Sir William Phips of Woolwich, Lincoln Co, Maine



Sprague's Journal of Maine History
No.  I
Vol.  VII
MAY JUNE JULY 1919
pages 3-19


Sir William Phips of Woolwich, Lincoln Co, Maine
By JOHN FRANCIS SPRAGUE

The title page of the work of Cotton Mather which is the foundation of 
very much of the early history of New England, is as follows:

MAGNALIA CHRISTI AMERICANA;
THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
OF
NEW ENGLAND,

From its first planting, in the year 1620, unto the year of our Lord 1698
IN SEVEN BOOKS
By the
REVEREND AND LEARNED COTTON MATHER, D.D.F.R.S.
And Pastor of the North Church in Boston, New England.

The first edition was published in London in the year I702, in a 
volume of seven hundred and eighty-eight pages.  In 1852 this 
was republished by Silas Andrus in Hartford, with a preface and 
"occasional notes by the Reverend Thomas Robbins, D. D." and 
again published by Silas Andrus & Son in 1853.  

It is a civil and ecclesiastical history of the earliest English settlements 
and plantations in New England, hence it is one of the original sources 
for all who desire to study men and events of importance in that period.  
The author has been accused of credulity and bigotry and such accusations 
cannot be well denied.

He was a fiery and brilliant product of the times in which he lived and wrought; 
a leader in the days of credulity and bigotry, and yet with all of his prejudices 
and conceit he was one of the founders of American literature.

The "Magnalia" is a curious blending of historical facts, the peculiar 
sectarian views of the Puritans, citations from the Bible and quotations 
from Greek, and Roman classics and from nearly all the great characters 
in ancient history.  Yet the authenticity of his historical data, when divested 
of religious exaggerations, has ever been and will doubtless always remain 
a standard authority.  It is almost wholly to this work that one must resort to 
learn of the life of one of Maine's most famous and worthy sons, for Cotton 
Mather was the only one of the early writers who wrote fully regarding him.  
He had at hand more facts pertaining to him than had anyone else for he 
and his father.  Increase Mather, were hi,;; contemporaries,
After devoting nearly five hundred words to citing examples of men of fame 
in the Roman Empire, and other parts of the world who had arisen to great 
heights from obscurity and small beginnings, the author introduces Sir 
William Phips in this manner:

For my reader now being satisfied that a person being obscure in his 
original is not always a just prejudice to an expectation of considerable 
matters from him, I shall now inform him that this our Phips was born 
February 2, A. D. 1650, at a despicable plantation oil the river Kennebec, 
and almost the furtherest village of the eastern settlements of New England.'

His birthplace is on a point of land in the southern part of the town of 
Woolwich near a little bay, called "P'hip's Bay" and was not in any sense a 
"despicable" place.

He was the son, of James Phips and one of the youngest of twenty-six 
children.  James came early to New England from Bristol, England.

Mather refers to the family in this wise:

His fruitful mother Yet living had no less than twenty-six children, 
whereof twenty-one were sons; but equivalent to them all was William, 
one the youngest whom his father dying left with his mother "keeping 
sheep in the wilderness' until he was eighteen years old.
During his boyhood days, struggling with his widowed mother for 
existence, he was employed much of the time by sheep raisers and 
writers have frequently alluded to him as "the Shepherd boy of Woolwich".'

But few facts are attainable regarding him as a youth except that he 
desired to learn the trade of ship building and when nineteen years of 
age he served an apprenticeship of three or four years with a ship 
carpenter, and became master of the trade. 

At the age of twenty-two lie removed to Boston where he worked in 
a ship yard for one year.
At his home on the coast of Maine he had no school privileges and 
did not learn to read and write until his first year in Boston, and 
Mather says:

-by a laudable deportment, be so recommended himself that he 
married a young gentlewoman of good repute, who, was the 
widow of one Mr. John Hall, a well-bred merchant, but the 
daughter of one Captain Roger Spencer, -a person of good 
fashion-.'

He acquired learning by his own efforts and became a 
student of what books were accessible in the town of Boston.

As his mental growth developed, his aspirations took a 
wider range and his ambition was to build a ship, own it 
and command it himself.

