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Generation One
1. VARDEMON NAVARRH1 COLLINS; born 1764 at New River, Grayson County, Virginia; married Peggy Gibson.
He was also known as Vardy Collins. He settled in Blackwater Valley, Tennessee in 1797. In 1810 he had already acquired 100 acres of land, as listed for the Captain Looney Company, Puncheon Camp Valley (Pore Valley), along with Benjamin Colings, 90 acres; Hennery Collings, James Collings, 100 acres; John Denhan, Gerden (Jordan) Gibson, 100 acres; Yearby Gibson, Shepard Gibson, 50 acres; Charels Gibson, Tiry Gibson, 50 acres; Royal Gibson and Vallingtine (Valentine) Collins, 100 acres. The William Nichols list of 1812 includes Jesse Gibson 30 acres, and John Denhan, 30 acres.
Vardy Mineral Springs, operated by Vardemon Collins for many years and Vardy School, a Presbyterian Mission School, were both named for him. According to Court records of Wilkes County, North Carolina, Vardy Collins, born in 1764 in North Carolina, was involved in a lawsuit – Case 10, State vs Vardy Collins, as shown by Court Records of Wilkes County, of which Ashe County was a part at the time. In the same record, Case 11 was entitled, State vs Jordan Gibson.
Vardy Collins was said to be a full-blooded Indian. Probably half-blooded. His wife Margaret Gibson, was Spanish, probably full-blooded. Their descendents are mostly of dark skin, some with straight dark hair, though many have a wave in the hair, some have curly, even kinky hair. This may come from the Spanish or mixture of Irish.
Vardy and Peggy came in from North Carolina from near Red River, or crossed the Red River. They took practically all the land from the Virginia State Line to Mulberry Gap, between Newmans Ridge and Powell Mountain.
I have two different sets of fathers for Vardy.
1)Vardy was the son of James Navarrh H. Collins (he was called Henry), born in 1699 in Virginia. Henry was the son of Henry Collins, the indentured servant of Thomas Wood. He is listed in the Court Book of the Virginia Company dated 15 December 1619 and 23 June 1620. See Manchester Papers #241, Public Records Office, London, England, List of Records #58.
Where they got the money for this much land we do not know. Possibly it was a grant for some Military service, though he is not listed as a pensioner or having been in any military outfits under the name of Vardy. Some sources said his name was Henry Navarrh Collins, and that later it was changed to Vardimon or Vardy. Possibly Peggy came from a rich family and had the money before they moved here. Or it is possible that Vardy came from a rich family, or was in business and made it before he came to Tennessee. Vardy built a big double log house near the Vardy Springs. It was counted as one of the biggest houses in the county at the time. It is rumored that travellers stopped to stay over night there and were never heard from again. From the nature of the case we can not be sure of the truth of these traditions. Perhaps it is better to think that he came by his money in honest ways, and freely practiced the open and free hospitality of the backwoods and the mountains, and likely being a man of force and resolute habit, he likely was envied by those who were less successful, and suspected where there was but little truth or little cause for it.
2)Vardy Collins was in Ashe Co. NC in 1800 listed as head of household with 4 other Free Persons of Color.Meaning 4 children. Vardy according to tax records was the son of Samuel Born 1734 was a Mulatto, taxable in Orange Co. NC,with 2 Black Titles( probably Vardy and Valentine “Vol” Collins) ( T&C Box 1 Archives Raleigh NC) Samuel was listed as the Head of Wilkes Co. ( area that became Ashe in 1790) 1 male 21-60 and 1 female 1787 state census. Valentine ( Vol) Collins listed in 1800 Ashe Co. NC census as Head with 6 other Free Persons of Color.
Samuel is believed to be the son of Old Thomas Collins .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.
