His mother
was a woman of uncommon energy of mind as well as of ardent piety, and
early instilled into the heart of her son the principles of religion and
a love of learning and of his native land. She placed him, at the early
age of seven years, in the family of his kinsman, Lieut.-Gov. Samuel
Phillips of Andover, where he remained until he entered Harvard College
in 1784. In this excellent and pious family, and in the academy under
the charge of the learned Dr. Eliphalet Pearson, young Phillips acquired
the rudiments of a sound scholarship as well as that urbane and
conciliating manner which was so conducive to his success in subsequent
life.
Judge Phillips and his excellent wife took a lively interest in the
studies of their ward. They examined him from time to time, not only in
his catechism, which was then regularly taught, but also in respect of
his literary efforts and acquirements. They encouraged him to make
strenuous efforts to obtain a high rank as a scholar, speaker,
gentleman, and Christian. Their labors were not lost. On leaving
Andover, the youth was prepared to take an elevated stand in college,
which he maintained to the completion of his course, when the honor of
pronouncing the salutatory oration was conferred on him by the faculty.
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