These documents were gathered from various websites. I have tried to cite both original sources and the sites where I found them, but unfortunately I have lost some references. If the publishers of the documents not cited will contact me, I will be glad to add them.
1. Only known reference supporting the idea that Jacob Collins’ wife Mary is a Martin.
Civil Lawsuit filed in Cleveland County,
North Carolina on 18 August 1859. The lawsuit pairs Elizabeth Roberts (wife of Thomas Roberts) against Morris Roberts and his heirs. This is what a Mrs. McSwain wrote:
“According to Equity Case Elizabeth Roberts of Cleveland County,
NC. filed a claim to exclude 50 acres of property from her husband?s estate at his death. Elizabeth stated that her father, Jacob Collins, died May 1, 1795. Jacob?s heirs were Jacob Collins and his wife, Jane; William Collins and his wife,
Ann; Mary and her husband, Young J. Hardin; and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Roberts. When they had deeds made, they got their uncles, Thomas Martin and Wm. Martin and Neighbor, Captain Abednego Adams to divide and lay off land of Jacob Collins.
The group of Collins children, their spouses, William Martin, Thomas Martin, and Abednego Adams worked all day and into the night. William Martin wrote the deeds to each piece of property and dated them September 16, 1809. At that time, Elizabeth
disputed her land being deeded to her husband, Thomas Roberts who was a widower with children from his first marriage. At Thomas Roberts? death, Elizabeth filed the above claim to remove her inheritance from her husband?s inventory. The date of
the depositions in this case was August 10, 1859. Elizabeth stated that she married Thomas Roberts, a widower with children, September 1, 1800."
2. Evidence Jacob Collins was a captain in the
Revolutionary War.
Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements
Pension application of James Gilmore W4680
Easter
fn68NC
Transcribed by Will Graves
8/11/08
State of Georgia,
Hall County
On the third day of September 1832 Personally Appeared in open court before Thomas S. Tate,
Joseph Dunagan and Ezekiel Buffington Judges of the Inferior Court of said County now sitting as a court of ordinary –
James Gilmore of Hall County and State of Georgia aged 71 years – and eight months, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed
June 7
th 1832.
That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers – Captain Robert Alexander and Lieutenant Charles Mattox Ensign Perrey Green Magnus, and marched to Mecklenburg town and there
joined Head Quarters under the Command of General Rutherford and Colonel Lock [sic, Locke] Commanded the Regiment to which I was attached the month I cannot recollect but to the best of my knowledge it was in the latter part of the year
1778 or 1779 – That I resided in Lincoln County North Carolina when he entered the service that he was drafted into the service that he was not in any general engagement during that Tour of six months from head Quarters we marched to
Purrysburg and stayed there some thing like three months in the State of South Carolina and at the Ten Mile house we joined the General Lincoln previous to our March to Purrysburg from thence we marched up to the Two Sisters Ferry – on
Savener River [sic, Savannah River] in South Carolina as it is required that I should state some of the Regular officers I was not acquainted with none of the field officers as I recollect at this time I was personally acquainted with one of the
Lieutenants of the regular Army, whose name was William Adare [sic, Adair?]. From the Sisters Ferry we marched to Briar Creek to reinforce General Nash [sic, John Ashe] but before we reached that place, we met them in their retreat from thence we
retreated back to headquarters at the Sisters Ferry – from thence we marched to Turkey Hill and there we remained until we received our discharges and there I received my discharge for my Tour of duty of six months Signed by
Captain William McKenzey and the Discharge I have lost or mislaid it so that I am unable to procure it, and do not now [sic, know] of any person at this time that I am able to prove the Service by – I then returned hoam [sic, home] to
Lincoln County North Carolina I then substituted in one William Smith's place for one Tour of duty and entered the service under the command of Captain Jacob Collins – and from said County we marched to Charleston under the command of
the following field officers – Viz. -- Major Harris Colonel Arrington we was then placed under the command of General Lincoln I served that Tour as first Sergeant of the Company – and we was there taken prisoner and received a
parole for further particulars reference to the roll will more fully show as the dates – &c. Then returned home to Lincoln County North Carolina I then was drafted and served two Tours of Duty in the Army for which I have the
discharges here to show for further particulars reference to the Discharge will more fully show.
