Isaac Peterson Collier, “Nothing But My Duty”

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If you are following the informational rail that fronts the exhibits in the museum at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, you see will a special display concerning the heroism of Sergeant Isaac Peterson Collier (see post The Sons of Charles Vines Collier, Sr. and Rebecca Owen Collier, dated September 14, 2015).  His courageous act during the Battle for Kennesaw Mountain was witnessed by his commander, General John King Jackson, who was on horseback nearby and who offered a battlefield commission to Collier.  The offer of promotion was eloquently and selflessly declined by Collier.  The event and Collier’s response were reported in local newspapers at the time (in particular the Macon Telegraph) who were no doubt looking for good and encouraging news as Sherman’s forces bore down on Atlanta.  Years after the War, Collier’s actions continued to be celebrated as reflecting the courage, honor, humbleness, and dedication of the Southern soldier.   The incident at the Battle for Kennesaw Mountian was immortalized in an engraving (see above) by renowned artist William L. Sheppard.   In 1887, the story was included in Reverend John William Jones’ Christ in the Camp.

Christ_in_the_Camp_red_fnl

 

And in 1895, the engraving appeared in Story of the Confederate States, by Joseph T. Derry.

Story_of_the_Confederate_States_red

 

And an eye witness recalled the event in a 1924 edition of the Confederate Veteran.

confederate_veteran_02_1924_red

 

While conducting research for the Confederate Cemetery at Marietta, Georgia, historian Chris Davis came upon the story of Sergeant Isaac Peterson Collier.   In 1996, Davis made application for Isaac Peterson Collier to receive the Sons of Confederate Veterans Medal of Honor.  The Medal of Honor Committee’s vote was a 3-3 tie.  The letter of denial, for some unknown reason, recommended re-applying at a later date.

IPC file_1996_letter

 

In 1999, SCV Historian Larry Blair, with strong support from the Kennesaw Battlefield SCV Camp, took up the cause of Isaac Peterson Collier.

IPC_application_update_1999

 

The application was filed June 12, 1999.

IPC application_1999

 

In November 1999, the SCV Medal of Honor Committee, with a unanimous vote, denied the application.

IPC application_Nov_11_1999_denial IPC application_Nov_11_1999_denial_response

 

Obviously disappointed in the denial for the SCV medal, Blair continued to pursue the honor he felt Collier deserved by working for a spot in the new museum at Kennesaw Battlefield National Park.

Blair_newspaper_article_1_red

 

Thank you, Mr. Blair for your efforts!

 

 

 

Posted in: Genealogy, Military

One Thought on “Isaac Peterson Collier, “Nothing But My Duty””

  1. Andykaufmantony on August 22, 2018 at 10:35 am said:

    Thank you for the great and informative article!andy kaufman tony

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Efford Cobb Collier’s Bible and the Isaac Groves Collier Reunion in Goldthwaite, Texas

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Efford Cobb Collier, son of Robert and Martha Marshall Booker Collier and grandson of Vines and Elizabeth Williamson Collier, was born May 4, 1811 in Georgia.  He married  Elizabeth Singleton Harris on November 13, 1834.  In 1857, lured by the promise of abundant, rich farmland at cheap prices in Texas, Efford and Elizabeth moved their family to the Lone Star State.  They settled in the Douglassville area of Cass County, Texas.

Efford died April 26, 1867.  Sometime thereafter, Elizabeth and the family relocated to Central Texas.  Descendants of Efford and Elizabeth can be found throughout the region today.  In the 1920s, those descendants were the subject of a search by Jena Cuthbert Collier (see the Dec. 2015 post, Searching for the Family of Efford Cobb Collier).  Another CHF post, Collier Family History, by Elmer Roy Collier, dated Jan. 2016, contains the entire work of Elmer Collier.  The document focuses to a great extent on the Efford Cobb Collier branch while including significant research into the Collier line going back to England and France.

According to the Elmer Collier history, Isaac Groves Collier, the son of Efford Cobb and Elizabeth Collier, was born February 2, 1855 in Georgia.  Isaac married Elizabeth Ann Phillips on November 24, 1878.  Both are buried in Center City Cemetery near Goldthwaite, Texas.