25 Jan 1745 Louisa County, Virginia Court: William Hall, Samuel Collins, William Collins, Samuel Bunch, George Gibson, Benjamin Brannum, Thomas Gibson, & William Donothan appear to answer an indictment for concealing tithables. Plead not guilty, Case continued. (Louisa County, Va., Tithables and Census)
The following source Melungeon families lived in the same area of Virginia around 1730. John Bunch, Gilbert Gibson, Thomas Gibson and Thomas Collins. They begin selling their land in Louisa County. VA in 1747 and migrated to the Flatt River area of then Granville County, North Carolina this area became Orange County in 1753. 1747 Thomas Collins sells 184 acres of land on the south side of the Pamunkey River on Turkey Run Creek to John Dowell for 25 Ibs. (Louisa County, Va. ref..in Melungeons and Other Pioneer Families)
Thomas Collins Sr. b 1710 , probable children were; Thomas Jr. b 1728, Joseph b 1730, Samuel b 1732, John b 1734, George b 1736, Elisha b 1738. They settled on the Flatt River as the following records reveal.
“Land Grants from the Earl of Granville to the earliest settlers, The Granville Dist. Of N.C. 1748-1763 Vols 2 & 4 by Hofman.” 29 Oct 1751 -Grant to William Churton, 640 acres on the south side of Flatt River joining John Collins on the Rocky Branch. Grant is for warrant issued to Thomas Gibson (#3775) 1752. 250 acres to Thomas Gibson on the Flatt River. 28 Oct 1752 640 acres to Joseph Collins on the South West side of the Flatt River Witness- Thomas Collins and James Lilkemper.
The Flatt River lies in what is Person’s Co. today.
Wilkes County, NC was created from Surry in 1778. Ashe County NC was created from Wilkes in 1799. The records of Wilkes County show those people who were in Ashe County, but the records of Surry County do not show those who were in Wilkes County waiting for a county to be created. The following record pertaining to the COLLINS family found are presented as they appear in the records. NO additional information was given other than is listed in this report.
WILKES LAND ENTRY BOOK ( 1778-1781 ) These are by number and are very brief descriptions of the entry. Many times the people who entered the land never obtained a grant from the State of NC for said land,But at the time it was entered they are believed to have been in the area.
#700-2 Jan 1779 Wm Lenoir ent,400ac both sides Rocky Creek below CHARLES COLLINS’ old waste cabin.
#703-2 Jan 1779 Benja.Cleveland ent 200 ac S side S fork New River incl.improvements that Reubin Stringer and SAMUEL COLLINS now lives
#737-2 Jan 1779 Benj. Herndon ent 600 ac on Dogg Creek,water of New River including two old cabins formerly belonging to GEORGE COLLINS.
#1012- 9 June 1779- John Livingston ent 140 ac head waters Beaver Creek adjoining Thomas land & THOMAS COLLINS
WILKES lAND ENTRIES FOUND IN PRIVATE PAPERS OF WILLIAM LENOIR IN UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA LIBRARY, CHAPEL HILL,NC (1785-1799 )
#290 -9July1791 GEORGE COLLINS ent 50 ac waters of New River
#353 -9 July 1791 ELISHA COLLINS ent 50 ac upper end Turtle Shoals,S fork New River including improvements where said COLLINS lives.
#369-0 July 1791 JOSHUA COLLINS ent 50 ac waters of Cramberry Creek
#371 – 9 July 1791- LEWIS COLLINS ent 50 ac mouth Fall branch E side S fork, New River
#379-9 July 1791 DAVID COLLINS ent 100 ac Elk Creek adjoining Wm Hill
WILKES COUNTY DEED BOOK (1778-1815 ) A-1,B-1,C-1,D-1,F-1,& G-H
DB B-1,p 120-4 March 1786 AMBROSE COLLINS was a witness to a deed for land N side S fork New River, mouth Nathans Creek.
