William S. Collins (c1792) and --- and Dorothy Eagerton of Marion Co, SC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how I'm related to William S. Collins. I am sure he is somehow related to my ancestor Jonah Collins (c1774).

William S. Collins was born ca 1791/92 (per 1850 census) in Georgetown Dist, SC (now Marion Co, SC). I don't know what his "S" middle initial stood for.

I don't know who William's parents were. Census analysis reveals a few suspects, but nothing solid. I have a suspicion (but no direct evidence) that William is a brother to John J. Collins (c1790).

William would have been about 8 years old by the time of the 1800 census, so he could be enumerated in the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800). Dempsey Collins had one that age; Jonathan Collins had two under 10, but they are both proven, and this William isn't one of them; Thomas Collins had a son under 10, but he is not William's father. Of these, I'd remove Jonathan and Thomas from consideration, since they both have well documented children. That leaves Dempsey as the primary suspect.

For the 1810 census, William would have been about 18 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1784/94). Dempsey Collins had two sons in that age group; Sarah Collins (wife of Jonathan) had two, but they are both proven to be other people; Thomas Collins had one son that age also. This sort of narrows it down to Dempsey Collins as prime suspect.

William S. Collins married someone in the 1810-20 timeframe. I don't know his first wife's name. His wife was born ca 1775/94 per the 1820 census.

William was listed on the 1820 census in Marion District. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell who his neighbors were, nor where he was living.

Mrs. Collins died sometime in the 1820's, for William S. Collins married Dorothy Eagerton, in that same timeframe (before 1830). I don't know who her parents were, but Equity records show that she had a brother Henry Eagerton, sister Charlotte Eagerton Jackson Thompson, and brothers Alfred M. Eagerton, and Council B. Eagerton.

For some reason, William Collins and his wife Dorothy were listed in separate households for the 1830 census. The census was alphabetical, so I can't tell if they were living next door to each other or close by each other. I don't know if this means they were separated or just in different houses on the same farm, or what. Also, since they are in two different houses, I'm not sure which child was with which parent. William's listing included an older woman who could be his mother or other relative. Here are both listings.

The 1840 Marion Dist, SC census shows William S. Collins listed, but not near any other Collins families. For this census, Dorothy seemed to be with him, and not in a different household. His middle initial looks more like a "J" than an "S" on the original record, but I'm sure it is the same person.

Dorothy must have died in the 1840's, for she was not listed with William on the 1850 census.

William S. Collins and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion County just one house from Charles Collins, who is his son. Moses Collins (c1800) (relationship unknown) was less than 10 houses away.

Marion County Equity Roll # 70 (1 Jan 1853) name the children of William Collins and Dorothy Eagerton as Charles Collins, W. S. Collins, Franklin A. Collins, A. McDonald Collins and C. Evander Collins. (Roll # 70, Marion County, South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls by Lucille Utley)

Another Equity record, Roll # 180 (2 Jan 1854) names the children again, this time as Franklin A. Collins, Andrew M. Collins, and Council E. Collins, and that Joseph Collins was another brother by a previous marriage, all sons of William S. Collins. A William A Collins was listed as "next friend" to the minor children (probably an Uncle, or older brother).

Children

William S. Collins and his first wife had several children per the census records, only one (Joseph) is proven. His children by his second wife Dorothy Eagerton are named to two different Equity Records, though the census indicates there were others, perhaps dying young. An Equity record dated 1 Jan 1853 proves that Charles Collins, W. J. Collins, Franklin A. Collins, A. McDonald Collins and C. Evander Collins are children of William and Dorothy. (Equity Roll # 70, "Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", by Lucille Utley)

Joseph W. Collins was born ca 1809/10 (per 1850 census). He is a proven son of William S. Collins as named in an equity record. That record was pertaining to the children of William and his second wife, and they mentioned a deed from their brother Joseph Collins who was from William's first wife, and who had moved to North Carolina by then (1853).

Joseph was probably one of the four sons born ca 1810/20 listed with William in 1820, three of whom were still with him in 1830, including one born ca 1810/15, which was probably Joseph.

Joseph married Isabella --- before ca 1839 in Marion District. I don't know her maiden name.