He would frequently tell the gentlewoman his wife that he 
should be the Captain of a King's ship; that he should come 
to have command of better men than he was now accounted 
himself; and that he should be owner of a fair brick house 
in the Green lane  of North Boston.'
Soon after his marriage he entered into what was probably 
a partnership with some Boston men to build a ship near his 
birthplace on the Maine coast, Mather saying that

-he indented with several persons in Boston to build them a 
ship at Sheepscot River, two or three leagues eastward of 
the Kennebec.

Ill fortune was his first experience in this enterprise, for 
when the vessel was completed and he was about to 
load her with lumber the Indians made a murderous 
assault upon the inhabitants, and to preserve their 
lives he took them on board and gave them a free 
passage to Boston.'

He was a doer as well as a dreamer and possessed 
a bold and adventuresome spirit.

After arriving at Boston with his load of refugees, 
he learned from some ship captains in that port of 
a Spanish wreck on the coast of the Bahamas, 
and that in it were many valuables and large 
quantities of gold and silver.

Boston friends had faith in him even if having mental 
reservations about the truth of this "sailor's yarn" that 
Phips had told them.  So, after some deliberation, he 
was financed to an extent sufficient to enable him to 
sail his ship to the Bahamas in search of buried treasures.  
His trip to the Bahamas, the explorations he made and the 
evidence that he found convinced him that if properly 
equipped he could rescue this property lost in the ocean 
depths.

Instead of returning to his home, he sailed directly to 
England and presented the matter to his government.  
His earnestness and intelligence, his apparent honesty, 
determination and persuasive qualities finally won at 
White Hall.  In the year 1683, he became captain of 
the King's ship, Algier Rose, a frigate of eighteen guns 
and ninety-five men.

This voyage, however, was not successful.  The crew 
mutinied once or twice imperiling his life, and after experiencing 
numerous hardships and dangers he again returned to England 
and was equipped with another ship.

He cast anchor all a reef of shoals a few leagues to the northward 
of Port de la Plata, upon Hispaniola, the supposed place of the 
lost wreck.  While the men were engaged in the work of exploration 
a sea feather attracted attention.  One of the Indian divers was 
ordered to investigate.  The diver reported that the wreckage 
and a number of great guns were in the waters beneath them.  
Then the real work of search for and recovery of treasures 
began.  It resulted in securing thirty-two tons of silver, much 
gold, pearls and jewels. 

Captain Phips' crew had been hired on seamen's per them 
wages.  They had evidently not been informed of the real 
purpose of the expedition and when suddenly apprised of 
it and viewing the enormous amount of wealth within their 
reach, their astonishment may easily be imagined, Neither 
is it surprising that a vicious impulse to become possessed 
of this marvelous prize possessed and overwhelmed them.


Mather says Phips
used all the obliging arts imaginable to make his men true 
unto him, especially by assuring them that besides their 
wages they should have ample requitals made unto them, 
which if the rest of his employers would not agree unto, he 
would himself distribute his own share among them

When he returned to En-land in 1687 he carried with him 
treasure to the value of 300,000 pounds sterling.  And yet 
when  he had accounted and turned over to his employers 
their share, he had dealt so generously in sharing with his 
men that only sixteen  thousand pounds belonged to him. 
He was the hero of the hour.  The Duke of Albemarle 
"made unto his wife, whom he never saw. the present of a 
golden cup. near a thousand pounds in value."

King James II,  in consideration of the skill, energy and 
enterprise displayed in this undertaking conferred on him 
the honor of knighthood.

Before he returned home he was made High Sheriff of New 
England.

He did not become a member of any church until March 23, 
1690, when he joined the North Congregational Church in 
Boston of which Cotton Mather was pastor.  During the 
remainder of his life he was active in its affairs.

On April 28, 1690 he was at the bead of a naval force sent 
out by  the Massachusetts Bay Colony to capture Port Royal.  
He arrived there May 11,  and in a few days thereafter the fort 
was surrendered to him and he took possession of Nova Scotia, 
then held by the French, for the English Crown and administered 
to the inhabitants an oath of allegiance  to King William and 
Queen Mary.  But it was the increasing power of Canada that 
the Colony was the most concerned about and desired to 
conquer.

Accordingly Phips --,vas again placed in command of a fleet 
to capture Quebec, and sailed from Boston August 9, 1690.

This enterprise was not successful,, but returned without 
serious loss of lives.

This failure was not entirely unexpected, as the colonists 
were not well prepared for it.  Later he commanded another 
and better equipped expedition to Quebec which also failed.

