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Diary of Jonathan Phillips Who Lived in Turner, Maine
Rev. 11/04/99

Jonathan Collins Phillips began his diary January 1, 1840, and continued it for two years. He was twenty days short of age 60 when he began. I wonder if he might have begun earlier or continued it later. This is all we have.

This has been typed (thanks Kelly, Carrie and Sarah) from a handwritten copy of the original diary. This copy was made by my grandmother, Viola Rollins Phillips, in her excellent handwriting. The spelling and punctuation is, I believe, copied from the original. The original diary is currently held by my cousin.

This may be of interest to not only the descendants and other relations of Jonathan Collins Phillips, but also to those who have ancestors in Turner, Maine during this era, as many in the town are mentioned in this journal. There is a good sense here of what life was like; how people traded both items and help; how they bartered or purchased or made what they needed.

There is just enough here to give an idea of Jonathan’s thoughts and philosophies, and some of the interaction in the community. But not enough to not want to spend some time with him to ask the questions his writing introduces.

From this journal we know that Jonathan’s eldest son Isaac, found his way to Shirley, Maine, and is mentioned in the early history of that town. Another of Jonathan’s sons, Maurice, followed Isaac there after 1841.

Maurice, born at Turner in 1820, married in 1849, Cynthia Allen, daughter of Jairus Allen and Temperance Conant, and they established the Phillips family in Shirley. Maurice is my g g grandfather.

[email protected] A. Phillips November 29, 1999

“My birthday. 61 years old. Time seems short as we grow older, and ought to admonish us that we have but little longer to stay here. May I improve it as I ought.” Jonathan Collins Phillips, January 20, 1841.

Below is Jonathan’s immediate family.

1. Jonathan Collins Phillips Number of children: 12 b: January 20, 1780 in Sylvester (now Turner Maine). +Hannah Gorham Number of children: 12 Father: Samuel Gorham Mother: Hannah Tirrell d: September 13, 1833 in Turner, Maine b: April 12, 1784 in Turner, Maine m: April 12, 180 Age at death: 49 +Betsy (Gorham?) Caswell d: May 27, 1836 in Turner, Maine b: 1781 m: 1835 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 55 est. + Deborah Staples Father: Josiah Staples Mother: Abigail d: August 20, 1863 in Turner, Maine b: September 04, 1787 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 75

2. Maurice Phillips Number of children: 3 d: September 16, 1899 in Shirley Mills Maine b: December 06, 1820 in Turner Maine Age at death: 78 +Cynthia P Allen Number of children: 3 Father: Jairus Allen Mother: Temperance Conant d: February 28, 1903 In Shirley Mills Maine b: September 01, 1822 m: January 29, 1849 In Turner Maine Age at death: 80

3. Daniel Chase Phillips Number of children: 7 d: March 23, 1918 in Shirley Mills Maine B: June 11, 1853 in Shirley Mills Maine Age at death: 64 +Anna Phoebe Huff Number of children: 7 Father: Jacob Jr Huff Mother: Eleanor Page d: April 26, 1927 in Shirley Mills Maine b: October 25, 1862 in Ripley, Maine m: January 01, 1883 Age at death: 64

3. Allen Millard Phillips Number of children: 2 d: January 15, 1923 in Shirley Mills Maine b: August 10, 1850 in Shirley Mills Maine Age at death: 72 +Ella Simpson Number of children: 2 Father: Daniel F Simpson Mother: Sylvira Shaw d: August 28, 1958 in Needham, Mass. b: July 27, 1852 in Turner, Peru or Buckfield, Maine Age at death: 106

3. Frank Sewell Phillips d: December 08, 1864 in Squaw Mountain, Maine b: August 17, 1862 in Shirley Mills Maine Age at death: 2

2. Mary Phillips Number of children: 1 d: September 22, 1881 b: December 27, 1804 Age at death: 76 +Gemalial Holmes Number of children: 1 d: October 15, 1863 b:February 1796 m: January 01, 1828 in Turner Maine Age at death: 67 est.

2. Isaac Phillips Number of children: 1 d: October 08, 1892 in Monson Maine b: October 08, 1806 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 86 +Julia Ann Loring Number of children: 1 Father: Asa Loring Mother: Hannah Haskell d: April 01, 1867 in prob Monson, Maine b: 1809 in of Hebron, Maine Age at death: 58 est. *2nd Wife of Isaac Phillips: +The Widow Thompson

2. Jonathan Collins Phillips Number of children: 1 b: October 11, 1808 +Mary P. Caswell Number of children: 1

2. SAMUEL PHILLIPS d: June 02, 1866 in Turner, Maine b: March 22, 1811 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 55

2. Hannah T Phillips Number of children: 5 d: August 27, 1852 b: February 22, 1813 Age at death: 39 +Jesse Drew Number of children: 7 Father: Stephen Drew Mother: Anna Bisbee d: August 31, 1890 in Lewiston, Maine b: September 21, 1808 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 81

2. Clara Phillips d: December 20, 1816 in Turner, Maine b: September 07, 1815 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 1

2. Laura Phillips d: October 11, 1832 b: November 25, 1817 Age at death: 14

2. Calvin Phillips d: March 05, 1820 in Turner, Maine b: July 05, 1819 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 0

2. Ann Phillips Number of children: 4 b: February 17, 1823 +Solon Chase Number of children: 4 d: November 23, 1909 b: January 15, 1823 in Standish Maine m: September 09, 1845 Age at death: 86

2. Cynthia Phillips Number of children: 1 d: December 20, 1904 b: June 12, 1825 in Turner Maine Age at death: 79 +Daniel French Number of children: 1 d: March 03, 1905 in Turner Maine b: November 26, 1824 m: January 01, 1851 in Turner Maine Age at death: 80

2. Sewell (Suel) Smith Phillips Number of children: 4 d: May 18, 1910 in Auburn, Maine b: July 24, 1827 in Turner, Maine Age at death: 82 +Lizzie Lombard(Elizabeth Orient Lombard) Number of children: 4 Father: William Lombard Mother: Betsey Pumfrilly d: in Auburn, Maine b: July 18, 1829 in Turner, Maine They lived in Auburn

Notes:
Jan 29 and other references to Aunt Smith, who he later visited in Boothbay. Smith is a middle name of his youngest son. Do not know the connection.

Jan 17 reference Loring. Perhaps from Shirley.

February 8 and 10, 1840 references William. Could this be a connection to Abner or to Richard's brother (Jonathan's grandfather)?

In September, 1840, a Reuel Phillips in Glenburn and a Richard Phillips in Bangor. What is their connection?

August 11 1841 a reference (another) to Daughter Drew. Who is she? (Believe she married a Drew)

Aug 18 & 20 1841 - reference to Samuel Phillips in Augusta

Dec 16 1841 -reference to Gorham & Phillips (store?) in Augusta

Oct 12 1841 reference Jonathans prior wife ..Staples.

Caps may be my grandmother's. They may not be from Jonathan's original

& = +
tc = etc.

Capitalized first letter of each day even though not necessarily that way.

The symbol below, obviously hand drawn, was found at the left margin of many the day's entries. (Left of the date). The first time it is used is April 21, 1840. We have no idea what it means. If you know, I'd like to hear from you. As it is difficult to copy, the dates where the symbol was found are marked by an asterisk [ * ]

Please see Introduction
Please see the Journal 1840
Please see the Journal 1841'
Please Return to Turner, Maine USGenWeb Project

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