Joseph was listed on the 1840 census in Marion District, but not near any of the other Collins.

I did not find Joseph on the 1850 census in Marion District. However, I found him in neighboring Darlington District that year, in fact, his was the only Collins family in Darlington in 1850.

On 2 Jan 1854, his half brothers Franklin A. Collins, Andrew M. Collins, and Council E. Collins, all under 21, by their next friend William S. Collins (either their father or older brother), made an Equity case regarding a Negro named Jacob, deeded to them by their brother Joseph Collins, a son of William Collins by a former marriage, who moved to North Carolina. This record shows that Joseph was in North Carolina by this time. (Equity Roll # 180, "Marion County South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls", by Lucille Utley)

I have no additional data on Joseph. I did not find him on the 1860 census, either in North Carolina or South Carolina.

Unknown Son (1810/20). William S. Collins had an apparent son this age with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20). He was gone by 1830, so possibly married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1815/20). William S. Collins had an apparent son this age with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20). He was still home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20). He was gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then. This may be the same person as Joseph W. Collins, for he was born ca 1810/20. This could be John Collins (1810/20) who was in Marion for the 1840 census.

Unknown Daughter (1815/20). William S. Collins had an apparent daughter this age. She was not with him in 1820, so either not born yet when the census taker came around, or just left out for some reason. She was home in 1830 (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20). She was gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then.

Charles G. Collins was born ca 1821/22 in Marion Dist, SC. Charles is a proven child of William and Dorothy as named in the 1853 Equity record mentioned earlier.

Charles married Ann P. --- before 1850. See their own page for additional information.

William S. Collins was born ca 1824/25 in Marion Dist, SC. W. J. Collins is a proven child of William and Dorothy as named in the 1853 Equity record mentioned earlier. Although the record gives his middle initial as "J", I think it is actually William S. Collins.

William married Adaline . --- before 1866. See their own page for additional information.

Unknown Son (1820/25). William S. Collins had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850. No other children were named in the 1853 or 1854 equity records, so this child may have died before then.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). William S. Collins had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1850. No other children were named in the 1853 or 1854 equity records, so this child may have died before then.

Unknown Son (1825/30). William S. Collins had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and still home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), but gone by 1850. No other children were named in the 1853 or 1854 equity records, so this child may have died before then.

Unknown Daughter (1825/30). William S. Collins had an apparent daughter this age. She was not home with him in 1830, so perhaps born just after the census taker came. She was home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), but gone by 1850. No other children were named in the 1853 or 1854 equity records, so this child may have died before then.

Franklin A. Collins was born ca 1835/36 (per 1850 census) in Marion Dist, SC. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). He was still home in 1850 ("Franklin" age 14). He was named in both the 1853 and 1854 Equity Records.

Franklin married Rebecca C. A. --- sometime before 1858. I don't know her maiden name.

For the Civil War, Frank Collins, served as a Private in 26^th Regiment Infantry. He was also listed as a Corporal as "F. A. Collins". I'm assuming that F. A. and Frank are the same person, and that he was promoted from the ranks. He was reported as dying at Mount Pleasant. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, by W. W. Sellers, Esq, Pages 636-639)

Franklin died on 29 Mar 1864 (perhaps due to the Civil War). His widow Rebecca applied for letters of Administration on 4 Jul 1864. Bondsman were R. C. A. Collins (her), C. G. Collins (Franklin's brother Charles) and C. B. Eagerton. No other heirs were named in this record. (Probate Roll # 1287, published in "Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume Two", by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985).

I didn't find Rebecca on the 1870 census either. I did find her son John living with Sheriff Robert Collins (c1828), probably a cousin.

On 20 Aug 1870, a Writ of Partition was made to divide the estate of F. A. Collins, and it stated that he died March 1864, leaving widow Rebecca C. A. Collins and two children: William Franklin Harman Collins born 25 Dec 1858 and Seburn John Walter Collins born 16 Feb 1861. (Probate Roll # 2118, published in "Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume III", by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985).

