Collins/Gibsons Saponi ??????????

Hey Cleland, ole friend, Glad you finally found your way to this forum.

Linda, Cleland and I have crossed paths before.We have many conversations about the Collins line and the many simularities that run in our lines. We believe they only knew how to write the name of the family members before so then renamed the next generation with the same names. Too many Johns, Thomas, Lewis, William, David, and Levi’s so one would think a first name of “Meredith” would stick out like a sore thumb.

Linda we need a spell check on this forum.I can’t help it if that is one of my flawes.

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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors…..

Most of us have heard about the MELUNGEONS. The main core surnames being COLLINS* GIPSON*

BOWLING*GOINS*SHEPHARD*MULLINS*&JOHNSON .

It now seems certain that at least one branch of the Melungeon tree springs from the Saponi Indian tribe of Colonial Virginia. This tribe was part of a group living outside Ft. Christanna in Virginia in 1717-1720. The group dispersed after losing the protection of the fort against their traditional enemies, some going to live with the Catawba in South Carolina, some going north to Pennsylvania, and some remaining in the border area between Virginia and North Carolina. Those who went to Pennsylvania settled near Sunbury, in Northumberland County, formed from Cumberland and other counties in 1772.

In my research most of the Melungeon COLLINS migerated from Virginia across the border into NC then branched off some going south and others west into SW Virginia and Tennessee and later points further west but usually staying close to the mountain ranges.

Several of us researching these lines believe that the Melungeon COLLINS come from

old Thomas Collins Sr. born before 1710 was the father and or grandfather of the historical Tennessee Melungeon Collins. At least one of Thomas Collins parents (unknown) was probably full blood Saponi Indian.

Collins family history handed down from father to son was; “The Collins were living in Virginia as Indians before they migrated to North Carolina, and they stole the name Collins from white settlers” ( Will Allen Dromgoole’s 1890 interview with Calloway Collins, (Melungeons And Other Pioneer Families.)

As many of us know the Indian names were discouraged and most took up surnames of persons that they looked up to or admired.

Other Collins men who were associated with Thomas Collins Sr. in New Kent, later Louisa County, Va. were probably his brothers. They were Samuel Collins, John Collins and William Collins. ( These four Collins men would have been born late 1600 to very early 1700’s…Thomas b. before 1710 which was within timeline of Ft.Christanna)Thomas sold land on Pumunkey River 1747 so my feelings is that Thomas was one of the brothers that stayed in Virginia later selling land and moving to Flatt River in Granville Co. NC which later became Orange Co. NC.

NOW>>>>>was John Collins,brother to Thomas, John Collins of Bertie Co. NC?

Another interesting piece of the puzzle is a man by the name of Solomon D. Collins

{The parentage of Solomon D. Collins remains uncertain. Grohse represents him to be the son of Solomon Collins of Cumberland County, PA, (born about 1760 – died 1838 in Lewis Co. VA, now WV) probably derived from family tradition. Until recently, this seemed unusual in that Pennsylvania was not thought of as a Melungeon population center. However, it now seems certain that at least one branch of the Melungeon tree springs from the Saponi Indian tribe of Colonial Virginia. This tribe was part of a group living outside Ft. Christanna in Virginia in 1717-1720. Those who went to Pennsylvania settled near Sunbury, in Northumberland County, formed from Cumberland and other counties in 1772. Thus, a Melungeon Solomon Collins Revolutionary War veteran from Pennsylvania is certainly possible.

Why Solomon applied for Revolutionary pension in Lewis County VA/WV in 1818 is not known, unless Samuel Z. Jones, who attested to his service, lived there. Interestingly, he did not receive payments directly, but through R. W. Collins of Lewis County, possibly a brother. Some sources say the pension was denied, but a copy of the approved pension is in the author’s possession (S39331).}(source Terry Johnson)

To me it appears that one of Thomas brothers did migerate north settling around Sunbury,Pa. This would be the father or grandfather of Solomon D. Collins.

Last week I visited Richard Haithcock’s photo page and there seen a picture of Jessie Collins listed as Saponi. I couldn’t believe my eyes so I copied the picture and sent it along with a picture of my g-grandfather Richard Collins to Linda. Linda is going to post the two pictures. I would be interested in any comments.

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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors…..

I think I was waiting for you to dig out the photo and scan it again. Was that a wash out?

Okay here’s the original photos you sent

Maybe we should just call them the Bobsy twins. Could you all fill us in on who is who?

[This message has been edited by Linda (edited 03-21-2002).]

I also have a picture of a jesse collins that lot very similar that was married to stella collins. The person is very close to looking to this jesse. Who was this jesse collins?

Can anybody enlighten us on any information concerning Jesse Collins. Who were his parents? When & where was he born? Is it possible that they are somehow connected.

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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors…..

Mecou, opps, I just went to search out that picture cause I remembered it. I found it.

That is a picture of Malissa, Jesse and Joseph Collins. Joseph is the man in this cropted photo. Joseph was the son of Aaron Collins born in 1832 son of Stephan Collins and Mary Lang Collins. Stephan was the son of Aaron Collins born 1773 in North Carolina son of David Collins of 1748 to 1750. The other one of James Franklin Collins is also a croped photo. The others in that one are Oliver Collins, Lindy Collins, Ella Collins, and Elsie Collins. James Franklin Collins was the son of Leonard Collins. This latter photo is in the possession of Elton Collins. Elton is my Great Grandmothers’ nephew.