| Notes |
- This researcher via deed searches and review of other records notes the following: One of few hints as to the origin of the Jonesboro TN and Pulaski County KY Colyers is the pension record of Charles Colyar(Colyer) wherein he states that he was born in Fauquier County VA in 1757.
He and his brothers apparently next shows up in Henry County VA in 1780 era. Henry County VA was formed in 1777 from Pittsylvania County VA.
Deed searches and other records seem to reveal several Collier families in VA. One line of Alexander and John Collier appear in Agusta County VA 1750s and then to land west of Allegany mountains in what became Betetourt county before getting land grants in Lincoln County VA that became Lincoln County KY on sugar creek. This became an area near KY river north of London KY where we find one son named James Collier. This Collier family later moved in the area of Garrard County KY.
Another Collier family of William and John Collier(Colliar) appear in VA land grants as early as 1763 on Old Womans creek in the northern part of Pittsylvania County VA. I have been unable to find any Northern Neck of VA land owned by Colliers around what became Fauquier County VA. It is possible this Old Womans Creek Collier family is connected to the later Henry County VA Colliers, given the close location. The earlies land survey found was to William Collier in 1763 on Old Womans creek in Pittsylvania County VA. He assigns this to a son, John, in 1779. The problem with this family is that we know from deeds that this John Collier, a son, has a wife named Agatha. The John Colyer in the Pulaski County KY of this generation, who was born 1744 we know is married to a Grizzelda Taylor.
There is another Collier family of William and John found in Brunswick County VA. This may be the same William/John, since Pittsylvania county was formed from parts of Brunswick County in 1767.
Lastly of remaining interest is a Richard Colyer reported on the first list of titheable tax in 1767 of Pittsylvania County VA. Henry County was formed from Pittsylvania county VA. There is a Richard Colyar spelled with an AR if you rely on his fathers lastwill in Frederick county MD. Father William Colyar(Colliar) lastwill dated 1748 names a son and a grandson named Richard. Although in that day ang age of much illiteracy, spelling cannot be over-emphasized, it has been noticed that in the Charles county and frederick county Maryland MD area the use of AR in the spelling seems more prevalent. There are a couple Collier men, Thomas and Francis in the Somerset county MD area and others that predominantly spell their name with an ER collier. This could be significant since the Henry County VA, Washington County TN and Pulaski County KY Colyer family often spell their names with an AR. A well researched website entitle "Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties" here https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I56760&tree=Tree1 states the following:
"COLYAR, WILLIAM, Prince George's Co., planter. 8 Aug, 1749
To son William, my lands that I possess, and he shall allow his mother her living on the land. William shall be free at 18 of age to have his possession of land, and shall not make any sale of same. If he shd. die without hrs., it shall fall to grand-son Richard; 1 pt. of land was taken out of a tract called by name "Dan," the other pt. of the land called "Stubb Hill, another of 50 A. called "Elders Delite," all as I leave at my decease to son William.
To dau. Mary, 5 years rent of that land called 'Dann."
To son Richard, 5 s.
Wit: John Leech, Elener Leech, Francis Abston.
The will is signed Wm. Colear; written in the probate paragraph as William Collyar. 27. 69
===
William Collier 42.23 FR £40.16.0 Aug 9 1749 Mar 21 1750
Appraisers: James Perry, John West.
Creditors: George Gordon, Thomas Owen.
Administratrix: Barbary Collier
===
William Collyer 28.326 A FR £40.1.0 £43.7.11 Jun 21 1750
Payments to: Thomas Owens, George Gordon.
Executrix: Barbary Collyer (widow)
===
http://fzsaunders.com/allison.html
After the death of her husband Thomas ALLISON, his widow Barbara secondly married William COLLIER/COLYAR. In his will (not dated) William COLYAR stated his son William was to be free at 18 to possess his land, and that he shall allow his mother her living on the land.
Child of William COLLYAR and Barbara BURCH:
1. William COLLYAR b. ca. 1732 (sic, age 44 in 1776 census);m. Sarah RAY
5 Aug. 1754; d. between 4 Jan. 1792 and 15 Jan. 1794 Montgomery County, Maryland
=== Contributed by Ralph D. Smith
May 30, 1733 - Exhibited from Charles Co. Bond of William Collier & his wife Barbara administratrix of Thomas Allinson. Sureties: William Benson, Reuben Elder.
