Mississippi Families

By Jeannette Holland Austin

Copyrigh 2006

 

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          Boyett. Reuben Boyett was born ca 1823 in Georgia, died10/1858 in cotton press accident (explosion) in Chambers Co., Alabama m. Louisa Amanda Heard 11/18/1849 Troup Co., Ga, listed 1850 Chambers Co., Alabama Census. Louisa married 2nd, James M. Pittman 1/28/1860 Hogansville, Troup Co., Georgia. She d. 7/1/1862 Hogansville, Georgia. of typhoid fever. Children: John Jasper born l853 Chambers Co., Alabama d. 1862 Troup Co., Georgia.; Ervin Newton, born 11/19/1854 Chambers Co., Alabama d. 3/22/1931 Houston, Chickasaw Co., Mississippi, buried Houston Cemetery; George Washington born 11/28/1856 Chambers Co., Alabama d. 5/2l/1945 at Moss Point, Mississippi, bur. St. Peters Cemetery, Section 2, Oxford, Mississippi; Reuben Charles born 10/30/1858 Chambers Co., Alabama, d. infancy. [1]

 

         

          Collins.  William Collins came to Virginia in 1635 at the age of 23 years, landing on May 15th in the ship “Plain Joan”, with Richard Beckam, Master.  “Having brought attestations at their confirmation to the orders and disciple of the Church of England.”  He settled on 561 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.  In 1691, he and Tim Corners had 620 acres in King and Queen County, Virginia (10 October 1691), where he was listed as a merchant.  His wife was Anna Wilds, the widow of Thomas Wilds.  The record shows that one, Ann Collins, widow, married (third marriage) Alex Murre or Merry.  Issue:

 

I.      John Collins married either Eleanor Oliver, daughter of John Oliver, or the daughter of Amy Wyatt.  Issue:

 

A.              Joseph Collins married Catherine Robinson or Robertson, indicated by land transfers from Robinson to Joseph.[2]  His LWT dated 3 May 1748 in King and Queen County, Virginia. [3]He resided in Essex County, Virginia 1718/1728 where his brother, William Collins, resided in 1751. Joseph and Catherine had at least four sons.  Issue:

 

1.                                              Captain Joseph Collins, born ca 1687, died 1757 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, married Susannah Lewis. Captain Joseph Collins, Gentleman, was commissioned to be a Lieutenant of a troop of horse under Captain Joseph Hawkins in the Virginia Colonial Militia.  He took the oath on 6 December 1713.[4]  Upon his oath dated 6 November 1750 he was commissioned to be Captain of a company of foot.  His LWT dated 1 March 1757 in Spotsylvania County, recorded in Will Book B, page 329. Susannah Collins, the wife of Joseph, died in 1757.[5]  Issue:[6]

 

a.                                                                John Collins married Ann Cook, the daughter of Thomas Cook.

b.                                                                James Collins married Elizabeth.[7]

c.                                                                 William Collins married Elizabeth Bashaw, the daughter of Peter and Mary Bashaw of Westmoreland County, Virginia. The marriage occurred before 1751 proven by dower, William Collins and wife, Elizabeth Bashaw Collins, sold 200 acres of land in Prince George Parish on 1 October 1751.  His LWT dated July 1791, probated 29 February 1792 in Camden District, South Carolina, planter, “of Liberty Hill”, Lancaster County.  Issue:

 

i.                                                                                                       Caty Collins married John Cayden.

ii.                                                                                                     Reuben Collins, Revolutionary War Soldier, was born ca 1760, died 6 October 1830 in Kershaw County, South Carolina.  Wife, Monica.  His war record is on file with the Historical Commission in Columbia, South Carolina.  After the war, he was Captain in the South Carolina Militia. [8]  Issue:[9] -name illegible, born 27 July 1783;  Elizabeth Collins, born 27 July 1783; Susanner Collins, born 16 December 178-; Jesse Collins, born 16 December 1790; 5-Lewis Collins, born 18 January 1793; Bartlet Collins, born 3 January 1795; Jonathan Collins, born 8 July 1797; Thomas Collins, born 22 June 1802.

iii.   Elizabeth Collins.

iv.     William Collins.

v.      Nancy Collins.

vi.     Bashaw Collins.

vii.     Thomas Collins.

viii.                                                                                              Sarah Collins.

