Phillips family.

The Phillips family were important Philadelphia merchants and manufacturers over four generations.

John Phillips (1702-1762), the founder of the family in America, was the son of a Welsh curate. He ran away to sea and by his ability rose to be a successful merchant captain. Quarrelling with his wife's family, he determined to emigrate to America. He sailed to Barbadoes, and with the profits of the voyage purchased some sick slaves from the captain of a slave ship. These he restored to health and sailed to Philadelphia, where he established a rope-walk with his mate as foreman and the slaves as laborers. His son, John Phillips (1739-1806), continued the business.

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