Under King Charles I the Pilgrims obtained a patent from the 
Virginia Company and (1620) sailed for the new world when 
adverse winds changed their course and they finally landed 
on Plymouth Rock, and then and there began the making of 
a new nation.

They obtained a patent (1621-22) from the Council for New 
England, partly at least through the influence of Sir Ferdinando 
Gorges who had already made great efforts in colonization on the 
coast of Maine.

Six years later they applied to the king for a royal charter which 
was obtained.
At first it was the intention of the government to retain possession  
of this charter, but later (1629) its custody was placed in the hands 
of the colonists.  There was some serious contention over this.  
The colonists contended that their charter made them a 
corporation on the place, while some eminent English jurists 
held that the whole, structure of the charter pre-supposed its 
residence to be in England.

To understand more fully the origin of the trouble which 
subsequently arose between the colony al-id the crown, it 
may be well to state that the Puritan leaders in America who 
were men of ability and intellectual power from the first 
contended that their charter created a corporation of, but 
not necessarily within England; that the powers of government 
which it granted were full and absolute, admitting of no appeal 
that they held this not by commission but by free donation; that 
they were not even subject to the laws of England, though by 
the terms of their charter they were to enact no contrary laws; 
that parliament could not interfere to countermand their orders 
and judgments, nor could it set over them a general governor 
without their consent; that, like Normandy, Gascoigne, Burgundy, 
Flanders, and the Hanse Towns of Germany, so were they 
"independent in respect of government;" yet a limited 
allegiance to the mother country was acknowledged, 
because their commonwealth was founded upon the 
state, held its lands by an English tenure, and 
depended upon England for protection, advice, and the 
"continuance of naturalization and free liegance of 
themselves and posterity.'

These views were more democratic than were acceptable to 
Charles I and Charles II, whose legal advisors looked upon 
the colony solely as a trading corporation subject to the 
narrow construction of the common law.  The position of the 
Puritan statesmen was, however, held valid and adopted by 
the Long Parliament.  But each starting with fundamental principles 
so divergent, it is not strange that they never harmonized.

The colonists were in considerable conflict with the home 
government from about 1635 until the revolution in England 
(1688) when William and Mary became its rulers.

Cromwell, while in sympathy with and disposed to concede- to 
them nearly everything that they claimed as their rights, was 
engaged in tempestuous affairs in England and had but little 
time to attend to colonial matters.

Their persecution and at times barbarous treatment of the Quakers. a
nd other intolerant acts, furnished the government with some round for 
its opposition to and unfair treatment of the Massachusetts and Plymouth 
colonies. compelling them to surrender their charters had bred much ill 
feeling and rebellion was already brewing when in 1680 Sir Edmund Andros 
was thrust upon them as governor by the king.

In 1663, Charles II had granted by patent to his brother the Duke of York, 
and afterwards King James II, certain territory and dominion in New England 
which included the colonies of Massachusetts, New Plymouth and the provinces 
of Maine and New Hampshire and the Narraganset country.  Andros had then 
acted as an agent for the Duke of York and had charge of his military forces 
in New York.
Their opinion of him was unfavorable if not prejudicial.  From first to last he 
was in trouble with the people whom he undertook to govern.  One of his first 
contentions was that the title to all of the lands, including those taken and 
occupied by the settlers or purchased from the Indians, was in the crown.  
His attempted enforcement of this doctrine was a prolific breeder of 
disturbance and turmoil and ended in revolution

The story of this rebellion need not be told here, but is of profound interest 
to one studying the progress of freedom in America.  Suffice it to say that on
the morning of April 18, in the year i689. the people of the town of Boston 
armed themselves and with great deliberation, arrested and imprisoned their 
governor and all the members of his council, his agents, officers and assistants.  
This was accomplished without firing a single shot, or the loss of a drop of blood.  
It was nothing less than a mob although a solemn and pious one.

After having overturned their government, they with equal deliberation prayerfully 
proceeded to set up a new one in its place, which was accomplished in a few 
days thereafter.

Soon after his second attempt to capture Quebec, Phips hastened to England 
to impress upon the king if possible, the importance of subduing Canada.  He 
believed it to be the greatest service that could be done for New England or 
for the crown of England, in America.  The king received him with much 
courtesy and was favorably disposed towards the project, Mather observing 
that "the king did give him liberty of access unto him, whenever he desired it. 
But this was in the fated year of 1688 and before Phips could conclude any 
arrangements with king James for this purpose, the people of his realm had 
arisen in their wrath,. dragged him from his throne and driven him across the 
English Channel into France.