I then returned home to Lincoln County North Carolina and remained there until the month of July 1783. I then entered the service under
Captain Major Parsons – as a Ranger against the Indians and Tories – and I remained in that situation –something like six months we was then called to the aid of Colonel Kilgore to go out and burn and destroy the Indians
Towns – we then had an attack by the Indians at a Town called Stocker Town from thence we returned to guard Colley's Station, on the head of Pacolet River I believe in South Carolina – And I was called out a great many times on
scouting parties – that I cannot recollect – against the Indians and Tories.
S/ Ez Buffington, JIC
S/ James Gilmor
He hereby Relinquishes every Claim what ever to a pension or annuity except the present, and
declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of the Agency of any State in the United States.
Page 2
Sworn to and Subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
S/ Ez Buffington, JIC
S/ James Gilmore
[Josiah Roberts, a
clergyman, and David H. McCleskey gave the standard supporting affidavit.]
To the First Interrogatories the applicant answers
1st
I was borned in the year 1760
To the Second, he answers --
I have now [sic, no?]
record of my age in my Father told me the last time ever saw him that I
was Born'd in the month of January in the year 1760.
To the Third, he answers --
I was living in North Carolina Lincoln County and from there I moved to
the State of South Carolina and from there I moved to the State of Georgia where I have lived in Hall County in said State
To the fourth he answers --
I was drafted first for one Tour of six months the Second Tour I dun [sic, done]
I Substituted for one Tour of six months in the place of William Smith and the 3 and 4 Tour I was drafted and the 5 Tour of duty I volunteered and the balance of duty always – volunteered my services – when necessity required
it
To the Fifth, he answers --
I do not recollect none of the Regular officers – at this time except one Lieutenant by the name of William Adare I do not recollect any of the number of Regiments of the Continental or
Militia Regiments: in my General Circumstances while I were in the Army – was marching from place to place and some time one thing and then another 6th for the first Tour of duty I received a discharge from Captain McKinzey and
I have lost it. I have the discharge for a tour which is here annexed and my parole. Sworn to before us the day and date.
S/ Ez Buffington, JIC
S/ Thomas S. Tate, JIC
S/ Joseph Dunagan, JIC
[On March 23, 1844 in
Hall County, Ga., Easter Gilmore, 83, filed for a widow's pension stating that she is the widow of James Gilmore, a US pensioner at the rate of $48.77 per annum; that she married said Gilmore in may 17 83 in York District South Carolina;
that they were married by a justice of the peace; that James Gilmore died April 15, 1841 in Hall County, Georgia.]
August 11, 1782
This is to Seritfy [sic] that James Gilmore Hath faithfully served in Behalf of His
Country 2 Towers Given under my Hand
S/ Wm Moore, Capt.
[fn p.26 printed form parole: fill-in in italics
I Do hereby acknowledge myself to be a Prisoner of War, upon my Parole, to his Excellency Sir Henry Clinton,
and that I am hereby engaged until I shall be exchanged, or otherwise released there from to remain at my plantation in the parish of __ [blank in original] in the County of Lincoln in the province of North Carolina and that I
shall not in the mean Time do, [text obliterated by an ink blot] any Thing to be done, prejudicial to the Success of His Majesty's Arms, or have Intercourse or hold Correspondence with his Enemies; and that upon a Summons from his
Excellency, or other Person having Authority thereto, that I shall Surrender myself to him or them at such Time and Place as I shall hereafter be required. Witness my hand this 19
th day of May 1780
S/ James Gilmore
Page 3
Witness: I do hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the paroled this day sign.