 

d.                                                               Thomas Collins married Susannah Davis Bartlet, whose grandfather was Susanna Wyatt.  They removed from Virginia to Kershaw County, South Carolina.

e.                                                                 Lewis Collins, born ca 1723 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, removed to Granville County, North Carolina.[10] He married Elizabeth.  He died in Liberty Hill, South Carolina. His LWT was probated 1785 in Granville County. [11] The LWT of his wife, Elizabeth Collins, was probated on 10 April 1804 in Kershaw County, South Carolina.[12] Issue:[13]

i.                                                                                                                 Edward Collins, his estate was administered 19 October 1829 in Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi.  He married (1) Elizabeth Lee, the daughter of Robert Lee. The estate of Elizabeth Lee Collins was settled on 15 May 1811 in Amite County.[14] He married (2) Jane Terrell (born 10 January 1770 in North Carolina, died 1849 Liberty, Amite County, Mississippi), the daughter of Micajah Terrell and his wife, Hannah (Goodman) Terrell.  After the death of Edward Collins, she married Edward Howard. Issue:[15]

1-Wilie Collins, born ca 1772 in Lancaster County, South Carolina married Elizabeth Perry; 2-son, born ca 1774; 3-Lois Collins married John A. Martin.; 4-Elizabeth Collins married James Scott, Marriage Bond dated 31 March 1813; 5-Polly L. Collins married Cadesbey Gayden; 6-Frances Collins married 29 November 1818 Zachias Rembert; 7-Emily Collins, born 1787 in Lancaster County, South Carolina married 28 November 1809 Samuel Scott; 8-Diana Collins married 17 January 1810 Samuel Terrell.

ii.                                                                                                                Betsey Collins married William Robinson.

iii.                                                                                                             Lewis Collins.

iv.                                                                                                             Wiley Collins.

v.                                                                                                                Diannah Collins married (1) Lemuel Perry (2) Mr. Carter.

vi.                                                                                                             Lois Collins married 4 December 1782 George Gayden.

f.                                                                  Ann Collins married John Wisdom.

g.                                                                Mary Collins married John Brockland and removed to Granville County, North Carolina.

h.                                                                Tabitha Collins married (1) Henry Gatewood (2) John Holliday of North Carolina.

i.                                                                  Caty Collins married Mr. Glass.

j.                                                                   Drusilla Collins married William Cook, the son of Thomas Cook and removed to Kershaw County, South Carolina.

k.                                                                Susannah Collins married William Golson.

 

2.                                              William Collins of Essex County married Elizabeth Thomas.  His LWT dated 3 June 1751, probated 12 September 1752 in Spotsylvania County, St. George’s Parish, Spotsylvania County Will Book B (1749-59). Executors: Wife, Elizabeth, and brother, Joseph. Legacy went to wife, Elizabeth, his brother (Joseph Collins), Thomas Collins, Jr., William Collins, Richard Collins and Joyce Collins.  Benjamin Glaze’s guardian bond.  Joseph Collins was made guardian of Joyce Collins, the orphan of Thomas Collins, deceased on 2 April 1754; also made guardian of Thomas and William Collins.,  Issue:

a.                                                                Joyce Collins (not 21 in 1752).

b.                                                                Thomas Collins.

c.                                                                 Richard Collins.[16]

 

B.               John Collins.  Issue:

 

1.                                              Edmund Collins.

 

C.               Thomas Collins of King and Queen County, Virginia. His LWT dated 3 January 1748 mentioned his father, John Collins and his brothers, John and Joseph Collins; also his nephew, Edmund, the son of his brother, John Colliins.  Issue:

 

1.  George Collins.

 

                D.  William Collins of Essex County, Virginia. 

 