Source: Maryland Prerogative Court, Testamentary Proceedings, Liber 29, p. 290.
MD Administration Accounts 28:326 William COLLYER of Frederick County had as executrix Barbary COLLYER, the widow on 21 June 1750.
MD Inventories 42:23 listed Barbary COLLIER as administratrix for the inventory dated 9 Aug. 1749, which was approved 21 Mar. 1750.
Barbary was not listed by name in the will, but the administration and inventory show she was still living, and not some other wife. The will calls her the mother of William. Richard in mentioned in mid 1740s deeds [therefore of age born no later than mid 1720s] and since he only got 5 shillings, it looks like he was from a first wife of William COLLIER.
The son William in 1765 with his wife Sarah rented "Stubb Hill" to Philip CLUB, Jr. his wife June, and son Samuel for their natural lives, but if William COLLIER or his wife after his death should come to dwell in the aforesaid province again, then the said Philip CLUBB, Jr. to deliver up the land to them. (Frederick Deeds J:1202)
William COLLIER apparently returned to MD, for his will in the 1790s along with wife Sarah and children mentions "Stubb Hill."
1776 census Lower Potomack Hundred, Frederick County, Virginia
William COLYAR 44
Sarah 43
Keziah 20
William Jr. 17
Sarah 15
Elizabeth 13
John 11
James 6
Lucy 4
Anne 2
William must have added a couple years for the census if he is the son of Barbara.
William COLLYAR will written 4 Jan. 1792, probated 15 Jan. 1794.
Wife Sarah
Son William Jr. pt of "Stubb Hill"
son James pt. of "Dann", pt. of "Elders Delight", Collyar's Resurvey Corrected"
son John pt. "Stubb Hill" " Sine of the Meadows"
daughters Keziah WILSON wife of Zadoc WILSON; Anne COLLYAR; Eleanor COLLYAR; Elizbeth GREENFIELD; Sarah CAMPBELL
Exs: Wife Sarah and son James
Wit: Frederick WETZEL, Philip YOST, King ENGLISH
"Sarah COLLYAR, widow William" will 2 Oct. 1800; probated 16 Apr. 1801
Daughters Elizabeth GREENFIELD, Sarah CAMEL, Anne CULP, Eleanor ADAMS;
grandsons Lilbourn W. COLLYAR, James CAMEL, George CAMEL, sons of Sarah CAMEL
Ex: Elizabeth GREENFIELD
Wit.: Peter BECRAFT, William GLAZE
Note there were two men named William COLLIER in the 1730s, as evidenced by the marks with which they signed documents and that there wives had different names.
The first Willam had a wife Mary.
In looking at the mark recorded by the clerk in the deed books:
Prince George's County, Land Records T:300 in 1735 where William COLYER and Mary COLYER were witnesses and
Prince George's County, Land Records BB1:482 on 9 Feb. 1732/3 but not recorded until 1745 where William COLLIER (and wife Mary), John NEVILL (and wife Margett) and Thomas BOND (and wife) Elizabeth sold "Turkey Thickett" to John BOYD.
the mark of this William could be described as a 3 in both the above.
Some researchers have confused that William of Page County with the one who wrote the will. As listed above, the other probate records show that the William of the will was the one who married Barbara (BURCH) ALLISON.
The one that married Barbara (BURCH) ALLISON/ALLINSON remained in Charles County after settling her first husband Thomas ALLISON's estate. After her eldest son came of age and could sell the land, they all then moved to Prince George's County.
Charles County, Maryland Land Records O#2: 372 (published abstract incorrectly says 481) on 17 Jan. 1740/1 his mark is an X with a straight line conncting the NW and SW corners of the X, and a straight line running NE from the SE corner.
To read the MD Cal. of Wills, you would think that William signed his name to his will. MD wills 27:69 shows he signed his will with a mark that looks like two V's overlapping, the left side of the first V is straight up and down, the upper left side of the second V almost meets the upper left side of the first V. In otherwords, the same mark as when he sold his land in Charles County."
