As many of you have noticed and pointed out to me, no posts later than 2019 show up on the website. I’ll explain.
In 2019, several CHF contributors combined to pay $5000 to have the website updated. The update included functions to allow individuals to make contributions to CHF and for CHF to sell items, such as genealogy and family history books. The organization is non-profit and had recently achieved tax-exempt status. The update was important to generate revenue for ongoing website hosting and maintenance. It was supposed to be a one-time fix, allowing donations and annual paid memberships through Braintree and PayPal. These functions would guarantee support and longevity for the website.
At about the same time, our hosting server was indicating that it would be eliminating some services, including possible hosting of our data, pictures, documents, and posts. Our website design person convinced us it would be safer to allow him to host everything on his server.
Shortly after the website was updated, we began to have problems with Braintree and PayPal, both of which were linked to our meager bank account. There were attempts for unauthorized access to the account. At first it was not uncommon to have an attempt every now and then. Eventually the attacks bordered on harassment as they increased to 10, 20, or more per day. Our website designer could not be found to help with the problem. Finally, we emptied the bank account and cancelled the Braintree and PayPal accounts. We then hired a new IT person to remove the donate and purchase features from the website.
Then, sometime in late 2022 or early 2023, all posts made since the website update in the summer of 2019 disappeared. I don’t know with certainty but suspect that the server used by the original and unscrupulous website designer no longer was hosting the data. Efforts to locate the website designer or the posts were futile. The hosting server said the data belonged to the unscrupulous website designer, not to CHF.
Finally I located pdfs of the posted pages on a website called Wayback. The website archives pdfs of web pages. The text was there on the CHF pages, but most of the images were missing. I had kept all but a few of the images and my computer, so, I began rebuilding the posts. Over the next several weeks I will be re-posting the articles.
Over the years CHF has received numerous emails and messages thanking us for the website. I believe this effort is worthwhile. Thank you for supporting it.
Salem Baptist Church as it appeared in 2001. The church has undergone remarkable expansion since that time.
Stories of the Vines Collier family are told by a first-hand acquaintance and neighbor in the book, Ninety-Four Years, Agnes Paschal. The book, originally published in 1871, is available through The Reprint Company, Spartanburg, South Carolina. This historical memoir of Agnes Paschal and her family was written by her son, George W. Paschal, following her passing. The writing style is typical of that of the 1800s.
Agnes Brewer was born in 1776 in North Carolina. In 1784, her family moved to the Georgia
frontier, settling near Lexington on Long Creek, in a part of Wilkes County
that would later become Oglethorpe County.
Agnes married George Paschal in 1802.
Together they raised a family and were contributing citizens of the
Lexington area until George’s death in 1832.
The Georgia Gold Rush, which
started that same year, lured many adventurers, including George W. Paschal,
son of George and Agnes. The next year,
Agnes was persuaded by her son, George W., to move from the farm in Lexington
to the gold mining town of Aurarie, Georgia, in Lumpkin County.
Vines Collier arrived with his family in the Lexington area at about the same time as the Brewers, settling along Buffalo Creek, south of Long Creek.
Baptists in the area were in need of a reliable source of water for baptizing. Vines Collier, although not a Baptist, allowed a church to be built on a part of his plantation along a branch of Buffalo Creek. At that location, Salem Baptist Church was founded in 1789. The building became known as the Salem Meeting House and hosted a local school, Prospect Academy. Agnes Paschal was a member of the church and her son became a teacher in the academy.
Vines Collier passed away in 1795. In the following years the plantation came
under the control of Isaac Collier, son of Vines, and Clerk
of Superior Court for Oglethorpe County. Isaac had a disagreement with either the
church or the school, or both. The
result was that he constructed a fence to prevent access to the Salem Meeting
House. The congregation voted to relocate
to property on a public road. However,
there was a considerable minority (including Agnes Paschal) that were not in
favor of relocating. The division caused
Agnes Paschal much grief and she moved her membership to another church.
When Isaac Collier ran again for Clerk of Court, the
Baptists blamed him for their trouble and backed his opponent. Isaac was successfully ousted.
Map showing Long Creek, Buffalo Creek, the location of the Vines Collier home site and plantation, and the present-day location of Salem Baptist Church.
Here is the story as written by George W. Paschal in the book
Ninety-Four Years, Agnes Paschal.
At the end of one year my brother was able to redeem his promises to his parents. So he became the student of a learned vagabond scholar by the name of Brantley, who became the teacher of Prospect Academy, which was attached to Salem Church. . . But at the end of a few months, Brantley broke down in consequences of drunkenness, and my brother was installed as the sole teacher. . .
