In 2001, several descendants of Vines Collier, spearheaded by the late William Ramon Collier, ordered monuments to place over the unmarked graves of Sarah Elizabeth Williamson Collier (wife of Vines) and Vines Collier, Jr.  Placement of the monuments was accompanied by the DAR’s re-dedication of the Vines Collier marker on October 20, 2001.  Approximately 35-40 family and friends attended the event.

Sons of the American Revolution color guard.

Ceremony led by the late William Ramon Collier.

Jack Howard, owner of the Collier-Howard House, tells how he “never met a Collier he didn’t like.”

Following the ceremony, Jack Howard graciously received guests in his home.

On June 24, 1932, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) placed a monument over the grave of Vines Collier.  This is the monument prior to the unveiling ceremony.  All the photographs in this post were found in the rolltop desk of J. C. Collier.  According to his granddaughter, Virginia Collier Dennis, the desk and its contents were unchanged since Jena’s death in 1944.

The monument unveiled by Jessie Stephens Collier, wife of J. C. Collier and Regent of the Lamar-Lafayette Chapter of the DAR.

Attendees of the ceremony are, from left to right:  Mrs. John S. Bacon, Hattie Howard Weaver, unidentified lady, Marion Howard (small boy), Miss Hattie Howard, Leila Howard-Howard, Evelyn Collier Cason (daughter of J. C. Collier), John S. Bacon, Durward Cuthbert Collier (son of J. C. Collier) , Jessie Stephens Collier (wife of J. C. Collier), Jessie Collier Ruffner (daughter of J. C. Collier), Jena Cuthbert Collier II (son of D. C. Collier), J. C. Collier, unidentified lady, unidentified man, and second unidentified man.  Help with additional identification is welcomed. (edited 02-28-2014 – names corrected)

Additional photographs of ceremony and participants.

Jena Cuthbert Collier, the only son of Isaac Cuthbert Collier, became more interested in his family history after the death of his father.  He knew his ancestors had moved to Upson County from Oglethorpe County, Georgia and that they had lived near Old Salem Church.  In 1924, J. C. sent the following letter to “the nearest resident of Old Salem Church”.

Apparently the letter found its way to Mr. John S. Bacon, who took the inquiry seriously.  Mr. Bacon did his research and responded.

A probably excited J. C. Collier wrote back in less than a week.  I have not found any pages of the letter that might have come after the first page.

Here is a June 8, 1925 letter from John S. Bacon to J. C. Collier (original and JCC copy).  It is interesting to note the original envelope was postmarked Lexington and is self-addressed to J. C. Collier.  I found J. C. often provided self-addressed stamped envelopes with his inquiries.

Nov. 30, 1928 letter from J. C. Collier to E. T. Howard (1928 owner of the house original built by Vines Collier).

Dec. 1, 1928 letter from J. C. Collier to John S. Bacon:

April 2, 1931 letter from J. C. Collier to E. T. Howard:

June 10, 1932 letter from E. T. Howard to J. C. Collier:

J. C. Collier’s efforts resulted in a DAR marker being placed at the grave of Vines Collier in June 1932.  On June 29, 1932, J. C. sent the following letter to E. T. Howard:

June 5, 1934, letter from Frances Howard to J. C. Collier:

Here are two memos from J. C. Collier’s files regarding information obtained from Mr. Bacon and the “Old Vines Collier Place”.

Leave a Comment