John Phillips married Mary Payne in 1838. They had four children (Mary Elizabeth, John, Alfred and Ellen).

Mary Elizabeth remembered:
"The farm offered numerous joyful occupations for children: swings and seesaws in the barn, a Shetland pony to ride, garden to work, but the attractions were at their height in hay time. These joys were shared by many others, the rides down to the hayfields in the empty carts being especially delightful to the young...

"JT's wife was a total abstainer. In Tottenham it was the practice to brew and serve beer to the haymakers (totalling nearly 100 men) but she arranged for coffee, a change that was warmly welcomed."

In 1861 they moved from the farm to a larger house on the High Road.