He eventually became Bromfield's business partner, and married his daughter Abigail in 1744.
He was active on committees established to organize opposition to unpopular British policies, including one to organize agreement and enforcement of a ban in the importation of goods from Britain subject to taxes imposed by the Townshend Acts.
He was on a committee headed by Samuel Adams and John Hancock to deal with the aftermath of the Boston Massacre in 1770.
He became interested in the project of an academy at Andover as outlined by his nephew Samuel Phillips.
[2] He succeeded his brother as president of the academy's board of trustees, but only served a few years before age and infirmity compelled his retirement.