                Day. "David and Mary Johnson Day were both born in the State of Georgia. They married in Clarke County on 11/22/1807. With the possible exception of the first child, the children were born in the State of Mississippi. Mary Johnson was a daughter of Caleb Johnson who immigrated to Amite County, Mississippi who served in the Minute Militia from the State of Georgia in the American Revolution, and was born in Chester County, Pennsylvania."[17]

 

          David Day, son of David, was born 4/20/1787. Mary Johnson, wife of David Day, was born 5/15/1787.  Children:   Mary Day was born 3/20/1809 in Clarke County;  Frances A. Day was born 2/7/1811 in Mississippi;  Lemenda K. Day was born 11/22/1812 in Mississippi;  Saletha R. Day was born 11/14/1814 in Mississippi; V.     Aaron B. Day was born 1/14/1817 in Mississippi;  Zilpha Day was born 1/6/1819 in Mississippi;  Martha Ann Day was born 12/24/1821 in Mississippi;  Eliza Day was born 8/17/1824 in Mississippi;  Emily Day was born 6/21/1826 in Mississippi;       Bluford B. Day was born 12/29/1828 in Mississippi; and Adaline Day was born 12/30/1832 in Mississippi.

 

          Freeman.  William Freeman was listed on the 1850 Jasper County, Mississippi  Census, Fam. #575,  38, S. C., Mildred A. (Thornton) 25, Ga., Henry 6, Ga., Charles 4, Tenn., Francis 3, Miss., Lucy 1, Miss. Henry m. Nancy Bounds and had issue: Amelia, Reese, Lucy, Annie, John, Dorothy, Sam, Charles b. 1846 Tennessee. Francis 3/8/1848-11/20/1921, Baptist preacher, m. Carrie and had issue: Ed, Pearl, William, Frank.  Lucy m. (1) Josiah Sumrall (2) Mr. Murphy, (3) ? Issue: William Sumrall. William b. 1852 m. Sally Hilburn and had issue: Mattie, Ewell, Frank, Earnies, Jim. tlAry b. 1854 m. John Milhill and had:  Nora, Naomi, Cora, Lucy, Mammie, .Martha, :annie, John Freeman and Malcom Milhill. Ruth b. 1856 M1SS. Married Jim  Shedd and had: Peter,  Carrie, Jim, Walter, Estell, Ruby. John Reese Freeman born 2/23/1858 d. 2/8/1918 m. Susie Ann McNeill b. 4/3/1853, d.

5/20/1907 on 3/16/1881, and had 1ssue: William Malcom m. Katie

Ernest, John Thomas, Lola Jones, Milton Hilliard m. Mae Gordon,

and Mildred Louisa m. John Wesley Gordon. Ewell Thomas Freeman died in Medical School, unmd. Isabella, never md. [18]

 

          Hopkins.  Solomon Hopkins was born ca 1755/60, died 1815 in Laurens County, South Carolina.[19]  Children: Nancy (died 1/17/1833 married Martin Mahaffey, Jr., buried at Rabun); James married Anna, estate settled in Greenville County File 4, page 216, wife Anna and 4 children); Mary (died after 1840, married 1798 Henry Morgan, born 11/10/1771, died 4/24/1824, buried Friendship Presbyterian Church, Laurens County; Solomon, Jr. (4/6/1781-11/14/1858 married (1) Elizabeth Terry (died 1/15/1821), daughter of Thomas Terry and his first wife, Elizabeth (Harrison) Terry.[20]