DB D ,p. 42- 20 Dec 1791 George Reves was granted by N.C. 600 ac New River adj.conditional line made between said Reeves and DAVID COLLINS. ( on the 28th of Jan 1797 George Reeves of Grayson County sold this land , same description mentioning the same DAVID COLLINS
DB D, p329 4 April 1798 THOMAS COLLINS bought for 15 pds , 70 ac of land S. side New River
DB D , p 412 27 Dec 1797- N.C. granted GRIFFIN COLLINS 50 ac branch Elk Creek
DB D p 412 27 Dec 1797- N.C. granted DAVID COLLINS 50 ac adj Wm Hill
DB D, p 750 13 Dec 1796 N.C. granted VARDY COLLINS 100 ac S side S fork New River
ASHE COUNTY DEEDS ( from index on microfilm only have DB A& B in collection)
DB A……p. 4 13 Dec 1798 NC granted ELISHA COLLINS 50 ac in Wilkes Co NC, N side S fork New River ( warrent dated 3 June 1798)
DB A…..p 174 26 March 1800 GRIFFIN COLLINS ,ASHE COUNTY to Moses Smith of Grayson Co. Va. 30 pds 50 ac N fork Elk Creek. Griffith X Collins (his mark) Wit: Elisha Williams, John McMillion, Wm X Perry ( his mark)
DB A,,,,p 399 12 Dec 1802 N.C. granted ELISHA COLLINS 150 ac Laurel Fork of New River adj Stephen Reed
DB A….p 434 12 May 1802 ELISHA COLLINS , Ashe Co. to Mathias Carpenter 20 pds 150 ac Laurel Fork of New River s/ Elisha Collins Wit: Elisha Baldwin, Jonathan X Miller(his mark)
DB B p. 68 29 Nov 1802 NC granted THOMAS COLLINS 200 ac Laurel Fork Elk Creek
DB B…p. 69 17 Dec 1802 NC granted AMBROSE COLLINS 200 ac Three Top MTdrean N fork New River adj Stephen Reed
DB B …p. 258 14 Mar 1803 ELISHA COLLINS to Wm Mc Gaha 50 pds for 50 ac S fork New River……………s/ Elisha Collins
DB B p, 466 29 Nov 1803 NC granted GRIFFITH COLLINS 150 ac in Ashe Co. adj the Virginia line, adj William Perrie
DB C , p. 51 NC to ABRAHAM COLLINS DB C, p . 137 NC to ELISHA COLLINS DB D , P. 11 Jousha Cox to AMBROSE COLLINS DB D, p. 71 William Richardson to THOMAS COLLINS DB D, p. 391 Elijah Estep to JAMES COLLINS DB T, p. 126 ROBERT COLLINS tp Solomon Spence DB T p. 352 Henry Davis to JOHN COLLINS DB V p. 284 Deed of Trust -THOMAS COLLINS to Richard Gentry
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WILKES COUNTY N.C. TAXABLES 1782 from N.C. archives; 1784-1788 from Wm Lenoir family records ( University of NC Library, Chaple Hill , NC ( Collens/Collins)
1782-Samuel Johnson’s District ( this was in the NE part of Wilkes Co. which in 1858 became Allehany Co, when Alleghany was taken from Ashe) SAMUEL COLLINS listed 100 ac land, 3 horses, and 6 heads of cattle.
1784 Hall’s District #4 ( being in the part of Ashe that became Allehany i n 1858 GEORGE COLLINS……….no land 1 poll tax SAMUEL COLLINS……..no land 1 poll tax AMBROSE COLLINS…..bo land 1 poll tax
1786 Hall’s district #4 1787 ” GEORGE COLLINS………….no land…1 poll AMBROSE COLLINS……..no land…1 poll SAMUEL COLLINS………..no land…1 poll
1788 Hall’s District #4 GEORGE COLLINS………………no land 1 poll AMBROSE COLLINS …………no land 1 poll VOLENTINE COLLINS……….no land 1 poll ( first time appeared indicating he had just turned 21 yrs) MARTIN COLLINS……………no land. 1 poll
1789 Hall’s District#4 SAMUEL COLLINS………….100 ac o polls ( probably reachedage of 21) VOLENTINE COLLINS………no land…1 poll BENJAMIN COLLINS……….no land…1 poll
1790 Hall’s District #4 AMBROSE COLLINS…………… no land…1 poll VOLENTINE COLLINS………….no land …1 poll
BUNYARD DISTRICT #14 ( This district was adj to Hall’s. DO NO KNOW if it fell into Alleghany in 1858 or remained in Ashe County) ELISHA COLLINS……………… no land…1 poll