Salem, as I have said, was one of our oldest meeting-houses. It was a wealthy neighborhood, and adjoining the plantation of Isaac Collier, who, for over twenty years, had been clerk of our Superior Court. Collier did not belong to the Baptist communion. Either the church, or some teacher of the academy had given him offense, so that he would patronize neither, and he so inclosed (sic) his plantation as very much to fence out both from convenient access by the public. As a means of relief, there rose up a party for removing the church a couple of miles to an open road. This was opposed by the more wealthy members and by the trustees of the academy. The controversy waxed warm, until the majority removed the meeting-house over the heads of the minority. . .
The clerk of the church, Woody Jackson, a hard-headed obstinate man, refused to go with the records to the new locality of his church. But on every day for the stated monthly meeting, he attended at the old place, where remained the academy, and where all the members had been baptized. Jackson was regularly waited upon by three of the brethren, and cited to attend where the house of worship now was. He appeared and made his defense and was excommunicated. But the pastor of the church, the Rev. Jack Lumpkin, of another communion, sustained the minority, and withdrew his pastoral charge. . . .
My mother was among the minority, who retained the academy. She transferred her membership to Bethany, a church nearer to our residence, and only two miles from Lexington.
The minority retained the academy, and my brother became the teacher. But the majority built a school-house at the new site of their church, and employed Osborn Ely as their teacher, and would not send their children to my brother. The dispute lead to a knock-down between Ely and Samuel Lumpkin, one of the trustees of the academy . . .
The Baptists generally resented the course of Isaac Collier, the popular clerk, as the author of all their troubles. John Landrum, an old school-master of the church, whom we all loved very much, was put forward as a candidate to punish Mr. Collier; and he did it, effectually, by beating him for the office.”
Subsequently, Isaac Collier sold the plantation and moved to Upson County, where he again entered politics. He was elected as State Representative and then State Senator ( see March 27, 2015 CHF post: Isaac Collier, son of Vines & Elizabeth Collier).
Vines Collier died December 7, 1795 in
Oglethorpe County, Georgia. He was
buried in the family burial plot on his plantation.
The Last Will and Testament of Vines Collier is dated September 11, 1795 and was recorded on December 11, 1795. Vines became ill and passed away before signing the Will. However, with the testimony of witnesses who verified the accuracy of the Will as directed by Vines, as well as the acknowledgement of heirs, the Will was allowed to stand.
The Will is found in Oglethorpe County Will
Book “A” on pages 14 and 16, in the Oglethorpe County Courthouse Probate Annex,
Lexington, Georgia. Photographs of the Will
are below.
Full PagePartial Page
It is apparent the document has been damaged and some of the text is missing. The late Ramon Collier viewed drafts of the Will in the Georgia Archives in Atlanta, Georgia. He reported,
“There
are two drafts of Vines’ will (Drawer 306, Box 118). In one of these drafts, he names Matthew
Rainey (Clerk of Court) as one of the executors along with John Collier, Isaac
Collier and Salley Collier. This
stipulation, however, does not appear in the will that was approved and filed
on the record. Evidently, Matthew Rainey
felt it necessary to file an affidavit of refusal because of the wording of
this draft. The other draft is pretty
much a word for word rendering of the will that was filed. From this it is possible to interpolate the
exact wording of the portion of the will that has worn away due to the ravages
of time.”
Presented below is the Will, as reconstructed and transcribed by the late Ramon Collier. The Will is followed by scans of additional, related legal documents, with transcriptions provided by Ramon. Portions shown in brackets ( ) have been damaged in the recorded copies. Ramon interpolated the damaged portions based on various other sources.