S/ Maj. Stuart
Comm Pri
rs
Jno Hamilton
http://www.southerncampaign.org/pen/w4680.pdf
3. Additional evidence Jacob Collins was a captain in the Revolutionary War.
North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal -- Revolutionary War Papers, compiled by Ransom McBride.
Lincoln County, North Carolina
Collans, Jacob. Request of Capt. Jacob Collans for payment to the men of his company at the surrender of Charleston in 1780, dated 14 Oct. 1786.
"Gentlemen Comitionars
please to Grant the Clames of the within List Seporat as it will be mutch convenianter for me and the within Named Soldiers and you will mutch oblidg your friend and Hum'l Serv't. Signed, Jacob Collans
A just and true list
of Capt. Collans es Company at the Sorender of Charlestown is as folows --
Jacob Collans -- Capt.
Joseph Beatey --- Lieut.
James Gilmore --- Sergant
David McMiken --- Sergant
William Cor___os --- Corpal.
The following are soldiers from Lincoln County,
Samuel Elison
Sacariah Sufield
Abner Warnock
George Reel
Frederick Balsdroff
Archibald Elison
James Robertson
Robert Berey
William _____
John McLean
George Rominger
James Dickson
Jonatha Thomas Givens
John Hopkins
The following are soldiers from Burke County,
Simon Pack
John Alon
Fradrick Fifinger
William Hainsworth
John Smith Hainsworth
Deposition of Capt Jacob Collans, dated 14 Oct 1786, "that the above named offisers and Soldiers was under his command at the Sorender of Charlestown in the year 1780 being Drafted
from North Carolina for a three months tower of Duety and That the were peroaled home and hath not been Returned by him or Received aney order from him to receive pay for the Same and that he himself Nor Aney of the above named offisers or
Soldiers his had aney Satisfaction to his knolieg.
Sworn before me ... John Carruth, JP Signed, Jacob Colans, Capt
On reverse: "Jacob Collins - Left home the 29th March 1780
Came home 26th May 1780"
From
Virtual Goshen:
http://virtualgoshen.blogspot.com/
4. Letter from M. D. Garrison to his niece Alice N. Collins.
Office of M. D. Garrison City Marshal, Siloam
Springs, Ark.
Siloam Springs, Benton Co., Ark.
Jan. the 13, 1882
Miss Alice N. Collins, Ever Dear Niece
It is with pleasure that I right you a few lines for the first time. This leaves us well at
presund hoping this may fine you well, Alice. I have riten to your pa and ma and never herd from them. so I though I would right to you and see if you would answer it. I would like to here from you as soon as you git this. and tell me
all about all the conection I you to beshure to right once anyhow, if no more. I rote to father some time ago but never herd from him yet.
I dont no why they dont right. I am shure if they new how I would like to here
from them they would shurely right. will alice I guess you ar married before now. if so I want you to send me his dogrytipe and dont you forget it.
tell me all about the entire conection, and where they are and what they are
doing.
I want to here from Millers children and tell me all the news about all.
So no more.
Yours truly
M. D. Garrison
[Note: Milton Dewey Garrison married
Dellenia or Dalimy Collins, daughter of Ransom and Rhoda Martin Collins, born 1849 in Georgia. They moved to Arkansas with the rest of the Ransom Collins family in late 1846. I don’t know the identity of Alice N. Collins. Since
Dellenia’s brothers Fielding Bell and Berry M. Collins died young (see the “Scared Corn-Ryo Murders”), they cannot be her "
pa and ma." Dellenia's brother Miller Collins is not known to have had a daughter named Alice, and the last line of the letter suggests that Alice may not be his child. The only other known male child of Ransom and Rhoda is James or
Jonas B. Collins, who died 12 January 1883 in Benton County, but I have no information on his children.]