The Isaac Groves Collier Family Reunion, an annual event, was held July 1, 2018, in Goldthwaite.  Mike Collier, descendant of Isaac Groves was in attendance and provided CHF an opportunity to photograph in color the Efford Cobb Collier Family Bible.  Black and white scans of the genealogy portion of the Bible are included in Elmer’s Collier Family History.  According to Elmer Collier, the Bible was purchased in Georgia by Efford C. Collier on July 5, 1838 for the price of $3.30.  The first family history page is shown below, followed by a photo of a flower and lock of hair that are pressed between the pages.  Any information about the significance of those two items will be appreciated.

High resolution copies of the more than 20 photographs may be accessed by clicking the link below.  We are grateful to Mike Collier for making this historical document available.

Efford Cobb Collier Bible

Here are some pictures from the reunion, grouped by generation.

 

 

 

Posted in: Genealogy, Uncategorized

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Martha Marshall Booker Collier

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This post is to generate interest and to respond to inquiries about Martha Marshall Booker who married Robert Collier, son of Vines and Sarah Elizabeth Williamson Collier.

On April 9, 2018, Brenda DiCristinaon commented on post “Vines-Collier-Hicks Cupboard, A True Family Heirloom in North Carolina Museum”

As a direct line descendant of Vines and Robert Collier, I find this very interesting. One correction: I have a copy of a newspaper article announcing the marriage of Robert Collier and Martha Marshall Booker in WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA on May 1, 1806. Putnam County was not founded until 1807.

Does anyone have any knowledge of Martha Marshall Booker’s parentage?

And on April 11, 2018, she wrote as a comment on the post “Jena Cuthbert Collier, Re-Introduction and Overview:

I have read several times that Jena Cuthbert had the family Bible. Does anyone have information on who Martha Marshall Booker Collier’s parents were?

I am driving myself crazy trying to solve this puzzle. We know she was from Wilkes County and DNA points to the Bookers of Wilkes Co. We just don’t know which male Booker was her father.
Thank you for any help.

The oldest Collier Family Bible that I have seen is the topic of this post “1828 Robert Marshall Collier Family Bible”.  The Bible contains no mention of Martha Marshall Booker’s ancestry.

In his genealogical research, J C Collier attempted to find out more about his grandmother, Martha Marshall Booker.  There is no evidence he was successful.  Here are file names of letters of correspondence between J C and various Bookers that represent his efforts.  The letters can be viewed in the “Bonanza for Researchers!!” post by clicking on the links to the letters and looking down the list.

 

One possible lead to check is suggested by some letters to and from J D Eggleston, a renowned educator and researcher who was employed by J C Collier in the 1920s.  Eggleston found documentation linking Vines Collier to the American Revolution (see “Scraps of History . . .” post).  It turns out that Eggleston was related to the Booker family.  No correspondence has been found so far that links Eggleston to Martha Marshall Booker.

Wikipedia shows that  “Dr. Eggleston became an enthusiast of Prince Edward County, Virginia history and family genealogy. His sizeable collection of notes and research on many Southside (Virginia) families can be viewed at the library of the Virginia Historical Society (VHS).[7] Eggleston was the president of the Society from 1938-1943.[8]”

The 1870 deed whereby Martha Marshall Booker Collier transferred her property to her son, Robert Marshall Collier, was originally posted in “Robert Marshall Collier’s Papers” and is presented again below.

 

Posted in: Genealogy

2 Thoughts on “Martha Marshall Booker Collier”

  1. Bobby Carter on April 14, 2018 at 11:27 am said:

    Possibilities I have looked at are Robert Booker and Martha Marshall, but I have not surfaced documentation that would prove that. Just something to look at.
    Bobby Carter

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  2. Brenda DiCristina on April 25, 2018 at 3:08 pm said:

    I have not found a Robert Booker in my research. We can surmise Martha Marshall Booker came from the Wilkes County Bookers due to her wedding announcement to Robert Collier, some dna matches and also the names of her children. I can’t seem to pinpoint her parents. Let me know if you find anything else. I am currently matching dates that seem to work.