          John Hopkins, son of Solomon, was born 3/29/1793, died 10/22/1837 married Lucinda Boyce (2/18/1800-12/27/1876), the daughter of William Boyce and Elizabeth (Nance) Boyce. John Hopkins purchased in 1845 137 acres from John Nash, Jr. adjoining the land of Martin Mahaffey, the deceased husband of Nancy Hopkins Mahaffey.[21]  Children: Elizabeth (born 9/12/1816 married Louis Nabors, died in Mississippi); Thomas T. (born 8/4/1819 married Sally Gilbert); Drury (born 11/22/1821, died before 1878, married Catherine Irby of Anderson County, Texas); Clementine (born 5/27/1824 married James Dickinson of Greenville, South Carolina, removed to Mississippi); Margaret (born 10/28/1826, died 2/10/1907, married in 1861 James Thornburg, born 6/20/1825, died 9/5/1894); Solomon (probably married a daughter of Terry Boland or Bolling in Alabama); Hosea (born 3/15/1831-9/22/1860, unmarried); John (9/17/1833-1/15/1914 married (1) 9/14/1859 Sallie E. Webb, born 7/5/1838, died 5/20/1865 (2) 12/5/1867 Sara Ann Harper, born 12/24/1845, died 7/12/1908); Lucinda Caroline, born 7/12/1837, died 2/20/1880 married 1858 Jesse Thomas McCrary, born 8/1827, died 3/22/1862, Confederate Soldier, son of Moses and Catherine Greer McCrary.[22]

 

 

          Lea.  Luke Lea was born 11/26/1739 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia and died 1813.  He married Elizabeth Wilson, born 1739.  Issue: James Lea (born 4/3/1760 in Orange County, North Carolina, died 4/7/1823 in Amite County, Mississippi); William Lea (born 2/21/1762 in Caswell County, North Carolina, died 1823 in Amite County, Mississippi); Joseph Lea (born 2/4/1764 in Caswell County, North Carolina, died 12/1764 in Caswell County); John Lea (born 2/24/1765 Caswell County, died 12/1769); Mary Elizabeth Lea (born 7/31/1769 in Caswell County, married George Steel in Hawkins County, Tennessee, residents of Anderson County, Tennessee in 1802); Joseph Lea (born 5/13/1769 Caswell County, died 1812 in Pike County, Mississippi); Major Lea (born 4/21/1771 in Caswell County or Wilkes, died 7/16/1822 in Grainger County, Tennessee); John Lea (born 3/8/1773 in Wilkes County, died 2/5/1845 Amite County, Mississippi); Jesse Lea (born 11/30/1777 in Wilkes County, died 12/25/1830 in Amite County, Mississippi); David Lea (born 12/2/1779 in Surry County, North Carolina, died 7/17/1851 Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas); Cynthia Lea, born ca 1794 in Tennessee; Didemia Lea, born ca 1796 died 1816 in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.[23]

          David Lea, the son of Rev. Luke Lee and his wife, Elizabeth (Wilson) Lea,  was born 12/2/1779 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, died 12/5/1844 in Amite County, Mississippi. He was married to Nancy Clay (born 1/22/1780 in Virginia, died 10/13/1858 Amite County, Mississippi) on 2/2/1802 in Lea Springs, Grainger County, Tennessee.  She was the daughter of James Clay and Margaret (Muse) Clay. 

 

          Miller. Alexander Miller of Lancaster County, South Carolina, was born ca 1740/1750 and died 1786 in Greene County, Georgia.

 

He was the son of James Miller of Lancaster County, and  first removed to Wilkes County, Georgia, to locate on the ceded lands.  “Miller, Alexander, North Carolina, wife and daughter, 200 acres on Upton Creek below the Welch Road.  [24]

 

He was listed on the 1795 Wilkes County Tax Digest.  In 1791, Alexander Miller was granted 287-1/2 acres of land in Washington County. In 1789, Greene County, he was the administrator of the estate of John Barron and Ellinor, his wife. After his death, his widow, Ellinor, married John Barron.  The heirs of Alexander Miller deed to William Bivins in 1802, land in Hancock County. (Deed Book G, page 117.  Issue:

 

