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On February 23, 1822, the Governor of Massachusetts approved the act establishing the City of Boston. The charter incorporating the city was accepted by the town March 4, 1822. The city government was thereupon organized. When the new charter was drafted, it established the principal head of the city, to be named "Mayor." On May 1, 1822, John Phillips was chosen Boston's first mayor.John Phillips was one of the committee of twelve which reported favorably upon a charter to make the town of Boston a city. After the charter was adopted, an unsuccessful attempt was made to elect a mayor, but the factions could not choose between Josiah Quincy and Harrison Gray Otis. As it was felt that Phillips could unite the factions, he was asked to run. His almost unanimous election showed the wisdom of the nomination. He was inaugurated May 1, 1822, and ran the government along the lines of the new charter. Mr. Phillips was conservative, kind, and conciliatory. His administration which was marked by republican simplicity, enjoyed the confidence of all parties.He was the son of William and Margaret Phillips, and was born November 26, 1770, on the family estate which is now the area occupied by Jordan Marsh on Washington Street. For many years his widowed mother kept the place of his birth as a drygoods store.At the age of seven John Phillips entered Phillips Academy, Andover, founded by a relative. He went to Harvard and was graduated in 1784 as salutatory orator. After reading law with Judge Thomas Dawes, he was admitted to the bar. Upon the establishment of the Municipal Court, John Phillips was made prosecutor, and in 1809 he became judge of the Court of Common Pleas.As one of the delegates in 1820 to revise the constitution of the state, he exhibited much wisdom and rare humor. In 1812 he became a member of the corporation of Harvard College, and as such served until his death, May 29, 1823."His administration laid the foundation of the prosperity of our city deep and on right principles," his successor, Mayor Quincy, said. Mayor Otis said of him: "His aim was to allure, not to repel, to reconcile by gentle reforms, not to revolt by startling innovations." As a speaker he was clear, forcible, conciliatory, and convincing.He left at his death eight children, one of whom was Wendell Phillips, the great abolitionist orator.Taken from "Boston's 45 Mayors from John Phillips to Kevin H. White," City Record, Boston, 1979.