At this time the Reverend Increase Mather was in England, having been sent 
there with other agents of the colonists for the purpose of seeking the full 
restoration of their early charter rights and privileges, of course thus far 
without avail.

As sent as William and Mary were enthroned and order restored, Mather 
procured the assistance of Phips in renewed efforts to effect a settlement 
of all colonial differences with the government.

King William differed somewhat with the New England representatives.  
Under his direction his attorneys drew a charter which virtually created a 
new province under the name of the Province of Massachusetts Bay.  
By its terms the territories of Massachusetts, Plymouth and Maine were 
united into one jurisdiction.  It provided for a governor, deputy governor 
and a secretary appointed by the king, and twenty-eight councillors 
chosen by the people.

At first Mather vigorously opposed this new charter, as it took from his 
people their former privilege of electing their own governor and contained 
other radical changes.

Sir Henry Ashurst was an Englishman of influence who had long been a 
loyal friend to the colonies.  Very soon after the king had submitted this 
document to the New England agents, he and Phips and most of the others 
interested decided that this charter was, -upon the whole, much more 
desirable for the people than were the old charters, al-id better adapted 
to the new conditions which had developed since their surrender  Mather 
was persuaded to agree to it. Undoubtedly one diplomatic act of the king 
in asking Mather to nominate officers for him to appoint under the new 
charter had a soothing effect and aided in bringing about the happy 
result.  Anyhow, it appears that he shortly afterwards assembled his 
associates then in London and organized a council-board who at 
once nominated Sir William Phips as their candidate for governor.

He lost no time in appearing before his majesty, having been introduced 
by the Earl of Nottingham.  His report and nominating speech to the king 
was as follows:

Sir : I do, in the behalf of New England, most humbly thank Your Majesty, 
in that you have been pleased by a Charter to restore English Liberties 
unto them, to confirm them in their properties, and to grant them some 
peculiar privileges.  I doubt not, but that your subjects there will demean 
themselves with that dutiful affection and loyalty to Your Majesty, as that 
you will see cause to enlarge your royal favours towards them.  And I do 
most humbly thank Your Majesty in that you have been pleased to give 
leave unto those that are concerned for New England to nominate
their Governour.

Sir William Phips has been accordingly nominated by us at the Council-Board.  
He hath done a good service for the crown, by enlarging your dominions, 
and deducing of Nova Scotia to your obedience.  I know that he will 
faithfully serve Your Majesty to the utmost of his capacity; and if your 
Majesty shall think fit to confirm him in that place, it will be a further 
obligation on your subjects there.'

Cotton Mather dilates upon this occurrence as follows:
	  
When Titus Flaminius had freed the poor Grecians from the bondage 
which had long oppressed them, and  the herald proclaimed among 
them the articles of their freedom, they cried out, "A saviour! a saviour!" 
with such loud acclamations, that the very birds fell down from heaven 
astonished at the cry.  Truly, when Mr. Mather brought with him unto the 
poor New Englanders, not only a charter, which though it, divers points 
waiting wanting what  both he and they had wished for, yet forever 
delivers them from oppression on their Christian and English liberties, 
or their ancient possessions, wherein ruining writs of intrusion had 
begun to invade them all, but also a GOVERNOUR who might call 
New England his own country, and who was above most men in it, 
full of affection to the interests of his country the sensible part of the 
people then caused the sense of the salvation's  thus brought them 
to reach as far as heaven itself.  The various little humors these 
working among the people, did not hinder the great and general 
court of the province to appoint a day of solemn THANKSGIVING 
to Almighty God, for "granting" (as the printed order expressed it) 
"a safe arrival to His Excellency our Governor, and the Reverend 
Mr. Increase Mather, who have industriously endeavored the service 
of this people, and have brought over with them a settlement of government, 
in which their Majesties have graciously given us distinguishing marks 
of their royal favor and goodness."' 

And as the obliged people thus gave thanks unto the God of heaven, 
so they sent an address of thanks unto their Majesties,  with other letters 
of thanks unto some chief ministers of state, for the favourable  aspect 
herein cast upon the province.'
		
It was to such a shattered colonial government, where turmoil and 
disturbance had for many years been paramount with the people, that 
Phips was appointed to rule over and direct its destinies.

