George Phillips (1593-1644)

Biography
Rev. George Phillips. Graduate of Gaius College, Cambridge (two degrees). Preached at Boxted, Essex, England (not Boxford). Came to New England in the Arbella in 1630. Was the first minister at Watertown MA, founded the Congregational Church there, and was "especially gifted and very peaceful in his place."

Phillips and his first wife had two children, Samuel & Elizabeth, both who were born in England. In July 1630, Phillips relocated to Watertown and continued in his ministerial role until his death 14 years later. He married a second time in 1632 to Elizabeth Bond Weldon. The couple had seven children: Zerobabel, Jonathan, Theophilus, Annabel, Ephraim, Obadiah and Abigail. (only) He died in Watertown in 1644.

Watertown Founders Monument
He is listed on Watertown Founders Monument, commemorating the first settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts. The town was first known as Saltonstall Plantation, one of the earliest of the Massachusetts Bay Colony settlements. Founded in early 1630 by a group of settlers led by Richard Saltonstall and George Phillips, it was officially incorporated that same year. The alternate spelling "Waterton" is seen in some early documents.

1st Marriage: Elizabeth Sergetant
First wife was (Unknown) Sergeant, daughter of Richard Sergeant. (Note some sources erroneously give her the first name of Elizabeth but according to Robert Charles Anderson her first name is not known. Arrived with him on the Arbella and died at Salem soon after arrival.

2nd Marriage: Elizabeth Bond
Second wife was Elizabeth (Unknown) Weldon, widow of Robert Weldon. Some give her maiden name as Bond but according to the Great Migration Project her maiden name is unknown.