OF MOST INTEREST IS RICHARD COLYAR SON OF FREDERICK COUNTY MD WILLIAM COLYAR WHO IS REPORTED BORN AT LATEST 1720. A RICHARD COLLYER IS REPORTED TO HAVE SOLD LAND AROUND 1771 IN THE NORTHERN NECK OF VA (NEAR FREDERICK COUNTY MD) IN CURRENT DAY HAMPSHIRE COUNTY WV. RICHARD COLLYER IS REPORTED MISSING FROM FAUQUIRE COUNTY COURT RECORDS IN 1764. THEREFORE HE WAS IN FAQUIER COUNTY VA WHERE CHARLES COLYAR IS BORN 1757. MUCH CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE THAT THIS IS THE RICHARD COLYAR(COLLIER, COLLYER) THAT SHOWS UP IN THE 1767 PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VA TAX RECORDS. HENRY COUNTY FORMED FROM PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VA 1777. RICHARD COLYER HAS SEVERAL COURT RECORDS AND LAND PURCHASES AND SALES IN HENRY COUNTY UP TO 1780s. I SUSPECT HE MAY HAVE BEEN FATHER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY COLYAR BOYS BORN 1740-1757. HE APPEARS TO HAVE HAD A SON ALSO NAMED RICHARD IN HENRY COUNTY. THE PULASKI COUNTY KY PREACHER NAMED RICHARD COLYER BORN 1772 IS LIKELY THE SON OF CHARLES COLYER BORN 1757.
The Pulaski County KY Colyer family is reported to be of Scots-Irish descent. It is reported that in the 1700s, about 2/3 of of Scott Irish immigrants were indentured servants. The Collier name means "miners". Early Fauquier County VA was created from an area of Iron ore miners imported by Lord Spottswood. William Colyar born 1754 was in the lead and iron ore mining business via land grants on the Nolichucky River near Jonesboro TN. His son, John Colyer born 1781 was in the coal mining business on Cumberland River in Pulaski County KY.
The Fauquier birth locaton of Charles Colyer born 1757 lends much doubt on the story of descent as put forth by the A.E. Hart book coming from John Collier of 1707 and Porte Bello on the east coast.
THIS RESEARCHER HAS MUCH DOUBT AS TO THE VERACITY OF THE AE HART RESEARCH OF JOHN COLLIER OF PORTE BELLO PLANTATION BEING THE ANCESTOR OF THE HENRY COUNTY COLYERs.
THE A.E. HART BOOK THE "RICHARD CALLOWAY FAMILY" IN SPEAKING OF JOHN COLLIER OF 1742 WHO WAS MARRIED TO GRIZZELDA TAYLOR, SAID THAT JOHN OF 1742'S FATHER WAS A JOHN COLLIER A PROSPEROUS PLANTER. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN JOHN COLLIER OF 1707. IT SAYS THAT JOHN OF 1707 HAD MANY SONS AND DAUGHTERS, ONE OF WHICH WAS A WILLIAM (THIS WOULD BE WILLIAM OF 1754) MOVED TO TENNESSEE AND WAS LOST TO ALL KNOWLEDGE OF THE KINDRED. THIS IS THE ONLY INDICATION OF WHO WAS WILLIAM OF 1754'S FATHER I HAVE FOUND. HOWEVER IT IS BORN OUT BY THE SEVERAL INDICATORS. FIRST THE QUESTION OF WHY WOULD JOHN OF 1707'S WILL NOT INCLUDE THIS CHILD WILLIAM IF HE WAS IN FACT A CHILD. THE REASON WAS THAT JOHN OF 1707'S WILL WAS DRAWN IN 1746 BEFORE WILLIAM OF 1754 WAS BORN, AS WAS THE CASE OF ANOTHER DOCUMENTED CHILD OF JOHN OF 1707---MARY....WHO THE VIRGINIA COUSINS BOOK SAYS WAS BORN IN 1756. NOTE THAT THIS JOHN OF 1707 DIED IN 1759.
FROM A.E. HART CALLOWAY FAMILY WRITE UP IN LDS LIBRARY.