The Province charter of 1692, was a far different instrument from the 
colonial charter of 1629.  The new governor was to reorganize what was 
almost a wreck.  Where envy and discord had abounded, be was to restore 
peace and good order.  He must do it with what was practically a new form 
of government that had been forced upon its inhabitants that. changed and 
in some important ways lessened their powers and radically readjusted the 
entire foundations
and objects of the body politic.

To add to all of his other perplexities, he found that by reason of the internal 
strife of the colonists they had neglected to protect the setters in the province 
of Maine from the ravages of the Indians, and were themselves involved in quite 
a lively warfare with their own savages.

He decided to immediately improve the situation in Maine, and Mather says:
Wherefore Governour Phips took the first opportunity  to raise an army, with 
which he traveled in person, unto the East-Country to find out and cut off the 
barbarous enemy, which had continued for near four years together making 
horrible havoc on the plantations that lay all along the northern frontiers of 
New England; and having pursued those worse than Scythtian
wolves till they could be no longer followed, he did with a very laudable skill, 
and unusual speed, and with less cost unto the crown than perhaps ever such 
a thing was done in the world erect a strong fort at Pemaquid.

Then he was also confronted with a new and unprecedented condition that was 
full of difficulties with no light of past experience to guide him. Following their 
own interpretation of the Bible, the theology of the Puritans had for centuries 
taught them that witchcraft did then, always had and always would exist in the 
world.  It was heresy to doubt it. To deny its truth would call down the wrath of 
God upon their heads.

And so when Phips became governor he found a part of the citizens  of his 
commonwealth solemnly engaged in hanging neighbors and friends for riding on 
broomsticks in the night time, being possessed of devils, and practicing "detestable 
conjurations with sieves, and keys and pease and nails and horseshoes."

Thus Sir William arrived, as stated by Hutchinson, at the beginning of as strange 
an infatuation as any people were ever obsessed of; a considerable number of 
innocent persons were sacrificed to the distempered imagination, or perhaps wicked 
hearts of such as pretended to be  bewitched."

His connection with the witchcraft situation has for two and a quarter centuries been 
both praised and condemned by students of New England history.

After the rebellious colonies had turned Andros' government upside down and erected 
what was known as a "provisional government" without any authority whatever, they 
had held courts as	formerly and had tried and convicted witches.  When Phips 
arrived upon the scene their prisons and jails were overcrowded with imprisoned men 
and women accused of witchcraft.  The new charter was then in force and it empowered 
the General Court to establish judicatories and courts of record; the judges to be appointed
 by the governor.  No meeting of the general court could be held for several months.  
The prisoners were demanding trial as their right.  An emergency existed.  Following 
English precedents the governor	issued a commission for a court of Oyer and 
Terminer and appointed  justices to try the witchcraft cases.

Phips had fallen in with Increase Mather in London where they had renewed their 
acquaintance and became close friends.  Mather had in a way made him governor, 
and together they had brought home a charter that the people had been struggling 
for many years.  Witchcraft was a part of their religious creed.  This belief among the 
people was waning but they knew with what intensity the Mathers  yet adhered to it.  
And the Mathers too were wily and astute politicians.  It was felt among many that the 
governor was influenced by them.  In the language of today Increase Mather was looked 
upon as the "boss" of a powerful political and theological machine, and Phips was 
suspected of being a part of it.

To add to the other unfortunate conditions, Phips hurriedly went to Maine which was a 
duty that he could not longer delay.  The distressed settlers along these coasts and 
bays were on the brink of utter ruin and extermination at the hands of the savages.  
This expedition saved these settlements, but while these were being saved, at home 
they were violently fighting Satan by trying, convicting and hanging men and  women 
for being children of the devil.  

He was absent three months and during the time much evil had been done.  These 
are briefly the grounds upon which those who have blamed Phips have rested their 
case.  While he was away the tide in public sentiment was turning against the 
pro-witchcrafters.  Leaders among Puritans who had long been jealous of the 
power that the Mathers wielded over the people, even though they have not 
have become sincere -converts to the progressive ideas regarding witchcraft, 
readily realized that it was at least "good politics" to join the liberals.

On the other hand, it is an historical fact that Governor Phips immediately upon 
his return suspended the court, freed the prisoners and pardoned all who were 
left alive and suspected of being possessed of devils.  This cannot be gainsaid.  
His critics only reply is that he was not sincere in his position.  It is now impossible 
for any but an infinite mind to determine what was in the hearts of a human being 
two hundred and twenty-seven years ago.  Hence we -are inclined to give good 
intentions the benefit of the doubt.  And after quite a careful study of what facts 
are now attainable we believe they sustain this view.