5. Letter from Ransom and Rhoda Martin Collins to their son, Miller.
br />
Benton County, Arkansas Dec. the 1, 1867
Dear Son,
We write you a few lines to let you hear from us. We have stoped traveling at last. We declined the idea of going to Texas and stoped in this state,
We met a great meny people coming from Texas and they tell us it is very sickly there for the last two years, and their looks proved it. There is a great many coming in this county from Texas. They say there has been so much rain there
for the last two years is the cause of it being so sickly, although they say a mighty
good country. Mr. Registure went on to Texas. Capt. Allred was going to stop at Hot Springs in this state. We left them all at Little Rock,
Arkansas. We turned to the right and came on here. We came mighty out of our way. They call it nine hundred miles from here to there and I know we came over one thousand. We are all here in a house together. We have all rented a
place here although we can't get the house till New Years Day. Elick and William and John has to build a house, and also Dock. We think we will like this county very well. There is mighty good corn here and they say it is mighty
good wheat country, and it is a great fruit country. There is plenty of fruit here now. We ar all living with Raina chastain, all rented from him and we have got mighty good land. They say it has made forty bushel to the acre this
year and wem have got good spring water and plenty of it, and the prettiest running creek you ever saw and you may depend we haven't saw many of them since we left. The people say here is as healthy a place here as there is in the
world and their looks prove it. And the best of all they are all rebels and say what they please to anybody. When the people come in here they ask them if they are rebels or feds and if they say fed they can't rent land. We think
we have seen hard times but we don't know nothing about it to what they have here. They have nearly all been burned out and eat out. They say here they lived on weeds till wheat got so they could frail it out and then boil it and
eat and thought they was doing well, but they have all got plenty now. The people say here is the best place for mechanics in the world. They can get almost any price. I can't tell you much about the country now. When I look around
a little I can give you more satisfaction. We both stood the trip as well as could be expected. We all had very good luck to travel so far. We haven't been bothered but very little. Just before we got here I traded Butler off for a
mule. We swapped even. He stood the trip very well and I swapped my oxen for a mule. I have got two pretty good mules. We run pretty short of money before we got here, but not entirely out. We would all be satisfied if you all was
here. We are all wanting to hear from you. Write to me where the baby is and how it is getting along and also all the rest. Jum Turnell owed us eighty five cents, get it and buy something for they baby. Give our respects to S. B.
and tell her to kiss all the children for me. Some of us will write again next Sunday. We are all well. Say no more at this time.
Ransom & Rody Collins
Notes:
According to lost source:
Elick - Alexander Thomas, married Julia Ann Collins [the day of the shootings at Hinton Methodist Church].
William - William Monroe Dodgen, married Sarah Ross Collins.
John - John Calvin Dodgen, married
Martha Collins. Martha was a daughter of Wylie Harris Collins and Nancy Martin. John and Martha Dodgen came back to Georgia. John Calvin Dodgen and William M. Dodgen were brothers and Sarah Ross Collins and Martha Collins were
double first cousins. [If this information is correct, note that John Calvin Dodgen and Martha Collins married on 13 October 1866 in Bartow County, which indicates that the Collins family
traveled a distance of 1,000 miles by wagon in just over two months, averaging 14 or 15 miles a day non-stop, not an easy feat given the roads of the time
].
Dock - Milton Dewey Garrison married Delina Collins.
The Baby - Susan Belle Collins, daughter of Miller Collins and Delilah Ann Langford. She married Daniel F. Bradford.
S. B. - Susan Belle Langford, sister of Delilah Ann Langford, she lived with Miller after Delilah died at the birth of or shortly after the birth of Susan B. (born 18 May 1867) and after Miller was killed 25 July 1875,
she raised the children. She never married. [Note: According to one source, she was born18 May 1867, which, if true, means she is not the "baby." That could be her brother, William W. Collins, born 1866].