"The Isaac Collier line,though lnteresting,has no special claim on me,for my descent is from the William Collier family Of 1670, whose members drifted. from the coast to King end Queen county, Va.,and thence to Hanover county,Va , ,where John Collier, grandfather of Mary A.Collier,was born and reared,a son of another John Collier, a prosperous planter with several ,sons,besides numerous daughters
(according to family tradition.) One of the brothers, William, moved to Tennessee and was lost to all knowledge of the kindred."
FROM Colonial Families of Southern States:
"CAPT. JOHN COLLIER (4--1.), of King and Queen Co., and later of Hanover Co., Va.; b. 1707. made will Sept. 26, 1749, pro. 1759, in which he names his sons, Thomas, John, and Joseph, daughters Elizabeth Ironmonger Collier, Frances and Sally; and in which he leaves "to my mother-in-law, Ann Collier, of King and Queen County, the part of that tract that was given me by my [p.150] grandfather,. Charles Collier, of King and Queen." He also names his step sister, Martha Games, and appoints George Morriss andDavid Crawford, executors. He served as an officer in a VirginiaRegiment under Admiral Vernon in the Carthagean expedition, 1740-42; and owned large estates in Isle of Wight and Surry Co.'s. He m. Elizabeth Meredith"
There is preserved the will of John Collier, Jr., of Hanover county, dated September 26, 1749, which names sons Thomas, John, Joseph, daughters Elizabeth Ironmonger Collier, Frances and Sally; "to my mother-in-law Ann Collier, of King and Queen county, the part of that tract that was given me my my grandfather Charles Collier, of King and Queen," sister-in-law Martha Gaines. appoints Geroge Morriss and David Crawford executors. Witnesses Thomas Harris, Stephen Harris and ----------- (name faded).
The original will is in the hands of Mrs. Walter S. Osborne, of Mason county, KY. She is descended from Thomas Collier, oldest son of John. Patrick Henry, as governor of the commonwealth, granted to Thomas Collier for military services, as captain in the Revolution, 3000 acres in Mason Co., KY, on a part of which some of his descendants live. He married Mary Dabney, of Hanover county.
Virginia Soldiers of 1776, Vol. 1 (Mike and Carolyn Chapman http://home.comcast.net/~gochapman/)
Other "John Colliers, Colyers" not placed but noted here for info:
Per Lyman Chalkley's work Vol III -Augusta County Va. court records page 403: 27th October, 1760. John Colyer's will----To wife Sisley; to son Alexander, 400 acres akjoining James Davis; to son John, place testator now lives on (infant); to son Moses, tract called Boyd's Entry; to son Aaron; to son (daughter?)Margaret. Executors, wife Sisley and James Gilmore. Teste: Jno. Wiley. Proved, 20th August, 1765, by witnesses. Cicely (her mark) qualifies, with Jas. Trimble, John Summers.
comment: If this is William of 1715's father, seems strange not mentioned in Chalkley will above.
THIS NEXT JOHN COLYER OF 1722 I HAVE NOT PLACED EXACTLY BUT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A PART OF THE LINE OF MY FAMILY OF JOHN COLLIERS ETC.
Will of John Colyer, Sr. 1722-1765 Oct 27th 1760 Proved 20th August 1765.
(John Colyer was born ca 1722, Augusta Co, VA)
To wife Sisely: to son Alexaner, 400 acres adjoining James David; to
son John, place testor now lives an (infant); to son Moses, , tract
called Boyd's entry; to son Aaron; to son (daughter) Margaret,
(Aaron's and Margaret' shares are not spe cified in the abstract). Esecutors;
Wife Sisly and james Gilmore Teste: Jno Summers. Jno Wiley. Proved
20th August 1765 by the witness. Cicely (her mark) qualifies with Jas.
Trimble. John Summers. WBK 3, 403, Original court records, Chalkey,
Vol III pg 90. John ColyerSr. married ca. 1743 Sisely ca. 1724 VA
1. Alexander ca 1744
2. John, jr. ca 1746
3. Moses ca 1748 m. 8/1/1769 Lunenburg, VA (lived lincoln kY ca
1790's) Nancy Blank (s)
4. Aaron Sr. 1760 Augusta VA; 1842 Lee Co VA; m. ca 1777 Rockbridge
VA; lived Buck Creek, SEminary, Turkey Cove lee Co VA; FRances
(Frankey/Eliz) ca. 1765; ca 1845 Turkey Cove Lee Co VA5. Margaret
ABout the same time that Aaron appears on tax lists in Lee Co VA; Wm.
