Cuthbert Collier, the sixth child of Vines and Sarah Elizabeth Williamson Collier, was born in Brunswick County, Virginia. His tombstone has the year of his birth as 1772, so he would have been approaching his teenage years when his family settled in Georgia in 1785. Researchers tell us he married Nancy Dickee in 1803 in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. By 1816, Nancy apparently had died and Cuthbert married Rebecca Franklin. In 1824, Cuthbert sold the Vines Collier plantation to Peachy R. Gilmer, brother of Governor George Gilmer. In 1830, Cuthbert, Rebecca, and their family appear in the census for Monroe County. By that time, at least three of Cuthbert’s siblings, Robert, Isaac, and Williamson, had settled in nearby Upson County.
From “The History of Monroe County, Georgia”, page 65, we see,
“Cuthbert Collier, a Virginian, who was here to strike his claim when Monroe County implemented the land lottery system, later added to his holdings. By the time plans to build the railroad were being formulated, he was in a bargaining position. He traded the lengthy right-of-way for the consideration of five dollars and a train station guaranteeing passenger service.”
Collier’s Station, not only allowed passenger service, but gave Cuthbert ready access to ship his goods and receive delivery of needed items. This is a portion of an 1855 railroad map showing Collier’s Station.
A topographic map of the area shows that Cuthbert’s choice of property, if not by design, was extremely fortuitous. His plantation spanned across a divide separating two major drainages. For the railroad to have taken any other route than through his plantation would have been difficult and expensive.
Cuthbert Collier died in 1845 and Rebecca in 1872. The two are buried in the cemetery by the railroad tracks on what was once their plantation.
The Collier name remains prominent in the area. The cemetery is just off Big Collier Road and southwest of Little Collier Road.
In 2012, subdivision lots were being offered, marketed as “Collier Place”.
Cuthbert’s Collier Station today still has an active siding with signs marking No(rth) Collier and So(uth) Collier. It can be seen on the road between Barnesville and Forsythe.
A large house house on Collier Road and adjacent to the railroad is reported to have been the home of Cuthbert and Rebecca Collier.
Hello y’all!
I’m positively THRILLED to have discovered this foundation and to have access to so much dedicated, thorough research. I’m Kristen Howard, 6th great-granddaughter of Vines Collier. If my research is correct, I descend from John Isaac (to Thomas, to Robert, to William, to Noah, to Mary (Collier) Braun, to my mother Carol (Braun) Howard).
I found it particularly funny that the Old Vines Collier Plantation now is home to the Collier-Howard home! Also, I was born and raised in Ohio (where John Braun took his bride, Mary Collier, after they met in Macon where he was stationed.) Coincidentally, I recently moved from there to Atlanta, merely an hour away from Oglethorpe and Barnesville. Getting back to my roots (albeit accidentally) I guess. Anyway, I deeply appreciate all that you have done and continue to do, and am excited to comb through this site and learn all that I can.
Peace,
Kristen
Kristen,
Welcome!! We’re glad you found us! Maybe you can provide us details on your line.
Glen Collier
OMG I hope after 30 years of research, I hope I am on the right trail. I hope this is right as followers—Isaac Collier married Ann Vines had 8 children.I am a descendant of Isaac Collier born 1819 and died 1860 on election day at Hillardston,Nash County,N.C. he married Patience Joyner. Before I go any futher can someone tell me if I have the right Collier family. Thank you, Marsha Collier
Hey, Marsha!
If you are a descendant of Isaac and Anne, you have the right Collier
Family. Primarily descendants of Isaac and Anne’s son Vines and his wife
Sarah Elizabeth Williamson. My records do not show your 1819/Isaac GF,
but , that doesn’t mean any thing, because, my record don’t show many
of Vine’s bother’s children. Hope I helped! John Collier/father of Isaac
I will answer to myself Yes I am on the right Collier line.
Did you never get a response about your ancestry?
Hello my name is Gary Skinner. My 2nd great grandfather was John Collier son of Henry Collier of Georgia. I am curious if Henry was related to your Collier? He had a daughter named Piety Collier. Thank you
Dear Gary,
I wondered if you have done a DNA test or would consider doing one. There are just too many John Colliers in Georgia to be sure without you doing this. Glen and my brothers have tested for the Vines line so we could do a match if you have the DNA test. Something to consider to solve this puzzle.
Warmest regards, Elaine Collier Neal
Hello John Collier, Thank you for your answer as of Sept.2018. With much research and DNA with Ancestry, I am your kin. My g.g.g.Grandfather was Myhill Collier brother to Vines Collier. My great grandfather Isaac Dudley Collier was son of James Collier and Fanny Conn. Thank you so much for the tons of information and pictures you have on line. So helpful and so interesting. My tree on Ancestry is The Collier . Thanks Again, Marsha