The Children of James and Temperance Collins

The Children of James and Temperance Collins

James and Temperance had 16 children together. James had Peter with an unknown wife. Due to the birth dates of James and Durram Collins, most researchers, assume that there was another woman involved. Hopefully one day someone will discover the truth. 

Since Peter is my direct line, I plan to devote an entire post to just him in the future. 

We know from land records and James' own testimony in 1832, that James left Isle of Wight Virginia and settled in present day Franklin County, North Carolina. Historians have speculated that the reason for this trend of immigration was the area in the eastern parts of Virginia was becoming crowed and the soil depleted from over farming. Whatever James' motivation was, he left Virginia and came to North Carolina. During this period of transition James served in the colonial militia and fought in the American Revolutionary War. 

While James was building his home and family in North Carolina, Third President, Thomas Jefferson made the Louisiana Purchase (1803) that doubled the size of the United States.  Louis and Clark was exploring the west. (1804).  The United States declared war on Britain, the War of 1812. Britain captured Washington and burned the White House and the Capitol. (Aug 1814).

Most of James' sons served in some capacity during the War of 1812. Maybe it was the war or other events in the United States, land bounties, the large number of siblings, or James' influence that caused James' children to set out for different parts of the country. Records indicate that they went to Georgia, Kentucky, Alabama, and Tennessee. Records also indicate they did not go alone, but with some of the Leonards from Franklin County. It is through these records we can tell their stories. There is information missing but hopefully we will learn more about their lives as more records are discovered.

Their first son DURRAM or Durham was born 25 Dec 1784. Durram made his life in Maury County, Tennessee. (Maury County would become Marshall County)  He married Polly Weaver and she passed away in 1814. In Durram’s pension file for the War of 1812, he states that he fought in the Indian Wars under Andrew Patterson, the General was Andrew Jackson.  He served 24 Sep 1813 – 24 Dec 1813. He was described as 5 ft 8 or 10 inches, light hair, gray eyes and light complexion.  In October of 1816 he married Rebecca Horton. His children were; James, John, Sally, Mary, Elizabeth, Susannah, Parralie, Rebecca and Martha. Durram passed away 20 Nov 1833. James Osborn became the guardian for the minor children. Although he lived in Tennessee his probate records are in Franklin County, North Carolina.

Durram was in Maury County Tennessee by 1820 when he appears on their state census.

Polly has passed away and Durram has remarried, in the household there are 3 males under the age of 10, 1 female under the age of 16 and 2 females between the ages of 16 and 26. Durram was 26-45.

Exploring the pages before and after Durram in the census, I did not see any of the other children of James. However in 1830; Durram, Holland, and Willis are listed on the same page. 

WILLIS was born 15 Feb 1786. Willis served in the 4^th Regiment (Rowland’s) North Carolina Militia during the war of 1812. He married Phebe Martin, a girl from Virginia.  They lived for a time in Georgia before settling in Marshall County, Tennessee. They had four children. (Thomas, Sarah, William, Temperance) Willis died 24 Nov 1854 and is believed to be buried on the Old Wheatley Farm in Marshall County, Tennessee.

Willis' daughter Sarah

Willis' daughter - Tempie

Willis' son - William

The following information is from:  Goodspeed Biographical Appendix- Marshall County 

The Goodspeed History of Maury, Williamson, Rutherford, Wilson, Bedford, Marshall Counties of Tennessee. The Goodspeeds History of Tennessee, 1886.

There may be errors in this passage; but I am sharing it as it was written. 

THOMAS COLLINS, farmer, of Marshall County, Tenn., and son of Willis and Phoebe (Martin) Collins, is one of nine children and was born in the State of Georgia July 27, 1818.  He was reared on a farm, and his early education was wholly and needlessly neglected.  He was married at an early age, being only nineteen when he and Sarah Childs were united in marriage.  Of the six children born to them only two are living:  W. P. and Fannie.  Since his marriage he has followed agricultural pursuits, and at one time was the owner of nearly 800 acres of land, the greater part of which he has given to his children.  In 1884 his wife died, and, after living with his children a year, he was married to Mrs. Nancy E. (Clark) Judia.  Previous to the war Mr. Collins was a Whig; since that time he has not cast a party vote.  He has been a resident of Marshall County some thirty years, and has the confidence and respect of all who know him.  Our subject’s father and mother were born in North Carolina and Virgina, respectively, and were married in Georgia.  The father was an overseer in the latter State, and came to Tennessee in 1826, where he became the possessor of nearly 1,000 acres of land.  He was a soldier under Jackson, and in politics was an old-line Whig.  He died in 1854.  The mother lived to be about eighty-four years of age.

Tom Collins

Tom and Sarah Collins

WILLIS P. COLLINS is the son of Thomas Collins (above written) and was raised on a farm in Giles County, Tenn., where he was born November 11, 1845.  He received a common school education and like his father choose the free and independent life of a farmer.  In 1866 he married Margaret Smith, who died in 1874, leaving four children.  In 1875 he married Hannah G. Beard and to them were born five children.  Mr. Collins and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.  His first wife belonged to the Christian Church.  After his first marriage Mr. Collins resided on a farm given him by his father until 1871 when he located on a farm of 257 acres where he now resides.  He is considered one of the skillful farmers of the county and is a man who commands the respect of all.

HOLLAND, son of James and Temperance was born 17 Oct 1788. Holland served as a private in Warner’s Company Tennessee as mounted militia.  He married Caty Edwards on 17 Mar 1818 in Logan Kentucky. Holland settled with his brothers in Marshall County, Tennessee. He passed away in 1845.

Come back tomorrow for more of the story......

Thanks for stopping by!

Pattie