William Morgan Phillips (1819 - 1910)

Born 9 Sep 1819 in Bermondsey, London, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Jane (Bowler) Phillips — married 1853 in New Zealand

Descendants

Died 16 Aug 1910 at age 90 in Tinakori, Wellington, New Zealand

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Terry Bowden [send private message] and Jaimie Lovell [send private message]

Biography

Birth
William Morgan Phillips was born in Bermondsey, London, England on 9 September 1819 to John and Mary Ann Phillips.

Christening
William Morgan Phillips was christened on 3 October 1819 at Bermondsey, London. ^[1]

Emigration
William Phillips, a carpenter aged 22, emigrated to New Zealand aboard the Olympus a Barque, 500 Tons, Captain: John Whyte Surgeon Superintendent: Dr. Henry Manning. She sailed from London June 16th 1842 and arrived in Nelson October 28th 1842.

Marriage
In February 1853 Jane Scott and William Phillips were married. ^[2]

Children

1. William James Phillips born 8 Jan 1854 reg. 1854/2838
2. Eliza Jane Phillips born 31 Jan 1856 reg. 1856/2454, died 1914
3. Samuel Phillips born 20 Dec 1857 reg. 1858/4907
4. Mary Ann Phillips "Polly" born 24 Oct 1859 reg. 1859/6545, died 28 August 1942, late of Bolton Street, Wellington, aged 83 ("third daughter"?)
5. Alice Phillips born 4 Dec1861 reg. 1862/8545, died 25 or 26 August 1944 Wellington (of 11 Bolton Street, Wellington).

Death
In August 1910 William Morgan Phillips passed away, aged 90 ^[3]

Obituary, William Morgan Phillips, 16 August 1910. ^[4]
A NONAGENARIAN'S DEATH.
MR. W. M. PHILLIPS.

Tinakori Road and the immediate vicinity holds for Wellington many old historic associations.

The passing away early this morning of Mr. William Morgan Phillips, at the age of nearly 91 years, removes another interesting link with the past. Mr. Phillips, who was for many years a resident of George Street (off Tinakori road), arrived on these shores some 61 years ago, by the ship Olympus — her second voyage. Born in England, the deceased, as a young man, worked for some time in the clerical department of the original Rothschild, the founder of Europe's great financial institution. When Mr. Phillips left England one of his brothers had, owing to a pulmonary complaint, found an early grave, and grave apprehensions were entertained for his own health. He came out to the colony to "rough it," however and soon developed a splendid physique that has stood him in. good stead until a few weeks ago, when he was overtaken by illness, which was ended by death this morning.

"Rough it" he did. A week's "hard graft" in those days (he used to relate) brought in anything from 10s upwards, and food, if not dear, was surprisingly scarce. Beef and mutton never came his way, American pork being a substitute which most settlers relied upon. Mr. Phillips first settled in Nelson, where he had his fair share of adventure, especially with the natives. He used to recall one occasion connected with a small brush with the natives, when the local "blue-coats" carried weapons of historical interest, being Tower muskets, which had left the makers' hands some 200 years previously. The muskets were described as a cheap lot, purchased at a low figure. Mr. Phillips's experience of the guns was that there was more risk attached to the butt-end of the weapons than to the muzzle, for a kick from one gun broke his collarbone.

Another Nelson experience involved the unpleasant sensation of being dragged down to the bottom of the harbour in the tow of a boat's anchor in which he had accidentally got himself entwined. He had the good fortune to cut himself loose — his mate in the excitement of the moment did not make any attempt to haul him up.

Later, Mr. Phillips took up his residence in Wellington, being subsequently a member of the old Provincial Council. On two occasions Mr. Phillips was instrumental in rescuing persons from drowning — in the vicinity (it is interesting to note) of where the Hotel Cecil now stands. At the time of the great earthquake, Mr. Phillips and his wife were living at the Hutt, and he had a vivid recollection of that occasion, on account of the change wrought in the depth of the river, which he was looking at when the shock came. In a few minutes the bed of the stream had been permanently raised some four feet.

Advertising, apparently, was gone in for largely even in the early days, for Mr. Phillips was first attracted to New Zealand on catching sight of posters placed in the streets of London, and proclaiming to all and sundry that New Zealand "was "the" country. He never afterwards regretted his choice of countries. Around about Wellington the deceased did a lot of contracting work, especially in the formation of some of our present day roads. At one time farming claimed his attention, while later on he became attached to the staff of the Government Printing Office, a position he retired from many years ago on superannuation.

Mr. Phillips was a keen horticulturist, and had the honour of being prominently associated with the original Horticultural Association of Wellington. The deceased was often referred to as "a grand old man," and one to whom old age was not an oppressive burden. Indeed, it is related that he enjoys the distinction of being the oldest person yet to negotiate the Day's Bay water-chute, an incident typical of his latter-day activity. He is survived by a family of five — two sons and three daughters. They comprise Mr. W. J. Phillips, a foreman at the Government Printing Office; Mr. S. Phillips, photographer, London, Mrs. Roberts, of Goldie's Brae ; and two Misses Phillips, of this city. There is also a number of grand and great-grandchildren.

The funeral will take place to-morrow.

Sources

• Unsourced family tree handed down to Jaimie Lovell.

1. ↑ Familysearch christening William Morgan Phillips

   William Morgan Phillips, England Births and Christenings

   Name William Morgan Phillips

   Gender Male

   Christening Date 03 Oct 1819

   Christening Date (Original) 03 OCT 1819

   Christening Place SAINT JOHN HORSELEYDOWNS, BERMONDSEY, LONDON, ENGLAND

   Birth Date 09 Sep 1819

   Father's Name John Phillips

   Mother's Name Mary Ann

2. ↑ NZBDM marriages 18/2/1853 1853/816 Jane Scott, William Phillips
3. ↑ NZBDM deaths 1910/5069 Phillips, William Morgan, 90Y
4. ↑ [http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19100816.2.103 A NONAGENARIAN'S DEATH., Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 40, 16 August 1910]