Ben Phillips Place
Upshur County, Upshur County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Built in 1872 with square nails, broad ax hewn boards. Center for talk of politics and news. "A stranger never passed this home." Many marriages performed here by Ben F. Phillips (1845-1927), Church of Christ minister, student of politics, philosopher, Confederate veteran. He represented Upshur-Camp counties, 1890-94, in Texas Legislature. Married Mattie Fambrough (1856-1937) and had nine daughters. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, 1964
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Raised in 1872 of broad-axe-hewn boards and square nails, this home became a gathering place where, as the marker recalls, "a stranger never passed." Its builder, Ben F. Phillips—Confederate veteran, Church of Christ minister, and self-styled philosopher—performed many marriages here and represented Upshur and Camp counties in the Texas Legislature from 1890 to 1894. He and his wife Mattie raised nine daughters under its roof.
Why it matters
The home preserves the hospitality and civic life of a Reconstruction-era East Texas community and one of its most public-minded citizens.
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Related people
- · Ben F. Phillips
- · Mattie Fambrough Phillips
Themes & tags
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