Forward
This document represents many hours of research time spent by Brenda Rains, Eddie Phillips and Leo Phillips with some help from Jeanie Culpepper also. The search began with the census records at the Birmingham Public Library in the Summer of 1980 and continued with several trips through Coffee County Cemeteries, trips to the Coffee County Courthouse and many discussions with Olan Phillips. Even with all this time spent the data are not nearly complete nor have any definite conclusions been possible about the family history prior to 1830. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone reading this document who knows some information about the origins of the Phillips Family of Coffee County or has additional information of any kind, would jot it down and sent it to J. Leo Phillips, 608 Charles V. Street, Satsuma, AL, 36572.
First Edition issued 25 Dec 85 by J. Leo Phillips.
Revised 1989 to delete appendices containing grandchildren of John W. Phillips and story of Olan Phillips’ life in Coffee County so as to issue to others outside the Olan Phillips family. Also deleted a paragraph about Malendie Simmons’ treatment of John in his childhood and changed Leo’s address from Dothan, AL to Jacksonville, AL. Changed title from “The Phillipses of Coffee County” to “The Phillips Family of Coffee County.”
Minor revisions made 3 Dec 92 including Leo’s mailing address changed from Jacksonville, AL to Satsuma, AL. Changed document from Multimate word processor to Word Perfect and corrected some typographical errors. Changed name of Hezekiah’s first daughter from “Ama” to “Anna Frances” based on information received from Dorothy S. Crook, great grand-daughter of Anna Frances Phillips.
In 2014 Leo edited this copy again because he noticed that somehow about half of the narrative portion was missing. This must have occurred in updating from Word Perfect to MS Word which was done probably around the year 2000 or so. Missing information was retyped verbatim from the hard copy still in Leo’s possession. Also, changed the font to Arial as the original font was almost unreadable. Further, changed the line spacing from center justified to left justified to avoid the weird spacing in some places. No new content was added other than fixing the missing narrative portions.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Title Description
1‑6 Phillips Family Narrative History in Coffee County
7‑10 Appendix A Estate Administration Records
11‑12 Appendix B Children and Grandchildren of James A. Phillips
13 Appendix C Family of John Washington Phillips
[Original appendices C-1 through C-14 are omitted from this retyped electronic version of this document because the information is available elsewhere]
The Phillips Family of Coffee County
Ancestors of Olan E. Phillips have lived in Coffee County Alabama for over 150 years. In 1830 there were only three Phillips families in Coffee County ‑‑ one William 60 to 70 years of age, Hezekiah 50 to 60 years of age and another William 30 to 40 years of age. It has been assumed that these three are related with the older William being the brother of Hezekiah and the father of the younger William. Hezekiah Phillips is assumed to be the great‑grandfather of Olan E. Phillips.
The date of the Phillips’ moving to Alabama is somewhat in question. There is evidence that they moved to Coffee County between 1820 and 1830 since there is a Hezekiah Phillips (son of original Hezekiah) shown on the 1850 census to be 30 years of age and born in south Carolina. This would indicate that when this Hezekiah was born in 1820, the Phillipses lived in South Carolina. However, attempts to locate the Phillipses in South Carolina in 1820 were inconclusive. There were no Hezekiahs shown but there were six Williams. One would think it also possible that the Phillipses spent some time between 1820 and 1830 in Georgia before moving to Alabama but there is no evidence of this in the census records for Georgia either. The Phillipses would definitely have been in South Carolina as early as the 1810 census if the above noted Hezekiah was actually born in South Carolina. The 1810 South Carolina census shows six William Phillipses, but again no Hezekiah. There is doubt, then, that William and Hezekiah were really born in South Carolina, even though the 1850 Alabama census shows South Carolina to be their birthplace, since no Hezekiah Phillips is listed on either the 1810 or the 1820 South Carolina Census.
