Background
Phips was born probably on February 2, 1650/51 in a frontier settlement at Nequasset (present-day Woolwich, Maine), United States, of humble parents, James and Mary Phips.
Phips was born probably on February 2, 1650/51 in a frontier settlement at Nequasset (present-day Woolwich, Maine), United States, of humble parents, James and Mary Phips.
At an early age he was apprenticed to a ship's carpenter.
He practised his trade in Boston for many years. He became a contractor for building ships and, for a time at least, commanded a sailing vessel. Coming into contact with sea rovers who talked of treasure fishing and the fabulous wealth of sunken Spanish vessels, Phips determined to search for one of these ships reported to have sunk near the Bahamas. He succeeded in interesting Charles II, who equipped him with a vessel, H. M. S. Rose, and set forth on his quest in September 1683. This venture failed, but a second, backed by a company under the patronage of the Duke of Albemarle, was successful in finding a vessel off the coast of Hispaniola (Haiti) and raised a considerable treasure. For this achievement Phips was knighted in 1687.
With wealth and newly acquired social position Sir William returned to Boston to become provost marshal-general, a post which James II had granted him as a further reward, in the new dominion government under Sir Edmund Andros. Because he was ill received he hurried to England to complain, and there came into touch with Increase Mather, who was seeking governmental changes. After the Revolution of 1688 the two worked together for restoration of the old charter rule. Phips was again in Boston just after the overthrow of Andros, where he found himself in high favor with the Mather faction, which had come into control.
Early in 1690 he joined the Second, or North, Church (Congregational), thereby becoming a parishioner of the Mathers, and at the same time was made a freeman of the colony. He was immediately chosen to command the expedition which Massachusetts was raising against Nova Scotia and won a spectacular victory there by surprising the French and capturing Port Royal.
Upon his return to Boston, he found he had been elected magistrate in the provincial government of Massachusetts. Soon afterward he was chosen commander of another expedition against the French, this time consisting of forces sent by the northern colonies against Canada. Chagrined by the failure of this ill-starred expedition, he hastened to England to seek aid in another attempt. Decision at court on the matter was delayed until the king should determine whether to establish dominion or charter government in New England, since if dominion government were established, the new governor general would command the military forces in the war. Finally the king determined on a compromise. He agreed to grant a new charter, based largely on the old one, but reserving to himself the appointment of the governor. The king granted him the privilege to be the first governor of Massachusetts. The task of the new governor was not easy.
He arrived in the colony in May 1692, when the witchcraft delusion was at its height. After a period of bewilderment, he made a sudden decision and brought the persecution to an abrupt end.
As for his military policy, he failed to protect his frontiers and to send the aid which neighboring colonies desired. Although he petitioned the Lords of Trade for permission to conduct another campaign against Canada, he refused to cooperate in the expedition under Sir Francis Wheler against the French in America, claiming that his orders did not arrive in time. Probably his greatest mistake lay in crushing party opposition instead of attempting conciliation. He was disliked both by the advocates of the old charter régime and by those who favored dominion government. By using every means to keep these men out of the Council and House of Representatives, he was able to control the majority vote in the General Court, but he thereby gave them one more grievance about which to complain to England.
In 1694 he was ordered to England to answer a number of charges brought against him by his enemies. His sudden death in London before his case was concluded was doubtless the only thing which prevented his recall, for the evidence of maladministration was very strong against him.
Sir William Phips was the first royally appointed governor of the Province of Massachusetts. He led a successful military expedition against Port Royal, the capital of Acadia. He is perhaps best remembered for establishing, and later over-ruling and disbanding, the court associated with the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Phips also became famous in London and Boston for recovering a large treasure from a sunken Spanish galleon, a feat that earned him instant wealth and a knighthood. Phippsburg, Maine is named in his honor.
He favored legislation requiring universal taxation for support of the Congregational church, but his administration had to face the bitter opposition of those of other faiths who claimed liberty of conscience as their charter right. In commercial matters he stood for the old free-trade policy, thwarted the customs officials at every turn, connived at piracy, and neglected to reserve the king's share in condemnations.
A was a self-made man.
He married Mary (Spencer) Hull, the daughter of Capt. Roger Spencer and the propertied widow of John Hull. They adopted Spencer Bennett, the son of Mary's sister Rebecca, who formally took the Phips name in 1716.