I.      Brice Miller was born ca 1770, and was listed on the 1790 Lancaster County, South Carolina Census; 1820 Pike County, Georgia Census; and 1830 Simpson County, Mississippi Census. He drew in the 1805 Georgia Land Lottery while a resident of Hancock County, and left Georgia ca 1815, because he was found in the Natchez District of Mississippi ca 1816.  Samuel Barron of Hancock County deeded to Brice Miller 115 acres on Rocky Creek in Hancock County (Deed Book C, page 28) on 18 December 1795.  Also, Brice Miller of Hancock County deeded to Robert Rivers of Hancock County, 20 acres on Rocky Creek on 14 May 1804 (Hancock Deed Book D, page 455). John Bond of Hancock County deeded to Brice Miller of Hancock County, 22-1/2 acres of land on the Oconee River on 7 September 1799 (Hancock County Deed Book D, page 511).  Probable issue:[25]

 

A.    Asa Miller, born 29 October 1800 in Hancock County, died 6 February 1880; listed         on the 1830 Simpson County, Mississippi Census.

B.     William Miller, born 21 June 1801, died 23 February 1883; listed on the 1830 Simpson County, Mississippi Census and the 1850 Pike County, Mississippi Census. Issue:

                   1. Brice Miller.

C.    Alexander Miller, born 1801 in Hancock County, married Nancy; listed on the 1840 Simpson County, Mississippi Census and the 1850 Copiah County, Mississippi Census.

D.   Andrew Miller, born 1805 in Hancock County, listed on the 1850 Simpson County, Mississippi Census. Wife, Sarah A. (born 1821 Alabama). Issue:

1.    Nancy Miller, born 1839 Mississippi.

1.                             Martha Miller, born 1842 Mississippi.

2.                             Emeline Miller, born 1843 Mississippi.

4.    Mary Miller, born 1845 Mississippi.

                   5.    John Miller, born 1849 Simpson County, Mississippi.

E.    John Miller, born 1810/1815 in Hancock County.

F     Samuel Miller, born 1810 in Hancock County; listed on the 1850 Simpson County, Mississippi Census. Wife, Demaris.

 

II.    Alexander Miller, born 12 October 1775, died 1 March 1839.  Issue:

A.  Margaret P. Miller, born 23 April 1812, died 27 January 1848.

B.    Ann Miller, died 27 January 1848.

C.   Robert S. Miller, born 21 March 1814.

D.  Morgan Miller, born 4 July 1816.

E.    Charles Miller, born 15 November 1818.

F.    Elizabeth Miller, born 1822.

G.  Rachel R. Miller, born 1824, died 3 May 1894.

H.  Sarah Angeline Miller, born 1826.

I.       Martha M. Miller, born 1828.

J.       Edward Alexander Miller, born 31 July 1831.

K.   Lucy Harriet Miller, born 9 January 1833.

 

 



[1]  Bibles of John Jasper Heard and George Washington Boyette in possession of Charles E. Boyett, Rt. 1, Box 182, Steens, Miss. 39766; 1922, Carnegie Institute Family Traits History by Ivy Devine Boyette.

 

[2] In 1741, John Robertson transferred 400 acres to Joseph Collins, and 1744, 200 acres to William Collins.  These transfers are all to son-in-law Collins and his children.  William Collins transferred his 300 acres to James Haley whose wife was then Beliah and presumably the daughter of William Collins.  James Haley is shown as having a wife, Susannah (believed to be Brockman) in 1749 when he transferred 126 acres in Orange County to Samuel Brockman.

 

[3] Fleet’s Abstracts of King and Queen County, Virginia, page 39 and 176:  “Ordered that summons be issued for William Collins of Essex, and George Collins of King and Queen County to cause them to appear at the next court held for his county to declare whether or not they will execute the Last Will and Testament of Joseph Collins, deceased.  3 May 1748.”

 

[4]  W. A. Crozier’s Virginia County, Spotsylvania County Records, page 515, Order Book 1749-1755, page 100.

 

[5] Gholson Family by Mrs. Margaret Scruggs Carruth, Dallas, Texas (1950) states that Susannah Collins was a close relative of Zachary Lewis I and Zachary Lewis II and Waller Lewis who was a son of Zachary Lewis II, was born 1 January 1702 and married Mary Waller in 1725.  Zachary Lewis I came to Virginia in 1692, had two sons, John and Zachary Lewis; also had daughters.  “Susannah Collins would have been about the right age to be the daughter of Zachary Lewis I.”  On 6 January 1768 Susannah Collins signed over her personal estate to her children, having already signed over her real estate to her children prior to 13 November 1760, at which time William, Thomas and Lewis, sold to their brother, John, all the interest which they expected to have in the real estate of their father, Joseph Collins, upon the death of their mother, Susannah.  This deed was witnessed by Lewis, Sr. and Jr. and Waller Lewis, et al.

