Philip Lessig was baptized at Hamilton Union Church as John Philip Lessig. The sponsors were Jacob Meixell and his wife, Catharina.

In 1850 Philip Lessig, age 22 and still single, was employed as a printer and was living in the home of George L. Slutter and his wife, Mary, in Hamilton Twp., Monroe Co., PA. (1850 census, microfilm roll #798, Monroe Co., PA, pg. 22, Hamilton Twp., house #285)

Five years later he married the widow, Sarah Shoener, at Christ Lutheran Church, Hamilton Square.

In 1860 Philip Lessig, age 31, was listed as an "Innkeeper" in Hamilton Twp., Monroe Co., PA, with his wife, Sarah Lessig age 40, and one daughter, Emma M. Lessig age 4. Philip owned real estate valued at $1,400 and personal property of $400. Also listed in their household were William Shoener age 14, and Thomas Shoener age 6, Sarah's children by her first marriage. (1860 census, microfilm roll #1142, Monroe Co., PA, Hamilton Twp., house #247)

Two years later, on 3 November 1862, Philip was drafted into the Union Army in Company H of the 176th Regiment. On 24 November 1862, only 21 days later, he died of disease contracted while in army training camp. His obituary appeared in the Easton newspaper "Argus". His body was returned to Monroe County for burial in Mt. Zion Cemetery in Hamilton Twp. There is no tombstone on his grave. He died intestate and Charles Miller served as executor. Records at the Monroe Co. courthouse show that Charles paid Jacob Slutter $12.00 for Philip's coffin and that, after creditors were paid, the estate was worth $48.00. Philip's property was sold on 22 April 1863 in a "vendue" sale. (Monroe County estate file #387 and orphans court file #461)

Documents in the Monroe County orphans court show that, on 13 Feb 1863, widow Sarah submitted a list of property that she retained. Also, on 29 May 1863 Sarah filed a petition for appointment of a guardian for their daughter, Emma Magdalena, who was under the age of 14. The court approved Joseph Fabel. On 7 August 1871 Joseph Fabel filed a request for court approval to sell a tract of land which had belonged to John Lessig and had been inherited by Emma Lessig, a grand-daughter. This document listed all of the heirs of John Lessig.

In 1870 Philip Lessig's widow, Sarah Lessig age 55, and their daughter, Emma Lessig age 14, were still living in Hamilton Twp. They owned real estate valued at $1,200 and had personal property of $210. Thomas Shoener, now aged 16, was still living in the household and was working on a farm. (1870 census, microfilm roll #1376, Monroe Co., PA, pg. 61B, Hamilton Twp., house #93, family #89)

Sarah and Emma attended church services at St. John's Church at Bartonsville up until October 1873. Sarah never remarried and died intestate two years later (Monroe Co. estate file #736). It is not known where she is buried.