6. Letter from Thomas W. Collins, private, CSA, to S.A. Collins of Pickens County, Georgia, dated 19 June, 1864.
S.A. Collins
Camp of the 18 Regt near Richmond Va
June the 19th 1864 my dear coson I this morning Seat my Self to rite you a few lines which will inform you that I and J.A. is well and hav bin fighten ever Sense the 4 of May my compny has lost 6 men prisners (now)? Killed 5
wounded and myself Slitly not a nough to get a furlow I saw Dick Moss yesterday he told me to Direct my letters to Marble Works P O Pickens Co Ga I will rite one to mother and Send it in the Same envelope I want you to rite
if you get this imediately and let me hear from you all and what papa has done and whare he is if he is in the army or not and how the yankeys is treating you all I heard that they left Mr prichet and hutchison nothing atall
and Some others in the Same fix rite whether Miss Betty and the Miss Holts is Still at home and wat coson Jane is doing I received a letter from her to day it was riten in march She was Still at dalton rite Something about
all the folks Step is well John is wounded Ben Fuller is wounded Several others in the compny (Woods)? Fuller is Killed I was with Step yesterday morning I saw Marton he is well Tom was sent to the hospital a few days ago
Sick thoe not dangrous general Wofford is (?) get his grigaid (?) to come to that part of the cuntry to cut off the trains from chattanooga to acworth he says he will in Shour no train to run awn that line atall if he comes
I will come I have got a furlow and I will weight till no whether he comes or not if I cant get home I wil go to Aunt Betsys and Spend my furlow after a while So I will close for the present Rite Soon and oftain while you can
I remain your true coson until deth
T. W. Collins to L.P.A. Collins
Direct your letters to Richmond Va Co. E 18 Regt Ga Vo Woffords Brigaid Kershaws division first army corps
Give my best respects to Aunt Sally and family Granny and Granser and luck and all - Rite
Notes by Danny Collins & Ann Merritt:
1. S.A. Collins - probably Sarah, the wife of
Thomas Robert Collins, an uncle of T.W.'s. the letter is addressed to S.A. since she would have been the head of the household while T.R. was at war.
2. J.A. - Jacob A. Collins, T.W.'s brother also a
private in the same company.
3. Dick Moss - possibly an in-law from Pickens Co. Elvy Collins, the daughter of Willie Collins, married a Moss from Marble Works about 1858. [Also, two daughters of
Thomas Roberts Collins and Sallie Gladden married into the family of Gabriel, Sr., and Tabithia McFarland Moss, who are buried at the Hinton cemetery. See "
A summary of the data".]
4. Mr. Prichet (Pritchett) - probably of Pickens Co.
5. Hutchison (Hutcherson) - of Cherokee Co.
6. Miss Betty - unknown
7.
Miss Holts - unknown Ann Holt m. Jacob Roberts Collins (son of Thomas Roberts Collins)
8. Jane - the daughter of Samuel Collins of Pickens Co.
9. Step - probably Step Roberts, a cousin of T.W.
and J.A. He was a 2nd Sergeant in Co. I, 23rd Ga Regiment.
10. John - John Roberts, brother of Step. Records show he was wounded at Cold Harbor, Va. June 1, 1864.
11. (Woods)? Fuller - unknown Woody Fuller,
a cousin (descendant of Wm.'s sister, Elizabeth)
12. Ben Fuller - Records show a B.C. Fuller of Co. I, 23rd Ga Regt. wounded at Cold Harbor, Va. June 9, 1864
13. Marton - unknown Martin Collins ? He was a
5th Sgt. in Co. I, Cherokee Legion - Ransom Collins was put in same company [Wiley Harris Collins had a son named Martin].
14. General Wofford - Began the war as a Col. in
command of the 18th Ga Regt. Was a newspaper publisher and statesman before the war. He was from Cass Co., Ga.
15. Tom - unknown
16. Aunt Betsy - probably a relative in King's Mountain, N.C.
17. L.P.A. Collins - Believed to be Lincy Collins, daughter of Thomas Robert.
18. Aunt Sally - unknown at this time
19. Granny - Jane Hardin Collins, T.W.'s grandmother
20. Granser -
Jacob A. Collins, T.W.'s grandfather
This letter was written nine days after the battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia on June 9, 1864. In that battle, U.S. Grant lost 7,000 men in one day; most of them in the first
30 minutes.
