The Henry Phillips Papers, 1728-1738

In July 1728, Henry Phillips killed Benjamin Woodbridge in a duel on Boston Common. The 17 documents that make up the Phillips Papers span the years 1728-1738 and were likely assembled by Phillips' brother Gillam for his extended lawsuit in which he tried to become sole inheritor of Henry's estate. The papers fall into three groups: legal papers that relate to Henry Phillips' duel with Benjamin Woodbridge and Phillips' subsequent flight from Boston; an inventory of Henry Phillips' estate; and legal documents and letters from Gillam Phillips' unsuccessful litigation.