Below is some of what we know about the children of
William Philips and his wife Mary Swann. I have attempted to locate the properties included in William and Mary's wills
to aid in following who eventually owned these properties.
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In 1702 when Mathew Swann wrote his will, he left his daughter Mary, who is the wife of William Philips, and her son John Philips his "house and
plantation where I now live". It's likely that John was the only son of William and Mary Philips born at
that time and that was the reason he was named in the will.
This would establish the birth date of John Philips sometime around 1700.
Since he purchased 265 acres in 1719 from Lovelace Savidge, it's likely he was born in 1698 which would make him 21 in 1719 and eligible to own land.
He would have been about 23 when his father, William Philips died and about
29 when his mother, Mary Swann died.
He went on to patent 235 acres in 1735 at 37, 320 acres in 1746 at 48, and 120 acres
in 1757 at 59, signing his will in 1758 at 60 years of age.
Mathew
Swann left his daughter Sarah the rest of his land adjoining Mary when Sarah reached 18 years of age. We can assume
that each daughter inherited 100 acres from this 200 acre tract that Mathew Swann purchased in 1684.
14 Dec 1702 Will
of Matthew Swann:. To daughter Mary,
wife of William Philips, and to grandson
John Philips, my house and
plantation where I now live. To daughter Sarah, all the remainder of my land adjoining Mary, when 18 years old. Wit:
Ar: Allen, Jno Allen, Robt. Ruffin.
As I stated on the Mathew Swann page, I will refer to these two
tracts as "Mary and John's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place" which
was given to Mary and John and "Sarah's 100 acre
Mathew Swan home place" which was given to Sarah.
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When William Philips, Sr. died he left John the
"Home Plantation" that had been listed in the inventory of his estate
as described in the Southside Virginia Families excerpt at the top of the page. This
is the 100 acres William's wife had heired from her father Mathew Phillips along
with her son John Phillips, "Mary and John's 100
acre Mathew Swan home place".
1721 Will
of William Philips, Sr.
to my son John Phillips
the Plantation wheron I now live which was given to my wife by her Father Mathew Swann.
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Will of Mary Philips, wife of William Philips
Filed 1727
…To daughter, Mary Edwards, wife of John Edwards, my Plantation where I live for her life, then to
my daughter Ann Philips….
It appears that William Philips, Jr.'s wife Mary left the "Mary and John's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place" to her daughter Mary even though
it was the same land Mathew Swan willed to her and her son John Philips and the same land Mary's husband William Philips,
Sr. willed to their son John.
It appears that William Philips' wife Mary continued to live on this property and retain
title to it, even though it was willed to John. Where else would she have gone and how would she have obtained
the property that she left to Mary and then to Ann in her will? Apparently
John was an adult and didn't need the 100 acres and his mother needed a place to live.
John Philips is not mentioned in his mother's
will, but this does not mean he is dead as some have alleged. It may only mean that he is a successful adult and
doesn't need the 100 acres that his mother lived on and that he had already turned down once when his father died and willed
it to him.
When John Philips
wrote his will in 1758 he also didn't name his sons John, Joseph, or Arthur, apparently because they were all
adults and didn't need to inherit his property. I think adult children were often left off wills when there were young
children in the family.
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1721 Will of William Philips, Sr.
The "Sarah's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place" was left to son Mathew with the stipulation
that if he died without issue it would go to son Swann unless he died without
issue in which case it would go to son William unless he died without issue
in which case it would go to daughter Mary.
However, there is no indication that Mary
ever received this property. The John Anderson Brayton book mistakenly identifies "Sarah's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place" as the land Mary's husband John Edwards sold in 1745 in the deed
listed below.
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Mary actually got the 100 acres her husband later sold from her mother by will in
1727. Even though this 100 acres was left to Mary's brother John by her father William Philips, John apparently allowed
his mother Mary to remain living on the land that Mary and John had been willed by Mathew Swann and retain ownership of the
land. Otherwise, how would Mary have obtained a "Plantation where I live" as stated in her will below?
Will of Mary Philips, wife of William Philips
Filed 1727
…To daughter, Mary Edwards, wife of John Edwards, my Plantation where I live for her life, then to
my daughter Ann Philips….
This appears to be the same land William Philips,
Sr. left to his son John as discussed above under John's name, "Mary and John's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place". Mary got this 100 acres from her mother
rather than through the death of three of her brothers. It is half of Mathew Swann's home place but not the half Brayton
thought it was.
