My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS W. PHILLIPS belonged to an old Montgomery county family, long resident in Whitpain township. He is the son of Aaron and Emeline (Fitzwater) Phillips. He was born May 10, 1845, on the old Phillips homestead, now owned and occupied by Benjamin F. Murphy. He attended neighboring schools until he was eighteen years of age, principally the Ellis school, on the State road, near Washington Square. From that time he assisted his father in working on the home farm and superintending its operation.

On March 4, 1871, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Barnabas and Rebecca (Neiman) Davis of Hickorytown, in Plymouth township, after which he settled on the homestead. Later he worked in Plymouth township as a carpenter, and in 1880 bought the place now owned by James B. Murphy on Skippack pike, known as Spring Brook Farm. Soon afterward Mr. Phillips’ death occurred, February 3, 1887. Mr. Phillips was a Republican and a Quaker. Mrs. Phillips at once retired from farming to devote herself to the education of her children. Susan, the elder, born December 18, 1876, married Harry Mumbower, on May 4, 1899, and they have one child, Viola Elizabeth, born January I, 1900; Norman Mary, born May 3, 1879, is deceased.

After living in retirement for several years, Mrs. Phillips bought the farm of George Chapelle on the State road, above Centre Square. She managed the farm until her son, Aaron Phillips came of age, when she relinquished its management to him, and later sold it to him. Aaron Phillips makes his home with his mother. Since Mrs. Phillips’ first purchase, the adjoining farm of thirty-one acres has been added to the property, as well as the tract of Eugene Johnson.