WILLIAM M. PHILIPS is a son of Josiah, whose father, David, was the leading pioneer preacher of Peters township. Rev. David Philips was born in 1742, in Wales, and emigrating many years ago, first settled in Chester county, Penn., where he was married to Miss Mary Thomas. The young couple then came to Washington county and took up 400 acres of land on the boundary line of Washington and Allegheny counties, for which a patent was secured March 4, 1786. Prior to locating in Peters township David Philips had been a captain in the Revolutionary war, and in religious connection was a member of the Great Valley Baptist Church. After settling in Washington county he served forty years as pastor of the Peters Creek Baptist Church, the land upon which the church is now standing having formerly been a portion of his property. The following children were born to this couple: Mary, Benjamin, John, Joseph, Joseph 2d, Thomas, Josiah, David, David 2d, Martha and Rachel (twins), Sarah and Isaac. During the Civil war a full company of the descendants of Rev. David Philips took an active part in the contest, and nearly one thousand of his descendants are yet living. Josiah Philips, son of David and Mary (Thomas) Philips, was born April 14, 1776, in Chester county, Penn., and in 1779 came with his parents to the old homestead near Library, Washington county. He grew to manhood on the old place, and was wedded to Sarah Bell, who bore him the following children: David, Mary, John, Joseph, Isaac, Robert, Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy and Josiah. The mother died, and for his second wife Josiah Philips married Mary, daughter of John and Jane Boyer, and widow of Richard Blackmore. They had four children, namely: Margaret, Richard (deceased), William M. and James B. William M. Philips, whose name introduces this biography, was born April 11, 1826, on the homestead in Peters township, Washington Co., Penn. He remained on the farm during boyhood, and in early life learned the cabinetmaker's trade, following that business for the five years following 1853. On August 18, 1853, he married Miss Mary E. Riggs, of Peters township, who was born June 3, 1835. To them were born the following children: Edward B., Lloyd S., Hettie L., Anna C., Norman W., Roland J. and Harry W. The farm, which he has occupied since 1858, contains sixty-five well cultivated acres, all improvements having been made by the present owner. He has always voted with the Republican or Prohibition party, and in religious faith is a member (with all his family) of and deacon in the Christian Church. Mrs. Mary E. Philips died July 17, 1892. Edward Riggs was a man "ever foremost of his comrades" in all matters of social, religious, educational and political reform. A stanch advocate of Abolition in its most unpopular days, with Edward Campbell and Edward Anderson--the "Three Edwards"-- comprised for many years the whole of the Abolition party in Peters township. He was one of the leading spirits in forming the Peters Creek Christian Church. He was born July 2, 1802, married Hettie Newmeyer, of Fayette county, Penn., January 1, 1826, and to them eleven children were born, of whom the late Mrs. Philips was one.

Text taken from page 784 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by Jack McNatt of Valrico, FL as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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