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In 1745 Mary's husband, John Edwards sold the same
land William Philips, Sr. left to his son John as discussed above and under John's name, "Mary and John's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place".
Surry
Surry co.,VA Deed Book 4 p 285 dated and Rec.
17 April 1745
John Edwards of Isle of Wight Co., VA to Thomas
Binn of Surry Co., 30 Pounds Current Money, 100A in Southwark Parish bounded
by Col Ludwell, the Cartpath that leads to Piney Road and William Holt.
Signed JOHN EDWARDS
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Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5: Families G-P By John Frederick Dorman
WILLIAM HANCOCK (Jane Holt, Randall , Randall ) left will 11 Aug. 1764-18 April 1765. He married Elizabeth Phillips,
daughter of William and Mary (Swann) Phillips.
The following information appears in this book as well and
indicates that Hartwell Philips, a grandson of William Philips, Sr., also married a Hancock.
JANE [Jean] HANCOCK (John , Jane Holt, Randall , Randall ), born 15 Aug. 1741, married, (bond 24) Feb. 1762, Hartwell
Phillips, son of John and Martha (Crafford) Phillips, of Edgecombe Co., N.C., who married (2), b 1772, Feraby Jones and left will about 1807.
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Will of Mary Philips, wife of William Philips
Filed 1727
…To daughter, Mary Edwards, wife of John Edwards, my Plantation where I live for her life, then to
my daughter Ann Philips….
This appears to be the same land William Philips left to son John, "Mary
and John's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place", as discussed above under John's name.
This land apparently was where John's mother Mary lived until she died and left
it to her daughter Mary.
As we see above, Ann's sister Mary and her husband John Edwards sold this land
in 1745, so it never actually went to John. It went to Mary and her husband later sold it.
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1721 Will of William Philips, Sr.
Son William Phillips
the Plantation wheron Simon Murphy lately lived which I purchased of James Briggs containing by estimation 300 Acres
to my Son William Phillips
my Plantation upon the Cypress Swamp which I purchased of William Hooker Containing by estimation two hundred Acres to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for Ever and for want of such heirs I give my said Plantation
aforesaid to my Son Swan Phillips and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten
for Ever and for want of such heirs I give my Plantation aforesaid to my Son Mathew
Phillips and to the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and if it should so happen that my Sons William, Swann
and Mathew should die without such heirs that then I give my said Plantation aforesaid to my Daughter Anne and to the heirs of her body Lawfully begotten for Ever.
The 200 acres on the Cypress Swamp
was willed with the stipulation that if Mathew died without issue it would go to son Swan unless he died without issue in which case it would go to son Mathew
unless he died without issue in which case it would go to daughter Anne.
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However, in 1738 William Philips, Jr. sold
the "Plantation upon the Cypress Swamp which he purchased of William
Hooker containing by estimation two hundred acres" that he inherited from his father William Philips.
19 Sept 1738
Indenture made from William Phillips of Lawnes
Creek [Parish] to William George of Parish and County aforesaid. Sum of 5 Shillings… Parcel of Land containing by estimation
200ac more or less … lying and being in Southwark Parish … County
aforesaid … near the Cypress Swamp and the Land that my Father bought of
William Hooker by deeds dated the 5th of Nov 1694 and is bounded as in and by the sd Deeds… signed William Phillips
and Sarah Phillips. Wit: Chas. Binns, Joseph Delk and John Champion.
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In 1753 after William Philips, Jr. died an Account
of Estate was filed listng Benjamin Phillips as heir at law, indicating that William, Jr. lived until 1753 and had
a son named Benjamin.
Presumably William, Jr. still owned the "Plantation wheron Simon Murphy lately lived which I purchased of James Briggs containing by estimation 300
Acres" that he was willed by his father William Philips, Sr. and left it to his son Benjamin.
8 Dec. 1753 Surry County VA Wills Deeds Etc. Book #9 p 880
Account of Estate of William Phillips, dec’d, lists
Nicholas Faulcon, Thomas Lane, Dr. Adams, John Edmons, Edmond Waller, John Crafford,
David Alexander, William Holt, Mrs. Elizabeth Clinch, Samuel Pritloe, William
Edwards,Jr., James Carret, William Clinch, John Ruffin and BENJAMIN PHILLIPS, Heir at Law.
The Wills and Administration Index at the Library of VA lists an
estate inventory for a Benjamin Philips, with one "L", in 1767 under Surry Co. Deeds, Wills, Etc. 10, 1754-68, p. 458-459.
