This particular branch of the Phillips family has been seated in the Mohawk valley for more than a century. They descend from the New England family of Phillips, whose ancestors date back to an early period in the history of that section. The history of the Schenectady branch begins with George Phillips, of Montgomery county, New York, who was born at Fort Plain about 1800, and died near that village aged sixty-five years. He married Miss Adams, who survived him, but a short time. He was a farmer and a Democrat. Children:
- Robert, of further mention.
- Winchell, lived and died at Little Falls, New York; married Sarah Marsh, who survives him, a resident of Little Falls.
- Julia, married Gottlieb Ludwig; children: Harry and Harriet.
- Matilda, married, but left no issue.
- Sarah Jane, unmarried, the only surviving child.
(II) Robert, eldest son of George Phillips, was born in Fort Plain, New York, June 27, 1823, died in 1885. He received a good education in the public schools and for several years was a teacher and instructor. He later engaged in mercantile life and was a merchant of Fort Plain. Later he engaged in the lumber business and removed to Bridgeville. He was a Democrat until the outbreak of the civil war, when feeling that his party was not living up to the promises of its platform, he voted the Republican ticket. He married, in Fort Plain, Sarah, born June 8, 1828, daughter of Jonas and Wyncha A. (Low) Myer. Wyncha Low was of the Low family of Saugerties, Ulster county, New York, and was related to ex-Mayor Seth Low, of New York City. The Myer family were early settlers of Ulster county; Jonas died in Saugerties at the age of fifty-six, and Wyncha, his wife, at the age of sixty. Of their family, two daughters, Angelina and Sarah, are the only survivors (1910). Robert and Sarah Phillips were formerly Presbyterians, but later connected with the Congregational church. They were brought into the latter communion through the preaching and teaching of Henry Ward Beecher, the eminent divine of Brooklyn, New York. Children:
- Eugene Wilson, born August 29, 1849, now a merchant of Saugerties, New York; married Martha J. Decker, and has a daughter Ella, married Edward Morgan.
- George Wellington, of further mention.
- Sarah Lavina, born March 8, 1856, deceased.
- Henry Ward born April 11, 1858, deceased.
- Estelle, born June 27, 1860, deceased.
- Ann Grace, born March 19, 1862; married David W. Tobinson, and resides in Saugerties, New York; eight living children.
- Ella Frances, born September 22, 1865; married Sheppard Guise, of Camden, New Jersey, and now resides in Schenectady, New York; three daughters, one of whom, Hazel, married Hiram Williams and has issue.
Mrs. Sarah (Myer) Phillips survives her husband, and is a resident of Saugerties, New York, with her son Eugene W. Phillips. She is now (November 27, 1910) eighty-two years of age, yet so well preserved in mind that she has contributed many of the dates and facts contained herein, but says she "is weak and feeble and cannot write as I once could."
(III) George Wellington, second son of Robert and Sarah (Myer) Phillips, was born in Saugerties, Ulster county, New York, October 16, 1852. In 1865 his parents removed to Bridgeville, Delaware, where he completed his studies. His father was engaged in the lumber business until his death, at the age of sixty-two years. He worked with his father at lumbering, and later became his traveling salesman. An important feature of their business was the burning of charcoal, and George W. traveled among the leading users of charcoal, disposing of large quantities of their product. After the death of Robert Phillips, his wife and family returned to Saugerties. While in Delaware, George W. had become greatly interested in the fruit and nursery farms of that section, and after his return to New York started a nursery in Saugerties, which he continued until 1897. Finding soil and climate not well suited to this enterprise, in September of that year he removed to Schenectady, New York, where he established the coal business, which he has since successfully operated. He has taken more than passing interest in local affairs, and when civic conditions were not satisfactory, organized and was secretary of the Taxpayer's Association, that brought about some needed reforms. He is a member of the Albany Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and a Republican in politics. He married, in Saugerties, Josephine Trought, born near New Brunswick, New Jersey, September 24, 1857, and came to Saugerties, New York, with her parents in 1865. She is a daughter of Robert, son of John Trought. Robert Trought enlisted in 1861 in Company S, 30th New Jersey Volunteers, recruited from New Brunswick, and served until the close of the war. He was a good soldier and made an honorable war record. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. His daughter, Mrs. Josephine Phillips, is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady. Children of George W. and Josephine (Trought) Phillips:
- George H., born October 10, 1874; educated in Saugerties; now a photographer with a studio in New York City; he married Effie Bailey, of Glens Falls, New York.
- Robert, died in 1876, aged ten months.
- Lillian, born 1877, died aged twenty months.
- Bertha M., born October 29, 1879, married Lawrence Kempton, manager of the Phillips Coal Company.
- Maude, born June 16, 1884; married William H. Pier, of Schenectady.
- Mabel, born October 6, 1858, died aged seven years.