The census records for North Carolina in 1820 do show a Hezekiah of proper age living in Chatham County near a William Phillips. In 1810 the census shows a William and a Hezekiah living in Moore County, North Carolina which is adjacent to Chatham County. These are the only notations of a Hezekiah Phillips either in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Tennessee for 1810 or 1820. It is therefore concluded that this is the Hezekiah Phillips that later moved to Coffee County sometime in the 1820’s. It is assumed that sometime around 1800 Hezekiah and William moved from South Carolina to North Carolina or else the notation of State of Birth being South Carolina on the 1850 Alabama Census is erroneous.
The only records that have been reviewed prior to 1855 are the census records since Coffee County courthouse has no records prior to this date because of floods destroying earlier records. The census did not list names of any but heads of households prior to 1850 but did list numbers of children by age categories. The 1850 census (which does list minors by name) shows 19 year old James Phillips in the home of Hezekiah Phillips. Since James A. Phillips (Grandfather of Olan E. Phillips) was born in 1831 this is definitely the same James. From this then the following constitutes James A. Phillips’ family:
Hezekiah Phillips ‑ born 1780 ‑ father (probably)
Elizabeth Phillips ‑ born 1813 ‑ mother, sister, or
stepmother
James A. Phillips ‑ born 1831
Jemimah Phillips ‑ born 1839 ‑ sister
Hezekiah Phillips, Jr. ‑ born 1820 ‑ brother or h. bro.
William E. Phillips ‑ born 1829 ‑ brother
Plus at least three other sisters as follows:
Anna Frances
Elizabeth (so many of these it’s confusing)
Mary
Tabitha
James A. Phillips apparently helped his father in farming until the age of 20 or so when he married Sarena (possibly Larena) Mooney in about 1851. Not long after James A.’s marriage to Sarena, his father, Hezekiah, died (before 1860). James A. was appointed administrator of Hezekiah’s estate, a job which due to interruption from the Civil War took about six years to totally complete. It was customary for the court to appoint the most qualified next of kin as administrator if the spouse was not living. The fact that James A. was appointed by the court indicates that he was fairly astute (or that he was oldest). Due to the loss of some of Hezekiah’s assets because of it being in Confederate cash and also that there were a goodly number of heirs, no one received a whole lot from the estate. Initially upon Hezekiah’s death the estate was valued at $2,864.85. This sum included $800.00 in Confederate money. Still, a pretty good hunk of money for those days. After deduction for charges incident to administration of the estate there was $1,519 in U.S. dollars for distribution among the fifteen heirs ‑‑ about $100 dollars each.
At this same time James A. was administering the estate of his assumed father, Hezekiah, the estate of the original Coffee County William was being administered by his son, William G. Phillips. William and Hezekiah both died in the 1850’s ‑‑ William in his 90’s and Hezekiah in his 70’s. William’s estate was almost entirely in Confederate money at the time of the final administration of the estate and deemed worthless by the court, therefore, requiring no distribution among heirs. For this reason the heirs to William’s estate were not listed in the court record. For more details concerning the estates of William and Hezekiah, see Appendix A.
By 1860 James A.’s family was already growing large with four children already born – William H., Rebecca, Sara and Mary. He was still farming at this time and owned at least a 117 acre farm. This is evidenced by deed records that show James A.’s purchase of 78 acres from F.B. Creech and Sally Ann Creech in 1856 and another 39 acres from thjis couple in 1858. The total price he paid for the land was $190. So, land was quite cheap at less than $2 per acre. A portion of this land bought from the Creeches is the location on which was situated a grist mill that belonged to James A. Phillips. It is doubtful that the mill was on the land when James A. bought this property since it was purchased for about the same price as unimproved property. It is therefore likely that James A. had the mill built at this location near Fairview, AL on what is named “Phillips Mill Branch”, named this to this day according to maps published by the USGS.
