David Phips (sheriff)
David Phips | |
|---|---|
| Sheriff of Middlesex County | |
| In office 1764–1775 | |
| Preceded by | Richard Foster, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | James Prescott |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 25, 1724 Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 7, 1811 (aged 86) Bath, Somerset |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Greenleaf (m. 13 Sep 1753) |
| Children | 7 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | British America (1745–1782) |
| Rank | Colonel (Army) Captain (Naval) |
| Battles/wars | |
Colonel David Phips was an American-born military officer, politician and sheriff who served as the sheriff of Middlesex County, Massachusetts from 1764 to 1775. He is best known for his involvement during the Powder Alarm of 1775, where he was tasked by British General Thomas Gage, the military governor of Massachusetts, to retrieve the keys to a powderhouse from William Brattle.