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1721 Will of William Philips, Sr.
to my son Swan Phillips my Plantation in the Isle of Wight County upon the Suchahanna branch and by me purchased by Mr. William Edwards.
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Swann Philips inherited land "upon the Suchahanna branch and by me purchased by Mr. William Edwards." We can see below that this land is part of the William
Edwards 1714 patent that was located on the north side of Round Hill Swamp.
This is the same "Round Hill Plantation" that had been listed in the inventory of his estate as described in
the Southside Virginia Families excerpt
at the top of the page.
The Round Hil Swamp location of this land has been determined by looking at a 1714 William Edwards land patent
and comparing it to two other deeds resulting from sales of parts of the patent.
The original land patent to William Edwards:
Library of VA
Edwards, William.
16 June 1714.
Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.
Location: Isle of Wight County.
Description: 1275 acres on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp. Beg.g at the mouth of a branch, on
the north east side of Round Hill Swamp.
Source: Land Office Patents No. 10, 1710-1719, p. 174 (Reel 10).
The 1757 purchase of 100 acres from this patent by Joseph Jones.
Page 146: JOHN EXUM of Edgecombe County, North
Carolina to JOSEPH JONES dated 9 Feb 1757 - 100 acres on Round Hill Swamp adj. the north side of Old Field Branch,
JESSE JONES, JOSEPH VASSER, Gums old field, and Sasgehanna
Branch (patent to WILLIAM EDWARDS on 16 Jun 1714), S: JOHN
(signed) EXUM, W: JOHN (signed) VASSER, BENJAMIN (signed) VASSER,
and JOSEPH (signed) VASSER
The
1757 purchase of 150 acres from this patent by Joseph Vasser.
Pages 146-148: JOHN EXUM of Edgecombe County,
North Carolina to JOSEPH VASSER dated 7 Feb 1757 - 150
acres on Suscahanna Branch adj.
Exums old field, JOSEPH VASSER, JOSEPH JONES, and Mirey
Branch (patent to WILLIAM EDWARDS on 16 Jun 1714 who sold it to
ALEXANDER YOUNG on 15 Sep 1721 and in the will of sd. ALEXANDER
given to sd. JOHN), S: JOHN (signed) EXUM, W: JOSEPH (signed) JONES,
BENJAMIN (signed) VASSER, JOSEPH (signed) VASSER, and JOHN (signed)
VASSER
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I have been unable to locate any further record
regarding Swann Philips, including any record regarding the disposition of the "Round Hill" land he inherited.
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1721 Will of William Philips, Sr.
to my Son Matthew Phillips my Plantation the Parcell of Land I purchased
of Carter Crafford lying on the North Side my spring branch Northerly on Coll. Phillip Ludwells Land and from the head
of my spring branch by a line of mark’d Trees to the Path which goes from rich neck to Chipoakes it being the Land which
Mathew Swan gave to his Daughter Sarah and now wife to Carter Crafford to the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever
and for want of such heirs I give and bequeath my said tract of land to my son Swan Phillips and to the heirs of his body
Lawfully begotten for Ever and for want of such heirs to my Son William Phillips and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten
for Ever and if it should happen that my Sons Mathew, Swann and William should dye without survivors I Give my said parcel
of Land aforesaid to my Daughter Mary and to the heirs of her body Lawfully begotten for Ever.
The "Sarah's 100 acre Mathew Swan home place" was left to son Mathew with the stipulation
that if he died without issue it would go to son Swann unless he died without
issue in which case it would go to son William unless he died without issue
in which case it would go to daughter Mary.
However, there is no indication that Mary
ever received this property.
I have been unable to locate any additional
information about Mathew Philips or the disposition of this land, however neither are proof that he died young.
Mathew was not mentioned in the 1727 will
of his mother Jane, but that is not necessarily a sign that he is dead as I have mentioned before. I could be that he
was an adult and didn't need a further inheritance.
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William Phillips, Sr. was a friend of John and
Ann Binum.
20 Jul 1715 --
Ann Binum relict of John Binum deced came into court & made oath that the sd Jno. Binum departed this life without making
any will so far as she knows or believes and on her motion…” is granted administration of the estate. William Phillips and James Nickolls her securities. William Foster, Robert
Warren, Zachariah Madderah, and Allen Warren appointed to take inventory of the estate. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p61]
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1721
Will of William Philips
"I William Phillips of Lawnes Creek parish
in the County of Surry being of a reasonable Sound and disposing mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament
in manner following Viz First and Principally my Soul to God Almighty the father of Spirits trusting and firmly believing
through the Merrits ---etc.--etc. ----- I Give and bequeath and dispose of as followeth) Item- I Give and bequeath to my son John Phillips the Plantation wheron I now live which was given
to my wife by her Father Mathew Swann.