1791 Hall’s district #4 VOLENTINE COLLINS…………no land…1 poll
1792 Hall’s District #4 GEORGE COLLINS………………..no land…1 poll
Bunyard district #13 VOLENTINE COLLINS…………..no land …1 poll VARDY COLLINS………………….no land….1 poll
1793 Bunyard District #13 VOLENTINE COLLINS…………..no land…..1 poll ELISHA COLLINS………………….50 ac………1 poll VARDY COLLINS………………….no land ….1 poll LEWIS COLLINS…………………..no land…..1 poll
1794 Bunyard District #13 VOLENTINE COLLINS……………….no land….1 poll ELISHA COLLINS……………………..50ac……….1 poll VARDY COLLINS……………………..50 ac………1 poll
1795 Bunyard District #13 VIRDIE COLLINS………………………no land…. 1 poll LEWIS COLLINS………………………no land…..1 poll
:)1796 Bunyard District #13 VARDIE COLLINS………………….100 ac……….1 poll MERIDIA COLLINS………………..no land……..1 poll LEWIS COLLINS…………………..no land………1 poll Hall’s district #4 DAVIDCOLLINS…………………..100ac…………1 poll VALENTINE COLLINS………….no land……..1 poll GRIFFIN COLLINS………………..no land……..1 poll:)
1797 Bunyard District #13 VARDIE COLLINS…………………no land……..1 poll VOLENTINE COLLINS…………..no land……..1 poll AARON COLLINS…………………no land……..1 poll Hall’s ( Toliver) District #4 THOMAS COLLINS……………..70 ac………….1 poll
1799 District #13 is missing
1790 FEDERAL CENSUS ( 1st in USA) 10th company that became Ashe 1799 AMBROSE COLLINS……….1m ov 16, 1m und 16, 2 f GEORGE COLLINS…………..1 m ov 16, 3 m und 16, 3 f DAVID COLLINS…………….3m ov 16, 2 m und 16, 6 f HARDY COLLINS…………..1m ov 16, 1 m und 16, 4 f VOL COLLINS………………..1m ov 16, 2 f MARTIN COLLINS………..1m ov 16, 3 m und 16, 4 f
1800 FEDERAL CENSUS was the first census for Ashe NC. You will note that the Collins who appearently still lived in the area do not have enumertions as to the number in household, but their names are listed. The 1810 census explains why. AMBROSE COLLINS 0 0 0 0 0 0 males 0 0 0 0 0 females VARDY COLLINS 0 0 0 0 0 0 males 0 0 0 0 0 females VOL COLLINS 0 0 0 0 0 0 males 0 0 0 0 0 females THOMAS COLLINS 0 0 0 0 0 0 males 0 0 0 0 0 females
1810 ASHE COUNTY, N.C. FEDERAL CENSUS ( In ashe co the census taker used initials of the first name of the people on this census) E COLLINS…………….3m 0-10, 1 m 16-26, 1 f 10-16, 1 f 26-45, 1 f over 45 A COLLINS……………1m 0-10, 1 m ov 45, 2 f 0-10, 3 f 10-16, 1 f 26-45 J COLLINS…………….1 M 16-26, 2 F 10-10, 1 F 16-45 T COLLINS…………..4 m 0-10, 1 m 26-45, 1 f 26-45
1820 ASHE COUNTY n.c. fEDERAL CENSUS ELISHA COLLINS……………FREE PERSON OF COLOR THOMAS COLLINS…………FREE PERSON OF COLOR
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THERE ARE NO MARRIAGES IN WILKES COUNTY FOR ANY OF THESE EARLY COLLINS.
ASHE COUNTY MARRIAGES HAVE BEEN LOST FROM 1799 THROUGH 1816
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WILKES COUNTY COURT MINUTES
29 April 1788 AMBROSE COLLINS member of road jury to view road through lands of Thomas Dickinson on New River.
23 July1790 AMBROSE COLLINS VS Thomas Dickinson
24 Jan 1791 Deed from David Smith to Levon Cole 100 ac proven by oath AMBROSE COLLINS
26 Jan 1791 Road jury ordered to view road from James Bakers down to Old Muster Ground; report they have turned same from Sandy Island Fork through Low Gap to Alexander Smith’s; thence down bank of river to VARDIE COLLINS; thence cross in the river to William Hall’s
27 April 1791 AMBROSE COLLINS VS Thomas Dickinson ( does not give why)
BRENDA
I WAS WRONG ON REBECCA CRANK BEING THE WIFE OF HIRAM COLLINS, SHE WAS THE GRAND DAUGHTER. SORRY ABOUT THAT.
