Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-28
A HIGH DISTINCTION.
A Son Of a Revolutionary Stlle'
Living in Richmond.
THE FATHERS WAR RECORD
Nr. Miles r. Phillips to Represent
the virginia society mt the boston
~rv.r.ion-Hts own Military
Cnreer-Yhe Other Delegates.

O,s Of the delegates who has been
chosen 70 represent the Virginia Society
., rho Sons OF the American Revolution
AZ the convention Of the sons TO be held
I'm Boston May LIST is the son OF Revo-
htlonary soldier. and perhaps the only
living virginia. for whom that distinc-
,iop can be claimed That delegate Is
Mr. Miles Turpin Phillips, the we'll
known paper-hanger. and one OF klch-
mond's most respected citizens.
His father was Mourning Phillips. The
latter was born in Essex or Henrico
county. 1t is not exactly clear which,
and when q youth was apprenticed 10
shoemaker He did not get along very
well with his employer. and seized the
opportunity presented by the Revolu-
tionary war to run of and join the pa
trot army.
THE FATHERS RECORD.
His record as a soldier Of the Revolu-
ton IL thus set forth in petition Tor
pension, which he presented to the Legis'
Iature OF Virginia in December ~;
THAT your petitioner on or about May
l776. enlisted under Captain James
Uawes. I'm the Second Virginia Regl-
ment, then raising to resist the unjust
and intolerant domination OF King
George III.
"The term Of enlistment was for three
wears. and he was discharged in the
spring of l779, at Philadelphia. lie was
I'm the battles at Monmouth. y. J. June
~ i77s. an excessive hot day). and al
Stouey Point, y. Y. near West Point,
which was a midnight assault and cap
ture OF the fort July Is. i'19. by General
Anthony Wayne). From l779 20 1871 he
was not in service. but in the latter part
of i7Si. when CORVALLIS invaded Nir-
ginia he served In the command
OF Marquis Lafayette until the surfen-
der at Yorktown. Va, october IL. l'sl.
He was nearly = years old, ana the
father OF nineteen children. sixteen OF
whom are living. and Of the latter seven
are residing with him and dependent on
his exertions for support, his Youngest
child being about . years old. That ~
was old. with the inhrmities Of age, poor,
and with a numerous family. He APP
peals 90 the representatives. OF his coun-
trymen and asks such aid as his age
and inhrmities. wants, and public SER
vices I'm the most perilous times VIII
seem justly entitle him to-
This was properly attested at the time;
r-attested In 1854 when his widow APP
piled TO the United States Government
for a pension. and has been fully verl-
fed by the Virginia Society Of the Sons.
THE SONS CAREER.
According 10 the Henrico records.
Mourning Phillips died about 1894 or 1875.
His son, Miles y. Phillips, was born in
Henrico county. April L. 1893. and. coming
10 Richmond in lsW. learned the paper
hanging and upholstering business under
Mr.. William Booth with whom he re-
manned as apprentice and jOurneyman
| for fifteen years. He Joined the Fire De-
partment i'm 1871, and for some thirty
years was an active and Jealous fireman,
| being for a long time captain of Com
pany "A" In lSi2 he enlisted In the Rich
| mond Grays. and his name is still on the
roll Of that historic company.
At the breaking out Of the war; I'm
| 1861, Mr.. Phillips went to the front with
his company and, after serving faithfully
and CALAMITY for fifteen months was
| honorably discharged. He then returned
10 Richmond. and continued 10 do local
military duty and fire duty until hostili-
\ ties ceased
Mr.. Phillips is still hale and active. and
! IS fun of interesting "reminiscences OF
ante-bellum Richmond lie is now the
| father of the Richmond Grays," in whose
\ armOry and at whose banquet he Is al
ways received with demonstration. He
| is most quiet and unobtruslve citizen
and the distinction 10 which he Is en-
| titled was known 10 very few outside OF
| his immediate family.
| The other delegates Of the Virginia So
ciety 10 the Boston convention are Pro-
| ressor b. b. Minor and Mr.. Thomas At
kinson. The delegation will probably
leave here for Boston Monday.
The annual meeting OF the Virginia So
clety Of the Sons will be held I'm this
city on May 18th, and Mr.. Roosevelt Page
will deliver the address. After the meet
| ing there will be a banquet.