BIRTH: 1815, Bedford, Tennessee, United States
DEATH: 12 Mar 1875
Garrett Phillips, Sherriff of Bedford County
by Linda Shanklin Jackson
Garrett Phillips was born 14 April 1815, in Bedford County, Tenn. to Matthew and Malinda Blount Phillips . He married 3 Dec. 3, 1835 to Charlotte White, born June 1, 1816, to Joshua White and Mary P. Holt.
Garrett and Charlotte had the following children:
- Narcissa Phillips (July 11, 1838-May 1888), who married John Hart,
- William Thomas Phillips (April 28, 1840-Jan.21, 1852),
- Mary S. Phillips (Sept.7, 1842-Oct.21, 1869),
- Lou Vicie Phillips (April 1, 1845-June 22, 1917), who married Samuel Thomas Jennings,
- America Perry Phillips (Mar.18, 1848-July 17, 1913) who married James Holder Hart, S.
- Eliza Phillips ( Feb.27, 1821-April 29, 1859),
- Julia L. Phillips (Mar.15,1855-Jan. 16, 1876) who married Warner G. Rutledge.
Garrett appears to have been partners with his father Matthew in his several enterprises, including the cotton plantation, corn, straw, clover hay, and blacksmithing. He extended the "plantation" by buying more land from John utledge in District 6, and from William Phillips as well, this land connecting to that of Robert Jennings, A. Eakin, and Dr. J.A. Blakemore, on the Big road called the old Nashville road. He bought land from Gilbert Wynn bounded by C. McCuistions ...and to a stake in the center of Warner road. More was acquired from Wm. S. Jett, S.A. Bivins, and F.L. Knott. In 1846 he bought lot #3 of the Elbethel tract of School land. Garrett served in several capacities with the Elbethel Baptist Church and the conference, recording collections for several congregations, including missionary collections. As late as 1873 preachers were writing to him petitioning for payment or help.
In 1850, Garrett Phillips bought stock in the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad Company. In 1854 he was selling lumber to the stockholders of the Unionville Male Academy for their building. He
paid for his daughters to attend the Shelbyville Female Institute. Garrett subscribed to the Expositor in 1853 and bought stock in the Eagleville, Unionville, and Shelbyville Turnpike, and also held stock in the American Union Printing Office. In 1860, he was subscribing to the Nasville Patriot.
Garrett Phillips was perhaps even busier in public service than his father, Matthew.
By 1841 Garrett was serving as a court clerk. In 1849, Garrett was the Revenue Commissioner for those in the 6 district. Garrett was elected the Sherriff of Bedford County in March of 1860 and served during the civil war. His letter to the editor showed him to be a humble and patriotic citizen. He stated "having other friends seeking the same office I have been willing to withhold my name though at this time should the public expressions be in favor of (my) name as the proper man it is not my nature to refusse the calls of my fellow citizens any longer your most obedient Servant, G.Phillips." He received "the majority of 47 votes or all the votes polled in the Election."
In his duty as Sherriff, he was involved in many opportunities. He transported convicts from Shelbyville to the Nashville Jailor, appointed Joel H. Burdett to keep the Comon Jail of Bedford County in August of 1860, and handed down executions in the circuit court, and sent the election results for the President and Vice president in November 1860. He received the Jail fees, and had J.B. Stem, Jas. McKenzie, and A.C. Wood as deputies. He continued to hear cases and pass judgements taking careful notes in his enrolling and Execution Dockets. In 1964, he attended Chancery Court in Nashville, and was executor of the estate of Silas Bivins. He was petitioned to help a family get the release of their son as a prisoner of war in 1865, and according to one document was a Union man. He was appointed to be Judge of an Election in 1867. He retained a receipt for his two blacks "Jesse & Peter" blacksmiths to be used in the service of the U.S. Army shoeing horses for the 10.
In 1864, he was stocking a store, and made a note of it in his book, "G. Phillips and Co, commenced business 7 Jan. 1864.," and had dividends in the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad in 1869, at the time they closed their books. He was in business with his son-in-law, John Hart, according to correspondence, as a merchant. He maintained a Milk Book with lists of people who bought milk and vegetables. In some letters he was addressed as Col. Garrett Phillips. Garrett was paying dues to the Shelbyville Benevelent Lodge No. 122 F.and A.M. in 1868, and also invited to an Odd Fellows Ball at Thompson’s Hall Feb. of 1866, with the committee of arrangements being some of the leading gentlemen of the town at that time.
In 1874 he had a subscription to the Christian Index, and was forman of a grand jury in the Bedford County circuit court. Garrett Phillips died March 13, 1875. His wife Charlotte died Dec. 13, 1889.
They are buried in a walled family cemetery on Jennings Lane in Shelbyville.
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