Thanks for that list of MO names. A lot of them are different. Interesting to see the Parsons name on there. There’s a mystery in our family documentation. A will from Ohio in which two daughters were not left anything “for reasons they well know.” One of them married a man named Munford, the other married a man named Parsons. I’ve wondered if these daughters had failed to marry men who “passed.” Something I want to look into someday.
I was born and raised in Lee County, Va and listened to family stories for 50 years. Never did we hear about the Collins from Hawkins County, Tn being anything other than they moved back and forth. I have tried to research my family line of Mormon Lawson and Elva (Elvira) Collins, Hawkins Cty, Tn, married (?) 1803 in Lee Cty, then returned back to Hawkins Cty abt 1850. I do not know anything about Elva. She had to have family somewhere. Can anyone help with this search. Another researcher on another board suggested here after I described my ancestors. I had heard of Newman’s Ridge and Melungeon’s but never considered another option. I am so glad to be able to post this query to someone who may know the answer’s that have never been answered. Email addy is sunnjammers@alltel.net
Sunnj
There is a Elvira Collins , daughter of John Collins showing up in Indiana as Elvira Lawson and is married twice in Indiana, this could be your Elvira died in1878 . hope this is some help
Hi! I am hoping someone might be able to help me with some family information.
My great grandmother was Margaret Collins. She married 1st Henry Lucas 2nd Amos Stratton.
My grandfather said that Margaret (his mother) was Blackfoot Indian. She died when I was 8, but I remember her so vividly. She was such a small little lady, long dark black hair and dark skin. A very beautiful lady.
What I am wanting to know is information on her parents William Collins and Catherine Gibson from Wise County Virginia. This is as far as I can get on this lineage. My grandfather is 79 and when I find out new things, I try to relay them to him. His father died when he was 3 in 1931 and his mother died in 1978, so we are lost on trying to find the correct information.
Thanks!
I have Collins family in my line, but no conclusive proof that they are connected to any of the Collins who are Saponi or Melungeon. In fact, a distant cousin did DNA testing and through the males he found no indian heritage. Yet, my great grandmother said we were both Cherokee and Blackfoot. I have discovered a Cherokee line (one of many in my family), but have yet to discover where the Blackfoot actually came in. If not in the male Collins, then it must be through a female line.
Mike
Since many of the families here have shared a somewhat “materilineal focus” of thier families and we have theorized that this has given us the name “Blackfoot Cherokee” I’d bet that the same may ring true for your family aswell.
mdfreels wrote: I have Collins family in my line, but no conclusive proof that they are connected to any of the Collins who are Saponi or Melungeon. In fact, a distant cousin did DNA testing and through the males he found no indian heritage. Yet, my great grandmother said we were both Cherokee and Blackfoot. I have discovered a Cherokee line (one of many in my family), but have yet to discover where the Blackfoot actually came in. If not in the male Collins, then it must be through a female line.
Mike
Mike,
I have found the same to be true with my Gibson line…Y DNA of my line shows R1b1, which is prominent in many parts of Europe. Which means that the Saponi influence in this Gibson line too, was Matrilineal.
From Wikipedia:In human genetics, Haplogroup R1b (M343) (previously called Hg1 and Eu18) is the most frequent Y-chromosome haplogroup in Europe.
Its frequency is highest in Western Europe (and due to European emigration, in North America, South America, and Australia). In southern England, the frequency of R1b is about 70%, and in parts of Spain, Portugal, France, Wales, and Ireland, the frequency of R1b is greater than 90%. Bryan Sykes in his book Blood of the Isles gives the populations associated with R1b the name of Oisín for a clan patriarch, much as he did for mitochondrial haplogroups in his work The Seven Daughters of Eve.
Specifically R1B1 from Wikipedia:
Populations characterised as R1b1a (M18) and R1b1b (M73) with those mutually exclusive distinctive markers but no M269 have been found, in Sardinia, and in central Asia, respectively. It is presumed that these are descendants of R1b1 populations which found other refuges from the ice.
An apparent R1b1* population has been found among the Ouldeme of Northern Cameroon in west central Africa. [5] [6]
Here is the link if you would like to read its entirety.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup_R1b_%28Y-DNA%29
Shirley
Don’t the male-line tests and the female-line tests only show you information on the pure female, or pure male line, leaving out a huge number of your ancestors along the way, as you get back a few generations.