On 23 Jan 1871, a probate record was made stating that William Franklin Collins (son of Franklin) had died on 6 Jun 1871, and that his heirs are Rebecca C. A. Collins, his mother and Ceburn John Walter Collins, both of Cains. (Probate Roll # 1331, published in "Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume Two", by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985).

I found widow Rebecca Collins on the 1880 census in Cain Township of Marion County. She was living with Robert Willerford, listed as a boarder in his house. Her son Sebron was there, and an Emily Collins age 13 was there also, no relationship given. If this was her daughter, then she was born well after the death of Franklin, and was not his daughter. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Andrew McDonald Collins was born ca 1837/38 (per 1850 census) in Marion Dist, SC. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). He was still home in 1850 ("Andrew" age 12). He was named in both the 1853 and 1854 Equity Records. He was still with his father for the 1860 census ("A. McD" age 22).

Andrew married Tena --- between 1860 and ca 1862. I don't know her maiden name. She might have been a Harrison, for in 1880, one of her daughters was living with Joseph Harrison (c1818) and wife Isabella (c1833), listed as a "Niece".

For the Civil War, Mack Collins, served as a Private in 26^th Regiment Infantry. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, by W. W. Sellers, Esq, Pages 636-639)

Andrew M. Collins married Hattie --- before 1879 in Marion Co, SC. I don't know her maiden name.

They were listed on the 1880 census in Wahee Township. Andrew's children from his first marriage were not with him. Daughter Josephine was with a Harrison family in McMillan Township. I didn't find his son Henry in 1880. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Council Evander Collins was born ca 1839/40 (per 1850 census) in Marion Dist, SC. He was apparently not home with his parents for the 1840 census, so probably born later in 1840, after the census taker came. He was home in 1850 ("Evander" age 10). He was named in both the 1853 and 1854 Equity Records. He was still with his father for the 1860 census ("C. E." age 20).

For the Civil War, Evander Collins, served as a Private in 26^th Regiment Infantry. ("A History of Marion County, South Carolina", 1902, by W. W. Sellers, Esq, Pages 636-639)

Council married Elizabeth Jane Hatchell before ca 1865. She was a child of Benjamin and Jane (---) Hatchell.

They were listed on the 1870 census in Jeffries Township next door to brother Charles G. Collins.

They were listed on the 1880 census in Marion County in Jeffries Township. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. William S¹ Collins , born 1791/92 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1860 in Marion Dist, SC. He married (1) in 1810/20 in Marion Dist, SC ? (---) , born 1775/94; died 1820/22 in Marion Dist, SC; (2) bef 1822 in Marion Dist, SC Dorothy Eagerton , born 1800/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1840/50 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of William S Collins and ? (---) were as follows:

+ 2 i Joseph W² Collins , born 1809/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died in NC. He married Isabella (---) .

Children of William S Collins and Dorothy Eagerton were as follows:

+ 3 i Charles G² Collins Cpl , born 1821/22 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC. He married Ann P (---) .

+ 4 ii Congressman William S² Collins , born 10 Mar 1822 in Marion Dist, SC; died 10 Jun 1905 in Marion Co, SC. He married Adaline (---) .

+ 5 iii Franklin A² Collins Cpl , born 1835/36 in Marion Dist, SC; died 29 Mar 1864 in Mt Pleasant, Civil War. He married Rebecca C A (---) .

+ 6 iv Andrew McDonald² Collins Pvt , born 1837/38 in Marion Dist, SC. He married (1) Tena (---) ; (2) Hattie (---) .

+ 7 v Council Evander² Collins Pvt , born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC. He married Elizabeth Jane Hatchell .

Generation 2

2. Joseph W² Collins (William S¹), born 1809/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died in NC. He married bef 1839 in Marion Dist, SC Isabella (---) , born 1813/14 in NC.

Children of Joseph W Collins and Isabella (---) were as follows:

8 i Jane³ Collins , born 1838/39 in Marion Dist, SC.

9 ii Joseph³ Collins , born 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC.

3. Charles G² Collins Cpl (William S¹), born 1821/22 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC. He married in 1840/50 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC) Ann P (---) , born 1827/28 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of Charles G Collins Cpl and Ann P (---) were as follows:

10 i James H³ Collins , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

+ 11 ii Dorothy M³ Collins , born 1852/53 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC). She married (---) Bailey .

