Milberry Phillips found love later in life. It took moving from St Clair County, Alabama to Warren County, Tennessee, but she found it! Born in St Clair County, Alabama to William and Sarah, she traveled with her sisters and mother to Warren County, Tennessee. She married Enoch Safely, but did not have any children. She is buried in Smyrna, Tennessee with her family.
1840 US Census
Milberry is noted in the 1840 Census as a mark in the Females 5 to 10 years old. She is living with her parents William and Sarah, in St. Clair County, Alabama.
1850 US Federal Census
In 1850, Milberry is living at home with her sisters and parents. She is the youngest child, listed as 16 years old and not being married or attending school within the last year.
1860 US Federal Census
in 1860, Milberry is living at home with her parents William and Sarah, and her sisters Charity an Elizabeth. She is noted as a housekeeper and not having married in the past year, nor attended school
The Move to Tennessee – the 1870 US Census
in 1870, Milberry, Charity and Elizabeth moved with their mother to Warren County, Tennessee. Milberry is called Milly, she is 39, but listed as 36. She is noted as Keeping House, and has $3 in personal property.
1873 – Marriage to Enoch Safely
According to the Tennessee Marriage Records, Warren County, Tennessee, Enoch Safeley and Milberry Philips married. They solemnized the marriage on 18 December, 1873 and got the license the next day. Enoch Safely and WB Christian provide the bond, with John Rohume (?) attests.
1880 Census
In 1880, Enoch and Milberry are living next door to Milberry’s Mom and sisters. Milberry is noted as 32 years old, about a decade younger than reality. But her husband is 28, so I imagine they were just trying to not make it appear like too large an age gap!
1900 Census
The 1890 census being mostly lost, the next record available is the 1900 US Federal Census. Only Milberry is left, the rest have died. She is listed as a wife and birth month and year as August 1843. She can read and write, and she is now 56, her husband is 50. The reality is she is born in 1834.
1910 Census
The final record of Milberry is in 1910. She is still living with Enoch, and has a servant living with them. She has had no children, but could read and write. Interestingly, she has m2 for her marriage or single question, which would mean this is her second marriage! Further research should look for this marriage record.
NorthEast Alabama Families 
Hello, I have been searching my Phillips line to identify the parents of my 2nd great grandmother Sarah Phillips. She was born in 1812 in Tennessee and died in Sharp County, Arkansas around 1890. One thing written down on a piece of paper stated her father was “Phillips” and her mother Sarah Haze. I have read your bio here and I have all of these people in my tree on Ancestry. I believe William Phillips and Sarah Hays/Haze are her parents.
As you know, William was in St Clair County, Alabama in 1830. Sarah would have been about 18. She marries my 2nd great grandfather Walter W. Ellis in Feb 1835 in St. Clair County.
In that 1830 census for William Phillips in St Clair County Alabama, I think that she is listed as that female age 15-19.
Do you have a tree on Ancestry? DNA through there? My tree is called “Troutman Working Tree” –
Look forward to your thoughts.
Karisa Ellis Troutman
Hey Karisa! I do have a tree on Ancestry with DNA, plus a ftdna account with my dad’s DNA. i’m looking for your tree as we speak – I’d love for your grandmother to be one of the early children of William and Sarah – I have about 2 or 3 children that I just assumed never made it to adulthood.
I have not put down a maiden name for Sarah yet – I have tracked them down to Warren County, TN where I have found a Hays in the area, but nothing definitive!
My family tree is called “My new family tree”
wow!! 48The Life and Times of William (1787 – ?) and Sarah Phillips (1788 – 1877)