It is almost paradoxical to apply the words "liberal minded" to any of the forefathers 
of those days of darkness.  And yet there is much to be said in favor of Phips in 
this regard.  Cotton Mather speaks several times of his belief in "liberty of conscience" 
which was quite radical at that time, and other things which hint of a glimmer of light 
in this direction.  He was never popular with many of the Puritan leaders other than 
the Mathers, which fact may also be reckoned  in his favor as his friendship for them  
was apparently more upon personal than political or religious ties. 

The "Salem witchcraft" so called, is a picture disgraceful and  revolting when viewed 
from any angle whatsoever.  All of the grim Puritans, and they were many, can never 
efface the blackness of this inhuman and abhorrent affair from New England's page 
in history.  It is a woeful demonstration as to what depths of degradation and insane 
cruelty and unbridled adherence to religious lead the human mind into.

The Mathers were among the ablest exponents of the doctrine of witchcraft and 
defenders of the righteousness of punishing it by is, therefore, interesting to read 
Cotton Mather's historic account  of the proceedings of his friend Phips in ending 
these accursed doings.  When he arrives at this period in the life of Phips, he 
devotes several pages in attempting to establish the truth of
witchcraft.  He begins by saying:

Now, the arrival of Sir William Phips to the government of New  England was at a 
time when a governor would  have had occasion for all the skill that was ever 
necessary to a Jewish Counsellor; a time for people had newly fallen under a 
prodigious possession it was then generally thought had been by witchcrafts 
introduced.  It is to be confessed and bewailed, that many inhabitants of 
New England, and young people especially, had been led away with little 
sorceries,  wherein they "did secretly those things that were not right against 
the Lord their	 God."
   
Flashy people may  burlesque these things, but when hundreds of the most 
sober people in a country where they have as much mother-wit certainly as 
the rest of mankind, know them to be true, nothing but the absurd and forward 
spirit of Sadducism can question them.  I have not yet mentioned so g that 
Will not be justified, if it be required by the oaths rate persons than any that 
can ridicule these odd phenomena.

He seems intent upon finding some way to excuse and exonerate  the governor 
for doing the noblest act of his life.  And he finally seems compelled to say this. 
much:


Sir William Phip's now beheld such deamons hideously scattering fire about 
country, in the exasperation which the minds of men were on these sin unto; 
and therefore when he had well canvassed a cause, which might have puzzled 
the wisdom of the wisest men on earth to have , without any error in their 
administrations,  he thought, if it would be any error at all,  it would  certainly
 be the safe for him *** all future prosecutions as far as it lay in him to do it."

For the performance of this duty, the queen of England, as Mather says, wrote him 
"those gracious letters." She commended his conduct and thanked him for it in
 the name of humanity.

His administration of colonial affairs proved of great benefit to the struggling settlers 
on the coast of Maine whose sufferings and destitution had been overlooked and 
sadly neglected tinder the rule of Andros.

He fostered trade and industries among Maine people and especially encouraged 
shipping.  He has been called by writers the founder of American ship building.

He was full of energy and traveled into every portion of the colony to study the 
conditions of the people, to understand their needs and devise means for their 
relief and assistance.  Regardless of the opposition which he encountered. we 
believe that he stands out conspicuously in the annals of those times as a 
personage of high integrity, unblemished honor, lofty purposes and a constant 
desire to promote the welfare of the people.

All writers have generally  agreed that he was the first public man in New 
England to see clearly that a mere defensive policy against France and against 
their Indian allies was useless; that if England was to be properly defended she 
must be defended, n the Kennebec, but on the St. Lawrence.  Till that policy 
be carried out the best plan was to threaten the enemy and hold him in  check 
by a line of outposts In pursuance of this policy He established two forts, one 
at Pemaquid and one near the mouth Saco.

In a manuscript account of Pemaquid (supra) it is stated that "the principal fort 
was built by Sir William Phips, when Governor of Massachusetts; in 1692, 
accompanied Maj. Church, he proceeded with a force of 450 men to Pemaquid, 
and laid the foundations of this fort, which, in the language of an old writer, '
was the finest thing in these parts of America."

