Source: Pioneers and Makers of Arkansas, by Josiah Hazen Shinn, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., 1908
Pg. 26
SYLVANUS PHILLIPS.
Phillips county carries this man's name and is his monument. Born in the United States, he was in early life attracted to the West and in 1797 built a log cabin near the mouth of the St. Francis river in Arkansas, and was, as he said, the only settler for miles around. His nearest neighbors were Antoine Tessier and Joseph De Plasse, who lived at the mouth of the Cache. Beyond their residences there were no other settlements in that direction. In 1798 he explored the Arkansas river for some distance above Arkansas Post, but found no settlement in that direction. In 1799 the commandant of the post, fearing an uprising of the natives, warned Phillips to remove to the post. He did so and remained there for many years, and was joined by J. B. Mooney and the Pattersons, all related by marriage, and who with him made extensive explorations for mineral and timber wealth. He gained in this way a great knowledge of the territory, a knowledge which Sam C. Roane, in later years, was enabled to use as an effective club in breaking up the gigantic land frauds which threatened to despoil the State of hundreds of thousands of acres of land.
Pg. 77
MARRIAGES IN ARKANSAS IN 1819 AND 182O.
……At Arkansas Post on December 30, Eli J. Lewis to Polly, daughter of Joseph Stilwell. Lewis was a hustler in business and politics, as will be shown hereafter in a sketch of his remarkable career, the one man for whom the phrase "Get there Eli" was coined, and what follows will show that he believed marriage to be a success. When he married Polly Stilwell he was a widower, his wife Sally having died on January 1, 1820. Polly died within four years, on April 21, 1824, when he made a third venture, marrying the belle of the Mississippi river, the daughter of Sylvanus Phillips at Helena, in August, 1825.
Pg. 120
……Sylvanus Phillips lived exactly at the mouth of the St. Francis in 1797, but died near Helena.
Pg. 122
THE FIRST ELECTION IN 1819.
……The upper house, called the Council, was composed of five grand old-timers, Sylvanus Phillips, Jacob Barkman, David Clark, Edward McDonald and John Mcllmurry. Richard Searcy of Davidsonville was clerk to the council and a fine young lawyer; J. Chamberlain was clerk to the house, and Sam C. Roane, engrossing and enrolling clerk.
Pg. 289
The earth holds more dead bodies than it numbers living souls. It is a mighty charnel house—a universal cemetery. The pioneers died and no mark remains to tell where they were buried. In this work we shall number some of the ancient deaths and mark their general resting place.
…….These all lie very probably in unmarked graves, over which the plow-share of progress has run so deep and often as to make their identity impossible.
…..Sylvanus Phillips died at Helena October 31, 1830, aged sixty-five. He was one of the oldest Arkansas pioneers, dating far back into the previous century.
