philip Wiley, an Episcopal minister, Eugene Casey, of Ireland, Alexander Bellamy, of Florida, and Frederick Philips, grandfather of the late Judge Philips.”

 

In 1793, John Leigh, Ethelred Philips, Amos Johnson, Edward Hall, Jacob Battle, John Ingles, and Blake Baker were designated as trustees of the Academy of Tarborough, though nothing further is known of this school. Laws of North Carolina, 1793, ch. 43. In 1813, F. L. Dancy, E. D. McNair, Jeremiah Battle, Robert Joyner, Bennett Barrow, J. W. Clark, Joel Battle, James Southerland, H. A. Donaldson, Peter Evans, and Carey Whitaker were appointed trustees of the Tarborough Academy. Laws of North Carolina, 1813, ch. 48. A building was erected and the institution opened its doors, January 1, 1815. Robert Hall, a graduate of the University who had taught in the Raleigh Academy, was in charge. Later teachers were Mr. Griswold, Eugene Farnan, Moses Hamilton, Miss Anna Maria Ragsdale, and James I. Sanford. There was a male and a female department. In the female department in 1826, courses were offered in chemistry, astronomy, natural philosophy, rhetoric, history, needle work, music, and painting on paper and velvet. From 1815 to 1826, the average enrollment was from 60 to 80 students per year. Board was obtainable in private homes for $7 per month. The academy evidently lapsed, for in 1847 a legislative act revived the act of 1813 and appointed new trustees. Laws of North Carolina, 1846-47, ch. 114; C. L. Coon, op. cit., 77-79, Turner and Bridgers, op. cit., 360-365.

Horizontal Divider 3

Following is a page from The Tar Rover Connector, the newsletter published by the Tar River Connections Genealogical Society that covers the area around Rocky Mount NC including Nash County and the Tarboro area where Fredrick Philips lived.

Horizontal Divider 3