7. Letter from Pinckney D. Patterson of Cleavland County, North Carolina to Thomas Roberts and Sarah A. Gladden Collins of Cherokee County, Georgia.
July the 22 1859 Cleaveland County N C
Dear uncal and ant this affords me the pleasure of drafting you a few lines hoping those few lines will find you in joyen the same blessing we are all well at present it is
very dry here we have not had a Seasen in too month thare is some sickness her I was at Thomas W Harmon we talked more a bout that cuntry thar than ever we did be fore we wold be glad to see the corn groing that I wold be glad
to see you all one time more on earth Lincy come over and go to the singing school to morrow with me that you will see all you cosens thar I have been worken away from home a long time but I am at home now when I am at home I
think of you all and of my travels thare if I was thar now on rocky mountain I wold looke abroad upon the world wher th wold be pleasure to me it wold be pleasure to me if I cold say haudy to you all a gin but Areha Grimes I wish
I cold go a hunting a gin with you and your brothers a gin on them mountains for I have not for giting you all O that I cold Cal back that time a gin when I wrote this I thot of what Lincy said to me when I left thar that morning
She said let this not be the las time you cum back I have not got very much to write I received your letter with much joy I have not got very much to write I must Com to a Close my pen is bad my hand is weak my mind is Cattern
somethen more at present onley remain your respection until death
Pinckney D Patterson
Transcribed
from a photo-copy provided by Freda Roberts, Oklahoma City, OK by Danny L. Collins, North Augusta, SC in 1990.
[Lincey or Lucy Pauline Collins was the daughter of
Thomas and Sarah.]
8. Letter from Davy Wisenaut and wife Jane, Cleaveland County, North Carolina, to Sarah A. and Jane H. Collins of Cherokee County, Georgia.
Pott's Creek Jan 21 1870
We are to day in receipt of your letter and was glad to hear from you that you was all well - and further it saved me from blistering you for not writing There is nothing new with us - or has
been since the death of Addie she was sick twelve days of Typhoid Feaver and Pneumonia combined The Feaver has een raging in this section from last spring until now but two new cases this winter within my knowledge we were bout
the edge of the disease mostly down about the mill and from there to the Randall settlement. Zack Earl & wife, A.R. Fergason wife & son Jack Gibbins, Lawson Starnes, one of Jacob Radall's sons - Dixon Randall's child is
about all the deaths from Feaver I can think of at present - (also John R. Logans wife) last Saturday morning Ransom R. Logans wife droped dead while at her work in the house I think just finished makeing up her bed - There has
been near a hundred cases of Typhoid feaver in the lower part of Cleaveland you may expect - it is your country after it gets older say twenty years from now or probably in less time - and the less physic the better. Keep the
bowels open moderatly, drink freely of black snake root tea, cold water on the head when the feaver is high and use spirits freely - when the patient is in collapsed Stages is about as good treatment as I can recommend as a
preventive use Whiskey - Garlic & Gum Feotida combined - As to ourselves Wightman and Jacob are going to School and are learning very fast or at least Wightman, as his Teacher gives him the praise in progress in Arithmatic
though that is proverbial - with the Whisnauts if they could make bread by figures they would never perish I would send Susan & Sally but it is too far, Marvin P. in our judgment is the brag baby east of the Rocky Mountains
( Oh fie says Uncle Roberts) really though he is good loking can walk has six teeth I have commenced building a new mill on the west side of the creek as the Old one has nearly give out it may be completed so far as I am interested
under the Sheriffs hammer. We had a remarkable dry summer last year and corn is scarce with us selling at $1.25 cts pre bushel wheat from $1.50 to $2.00 pre bushel - field hands can be had from $8 to $12 pr month Freedman has played