The 1860 census shows the value of James A.’s real estate to be $400.00 and his personal property to be $2500.00 in value. This amount of personal property is comparatively large for this time period indicating that James A. was pretty well off. The $2500 probably included his horses, mules, cows and such along with whatever equipment he may have had at the grist mill. In 1983, Leo and Eddie Phillips (great-grandchildren of James A.) talked with an old black man (allegedly over 100 years of age) who was living on what was once James A.’s property near where the grist mill was located. He said he remembered “Jim Phillips” and his grist mill. He said he used to love to carry a sack of corn down to Jim Phillips’ mill because he made the best meal around.
This same black man mentioned above told of James A.’s living in a house about ½ mile from the old mill location. He said it was the only “double pen” house around. Apparently, “double pen” means it had a hall down the middle with rooms on each side. This house to which the black man referred is still standing although it has not been occupied for many years and is now badly deteriorating. Azalea bushes along the front porch of the house have grown as tall as the house almost completely blocking view of the house from the dirt road on which it stands. The old kitchen in the house still has a fireplace that was undoubtedly used for cooking. There were also fireplaces near the front of the house on each end that were used for heat. There is fairly intricate woodwork along the eaves on each end of the exterior. All in all it appeared to be a nice house for the period in which it was built (late 1800’s).
It is not known what became of James A.’s first wife, Sarena, but bny 1868 and possibly as early as 1863 she was no longer married to James A. A birth record from what was alleged to be James A. Phillips’ Bible shows a fifth child, James J>, born in 1861 and then in 1863 twins, James H. and Serene Ann, were born. It is possible that Sarena died from this child birth. Another child, Fredrrek Edgar, is shown in this Bible birth record to have been born 7 July 1866. No other mention of this child has shown up anywhere so possibly he died as an infant or young child. It is not known whether Sarena was the mother of this child or if James A.’s second wife, Martha J. McClain was the mother of Fredrrek Edgar Phillips.
It is certain that Martha J. McClain was the mother of John Washington Phillips, born 23 May 1868, and Gemima Caroline (“Callie”) Phillips, born 23 September 1869. No more children other than those mentioned were born to Martha McClain Phillips and she and James A. later (by 1874 at the latest) became separated for unknown reasons. Therefore James A. and Martha were together for a maximum of ten years (1864 to 1874) and a minimum of two years (1868 through 1869). Martha was apparently never married again after her separation from James A. Phillips although she lived until 1925.
By 1870 James A. had increased his land holdings to nearly 400 acres by the purchase, in 1869, of 275 acres from James W. McClain and M.S. McClain, Martha’s parents. The purchase price was $300.00. So by 1870, the census records show that James A.’s real estate was worth $600.00 and his personal property was valued at $3,000.00. He had by this time fathered ten children, two having apparently died as infants or young children (James J. and Fredrrekk Edgar) leaving eight living children as follows:
Name Age
William H. 19
Rebecca 16
Sara 13
Mary 9
James H. 6
Serene Ann 6
John Washington 3
Gemima Caroline 1
All of the above show up on the 1870 census records as living in the household of James A. Phillips except Rebecca and Gemima Caroline. It is likely that Rebecca had married and was starting a family of her own. The story of where Gemima Caroline (Callie) was in 1870 is not definite. This brings up the fact that the 1870 census does not list Martha as a resident of the James A. Phillips hosue either. Therefore James and Martha had probably separated by this time and since Callie was still an infant she was most likely with her mother, probably still nursing.
James A. remarried sometime between 1870 and 1874 to Malendie Simmons to whom he remained married until her death in 1907. They had an additional six children as follows:
Luke Burrel 20 Oct 1874
Indiana Malinda Calidonia 10 Jul 1876
Stephen Leonard (died before 1880) 2 Aug 1878
Isaac Lewis (Ike) 28 Apr 1879
Pernina Devillers 21 Mar 1883
Dalseda Araminta 6 Nov 1884
In the late 1890’s James A. seems to have sold almost all his land so that by the time he died in 1911 he probably didn’t have much of anything.
