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On 8 March 1875, Joseph H. Phillips submitted a claim for $776.70 in debts
owed him by his brother James A. Phillips, including 125 weeks board from
1860 to 1863 at $4 per week, and $276.60 in cash loans. Numerous depositions
were submitted in support of these claims. As of 25 June 1875 there were
additional claims against the estate by the State of Kansas for $506.64 “for
school land purchased by Jas. A. Phillips in his lifetime,” and for at least
$300.00 by Ellis Lewis for administration of the estate. On 1 October 1875
Joseph H. Phillips submitted another claim against the estate, stating that
320 acres had been lost for nonpayment of $369.22 in taxes, and that the
remaining 520 acres were in danger of foreclosure for nonpayment of $485.00
in taxes. Joseph stated that the money in the hands of the Administrator
amounted to $972.00, and asked the Judge to order Ellis Lewis to pay the back
taxes. On 17 July 1876, Judge H. A. Billings, acting upon a petition from
Joseph H. Phillips, ordered Ellis Lewis to show cause why his Letters of
Administration should not be revoked. The matter was never resolved, and the
remaining 520 acres were sold for taxes on 25 Jun 1877 to A. Corbin, who quit
claimed the land to Chas L. Flint on 4 April 1878. There is nothing in the
records to indicate that any family members received anything from the estate.
The probate case is of value to family genealogists. It confirms that Mary
(Polly) Phillips (born c. 1827), who married Riley Vestal on 13 December 1843
in Randolph County, North Carolina, was the sister of James and Joseph. It
confirms that W. C. Phillips, born c. 1847 in Randolph County, was a half-
brother. And it identifies Morgan County, Indiana as the residence of an heir
to James A. Phillips; this refers to John Phillips (born c. 1822), full brother
of James and Joseph. It is curious that the complaint of W. C. Phillips and
Riley Vestal did not mention other full siblings of James and Joseph, two of
whom were still living in Randolph County in 1880: Martha Ann Phillips
(born c. 1825), who married John Henry on 4 July 1846; and Rachel Phillips
(born 7 May 1829), who married Thomas Vestal, brother of Riley Vestal, in 1849.
The obituary of Joseph Harmon Phillips (Miami Republican, 8 February 1907)
names as his only surviving relatives in the vicinity: Marian H. Guilliams,
his wife; Gertrude Phillips, his daughter; May Phillips, his daughter-in-law
(and her children); and S. F., J. P., N. J., J. L., and J. M. Williams of
Miami County and A. J. Williams of Iola (Allen County, Kansas), “who are
children of his deceased sister.” This refers to Losady (Losada, Losaidy)
Phillips (born 18 January 1820), who married Orrin (Orren) Williams on
9 June 1838 in Randolph County, North Carolina. She died on 28 March 1870
in Stanton Township, Miami County, Kansas. Ref. www.findagrave.com
SISTER LOSADY
In the 1850 federal census, Oren Williams and Losada Williams are living in
Washington Township, Hamilton County, Indiana, with four children: Stephen L.
(10), Jas. K. Polk (8), Nathan J. (4), and Eliza J. (3). According to Cutler's
“History of the State of Kansas,” Oren Williams was among the first settlers of
Miami County, Kansas (then Lykins County) in 1855. Presumably, Orren and his
family migrated with James and Joseph Phillips. In the 1865 state census,
Orren Williams and Losada Williams are living in Stanton Township, Miami
County, Kansas, with six boys and two girls, identified only by initials:
S. F. (male, 25), J. K. P. (male, 20), N. J. (male, 18), E. J. (female, 16),
A. R. (male, 14), M. E. (female, 12), J. M. (male, 8), and J. L. (male, 5).
Five of the six sons (all except for J. M.) are found at www.findagrave.com
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