Randolph Collier, Sr also appears. Then later ca. 1860 Lewis Collier
of LEE Co VA married Valera Collier d/o Martin Douglas Collier;
Lewis's father is given as Isaac Collier.
Sure do need some help with this bunch of Colliers. I have further
info down from these people and will happily share.
Marsil in NM
MRS MARSIL R CREECH
Per Dessie Simmons of Johnson City TN (editor for Johnson City historical society past 18 years (8/1/98) and co editor of book History of Washington Co. TN before 1800) her review of book in her possession by the Daughters of the American Revolution called Roster Of Soldiers Buried in Tn--shows a John Collier born 1732 in Pennsylvania that died in 1792 in TN. He was under Col Randolph's Regiment in North Carolina in 1782 in Randolph Co. N.C. Says that he was married to a Margaret and had sons named Thomas and John, Jr.
BELOW IS EMAIL OBTAINED FROM SEARCH OF ROOTSWEB.
CNJDR Isearch-cgi 1.20.06 (File: 25)
Dear Randy,
I am always curious when I see "John Collier" had a big plantation and seven sons in North Carolina.
Can you please tell me which county in NC and when.
If it is the John Collier in Guilford/Randolph County during the Rev. War, I want to make sure you don't get yours confused with 11mine." I have been arguing with sources (one live) for years, trying to seperate the two. I have finally done so, to my satisfaction and have documents to prove it. The two John's overlap in time somewhat, but yours stayed and mine moved to Greene County, TN in 1792 So everything after that date should be yours safely.
Mine was the Col. John Collier (1732-1823) born in Harrisburg (Paxtang/Paxton), PA, son of James and Susannah Dougan Collier. He moved to NC after his uncle, Thomas Dougan, Sr., (1763) by 1772 and lived there for 20 years. Any military connection with the Dougan family (and also a Thomas Johnston) will be mine. Col. John was in the NC militia and fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. He was also a prosecutor of Tories and was persecuted in return. Fanning and Little burned his house down twice. One night he escaped with three bullet holes through his shirt. His wife was named Margaret.
Col. John also owned a lot of land. Much of it bought after confiscation from the Tories. After the war, much of it was taken away from him. In 1792 he had had enough and started over again in Tennessee.
One lady I corresponded with was convinced that she had been in the large house he had owned which was still standing. That was the large plantation which had been divided among 7 sons. That would be yours. My Col. John, had only two living sons. One died during the persecution of Fanning and LIttle. The sons of my Col. John came to Tennessee with him, John Jr, and Thomas
Mine lived on or near Deep River. The Dougans, his cousins, lived on Deep
River also and are buried in the Bell/Welborn Cemetery in Sophia, Randolph
County, North Carolina.
I have copies of 14 letters written among the members of the Dougan, Collier,
Johnston families from NC and SC back to their family in PA. They range from
1776 to 1828. That, plus some Bible records, county histories, etc. are my
proof.
Let me know if I can help you straighten them out. Sincerely,
Brenda Schwall GENEOBUG@aol. com
http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ifetch2?/.../COLLIER+1997+5995529+MESSAGE-BOD 7/25/98[ColyerV2.FTW]
- A HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, BY E. POLK JOHNSON, LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY VOL. III, PAGE 1621 PUBLISHED 1912 FOUND IN HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY:
"Captain Thomas Collier was a son of John Collier, )r., and Sarah Collier, his cousin and wife. John,Jr..was the son of John Collier, Sr., and a Miss Gaines, his second wife. John Collier, Sr., was the son of Charles and Mary Collier, and Charles Collier was born in Eng land about 1660. and resided in King and Queen county, Virginia."
See Mt. Vernon Ky newspaper article under Charles Colyer, where it is stated that there were 6 brothers to Charles, 7 sons total.
|
18 - 1759
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