Phillips Family Papers Box 1

To Mr Samu[el] [Phi]llips Student at Harvard College in Cambridge

Andover, March 27. 1790

My Dear Bro

I recd your kind consoling letter of the 14th of Decr last, for which I heartily thank you, Especially for ye pious sentiments & advice therein suggested. You will, I hope, pardon ye long delay of acknowledging such a fav[??] tho' long it is wth ye greatest difficulty, with a proper, composure of mind, that I now attempt it. - When I look back, & consr. ye Early, constant & most affectionate regard you have discoverd every way in the power, of a sincere pious friend ^to [illegible] to my family^ I must suppose my self writing to One who has a fellow f[eeling?] wth me under this most affecting (tho' most Holy & Righteous) Dispensation of providence. - But what shall I say Brother, - Complain, I ment no[thing?] that would savour greatly of Ingratitude to ye Supreem Being our greatest benefactor, who has given & upwards of Fifty One years continued to me the enjoyment of one of ye greatest comforts, yd. Richest Blessing, of a temporal nature, this world can afford. I suppos'd myself well acquinted wth ye work of our Dear Departed friend while living. But when I look back upon her past conduct from my earliest requaintance wth her, - the strict regard she always paid to ye Sabbath her constant & ^I trust^ conscientious discharge of Duty in publick, private, & secrete and all ye circumstances, prosperaty & adverse, In all ye Relations in life in w'ch providence had placed her - When I hear ye M[oans?] (not only those of Relations) but those of her acquaintance also, Especially the poor & afflicted whom she always appeard anxious to comfort & in all ye ways in her power, to support & relieve --

When I feal ye want, not only of her company, but of her Tender, Friendly help, her Christian comforting advice & support under ye various tryals we meet with, & that very frequently, in this world of change - I must say that I was mistaken.

One foot seems to be now in the grave, the other hastning fast, very fast after it, I am now in a declining state of health, & have very little ground of ho[pe] that I shall recover it. M[?] used have not ye desir'd effect, my appetite, [slight?], strength & courage, failing, my age (75 years last month) and the broken state of my body, similar, by my son's accot, -- to your's, will, I fear, prevent our seeing one another, again in this world. -- However, the Suprem Being may order, as to that. hope we, shall, by the Sovereign, free & rich Grace of God be prepard: to meet in Heaven, & there be forever happy in the Enjoyment of God, of Christ of the Holy Angels & of our pious departed friends & Relations. There is not one now in my family related to me; but my children (considering their distanced Engagements) do all in yr power, & more yn I could wish, to tender my circumstances every way agreeable & a kind Providence favours me with a most excellent Houskeeper, & shop-keeper, a careful skilful nurse, & as attentive to my comfort & interest as it is possible for one in her situation to be. This circumstance I know will afford you pleasure, would,

I would embrace this (wch may be ye last) Opportunity to thank you for your great care & expressed many ways, for many years past, to promote piety & the most useful literature, especially in the place of our nativity to the great honour of our pious predecessors, and I trust to ye great, very great, advantages of the present, the future, & even the latest generations. -- Tho' this has been attended, wth much care & expense to me & my Son, yet, the first motion of the Institution seems to have originated, with you, and the first stone in its foundations to be laid by your hand, your continued care every way discover'd. Especially by your late most Generous Donation, will, we hope & pray be attended with the family of Heaven & by means thereof be made to answer you & our most [favr'd] Expectations concerning it.

You will be kind enough to overlook, & not expose the foregoing in- correct lines & impute them, in part at least, to a weak head, a trembling hand & an aching heart

As I am call'd upon must conclude, wth my most earnest request that you & my Dear Sister would remember me in ^your addresses at the Throne of Grace that I may be prepar'd for all future Events of the Provid'r concerning

your & her Loving Brother,

Samuel Phillips

Hon'ble John Phillips Esqr

The honourable John Phillips esquire Exeter

1759 An Account of Sundries bought for My Daughter Kitty against her Marriage