Erasmus James Philipps (23 April 1705 - 26 September 1760) was the second longest serving member on Nova Scotia Council (1730-1760) and the nephew of Nova Scotia Governor Richard Philipps. He was also a captain in the 40th Regiment of Foot. He was a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly from 1759 to 1760. On the retirement of Lt. Gov. Paul Mascarene, Major Philipps became commander of the forces at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia (1749-1760). He arranged the Cape Sable Campaign during the French and Indian War. He is the earliest known settler of Nova Scotia (c. 1721) who was buried in the Old Burying Ground (Halifax, Nova Scotia).