Linda wrote: Don’t the male-line tests and the female-line tests only show you information on the pure female, or pure male line, leaving out a huge number of your ancestors along the way, as you get back a few generations.
Yes, that is true the Y tests the male line and only males can be tested (ex: son, father, grandfather, g, gg and so on). The mtdna tests female lines (daughter, mother, grandmother, g and so on); both male and female may use the mtdna, but the lines (male to female and so on) cannot cross. This is why these tests are not so good in determining ancestry, because as many of us here know, these lines of native ancestry can zig zag back and forth many times, and this will not show up on these tests. Phew! I hope you all understand what I just wrote.:eek:
Just a note, I learned from experience on this testing…I did the mtdna (before I understood how it worked) and found what I already had documented…my mother’s line. Oh well, I chalked it up to experience, or inexperience:o .
So what I gather from this Gibson DNA R1bi is that it goes way back…Blondeyelaurie helped me grasp the jist of it, thanks Laurie.:)
The NA Collins were ordered out of Orange Co. Va in the court case in 1742 where several Indians were arrested and brought before the court and charged with stealing hogs and burning the woods . These Indians moved across the border into Granville Co. NC which later became Orange Co. NC. In the beginning of the 1750’s they lived on the Flatt River and it appears the head of the family was Thomas Collins who was the father of several sons, Thomas Jr 1728, Joseph 1730,Samuel 1732,John 1734,George 1736 and Elisha 1738. From these sons come the many descendants of today’s Collins line. Thomas Collins Story
http://www.angelfire.com/wv2/dillon1944/old_thomas_collins_of_flatt_river.htm
I’d like to revisit this thread & try to digest more of the info. The part I quoted contains something that has always puzzled me. Orange County, VA is a long way from Granville and/or Orange Co., NC. Forgive me if I’m missing the obvious, but I wonder why they picked that area?
I’m trying to figure the path my Collins line took. They were in Pittsylvania Co. VA in 1767, then Patrick/Henry Co VA & Stokes Co. NC (border area). In the following link, there is evidence that Saponi lived in or near those counties long before that first tax list. So my pondering is about whether they ever migrated, and if so, from which direction…
I suspect that they at least had contact with the other lines, as the naming patterns are almost identical.
I should probably add that my line is Edward “Ned” Collins (brother of Patrick Co. Elisha). Their father is said to be William. Don’t know for sure what William’s father’s name was, but there was also a Daniel and an Elijah in the same area. A Daniel was in Pittsylvania Co before Henry & Patrick Co existed, along with Thomas (x2). Also a James “Colley”.
Note: This Elisha and this Ned were both married to women named Hannah. Both of these wives died in Patrick County, VA. (1854 & 1875). Have not found death records for Ned or Elisha yet, but I did find some of the James (son of Jesse) and Annice Collins line. I know I saw them mentioned somewhere..maybe in Brenda’s work?
beeleaf wrote: I should probably add that my line is Edward “Ned” Collins (brother of Patrick Co. Elisha). Their father is said to be William. Don’t know for sure what William’s father’s name was, but there was also a Daniel and an Elijah in the same area. A Daniel was in Pittsylvania Co before Henry & Patrick Co existed, along with Thomas (x2). Also a James “Colley”.
Note: This Elisha and this Ned were both married to women named Hannah. Both of these wives died in Patrick County, VA. (1854 & 1875). Have not found death records for Ned or Elisha yet, but I did find some of the James (son of Jesse) and Annice Collins line. I know I saw them mentioned somewhere..maybe in Brenda’s work?
Hi Bee,
We are on the road, so just a few lines before I call it a night…When it comes to Collins, Blondeyelaurie is a good person to talk to.:) I have too wondered why this group travelled as they did…mine seem to have stayed by the river. I have also wondered how my Martin Gibson and Valentine Collins came together as Martin seems to have left NC and before Valentine, but somehow they both ended up in Floyd/Pike Cos. KY.
A note on the Colley’s…there is I believe a Colley, VA, which is pretty close to Grundy. The name has some history in Buchanan County, VA. You may want to check it out.
Shirley
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