James A. Phillips had fourteen children who survived to adulthood. Other than for John Washington, the only information available as to the descendants of these fourteen is from a discussion Olan E. Phillips (grandson of James A. by John W.) had with Leroy Phillips (grandson of James A. by Luke Burrel). Leroy’s information, shown in appendix B, indicates that James A. had at least 45 grandchildren.
James A. died before Olan Phillips was born so Olan never knew him personally. Olan says that his father (whom he called “Papa”), John Washington Phillips, never talked much about James A. Apparently John had unpleasant memories of his childhood and didn’t want to speak of it much. The only significant thing Olan remembers John telling of his father is that at some time before James A.’s death, John had a vision concerning James A.’s death. In this vision, John saw himself riding to the gravesite seated upon the casket containing James A.’s body. When James A. Phillips died in 1911, John did ride on the casket, just as he had seen in his vision. James A. is buried in the Haney Graveyard which is about 2 miles from the location of the “double pen” house.
Olan says he understands that John was told by some of his half brothers that James A. was going to hell because of the way he treated John. Olan remembers talk (probably from Martha McClain) that John was treated badly by his stepmother, Malendie Simmons. It was said that Martha would make clothes for John and send them to him but Malendie would burn them. They said John never had much to wear other than a night shirt until he was a good sized boy.
Olan also recalled one tale that James A. Phillips’ children (Burrel and Ike) used to tell about James A. They said Ike (Isaac Lewis) was told by James A. to plant some peas but Ike poured about ½ peck of them down an old well thinking that his father (James A.) would not find out and Ike wouldn’t have to plant them. Somehow James A. found out and when he did he was right angry. He turned to Burrel (Ike’s brother) and said, “Bring me that singletree. I’m gonna kill Ike ‘ite now.” Burrel pleaded, “No, Pappy, don’t kill him.” Of course, James A. didn’t kill Ike. This story was told for the humor as children will later recall humorous stories from their childhood. Lest I later forget, I note here that a singletree is a type of plow.
Olan’s grandmother, Martha J. McClain, lived until 1925 so Olan remembers her well. She lived with the John W. Phillips family during the last years before her death. Olan says some called her “Blind Mammy” because she could not see. Olan now says he thinks she probably had cataracts on her eyes that could be removed with today’s knowledge of such matters but at that time there was nothing that could be done. The most outstanding memory Olan had of “Blind Mammy” was her ability and love of storytelling. He said the children had only to mention something from one of her stories and she would start in to retelling the story in great detail. She could tell these stories in such a manner as to keep the children spellbound listening. The only two of her stories that Olan could remember are briefly retold as follows:
[1] Once Martha and her brother, Jim, were walking across a
field when a bull started to charge toward them. They
started to run but the bull was gaining on them. They ran
toward a nearby tree and Jim had time to climb it but the
bull was there before Martha could get up the tree. Martha
grabbed a large stick from the ground and hit the bull right
across his head. She continued to hit the bull with that
stick until blood was all over the ground. The bull gave
them no more trouble.
[2] Olan didn’t know if Martha actually witnessed the
events of this second story or not but she told it as being
the truth. A man was riding through the woods on horseback
when a panther jumped from a tree onto the horse’s back.
The panther spooked the horse causing it to run wildly
through the woods. The man, unable to think of any other
way to get rid of the panther, quickly turned putting his
hand into the panther’s mouth and pulled out its’ tongue.
Undoubtedly Martha told these stories in much greater detail with excitement and enthusiasm to keep the children listening for hours. Olan is sure that Martha told many other stories but the above are the only two he now remembers. Martha did often talk of her childhood which was evidently lived with very little luxury. The McClain family was so poor that shoes were a rarity. Once someone gave Martha a pair of shoes when her brother, Jim, had none. Martha felt bad that Jim had no shoes so she shared hers with him. She kept one and gave him the other one. It was apparent from Olan’s telling of these stories that he loved and admired his “Grandma”, Martha.