In the Name of God Amen: I Vines Collier of the County of Oglethorpe and state of Georgia Being of sound and perfect sense and memory and calling to mind, it is appointed for man once to Die, Do make and ordain this my last will and testament and firs (sic) of all I give my soul to god (sic) that gave it me hoping for The Resurrection of Eternal life & my Body to the dust from whence it Came, and as for my worldly estate that god of his goodness has bestowed on me I give and bequeath in the following maner (sic) to wit: first, I give my Daughter Betsey Dunn one Negro girl named Dilsey, secondly I give to my daughter Ann Hardaman one negro girl named Janey. Thirdly I give to my son Isaac Collier one [hundred] acres of land lying in the fork of the Bra(nch) between James Greer and myself (to wit) (beginning) at a Corner persimmon in the spring branc(h) thence thence (sic) down the Branch to the fork, the(nce) up greers Branch to the Back line joining gre(sham) thence on Grishams line as far as will ma(ke a) strait line to the beginning for Complimen(t). forthly I lend to my well beloved wife Salley Collier my land, Negroes and (all) kinds of property that I possess dur(ing her widowhood) But if she marrys o(nly a child’s) part with my other ten Child(ren, to wit, William Collier,) Thomas (Collier, Joh)n Collier, Cudbth [Cuthbert] (Collier), Vines Co(llier, Benjamin Collier, Williamson Collier,) Robert Co(llier, Pol)ley (Collier and Salley Collier and at) my wife’s death or Marriag(e the whole of what I lend her) to be equa(lly) divided amongst those ten children above mentioned only a child’s (part to her if married) and last of all I appoint my son, John Collier and my son Isaac Collier and Salley Collier, my (wife, Executors and) Executrix of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my (h)and (and) seal this eleventh day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety five.
(Seal)
(Unsigned)
Recorded Dec. 11th 1795
Matt Rainey RCOC
Note that Rainey’s refusal to serve as Executor is found at the bottom of page 16.
December the 11th day 1795) I hereby certify and acknowledge that I refuse to act as Executor for the Estate tho named in the will of Vines Collier deced, deced on Monday the 7th of this instant certified by me at office this 11th day of 1795.
(At)test
Samuel Northington
Matt Rainey, R.C.O.C.
In the upper portion of this page, the heirs acknowledge the validity of the Will and John Collier turns down his inheritance.
(Our) names are hereunto subscribed Do each of us for ourselves and those under whose Right we claim Interests in the Estate of Vines Collier deced agree (that) the paper or writing above said shall be (conside)red as the last will and testament of the said (Vines) Collier deced to operate as fully and as amply (as if) the same had been signed by him the said (Vines) Collier under all the legal requisites, and do hereby (in all pa)rts allow and ratify the same in the most full (and amp)le maner, agreeing also that the same be (record)ed in the Register’s office at (th)e County (of Oglethorpe and I,) John Collier do for m(yself ) here by (quitclaim to all ) interest which I (might) be intitled (agreeable to the direction of suc)h w(riting a)nd authorizing the same disposition as p)ointed out (by the said writing along with) the other (legatees) therein named.
Attest: Matthew Rainey Dec. 11th, 1795 (Salley Collier Charles Smith (John Collier (John Hardaman (Thos. Dunn (Isaac Collier (Cuthbert Collier (Thos. Collier Recorded on the same day. Mat. Rainey, R. C. O.
Other documents in the Will Book attest to the intent and accuracy of the unsigned Will of Vines Collier. First is by Matthew Rainey.
State of Georgia) Oglethorpe County) Matthew Rainey of the County and State aforesaid, planter, being duly sworn saith That on or about the Eleventh Day of September (just) past he was sent for by Vines Collier late of the said County, dec’d, that when he Came, the said Collier told this deponent he wanted him to write (hi)s will and put one which it appeared he had some one Before write into this deponents hand and told him what alteration to make, that the deponent accordingly drew it agreeable to his directions, and (read) it over to him who declared it was according to his intentions and nothing but the want of persons to witness it prevented said Vines Collier from executing it and this deponent further saith that he has once or twice since and not long before his decease, heard Mr. Collier express his concern that the will drawn as above mentioned by this deponent was not executed which will or writing is hereunto subjoined and he veryly believes that when it was Drawn and that every time afterward when the said Collier spoke of it to and in the hearing of deponent, he, the said Collier, was of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding. This deponent also recollects that Mr. Collier told him on the evening of the tenth or on the said eleventh day of September, that George Younge & Leonard Younge had Been with him and waited to near night in order to witness the said will when wrote and had promised to come again the next day or a few days afterwards and that sometimes afterwards, seeing Mr. Collier, this deponent asked him if the said George and Leonard Younge had come, who told him they did not and he was sorry of it, as he was anxious to have the said will executed. Sworn to and subscribed before me this twentieth of December, 1795.
Jno. Lumpkin J. P.}
Then the sworn statement of Leonard Younge.
