Originally posted August 4, 2019
In the past year, CHF has had the opportunity to examine several Collier Family Bibles, the oldest of which belonged to Robert Collier (see May 3, 2015 post Robert Collier, Son of Vines and Elizabeth Collier). Robert was born in Virginia in 1783 and died in Upson County, Georgia in 1850, so the Bible is vintage early 1800s.
The Bible is massive with plain front and back covers.
Inside the front cover is a note that “Hambleton was folded 15th of August – 1838”. Hambleton was obviously a horse (foal) and his birth was considered important.
The family history portion is well-preserved and mostly very legible. Based on known handwriting characteristics, the entries in green ink at the end of the “Deaths” section, were added by Jena Cuthbert Collier. The entry of the death of Robert Collier was written by the same person who made most of the entries in the Robert Marshall Collier Family Bible (most likely Robert Marshall himself). The Robert Marshall Bible will be covered in a later post. Martha Marshall Booker, the wife of Robert Collier, signed her name with an “X” (see deed in June 6, 2015 post Robert Marshall Collier’s Papers), so she would not have made the remaining entries in the Family Bible. A comparison of the writing in the initial entry under “Marriages” and the legal document signed by Robert Collier and presented in the May 3, 2015 post, Robert Collier, Son of Vines and Elizabeth Collier, indicate that the entries were made by Robert Collier.
Transcriptions follow each page.
MARRIAGES
Robert Collier and Martha Marshall Booker was married the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six.
BIRTHS
Robert Collier was born the thirteenth of November in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & eighty three (1783)
Martha Marshall Booker from the best account was born in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & eighty two (1782)
Edith Louisa Collier was born on Monday the Sixteenth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seven
William Vines Collier was born on Tuesday the fourth of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight (1808)
Sarah Smith Collier was born on Thursday the twenty eighth of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nine (1809)
Efford Cobb Collier was born on Saturday the fourth of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eleven (1811)
BIRTHS
Mary Booker Collier was born on Thursday the fourth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirteen (1813)
Robert Marshall Collier was born on Wednesday the ninth of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fourteen (1814)
Frances Elizabeth Collier was born on Sunday the Twenty sixth of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen (1818)
Isaac Cuthbert Collier was born on Saturday the twenty ninth of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one (1821).
DEATHS
Isaac Cuthbert Collier departed this life on Thursday about 12 o’clock the 7th of May in the City of Macon in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty (1840) in the triumphs of a saving faith – his diing (sic) words was “glory & honor to God and the Lamb forever & ever.”
Robert Collier Father of This family departed This life on Sunday 1O minutes after 1O oclock in the night being the 6t h day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand and fifty in his sixty seventh year of his age he was a good Husband & Kind Father and an indulgent Master. His last words as understood was “I am done with the world.”
Added in green ink (by Jena Cuthbert Collier:
Wm Vines Collier son of Robt. & Martha Booker Collier died in Columbus Ga on May 11 – 1877 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery Atlanta Ga on the Raines lot .
Martha Booker Collier died in Upson Co Ga (3 mi south of The Rock) May 27 – 1876
CHF is grateful to Christopher Collier for allowing access to these valuable family treasures.