Philip Fine (abt. 1751 - 1825)

Born about 1751 in Norfolk, Virginia

Ancestors

Died 21 Mar 1825 at about age 74 in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Philip was born about 1751 in Norfolk, Virginia. He was the son of Thomas Fine and Agnes Merchant.

"The first American settler in St. Louis was, says Billion, Philip Fine, a Virginian; born in 1751. He was married twice, first to Mary Gaignon and second to Celeste Boly. Fine died in 1824 at Fine's Ferry, which he established and ran across the Meramec River at its mouth, at a place now called The Point, and which was also designated as Fine's Town and Fine's Ferry. Mr. Fine left a widow and nine children, the latter named Melsor, Joseph, Viza, Benjamin, Joshua, Elizabeth, Charles, Elisha and Catherine. A number of Philip Fine's descendant's still live in and about St. Louis and the county. One that we know is Mrs. Elba Stillwell, who lives with her grown-up children in St. Louis." "Philip Fine located near the mouth of the Meramec River. David Fine owned a grant. Mr. and Mrs. David Fine, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Musick and Judge Joseph Sale organized the first Baptist church. It was called concord." ^[1]

"Settlers like Phillip Fine, of Irish parents from Virginia, arrived in St. Louis in 1781." ^[2] "Phillip Fine, son of Thomas Fine, was an Irish settler in Virginia arriving in St. Louis in 1781."^[2]

His marriage to Mary Newby Clebourne Gaignon took place in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri on November 25, 1782.

On September 4, 1794 he married Celeste Bolly in St. Louis, Missouri. ^[3]

He passed away March 21, 1825 in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri. Phillip was laid to rest Fine Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. ^[4]

Military Service

Philip Fine, served in Captain Tipton's Company. He served as a private in the 8th Virginia Regiment and was discharged on Dec 21, 1777.

Research Notes

The 10 children of Philip Fine and Sarah Celeste Boly Fine: Julie 1796-1812, Theresa Louisa "Viza" 1799-1826, Melsor 1801-1843, Joseph Melsor 1803-1837, Benjamin 1805-1849, Joshua 1808-1875, Elizabeth 1810- ??(after 1825), Elisha 1812-1852, Charles 1813-1836, Catherine 1816-??(after 1850). ^[4]

4 x great grandfather of Judy Holden Busse. Philip Fine (Phine) fought in the Revolutionary War 8th Virginia German Regiment with his brothers, Andrew (1749-1777) and Thomas (1750-1783). Philip is the 1st American to settle on the riverfront about 1782. Various publications recount that Philip Fine settled in 1781 on land near where the Meramec river empties into the Mississippi River. This would have been near today's town of Arnold. The Bolly's (Boly) lived at Carondelet a few miles north of there. He operated a ferry across the Meramec. He laid out a town site that for a long time was called Finestown. He bought and sold land in the City of St Louis. About 1792 he bought one of the finest houses in St Louis and sold it in about 1804. This house later was residence of Merriweather Lewis (Lewis and Clark Expedition). The house is discussed and pictured on an internet site. The house over looked the Mississippi a short walk today from Busch Stadium and close to the Old Cathedral church, and close to the base of the Arch. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Thomas, William Lyman. History of Saint Louis County, Missouri. United States, County Living Publications, 1911. pgs. 400, 401 & 404. [1]
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} O'Laughlin, Michael C.. Missouri Irish: The Original History of the Irish in Missouri. United States, Irish Genealogical Foundation, 2007, pgs. 24 &106 [2]
3. ↑ Ancestry.com. Missouri, U.S., Compiled Marriage Index, 1766-1983 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. Original data: Hunting For Bears, comp.. Missouri Marriages, 1766-1983. Missouri marriage information taken from county courthouse records. Many of these records were extracted from copies of the original records in microfilm, microfiche, or book format, located at the Family History Library.

   Name: Philip Fine

   Spouse: Celeste Bolly

   Marriage Date: 4 Sep 1794

   Location: St. Louis

   State: Missouri

4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/223001146/philip-fine: accessed 22 March 2023), memorial page for Philip Fine (1751–21 Mar 1825), Find A Grave: Memorial #223001146, citing Fine Cemetery, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Judy Holden Busse (contributor 50605536).

See also:

• Family Data Collection - Individual Records, Birth year: 1751; Birth city: Norfolk; Birth state: VA. Ancestry.com
• Lineage Book : NSDAR : Volume 145 : 1919. North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000. Ancestry.com
• St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., Marriage Index, 1804-1876. St. Louis Genealogical Society, comp. Ancestry.com Operations Inc.