As previously mentioned, John Washington Phillips was one of only two children born to Martha J. Phillips while married to James A. Phillips. After his unpleasant childhood living with his father and stepmother, John married Polka Louisa Ward on 24 May 1894. Louisa was not of age and had to have her father, Hezekiah J. Ward give written consent of the marriage. By 1900 they had two children, Martha Bedeannie Clemitty born 24 Dec 1895 and Alma Daisy Pearl born 18 Sep 1898. Exactly where in Coffee County this family lived at this time is not known since there is no record of John W. Phillips making any land purchase until 1910. By this time three more daughters had been born to the Phillips family – Odell, 12 July 1900; Minnie Lou, 3 Aug 1904; and Bonnie Lee, 21 Feb 1908 making a total of five daughters.
Deed records show that on January 10, 1910 John W. Phillips bought approximately 55 acres of land near Ino from J.F. Wise and Callie Wise, John W.’s sister and brother-in-law. The price paid for the land was $470.00. Not long after this land purchase John W.’s two farm hands were born – Ocie Wesley in 1911 and Olan Edwin on 21 Oct 1914. John W. had to do all the plowing and farmwork by himself with some help from his daughters until his sons were old enough to help. Olan remembers raising mostly peanuts and cotton on their farm.
In the Fall of 1918 tragedy struck the Phillips family with the death of the oldest daughter, Annie, shortly after giving birth to twin sons. The twins also died after living only a few days. Both Annie and the newborn sons died from pneumonia. Annie was singing the hymn “Lord, I’m coming home” as she passed away.
John continued to farm on the place purchased from John Wise and by the mid twenties he had Ocie and Olan to help. It was apparently normal practice during this time for farmers to borrow from local merchants or anyone else who could “sponsor” them until harvest could be brought in at which time the loan would be repaid. In the late 1920’s or early 1930’s John W. borrowed about $600 from T. J. Perry of Perry’s Store fame for this purpose. At the end of the year John W. didn’t have the money to pay back the loan probably because his crops were not very successful. Apparently Mr. Perry was willing to wait still longer to receive repayment of the loan but John could not bear owing the money. Therefore he gave up the farm to Mr. Perry in payment of the loan. No legal transfer through the deed records was made, however, Mr. Perry’s resale of the land uncontested in 1933 re-established title.
From that point on John rented the houses they lived in and farmed for other people. The first house he rented after leaving the farm to Mr. Perry burned to the ground. A fire started from some irons that the girls were heating in the fireplace. Almost all the family’s personal belongings burned in the fire. Olan lost a new suit along with everything they had other than the clothes on their backs. The family later rented for some period of time in Ino.
By the time of John W.’s death in 1952 he was still a resident of the Coffee County area in Samson, AL.
APPENDIX A
ESTATE ADMINISTRATIONS OF
HEZEKIAH PHILLIPS AND WILLIAM PHILLIPS
The following information was obtained from books of Probate Court Minutes at the Coffee County Courthouse, Elba, AL. The review of these records was made on September 10, 1984 by J. Leo Phillips.
In Book B, page 8 of Probate Court Minutes there is recorded the appearance of James A. Phillips as administrator of the estate of Hezekiah Phillips. James A. is applying for partial settlement of his account. Also on the same page William G. Phillips appeared as administrator of the estate of William Phillips. The hearing for both was set for April 8, 1861.
On page 14 of Book B, recording court proceedings for April 8, 1861, William G. Phillips’ case was heard first. It is recorded that he had received in cash of the assets of the estate, $6,575.71. The next Probate Court action on the same day was the hearing for James A. Phillips. The record shows that he had received $2,106.84 in cash assets of the estate of Hezekiah Phillips. Both hearings resulted in accounts being “passed and allowed as stated.
The hearing on April 8, 1861 being only a partial settlement in both estates, both James A. Phillips and William G. Phillips applied on January 20, 1862 for hearing of another partial settlement. The result of this request of the Court is that another hearing for partial settlement is set for the 5th Monday in March, 1862 for both.