12 iii Mary C³ Collins , born 1853/54 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

13 iv Martha L T³ Collins , born 1856/57 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

14 v Susan C³ Collins , born 1858/59 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

15 vi Charles B³ Collins , born 1860/61 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

16 vii Ervin G³ Collins , born 1866/67 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

17 viii (---)³ Collins , born 1870 in Marion Co, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died 1870/80 in Marion Co, SC.

18 ix Minnie³ Collins , born 1872/73 in Marion Co, SC.

4. Congressman William S² Collins (William S¹), born 10 Mar 1822 in Marion Dist, SC; died 10 Jun 1905 in Marion Co, SC. He married in 1860/66 in Marion Dist, SC Adaline (---) , born 1845/46 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of Congressman William S Collins and Adaline (---) were as follows:

19 i Henry³ Collins , born 1865/66 in Marion Dist, SC.

20 ii Thaddeus³ Collins , born 1866/67 in Marion Dist, SC.

21 iii Andrew³ Collins , born 1869 in Marion Co, SC.

22 iv William³ Collins , born 1871/72 in Marion Co, SC.

23 v John³ Collins , born 1873/74 in Marion Co, SC.

24 vi Mary³ Collins , born 1875/76 in Marion Co, SC.

25 vii Carrie³ Collins , born 1877/78 in Marion Co, SC.

26 viii Annie³ Collins , born 1878/79 in Marion Co, SC.

27 ix (---)³ Collins , born Jun 1880 in Marion Co, SC.

5. Franklin A² Collins Cpl (William S¹), born 1835/36 in Marion Dist, SC; died 29 Mar 1864 in Mt Pleasant, Civil War. He married in 1850/58 in Marion Dist, SC Rebecca C A (---) , born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of Franklin A Collins Cpl and Rebecca C A (---) were as follows:

28 i William Franklin Harman³ Collins , born 25 Dec 1858 in Marion Dist, SC; died 6 Jun 1871 in Marion Co, SC.

29 ii Seburn John Walter³ Collins , born 16 Feb 1861 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC.

30 iii Emily³ Collins , born 1866/67 in Marion Dist, SC.

6. Andrew McDonald² Collins Pvt (William S¹), born 1837/38 in Marion Dist, SC. He married (1) in 1860/62 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC) Tena (---) , born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1870/80 in Marion Co, SC (now Florence Co, SC); (2) in 1870/80 in Marion Co, SC Hattie (---) , born 1843/44 in SC.

Children of Andrew McDonald Collins Pvt and Tena (---) were as follows:

31 i Henry L³ Collins , born 1861/62 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1870 in Marion Co, SC.

32 ii Josephine³ Collins , born 1868/69 in Marion Co, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of Andrew McDonald Collins Pvt and Hattie (---) were as follows:

33 i (---)³ Collins , born Jul 1879 in Marion Co, SC.

7. Council Evander² Collins Pvt (William S¹), born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died aft 1880 in Marion Co, SC. He married in 1860/65 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC) Elizabeth Jane Hatchell , born 1844/45 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC), daughter of Benjamin Hatchell and Jane (---) .

Children of Council Evander Collins Pvt and Elizabeth Jane Hatchell were as follows:

34 i Julia Alice³ Collins , born 1864/65 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

35 ii Anna M³ Collins , born 1866/67 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC).

36 iii Samuel³ Collins , born 1869/70 in Marion Co, SC (now Florence Co, SC); died 1870/80 in Marion Co, SC.

37 iv Susan³ Collins , born 1872/73 in Marion Co, SC.

Generation 3

11. Dorothy M³ Collins (Charles G², William S¹), born 1852/53 in Marion Dist, SC (now Florence Co, SC). She married in 1870/76 in Marion Co, SC (---) Bailey , died 1877/80 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of Dorothy M Collins and (---) Bailey were as follows:

38 i C Ervin⁴ Bailey , born 1875/76 in Marion Co, SC.

39 ii Harriett⁴ Bailey , born 1876/77 in Marion Co, SC.

William S. Collins (c1792) and --- and Dorothy Eagerton of Marion Co, SC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report