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Vines-Collier-Hicks Cupboard, A True Family Heirloom in North Carolina Museum

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The Vines-Collier-Hicks Cupboard was owned by Thomas Vines, grandfather of Vines Collier. The cupboard was inherited by Judith Collier, sister of Vines, who married James Hicks, Sr. CHF is grateful to MESDA for permission to use this photograph.

 

Here is a true, authenticated Collier family heirloom.  The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) of Old Salem, North Carolina is the repository of a court cupboard from the Collier family.  The cupboard is one of only two surviving southern-made court cupboards and is a centerpiece in the MESDA collection.  The cupboard’s connection to the Vines-Collier-Hicks family of York and Brunswick Counties in Virginia is intact.

This 17th century American cupboard was part of the estate of Thomas Vines and passed through the female line to his daughter Ann.  Ann Vines married Isaac Collier and the couple had eight children.  The cupboard passed to one of the daughters, Judith Collier, who married James Hicks, Sr.  Vines Collier was the son of Isaac Collier and Ann Vines and the brother of Judith.

The cupboard is featured twice in articles of The Magazine Antiques – in March 2005 and again in January 2007. The January issue of Magazine Antiques was brought to the attention of CHF several years ago by Vines Collier descendant, the late William Ramon Collier.  Vines Collier, brother of Judith Collier Hicks (one of the owners of the cupboard), removed from Brunswick County, VA to Wilkes County (now Oglethorpe County) Georgia around 1790.  The Vines Collier home, constructed at about that time, is still standing and is occupied by Mr. Jack Howard who is a descendant of the Howards who purchased the plantation in 1836.

Known as the Vines-Collier-Hicks Cupboard, the item has long been a prized mainstay of the museum great hall exhibit.  According to the publication, Magazine Antiques, the cupboard was purchased by an antique dealer in the 1920’s.  At that time it was “used to store smoked hams and tools on the back porch” of the home of a Vines family descendant..

The papers of Jena Cuthbert (J C ) Collier show that he was aware of the cupboard in 1931 or earlier, as evidenced by this letter from the Clerk of the Circuit court in Yorktown, Virginia.  The letter was in response to an inquiry by J C Collier who was trying to locate the owner of the cupboard.

1931_01_19 Ltr Floyd Holloway to JCC cupboard

The Clerk referred him to Mrs. B. L. Brockwell, Petersburg, Virginia.  J C apparently sent a letter to Mrs. Brockwell which resulted in this picture of the cupboard in its unrestored state and the accompanying letter.

1931_03_03_ltr Mrs B L Brockwell to JCC sideboard

Here is J C’s response.

1931_03_04 Ltr JCC to Mrs B L Brockwell re cupboard

Two other letters mention the cupboard.  The first is dated March 13, 1931 from Martha Collier in Petersburg, Virginia.  Here is the letter followed by the transcription.

1931_03_13_cupboard Ltr M Collier to JCC

 

March 13, 31

Petersburg, Va

Dear Mr. Collier,

I had a call on the phone today from a Mr. Brockwell (antique dealer) who has in his possession an old cup board he said it was owned by a Mrs. William Walker (Anne Vines) daughter of Judith Collier, who married Capt. James Hicks of Brunswick Co., Va according to the records I have of the Collier family and the one I sent you.  She was the daughter of John Collier of Porto Bello, King & Queen Co., Va & Nancy Epps (am I not right) he says he has found the will, her father is Isaac Collier, and they are not related to this family.  I cannot understand anyone to make such a mistake & I do not believe that they did – he phoned me about a year ago, & when I told him the date of her birth, he said it was about a hundred years too early, &, when he phoned today, he seemed to have another line, but my date did not ever to fit in (to suit him).  Then he called again & said that you had sent him lots of data, was it what I sent you?  He said  your grand-father was Vines Collier, & a draper & the one I traced from was a weaver, but that was not the ones he wanted, in other words, he intimated he was going to link this antique up with royalty – Lord Dunmore.  I know that Isaac is a branch of the same family, why should they say that Judith is John Collier daughter if she is not.  Please do not mention to him that I have heard from you or written to you in regard to this but I would like to know the real dope (?) about Judiths father.  I thanking you in advance.