On page 78 of Book B a notation is made that both of these hearings apparently along with all other planned actions of the court are “continued indefinitely”. This was most likely because of the outbreak of the Civil War.
On page 344 of Book B it is recorded that on April 14th 1866 James A. Phillips filed for a final settlement of the estate of Hezekiah Phillips. Date of settlement was set for the 2nd Monday in May 1866. James A. Phillips was instructed to post notice of this date in three public places, “there being no newspapers published in the County.” It was further ordered that J. Y. Register be appointed as Guardian Ad Litem to represent Sally A. Phillips, Hezekiah Phillips, and Marshal L. Phillips “(minors and distributors of said estate) to protect their interests in such settlement they being the only minors interested.”
On April 21st 1866 (one week after James A. Phillips appeared before the Court), William G. Phillips filed for final settlement in the estate of William Phillips. Same date for settlement as James A. Phillips was set and Wiley Williams was appointed as Guardian Ad Litem to represent the minor children of Tolley Boyington, Jemima Weeks, A. Hurt & Rebecca Hurt to protect their interests in such settlement, they being the only minors interested.
On May 14th 1866 both accounts were settled. Results are recorded on pages 350 and 351 of Book B, Probate Court Minutes. Following is a translation of these records:
William Phillips, Deceased Estate of May 14th 1866
Decree on final Account
This day having been set to hear and determine all matters as to the accounts filed by William G. Phillips, as the administrator of said Estate for a full settlement of this said Administration, now comes the said William G. Phillips and ???? Court that his said Accounts may be passed and allowed, as the same have been by him filed, as aforesaid. And it appearing that due notice of the matters and time set to make such Settlement has been given, in all respects according to law and strictly in pursuance of the order of Court in said Estate, made and entered ???? day of April 1866 by posting notices in writing at the Court house and three other public places in this County of the time and nature of said Settlement more than three weeks prior to the day of such Settlement. And Wiley Williams, who was heretofore duly appointed by the Court to act as Guardian Ad Litem to represent and protect the interests of the children of Tolley Boyington, Jemima Weeks, A. Hurt and Rebecca Hurt these being the only minors concerned in this proceeding and Settlement, Now appearing and in open Court consenting to act, and proceeding to Contest said Settlement, the Court proceeds to hear the facts pertaining to said accounts and to consider the evidence submitted relating thereto. Whereupon, it is shown by sufficient proof, that said Administrator has received of the assets of said Estate the sum of Six Thousand Five hundred and Seventy and 20/100 dollars in property (as shown by his annual settlement of the 8th day of April ????) amount of sale bill of property of the Estate which has been received since in Confederate money which is worthless. And that he has justly expended in and about the costs and charges necessary and incident to said administration, and in the payment of just debts of said deceased the sum of Three Thousand Six hundred and thirty Two & 49/100 dollars, leaving a balance of Two Thousand Nine hundred and Thirty Seven & 71/100 dollars (in Confederate money) subject to future distribution among those entitled. And said Account appearing to be full and correct it is considered & decreed by the Court that said Accounts be & the same are hereby in all things passed and allowed as above stated. And it further appearing to the Court that said amount (of Two Thousand Nine hundred and thirty Seven & 71/100 dollars) left in the hands of the Administrator & which he has deposited with the Court & is on file with the ???? settlement, being in Confederate money & of no value, it is found unnecessary to make separate final decrees dividing the said money among those entitled to it but leaves such distribution open for future distribution to them in ????? become valuable & application be made for it. And it is further decreed that said administrator be discharged from further liability as such administrator.
