John Phillips Chronology

 

(Originally compiled by Susan Dietrich)

1719                 Born Dec. 27. Son of Rev. Samuel Phillips of Andover and Hannah White (who is the daughter of Lydia Gilman, sister of Maj. Nicholas Gilman of Exeter). John is the second of three sons: Samuel, John, and William.

1735                Graduates from Harvard at age 15, the youngest in his class.

1736-1737       Reads medicine or theology at home in Andover.

1738                 Returns to Harvard for MA.

                        Brother Samuel weds heiress Elizabeth Barnard, July 11th. Continues to keep shop from his new home.

1739-1740       Moves to Exeter. Tradition has it that he keeps a Latin school.

                        Name appears on tax records in Exeter for the first time.

1741                Teaches in town school. Clerk in certain legal matters.

                        Witnesses will of Nathaniel Gilman, March 15th. Gilman dies in June.

                        Enters employment of the widow Sarah Gilman as a clerk.

1742                Begins life of trade by suing Daniel Ladd of Brentwood.

                        Proposes to Tabitha Gilman (daughter of the widow Sarah Gilman) and is rejected.

1743                Marries the widow Sarah Gilman, Aug. 4th.

                        Builds house and shop on Water Street.

1744                Joins Second Church (New Lights), June 7th.

1747                Called to preach by Second Church, May 25th. Refuses “because of delicacy of my lungs.” However, he serves the church as clerk, moderator and ruling elder.

1748                Stepson Nathaniel Gilman dies, February-March.

1748-1749       Maj. Nicholas Gilman dies, leaves estate of over £33,000. Sarah's daughter Tabitha (his granddaughter) shares in his estate.

1752                Appointed town auditor.

1753                Oct., appears before provincial church council to ask for the recognition of Second Church.

1755                Second Church finally recognized.

                        Phillips now leading merchant dealing in lumber and goods traded for lumber, and banker (charging 15% interest) in Exeter.

1762                Becomes interested in “philanthropic duties." Writes brother Samuel, May 24th, and brother William, June 2nd, concerning society for sending gospel among the heathen.

1765                Wife Sarah dies, Oct. 9th.

                        Pays highest taxes for the year, making him the "Richest Man in Exeter."

                        Gives first donation to Dartmouth: $200. (Subsequent donations in years 1766, 1775, et al.)

1767                Marries Elizabeth Hale, widow of town doctor, Nov. 3rd.

1768                Made Justice of the Peace.

1771-1773       Sent by Whigs to General Assembly.

                        Chosen Commander by Exeter Cadets and appointed Cadet Colonel by Governor Wentworth.

                        Father, Rev. Samuel Phillips, dies June 5th.

1772                Sits on Court of Common Pleas.

                        Makes gift of £175 to Dartmouth at commencement.

1773                Elected to the Board of Trustees, Dartmouth.

1774                Appointed to Provincial Council.

1776                Sends (with brothers) £1,000 to Princeton.

1777                Receives LLD from Dartmouth.

                        Invests in land with all currency that comes his way and accumulates vast areas of land, most later to be deeded to Dartmouth.

                        Pledges £1,606 to Andover.

1778                Although neutral in Revolution, chosen moderator for Exeter town meetings.

1781                Phillips Exeter Academy incorporated.

1783                Academy opens, May 1st.

1786                Leads hard money faction in Exeter.

1787                Pays his highest income tax.

1789                Dartmouth names first professorship, the Phillips Professorship of Divinity, in his honor.

1793                Resigns trusteeship at Dartmouth due to failing health.

                        Portrait painted by Joseph Steward.

1795                Dies, April 21st.

 

[back to top]

Return to John Phillips