Item- I give and bequeath to my Son William Phillips the Plantation wheron Simon Murphy lately lived which I purchased of James Briggs containing by estimation 300 Acres to him and the heirs of his body lawfully
begotten for Ever and for want of such heirs I give my said Plantation aforesaid to my Son Swan Phillips and the heirs of
his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and for want of such heirs I give my Plantation aforesaid to my Son Mathew Phillips and
to the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and if it should so happen that my Sons William, Swann and Mathew should
die without such heirs that then I give my said Plantation aforesaid to my Daughter Anne and to the heirs of her body Lawfully
begotten for Ever. Item- I Give and bequeath to my Son William
Phillips my Plantation upon the Cypress Swamp which I purchased of William Hooker Containing by estimation two hundred Acres
and a Negro woman named Hannah to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item- I Give and bequeath to my son Swan Phillips my Plantation in the Isle of Wight County upon the Suchahanna branch
and by me purchased by Mr. William Edwards and to him and his heirs for ever and my Negro boy called Abram to him and
his heirs for Ever.
Item- I Give and bequeath to my Son Matthew Phillips my Plantation the Parcell of Land I purchased of Carter Crafford
lying on the North Side my spring branch Northerly on Coll. Phillip Ludwells Land and from the head of my spring branch by
a line of mark’d Trees to the Path which goes from rich neck to Chipoakes it being the Land which Mathew Swan gave to
his Daughter Sarah and now wife to Carter Crafford to the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and for want
of such heirs I give and bequeath my said tract of land to my son Swan Phillips and to the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten
for Ever and for want of such heirs to my Son William Phillips and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever and if
it should happen that my Sons Mathew, Swann and William should dye without survivors I Give my said parcel of Land aforesaid
to my Daughter Mary and to the heirs of her body Lawfully begotten for Ever. -------- Several bequests of money, furniture,
slaves etc . follow the above—
Item- It is my will and desire that my
son William enjoy the benefit of his own Labour and have his Estate delivered to him at the age of Sixteen years and that
he shall take into his hands his Sister Annies Estate and that my Sons Mathew and Swann receive and enjoy and have the benefit
of their Labour at Sixteen years of age and have their Estates delivered to them at the age of Eighteen years.
Item- I Give and bequeath all the rest of my Estate
of what nature kind or property soever in Virginia or elsewhere to be Equally divided between my Loving Wife Mary and my four
Sons and three Daughters and too hereby nominate, appoint and ordain my Loving Wife Mary and my two Sons William and Swann
Executors of this my Last Will and testament In Testimony of all I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 14th day of February
1720/21
Signed, Sealed published and Delivered Declared to be the Last
Will & Testm’t of the Subscribers William (W) Phillips (Mark)"
Will
of Mary Philips
wife
of William Philips, Sr.
Mary Swann Phillips,
Surry County Virginia will 3-28-1727
…To daughter, Mary
Edwards, wife of John Edwards, my Plantation where I live for her life, then to my daughter Ann Philips….
… To daughter Ann, …girl called Lucy… and at
her death said negro to my granddaughter, Ann Edwards.
…To Ann Philips, 25 ₤ current money, 8 new pewter dishes,
8 pewter plates, 2 pewter basons, 8 pewter porringers, falling table, 6 Russia chairs, tankard, two iron potts, riding horse,
bridle and saddle, two feather beds and furniture.. If no issue to be equally divided between granddaughters Mary Hancocke
and Ann Edwards. Bequest to niece Mary Crafford, daughter of Carter Crafford, of 40 shillings.
To sons William and Swann Philips, daughters Elizabeth Handcock
and Mary Edwards each six pounds current money.
To John Edwards, my son-in-law four barrels Indian corn. To son,
William Philips, and son in Law William Hancock, the same. Rest of Estate to be equally divided among my five children,
William and Swann Philps, Elizabeth Hancocke, Mary Edwards, and Ann Philips. Friend Carter Crafford, Executor and the
witnesses were William Newsom, Samuel Taylor and John Ruffin.
*Wills and Administrations of Surry County, Virginia 1671-1750. Abstracted and compiled by Eliza
Timberlake Davis, 1955 Page 129
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