Phillips, deceased, Estate of, Final Account May 10th 1866
This day having been set to hear and determine all matters as to the account heretofore filed by James A. Phillips as the Administrator of said Estate for a final settlement in this administration now comes the said Phillips and moves the Court that his said accounts may be passed and allowed, as the same has been filed, as aforesaid and it appearing that due notice of the nature of and of the time set to make such settlement has been given in all respects according to law, strictly in pursuance of the order of Court in said Estate, made and entered on the 14th day of April ???? and J. Y. Register who was heretofore duly appointed by the Court to act as guardian as determined to defend and protect the interests of Sallie A. Phillips, Hezekiah Phillips, and Marshall L. Phillips, the only minors concerned in the proceeding and settlement, now appearing in open Court consenting to act and proceeding to contest said settlement the Court proceeds to hear the matters pertaining to said accounts, and to consider the evidence submitted relating thereto where??? it is shown by sufficient proof that said administrator has received of the assets of said estate the sum of Two Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty four and 85/100 dollars the amount found due on last settlement with the interest included ??? that he has justly expended in and about the costs and charges necessary and incident to said administration for the payment of just debts of said deceased (including eight hundred fifty five dollars confederate money in hand which is worthless) The sum of Thirteen hundred fourteen and 49/100 dollars leaving a balance of fifteen hundred nineteen and 46/100 dollars subject to future charges and for distribution among those entitled. And said account appearing to be full and correct it is considered and decreed by this court that said accounts be, and the same are hereby on all things, passed and allowed as above stated. Be it now made known and duly proven to the court by the said Phillips that pending his said administration, he has out of said estate, from time to time made payments to the heirs of said decedent amounting in all to Fifteen hundred sixty three and 84/100 dollars and said administrator having filed with the Court the vouchers and evidence in support of the same showing the several amounts so paid and distributed and the character of such payments and which have not hither ???? have allowed to him. And having also submitted proof of the accuracy and truth of the payments aforesaid which proof is sufficient and satisfactory to the Court. Now on motion of the said James A. Phillips and after a full hearing of said matters it is adjudged the court that said several payments made to said heirs ??? aforesaid ought to be and the same are hereby accordingly allowed to said administrator to be deducted by him from their said respective distributive share. And it appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that said administrator has no available assets in his hands and that he has already now paid out more than he has received, it is unnecessary to make any further decree. It is further ordered that said accounts vouchers, evidence, and statements on file relative to this ????? settlement. and all other ??? writings on file respecting said estate be recorded and that said administrator be discharged from further ???????? as such administrator.
Some details of the Settlement of the Estate of Hezekiah Phillips were found in “Inventory Record” Book B, pages 512 and 513. James A. Phillips’ account in the matter of the Estate of Hezekiah Phillips was shown as follows:
Sep 13 1862‑Amt pd John Barter per voucher No. 1 $22.00
Jun 30 1862‑Amt pd B.W.Starke per voucher No. 2 6.25
Apr 30 1866‑Amt Pd Y.T.Yelverton per vchr No. 3 30.00
Amt of Confederate money blngng to estate 885.00
Dec 1 1866‑Amt pd B.T.Adkinson per voucher No. 4 75.00
Aug 20 1861‑Amt pd Nace Russell per voucher No. 5 77.00
by Amt pd J.E.T.Flournoy per voucher No. 6 30.00
by Amt pd Flournoy & Roberts per vcher No. 7 20.00
Administrator’s Commission per voucher No. 8 143.24
Administrator allwnc for xtr trbl per vchr 9 50.00
Costs 6.00
Amount brought over to balance 1519.46
________
$2864.85
Heirs and Distributors of Estate as Follows:
Ama Wise, wife of Quinney Wise. Elizabeth Wise widow of Levi Wise, deceased. Mary Ward widow of Michael Ward. Elizabeth Ward wife of James Ward. Tabitha H. Bailey wife of James Bailey, Jemima Kelley wife of W. N. Kelley, William C. Phillips, William Phillips, James I. Phillips, Rebecca A. Allford wife of Richard R. Allford, Mary A. Floyd widow of Charles Floyd all of whom are over twenty one years of age and all reside in said County except Elizabeth Wise who lives in the State of Florida and the following minors to wit: Salley A. Phillips, Hezekiah Phillips, Elizabeth Phillips, deceased and Marshal T. Phillips all whom reside in said County. Salley A. & Hezekiah reside with their mother, Elizabeth Phillips and Marshall T. Phillips with W. N. Kelley.