[6] Orange County, Virginia Family by W. E. Brockman.

 

[7] Spotsylvania County Deed Book E (1751-61), 8 January 1759.  Deed of James Collins of North Carolina, the eldest son and heir of Joseph Collins, late of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, to Thomas Collins, land for 20 pounds.

 

[8] The LWT of Reuben Collins was signed on 8 October 1830, probated 18 December 1830 in Camden District, Kershaw County, South Carolina. “My estate to my beloved daughter, Elizabeth Sanders who is executrix.” Witnesses: John Cantey, Isham Powell, Wylie Malone.

 

[9] Family Bible owned by Newton L. Collins, P. O. Box 843, Monterey, CA

[10] Granville County, North Carolina Deed Book D, page 209.  12 February 1761.  William Searcy of Orange County, North Carolina to Lewis Collins of Granville County for 20 pds., 264 acres on both sides of Great Island Creek.  Deed Book E, page 212-213. 1 December 1760, land was granted to Lewis Collins, 339 acres in Granville County.

 

[11] LWT of Lewis Collins, Will Book 1, page 436, Granville County, North Carolina.

 

[12] The LWT of Elizabeth Collins, 1796:4/10/1804, Kershaw County, South Carolina, named: Edward, Lewis, Lois Gayden as her children.  Grandchildren: Jackey Perry, son of Lamud Pery, deceased; Betsy Gayden, daughter of George Gayden.  Youngest son: Wylie Collins.

 

[13] Orange County, Virginia Families, Vol. II, by W. E. Brockman.

 

[14] Orphans Court, Amite County, Mississippi by Albert E. Casey, pp. 10, 369, 403, 433.  Jacky Perry was appointed administrator of the Estate of Elizabeth Collins on 15 April 1811.  Elizabeth, late of Kershaw County, South Carolina Orphans Court, Estate of Edward Collins 19 October 1829.  Administrators: James Scott, Jr., David Lea and John Collins.

 

[15] Personal records of Mrs. Benjamin O. Robertson, 5885 No. 4 Mile Run Drive, Arlington, Virginia (1958).

[16] Spotsylvania County, Virginia Deed Book E (1751-61.  Richard Collins of King and Queen County, Virginia to Joy Collins. William and Thomas Collins, in compliance with the LWT of Thomas Collins, deceased, “land to be divided according to the direction of Joseph Collins.”

[17] DAVID DAY BIBLE

Owner: Raymond Roberts

Brookhaven, MS

 

"The following "Family Record" was printed by the request of Bluford B. Day and he had it framed. This record hung on a wall of the home of my aunt, Mrs. Ida Belle Price Smith for many years. Bluford B. Day willed all of his land and possessions to her....Mrs. Edwina Price."

 

[18] Personal files of Mrs. Rowland D. Hawkins, 2415 Quince Drive, S. E., Decatur, AL 35601 (1977).

 

 

[19] Last Will and Testament of Solomon Hopkins dated 7/19/1814 probated 4/19/1815, Laurens County, South Carolina Deed Book D-1, page 198.

[20] Ancestors and Descendants by Sara M. Nash.   

[21] Laurens County, South Carolina Deed Book K, page 193.

[22] Ancestors and Descendants by Sara M. Nash.

[23]  History of Amite County, Mississippi, page 553.

[24] Early Records of Georgia, Vol. 8 by Grace Gillam Davidson.

[25]  Hancock County Deeds & Wills; 1850 Simpson County, Mississippi Census; 1850 Copiah County, Mississippi Census; Bbile in possession of Mrs. H. M. Moore, Jackson, Georgia..