State of Georgia) Oglethorpe County) Leonard Younge of the County and State aforesaid, planter, being duly sworn, saith that he, the deponent, occationally (sic) happened at the house of Vines Collier, now deceased. Mr. Collier drew out a paper and said it was his will and read it to the deponent and expressed some Dissatisfaction tho drawn by himself, which he made mention of, that was, he had pointed out the land he had given to his son, Isaac Collier, and said he would send for Mr. Matthew and get him to write another, and asked him if he would go to his Bro., George Younge, and asked him if he would Come over with himself that evening to witness a new will which he intended to have ready by that time. Accordingly, they both came and Mr. Collier Informed them that he had sent for Mr. Rainey but he had not come and expressed himself somewhat uneasy, urging them to stay but it was not convenient. He asked them to come a few days after, selecting a time himself, the deponent came by himself and his brother not coming by reason of sickness, the business was not done. Sometime after, which was about or on the 7th day of November last, the deponent was in the company of Mr. Collier again and he informed him he got the will ready and all that was wanting was witnesses and he acknowledged (that) it (was) neglect in him that it had not been executed. And this deponent further saith not. Sworn to before me this eleventh day of December, 1795. Jno. Lumpkin, J. P.
Recorded on the same day and date. 11 December 1795 Mat. Rainey, R. C. O. C.
Followed by that of George Younge.
George Younge after duly being sworn saith he, at the request of Mr. Vines Collier delivered by his brother, Leo. Younge, came over to Mr. Collier’s in order to witness a will and when the deponent came he understood the Will was not ready and he was called on to attend a few days afterward, perhaps the next day, as a witness, which was out of his power by reason of sickness. (And this) deponent (further) saith not.
Sworn to before me this eleventh day of December, 1795. Jno. Lumpkin, J. P. Recorded this 11th day of December, 1795. Mat. Rainey, R. C. O. C.
And then the statement from John Collier, son of Vines.
John Collier of the said County, planter, and one of the sons of the said Vines Collier, deceased, being sworn herewith, that he well remembers his father having sent for Mr. Rainey to write his will and for Geo. and Leo. Younge to witness it, that it was late in the evening before Mr. Rainey came And the gentlemen being absent, he asked Mr. Rainey to stay all night and Draw it in the morning, when perhaps the witnesses would come again, that he recollected hearing his father tell Mr. Rainey to draw it and heard it read over to his father by Mr. Rainey after it was wrote and that it Corresponded with the said directions. His tenant(?) further saith that he has examined the handwriting and verily believes it to be the same writing which was wrote by Mr. Rainey for the last will of the said Vines Collier who was well pleased therewith, and believed that Said Collier was of sound memory and understanding at that time. Sworn to before me this Eleventh Day of Dec., 1795.
Jno. Lumpkin, J. P.
Recorded the 11th day of Dec., 1795. Mat. Rainey, R.C.O.C.
Family researchers tell us that before coming to the New World, several of our Collier line were merchants, drapers, and cloth workers in England. One town where some Colliers are known to have worked their trade is the town of Witney in Oxfordshire, England.
According to Wikipedia, “Witney has been famous for its woolen blankets since the Middle Ages. The water for the production of these blankets is drawn from the River Windrush, which was believed to be the secret of Witney’s high-quality blankets. The Blanket Hall in High Street was built in 1721 for weighing and measuring blankets. At one time there were five blanket factories in the town.” (Today the town’s football team is known as “The Blanketmen”!)
Michelle Redus researched Witney and the Colliers and provided this information.
Collier is one of the oldest names in the history of Witney blanket making. In the 16th century they were both wool and cloth merchants. In an inventory of household goods made at Kenilworth Castle in Warwickshire for the Earl of Leicester in April 1584, an entry reads ‘XXX blankets bought of Colair of Whytney.” A Robert Collier was also one of the first twelve assistants to the Company of Witney Blanket Weavers, along with Thomas Early.
A Government report of 1838 recorded that Horatio Collier then employed at least 20 weavers, Samuel Collier had ten, Thomas Collier had six and Robert Collier had four. Together these men were the most important weavers in Witney at this time, along with the Earlys. They operated not as single company as we would know it today, but rather had separate ventures and would help each other out as required.
The Colliers continued to make blankets for most of the 19th century, but about 1879 William and Harry Smith took over James and Albert Collier’s business at Crawley Mill and Corn Street. This event seems to have marked the end of the Collier family’s involvement in the blanket industry in Witney.
This a picture of a copper farthing trade token issued by Thomas Collier of Witney. It dates from about the 1650s to the 1660s. In the mid to late 1600s many English merchants and municipalities issued their own tokens to be used in trade, there being a lack of official money.
One on side we see ”CLOTHIER” and “WITNEY” encircling a trademark “T” over “C” logo.
On the opposite side is “THO COLLIER” with a fleece in the center, signifying a wool merchant.
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.
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