Philip De La Mare was born 1823, in the village of Grouville, Island of Jersey, of the Channel Islands. His father and grandfather were contractors who built piers. Philip received a common school education and while in his youth learned the trade of blacksmith and mechanic. In 1847, Philip De La Mare's father contracted to build the Albert Pier on Jersey Island. Philip was associated with his father on the contract. In 1849, he heard a Mormon Elder preach the Gospel for the first time; he was convinced of the truthfulness of the message and was baptized. One month later Elder William C. Dunbar conferred upon Philip De La Mare the Melchizedek Priesthood.In the autumn of that year, Apostle John Taylor visited the Island of Jersey and obtained a generous gift of money from Philip De La Mare to assist in financing the translation of the Book of Mormon into the French language. He was also called as a missionary by Elder Taylor and went with him to France. During his mission, Philip De La Mare assisted John Taylor in an investigation of the sugar beet industry in that country. After investigation, they were convinced that this would be a feasible industry for Utah.