Martin Wilson Philips

Background

He was born on June 17, 1806 in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, of Irish descent, though his father and grandfather were both born in Virginia.

Education

He is said to have graduated from the old South Carolina College at Columbia and in 1829 he graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania.

Career

After practising medicine for a short time with small success, he turned to farming and in 1836 purchased a tract of land in Hinds County, Mississippi, removing there with his wife and the family of William Montgomery. Philips' new home was a well-built log house of considerable pretensions, and to his plantation he gave the name of "Log Hall. "

He kept a diary of his farm operations from 1840 to 1863, which has been published under the title "Diary of a Mississippi Planter". In 1863 he was forced to flee from "Log Hall" before the invading army from the North. His plantation suffered greatly from the ravages of war and he never returned to it after the close of hostilities, settling at Magnolia, where he engaged in the nursery business.

In 1872 he was asked to take charge of the newly created department of agriculture in the University of Mississippi with the title of adjunct professor of agriculture and superintendent of the university farm. Although the agricultural department did not succeed, it was due to lack of support rather than to any lack of ability on Philips' part. After its abolition in 1875, he became proctor of the University, in which position he served with ability until 1880.

He died in Oxford, Mississippi, United States.

Philips was a prolific contributor to the farm press. Among the dozen or more journals most frequently were the American Farmer, Cultivator, American Agriculturist, Southern Cultivator, American Cotton Planter, and De Bow's Review. From 1843 to 1845 he was one of the editors of the South-Western Farmer, published at Raymond, Mississippi. After the death of Willis Gaylord of the Cultivator (Albany), he acted as editor until a successor was appointed. From 1867 to 1873 he edited Philips' Southern Farmer, published at Memphis. He was greatly interested in the cause of education and did much philanthropic work.

He served as treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist State Convention for twelve years, contributing liberally of his time and means to advance the educational and missionary enterprises of that body. He was one of the early members of the board of trustees of Mississippi College after it passed into the possession of the Mississippi Baptists. He died in 1889.

Achievements

• Martin Wilson Philips won fame as the "Sage of Log Hall", he took great pride in his plantation, making it one of the most attractive places in the state. In his orchards were to be found the most desirable varieties of fruits. He was also a successful cotton planter and a stockbreeder. A believer in good implements, he was largely instrumental in introducing into Mississippi many of an improved type and in having them exhibited at the Natchez fair. He was one of the founders of the oldest existing college for women in Mississippi, the Central Female Institute, now Hillman College at Clinton. No man in his day contributed more to the material and educational development of Mississippi.

Religion

He was a prominent member of the Baptist denomination.

Politics

In politics he was an uncompromising Democrat.

Personality

Honest, kind, generous, progressive, and scholarly, he was also somewhat irascible, impetuous, self-willed, and impatient.

Connections

In 1830 he married Mary Montgomery, daughter of William Montgomery. His first wife died in 1862 and he was later married in Columbia, South Carolina, to Rebecca Tillinghast Wade who survived him.

Spouse:

Rebecca Tillinghast Wade

Spouse:

Mary Montgomery