From that nine on the colonies were more and more assertive in their demands 
that the English government should better protect them from the French menace.  
This spirit springing from the patriotism and foresight of Sir William Phips grew with 
the recurring events until such patriots as Sir William Pepperell General Samuel 
Waldo and their compeers a half century later enforced its edicts at Louisburg 
and in the French wars.  And this was in spite of England's continuous diplomatic 
folly and an unpardonable lack of interest on their part in American affairs.  
In this way the spirit of nationalism and a desire for independence grew-the 
manifest indifference of England to the protection of -her colonies weakening 
the ties that bound them until its fruition was complete at Lexington and Bunker 
Hill.

Some writers have belittled him as rough, uncouth and irritable in his manners 
and intercourse with  men.  Two authors, John Gorham Palfrey and J.A. Doyle, 
M.A., and Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, have each produced valuable 
works on New England history, both the result of careful research.  The former 
says of him: "Sir William though rough enough at times, had powers of personal 
attraction." 

The latter observes that "the rough, hot-tempered, self-made seaman such 
predecessors as Winthrop, or even Bradstreet, what Andrew Jackson was 
to the younger Adams." "

That Phips could have served as governor in such stormy times as fell to his 
lot, without encountering opposition, is hardly conceivable  This came, we 
believe, largely from those envious of him and who were plotting and intriguing 
against him.

He interfered as it has been said, in  summary fashion with one Brenton, 
collector of customs at Boston.  This resulted in an altercation between 
them.  Doyle believes that "Phip's had influential enemies in England ready 
to make the most of his errors and his unpopularity." It finally resulted in a 
petition to the king to have him removed.  As soon as this occurred he went 
to, England and while making ready to appear before the king in answer to the 
charges, he was taken suddenly ill and died in London  Mather says he left 
Boston November 17, 1694, and died in London February 18, 1695.

Portraitures of his personal appearance have been drawn by numerous writers 
since he was the shepherd boy of Woolwich.  We apprehend, however, that 
all have been suggested by the description of Mather, his pastor and intimate friend.  
This is what he said:

Reader, 'tis time for us to view a little more to the life, the picture of the person, 
the actions of whose life we have hitherto been looking upon.  Know then, that 
for his exterior, he was one tall, beyond the common set of men and thick as well 
as tall, and strong as well as thick; he was, in all respects, exceedingly robust, 
and able to conqour such difficulties 'of diet and of travel, as would have killed 
most men alive; nor did the fat, whereinto he grew very much in his later years, 
take away the vigour of his motions.

He was well set, and he was therewithal of a very comely, though a very manly 
countenance; a countenance where any true skill in physiognomy would have 
read the character of a generous mind.  Wherefore passing to his interior, the 
very first thing which there offered itself unto observation, was a most 
incomparable generosity."

At the time of his death, the president of Harvard University delivered "a 
funeral oration" which Mather quotes as follows:

This province is beheaded, and lyes a bleeding.  A GOVERNOUR is taken 
away. who was a merciful man; Some think too merciful; and if so, 'tis best 
erring on that hand; and a righteous man; who, when be had great opportunities 
of gaining by injustice, did refuse to do so,
He was a known friend unto the best interests unto the Churches of God; not 
ashamed of owning them.  No: how often have I heard him expressing his desires 
to be an instrument of good unto them!  He was a zealous lover of his country, 
if any man in the world were so: lie exposed him self to serve it; he ventured his 
life to save it: in that a  true Nehemiah, a governour that "sought the welfare of 
his people."

He was one who did not seek to have the government cast upon him: no, but 
instead thereof, to my knowledge, be did several times petition the King that his 
people might always enjoy the 	'great privilege of chusing their own governour: 
And  I heard him express his desires that it might be so to several of the chief 
ministers of state in the Court of England
He is now dead, and not capable of being flattered; but this I must testify 
concerning him that though by the providence of God I have been with him 
at home and abroad, near at home and afar off, by land and by -,ca, T never 
saw him do any evil action, or heard him speak anything unbecoming a Christian.

The circumstances of his death seem to intimate the anger of God, in that he 
was 'in the midst of his days' removed; and I know (though few did) that he 
had great purposes in his heart, which probably would have taken effect, 
if he lived a few months longer, to the great advantage of this province; but 
now he is gone, there is not a man living in the world capacitated for those 
undertakings; New England knows not yet what they have lost!



Courtesy of Androscoggin Historical Society
<http://www.rootsweb.com/~meandrhs>

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