Erasmus James Philipps

Who was Erasmus James Philipps?

Erasmus James Philipps was a soldier and political figure in Nova Scotia. He was a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1759 to 1760.

He was an ensign in the 40th Regiment of Foot stationed in Nova Scotia. In the spring of 1727, he went to Beaubassin under order from lieutenant governor Lawrence Armstrong to administer an oath of loyalty to Britain to the Acadians there; the Acadians refused to comply. In 1730, Philipps was named to Nova Scotia's Council. He became a Freemason while working on a commission to resolve boundaries in New England and, in 1739, became provincial grand master for Nova Scotia; Philipps founded the first Masonic lodge in Canada at Annapolis Royal. When war broke out between France and England in 1744, Philipps looked after providing accommodation and supplies for the troops in the Grand-Pré area. He returned to Annapolis Royal after the French attack. When the provincial legislature was reorganized in 1749, Philipps was named to the new Council. He was elected to the provincial assembly in 1759 but died in office of apoplexy in Halifax the following year at the age of 55.