out - no manner account is the universal cry here they will perish here, for work they wont and steal they dare not do, for fear of the Ku Klux who have become a terror to evil doers in this country - Though we are cursed with high
Taxes and will be unil we can get a new hearing which will be at the next election in this state Then the carpet baggers will have to go under, or as yet I am a disenfranchised rebel in all of its different moods and tenses - the
railroad will be completed to Shelby this year. I supposed that will stimulate us some what, as to its going further I think it oubtful for the present and may be never completed to Rutherfordton
Several
Emigrants leave for Arkansas in a few days by Rail Road as that is said to be the cheapest mode of traveling for Emigrants going west of the Mississippi - the fare being reduced it being some ten or twelve dollars to Memphis Tenn
Aunt Sallie insists on us moving to GA I dont think now that we ever will (probably stay here our days out) There is land though in Your section of country that is desireable though inconvienant in some respects.as to the health of
this country I think the epidemic has passed over us, this year will decide that matter
It seems my cousins are being fruitful multiplying and replenishing the earth can I hear any thing from cousin Lincey -
as for us we have hauled down our colors and will appear hereafter on the retired list
Marthas general health is somewhat better than it has been she wants to go to GA to see her friends. I supose I will come
with her - but we have not set the time yet when we will start not until after I finish the mill which will not be until next Fall I will give Jane the other side to write on Write soon Yours as Ever, Our love to all
D. Whisnant
Granser P. Harmon - Old George and Old Sallie Harmon have also died this fall.
Aunt Sallie
I will try to write you a few lines in Davys letter we are all
well at this time be fore Christmas we was all sick with the cold I had a spell of neuralgia in my head and ears we have all got a bout Strait now. well Aunt Sallie I am at a loss to know what to write as Davy has written a bout all
the news of the country I can say to you that I want to see you all vary bad we dont say anything about going west any more I beleave we will live here as long as we live through a nother summer is comeing and know one can tell what
it will brain I have got to beleave that there is no use in running from Sickness when your appointed time comes to die you have to go when you write again tell us how Aunt Beckey and Uncle Tom is getting a long Marty dont grow vary
fast but he is Stou except croup he has that vary bad some time tell cousin Lincy she wont write any thing about her baby what is the reason of that though maybe She has no babe I have wrote enough to say I have wrote and at last not
any thing worth attention so I will close Give all friends and relations my love after you receve a portion your Self Jim Polk and his wife has moved Falles Factory which belongs to N. A. Jackson
Jane H Collins Sarah A Collins
P.S. I see Mothers name has not been mentioned. she is in tolerable health complaining a good deal
of rheumatism but is up and about.
DW
[Sarah is
presumably "Aunt Sallie," wife of Thomas Roberts Collins. Jane H. Collis is his mother, wife of Jacob Archibald Collins, Jr.]
9. Organization of the Ball Creek Baptist Church,
Pickens County.
"Located in the northwestern portion of Pickens County on Georgia Highway 136, 0.4 miles from the Gilmer County line, Ball Creek Baptist Church stands where it was organized on August 5, 1857.
The eleven Charter members were constituted into a Baptist Church upon the Abstracts of Principles of the Elijah Association by a presbytery composed on Reverend R. Jordan, moderator, Brother James Underwood, clerk, and Brother
John S. Holden. The charter members were Brothers A.K. Trible, John Langley, William Dover, Elijah Carroll, and Sisters Maranda Allen, Elizabeth Dooley, Elizabeth Carroll, Delilia Collins, Jilley Underwood, Nancy Brackett
and Dina a black woman."
[Delilia (Delilah) Collins was Delilah A. Langford, wife of Miller Collins. The Rev. Robert Jordan was the father of Captain Benjamin F. Jordan, the notorious leader of the Pickens County Home Guards.
See the "Scared Corn-Ryo Murders"]
Source: The History of Pickens County by Luke E. Tate).
