Transcription of the Phillips family history as written in the family Bible in the possession of John D. Phillips (1869-1962):

"In 1775 Tobias and Peggy Phillips lived in Virginia. Their son Robert left home and came to Tennessee where he married Abbie Gill Atkins, from there he came to Alabama in 1817, settled just across the river from where the Sumiton Water Works are now located and to this union was born five sons, Jake or Jefferson, Charles, George, Steven and Bruton. Also one daughter who moved to California in 1849 where she (Abbie Gill) died. The five sons lived and died within three miles of where their father first settled in Alabama. They are buried in the old Phillips Cemetery near the forks of Mulberry and Sipsey River. Jake was the father of seven sons and two daughters. Charles was the father of seven sons and two daughters. George was the father of five sons and five daughters. Steven was the father of two sons and two daughters. Bruton was the father of five sons and two daughters. Bruton Phillips like his brothers was a soldier in the Civil War of 1861, and on one occasion was condemned to be shot. Marched out in front of a firing squad when a messenger came running on horseback with a repreave from the governor which saved his life. Each one of the five brothers had a son named Jefferson, after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States. Jake Phillips it seems, was above the average man. He served as the Justice of the Peace for many, many years. Jake Phillips was for many years a member of the Masonic Order and at his death which was in May 1892, he was buried with Masonic honors. His father Robert Phillips was also a member of the Masonic Order and it was said he would walk from his home here in Walker County to old Huntsville, Alabama to be present at the opening of the Grand Lodge. He was, also, a Primitive Baptist minister and helped organize the first Primitive Baptist Church in North Alabama which was called Hopewell and was located near what is called Camel's Chapel."