APPENDIX B
Descendants of James A. Phillips
The children of James A. Phillips listed here are as taken from a family Bible listing provided by Dowling Phillips of Valparaiso, FL. The grandchildren are as recollected by Leroy Phillips in a conversation with Olan E. Phillips except as noted.
William H. Born 1 Aug 1852 married (not stated by Leroy)
children:
Jack
Kenny
Beda
Lucy
Pink
Rebeca Born 16 Nov 1854 (not mentioned by Leroy)
Sara (called Sally by Leroy) Born 13 Sep 1857
married (not stated by Leroy)
children:
Callie
Lou
Minnie
Mary Born 3 Oct 1859 never married
James J. Born 25 Sep 1861 (not mentioned by Leroy)
James H. (called Hezekiah by Leroy) Born 8 Dec 1863
married Sally Weeks
children:
Ed
John
Lose
Car
Ida
Ada
Marion
Serene Ann Born 8 Dec 1863 (not mentioned by Leroy)
Fredrrek Edgar Born 7 Jul 1866 (not mentioned by Leroy)
*John Washington Born 23 May 1868
married Polka Louisa Ward (see App C for details)
children:
Martha Bedeannie Clemitty
Alma Daisy Pearl
Odell
Minnie Lou
Bonnie Lee
Ocie Wesley
Olan Edwin
*Jemimah Caroline (Callie) Born 23 Sep 1869
married John Franklin Wise
children:
(unknown)
Luke Burrel Born 20 Oct 1874 married Rebecka Taylor
children:
Cicero
Eldridge
Leroy (source)
Odell
Fannie
John (died at 3 days old)
Indiana Malinda Calidonia (Anna) Born 10 Jul 1876
married Henry Carter
had no children
Stephen Leonard Born 2 Aug 1878 (not mentioned by Leroy)
Isaac Lewis (Ike) Born 28 Apr 1879 married Bama Thames
children:
Aron
Rose
Barney
Annie
Pernina Devillers (Nina) Born 21 Mar 1883 married Ed Phillips
children:
Clarence
Ilu B.
Colton
Minnie D.
Clayton
Alcus
Lenanna C.
Roland
Dalseda Araminta (Dal) Born 6 Nov 1884 married Jack Harrison
children:
Carbas
Arcolu
Erie (female)
Harland
Ardell
The above totals 45 known grandchildren.
*The names of spouses and children of these not provided by Leroy as he knew at the time of this conversation that Olan had this information better than he.
APPENDIX C
Family of John Washington Phillips and Polka Louisa Ward
John Washington Phillips was born 23 May 1868 the son of Martha J. McClain, second wife of James A. Phillips. Polka Louisa Ward was born 30 Dec 1877, the daughter of Hezekiah J. Ward and Bedie Annie Mimms. John and “Lou” were married on 24 May 1894. John died on 5 Mar 1952 at the age of 83. Polka Louisa died on 23 Dec 1968 one week before her 91st birthday. Both John and “Lou” lived their entire lives in Coffee County Alabama and are both buried in the Alberton Cemetery in Coffee County. Following is a listing of their children:
Name of Child Born Died
Martha Bedeannie Clemitty 24 Dec 1895 4 Dec 1918
Alma Daisy Pearl 18 Sep 1898 13 Sep 1980
Odell 12 Jul 1900 Feb 1971 +/‑
Minnie Lou 3 Aug 1904 Living
Bonnie Lee 21 Feb 1908 24 Mar 1971
Ocie Wesley 16 Jun 1911 Living
Olan Edwin 21 Oct 1914 Living
[Note: Original hard copy “Phillips Family Bush” document also contained listing of the children of each of the above on separate pages. This information is available in the electronic Family History, Phillips.ged file available elsewhere so it is not repeated here]