10. Evidence that William James Collins’s wife Mary A. is a daughter of William Crain.
Will of William Crain, Rutherford County, North Carolina, 15 February 1818
I,WILLIAM CRAIN,being sick and weak in body yet of perfect mind and memory. I give unto my wife Elizabeth Crain 150 acres of land, including my plantation and premises during her life, also all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep
and hogs for her use. At her decease my present plantation including the 150 acres to fall to my son Martin Crain. I give unto William James Collins 50 acres joining my present plantation. I give to my son Hiram Crain150 acres from a
300 acre survey in Pendleton District. SC. He may have a choice of the tracts, but not to separate the survey. I give unto James Crain's two daughters, Eunice and Susey, the other 150 acres of the survey to be divided between them.
100 acres of land lying in Spartenburgh District SC on Lawson's Fork to be sold and the money divided amongst John Crain, Polly Youngblood, William Crain, Sally Ledbetter, Delila Crain and James Crain. I appoint my wife
Elizabeth Crain and son Hiram Crain my executors.
Wit: John Lusk, James
X Ross, jurat.
Signed: Wm Crain.
Source: Rutherford County,NC Wills and Misc. Records-1783-1868, p 38. 15 Feb 1818. Recorded
Oct Court 1837.
http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/surnames/cra/CrainWill/8
[Note: In including William James Collins among his immediate heirs, it is assumed that he was
married to one of William Crain's daughters.]
11. Power of attorney.
July 18? 1859 Dulcina Martin of Pickens Co GA gave Ransom Collins pwr. atty. to travel to SC
to receive her distributive share, being the only heir of Berry Martin, late of York Dist. SC, deceased.
John W. Edwards, witness; C. M. McClure, Ordinary, Pickens Co GA
12. Deed
and survey records
1. Land Patent 27 December 1771, Tryon County, North Carolina; Alexander and wife Janet McIntire to James Collins Senior, 200 acres on both sides of Buffalo Creek. Witnesses: Robert McAfee,
Jacob Collins, William Green. Lincoln County was formed in 1779 from Tryon County. Tryon County was formed in 1768 from Mecklenburg
County and abolished in 1779 when it became Lincoln County
2. Land Patent 27
November 1794 Lincoln County, North Carolina; Alexander McIntire, 50 acres on Buffalo Creek. Borders: his own land, James Collins. Chainbears: David Allen, James Hawk.
3. Land Patent 1 December 1794 Rutherford County,
North Carolina; Alexander McEntire to James Collins, 100 acres on First Broad River.
4. In Jenny (Martin) Fagg?s book (Thomas Martin Sr.) p. 18, is a deed, 2 Oct. 1784 to Thomas 1 Martin from James McAfee and
William Green. The deed was witnessed by Jacob Collins and registered in Lincoln Co. NC. On page two the hand-written complaint filed in the 1859 court case, one Elizabeth Martin, widow of Josiah Martin, is named as a defendant.
This was Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of Thomas Roberts and his first wife, Eliza. She married Josiah Martin, son of William 3 Martin. Elizabeth Roberts Martin was the stepdaughter of Elizabeth Roberts, who filed the complaint. In
"Sandy Run Cemetery Records", Mooresboro, NC. by Hart, we find Elizabeth Roberts Martin born 1798 married 1819, died 9 Aug. 1872, and Josiah Martin, born 1798, died 1848.
5. "STATE of NORTH
CAROLINA Lincoln County - March 4, 1786 Surveyed for William Martin a tract of land lying on waters of Buffalo Creek. Beginning at a hickory & pine Jacob Collins old corner thence with said line South fifty deg West one
hundred & thirty two ___ to a red oak on said line thence South forty East Sixty ___ pine on said Collins other line thence with said line East two hundred & thirty ___ to a pine thence North one hundred &
thirty ___ to a red oak thence West one hundred & sixty two ___ to the beginning containing one hundred & sixty two acres. Chain Bearers: Abraham Collins. & Thomas Martin.. Signed: William Bowman ___.