1808 Birth:2333 Phillips Family Bible lists birth as "Jonathan M. Phillips was born January the 11th 1808." Birth place was given by his son Edward D. Phillips in the 1880415 census enumeration as "Atlantic Ocean" and in the 1910997 enumeration as "American citizen, born at sea."

1847 Marriage:2333 Phillips Family Bible lists marriage as "Jonathan M. Phillips & Rachel Jane Suydam were joined in marriage Nov. the 7th A.D. 1847." An IGI entry279 submitted on a patron sheet lists the marriage of Jonathan M. Phillips and Rudy Suydam in Burlington, New Jersey on 26 October 1847. It is possible, but not yet confirmed by this researcher, that a marriage license was issued on 26 October 1847 and the actual ceremony performed on 7 November 1847. This IGI reference is the only indication of a possible geographic location.