Deacon Jason Phipps was at an early day an extensive landholder and farmer in Thompson parish, as also a justice of the peace, who exercised his prerogative with an inflexible hand. His son Jason, a soldier of the revolution, married Mary Healy, of Dudley, Mass., whose children were: Peyton
Randolph, Salem T., Jason, Polly, Hannah, Mary Ann, Rebecca and Persis. Mr. Phipps resided in Thompson, where he became the owner of much valuable land. His son, Captain Peyton Randolph, was born July 29th, 1789, in the same town, and spent his life as a farmer. He also bore an active part in the militia, of which he was captain, and served in the war of 1812, for which his widow drew a pension. He was on the 26th of May, 1814, married to Clarissa, daughter of Edward Davis, of Dudley, Mass. Their children are eleven in number, as follows: Clarissa D., Benjamin F., Edward D., Lucretia H., Abigail D., William R., Albigence W. (deceased), Lydia R., Zeruiah, Albigence W., and Samuel H. On the 25th of October, 1831, Mr. Phipps was again married to Harriet Davis, sister to his first wife. His death occurred February 2d, 1843.
Benjamin F. Phipps was born January 30th, 1816, on the homestead farm which is his present residence. Here his whole life has been spent in the healthful pursuits connected with agriculture. His opportunities for education were confined to a brief period at the neighboring public school, and his time, until twenty-one, was given to his father, who in addition to his farm employments was engaged in teaming between that point and Providence. He was afterward for several years employed on the farm and elsewhere in the neighborhood, finally assuming the management of the property on behalf of the heirs, on the decease of his father.
Mr. Phipps by his industry and excellent care of the property thus afforded a home to the family, and finally purchased the farm. He has greatly improved the land, added new buildings from time to time, and made his home one of the most desirable in that portion of the town, his daily labor being connected with the farm and its productions. He has always been identified in politics with either the whig or republican party, and filled such local offices as selectman, assessor, surveyor, etc. He is often called upon to act as executor, trustee and appraiser, and to fill various offices of trust. He worships with the Union Congregation, of New Boston- though in his faith a Universalist. Mr. Phipps on the 20th of March, 1849, married Mary L., daughter of Charles and Emily Childs, of Woodstock. Their children are two sons, Charles P. and George F., and a daughter, Mary E., who died in childhood. Charles P., who resides in Southbridge, Mass., married Sarah King of Thompson, and has one child, Maud Gladys.