James Philips

Photo by Alan L Brown - March 27, 2006

Plaque Location

The County of Leeds and Grenville
The Township of Rideau Lakes
In Phillipsville on the west side of County Road 42 at street number 1606

Plaque Text

Born about 1800, Philips settled here in 1825 and soon opened a store and tavern. He became active in politics and, as a Reformer, rose to local prominence during the elections in Leeds between 1834 and 1836. These contests were marked by clashes between Ogle R. Gowan's Orangemen and the Reformers and by a level of violence and intimidation unsurpassed in Upper Canada's electoral history. Philips served on the Reformers' committee of Vigilance and Management and as Vice-President of the Johnstown District Reformers' Society. After the collapse of the Rebellion of 1837, Philips and other Reformers went to the United States. On November 11, 1838, he returned with an invading force and was killed on November 13 in the Battle of the Windmill near Prescott.