Sincerely,

Martha R. Collier

405 S Sycamore St.

In an effort to address Martha’s confusion about Collier genealogy, J C sent her a long letter detailing his work in Collier family history.  No other mention of the Vines-Collier-Hicks cupboard has been found in the historical papers of J C Collier.    The price quoted by Mrs Brockwell most likely tempered his interest in this family item.

1931_03_16_Ltr JCC to Martha R Collier
Posted in: Enterprises

2 Thoughts on “Vines-Collier-Hicks Cupboard, A True Family Heirloom in North Carolina Museum”

  1. Brenda DiCristina on April 9, 2018 at 10:26 am said:

    As a direct line descendant of Vines and Robert Collier, I find this very interesting. Once correction: I have a copy of a newspaper article announcing the marriage of Robert Collier and Martha Marshall Booker in WILKES COUNTY, GEORGIA on May 1, 1806. Putnam County was not founded until 1807.

    Does anyone have any knowledge of Martha Marshall Booker’s parentage?

    Reply↓
  2. collierheritage on January 31, 2024 at 6:24 pm said:

    From Carole Hicks Berry
    I’m interested in Isaac Collier. His daughter Judith, married either a man named Peawde Hicks (son of Susannah Peawde & Joseph Hicks of Louisa/Goochland Co) OR James Hicks of Brunswick Co. Virginia. I’ve been researching the Hicks family for many years. Thank you for any information.

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Miss Alma Botts

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Here is a gem for those researching the genealogy of the BOTTS or BURBAGE families.  It involves J C Collier and is a reflection of his business manner.

J C Collier was a prolific writer, authoring over 100 letters on a busy day. He began his business career in a time before telephone usage was widespread, so written correspondence was the business norm. Even when phones became more common, calls out of Barnesville, Georgia to places of his business interests, such as New York, Chicago, and Boston, were charged as expensive, “long distance” calls.  J C hired stenographers who not only typed his outgoing letters, but transcribed and typed incoming mail.  Multiple carbon copies of correspondence were made using thin, onion skin paper.

J C typically posted notices of openings for stenographers in distant newspapers. This is a response to one of his ads from Alma Botts of Abbeville, South Carolina. It is dated September 1, 1925. The sincerity and excitement as 19-year old Alma Botts begins her career is obvious.

Piedmont Development Co.
Barnesville, Ga

Dear Sir:

Having read your ad in the paper for an experienced stenographer, I am writing for you to consider me an applicant for the position.

I am 19 years old, five feet, four inches tall and weigh 112 pounds.

I am a graduate of Abbevile High School, Abbeville, S.C., and of Greenwood Business College.

For the past few months I have worked in the Private Office of the Business College, where I had excellent training in letter writing and general office work. I also have had some experience in a Real Estate Office.

I write and read my notes very rapidly and have a good rate of speed with my typeing (sic).

I could come to begin work at any time you would desire.

I would be willing to begin working at a very reasonable salary. I am very energetic and am not afraid of work.

I have worked very hard to secure my education and I must make good.

If you would only give me a trial I would do all in my power to render you my best service at all times.

Thanking you for any consideration that you may give my application, I am
Yours sincerely,
(Miss) Alma Botts

Address:
Miss Alma Botts
211 North Main St.
Abbeville, S.C.

1925_09_01 Letter Alma Botts to JCC

 

Always one to make clear his expectations, J C Collier wrote back on September 3, 1925 with details about the job.

1925_09_03 Ltr JCC to Miss Alma Botts

 

To which Miss Botts responded in a September 4 a telegram with notice of her acceptance.

1925_09_04 Telegram Alma Botts to JCC

 

And on September 5, she sent J C Collier a telegram of her expected arrival time.

1925_09_05 Telegram Alma Botts to JCC

 

Further information regarding Alma Botts was not available in J C Collier’s papers.  In attempt to reach any of her family, the following was found in an online genealogy site.  It appears Miss Botts had returned to Abbeville by 1926 when she married Harold Burbage.  Her obituary states she was the last member of her immediate family.  This post is made hoping some extended family member will find the story of this young lady.

Alma Botts Burbage

 

 

Posted in: Enterprises, Genealogy, Uncategorized

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