Comments on: Simeon Collins: An Important Family Link Between Mississippi and Texas

By: Dale Freeman

Dale Freeman — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 12:45:59 +0000

That is correct. Harrison is the brother of B F buried there and the son ofSimeon and Lydia Collins.

By: Dale Freeman

Dale Freeman — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 21:38:31 +0000

My grandfather was Gabe Collins, youngest child and son of Harrison Taylor Collins who was brother of Ben Franklin Collins. Gabe Collins took me to the Big Sandy Cemetery where he pointed out the grave of Ben F Collins identifying it as his uncles grave. He remembered attending the funeral service. All the occurrences of the Civil War in Mississippi was a closely guarded secret which obviously the family escaped to Texas and hoped to leave behind in Mississippi.

By: Garry Collins

Garry Collins — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 01:45:08 +0000

I agree with you 100 %, but I do believe it is BF Collins, the son of Simeon buried there. Thank you,

By: Ed Payne

Ed Payne — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 16:59:10 +0000

Gary: Just came across your query. Your skepticism about the information on the Confederate marker on Benjamin Franklin Collins’ grave is well founded. The B.F. Collins who was a son of Simeon surrendered to Lowry’s forces in Jones County, MS on 25 April 1864 along with his father and two brothers: James Madison (aka Matt) and Morgan. All four were sent to GA to serve in Co. F, 7th Battalion MS Infantry. They were captured at Kennesaw Mountain, GA on 3 July 1864 and spent the rest of the war as prisoners in Camp Morton, IN. One problem is that the military records for Simeon, B.F., and Morgan were mistakenly filed with those of the 7th MS Regiment, a different unit. But muster rolls at the MS Archives prove they served with their kinsmen in the 7th Battalion.

The B.F. Collins who served in the 1st TX Infantry was a different individual. Military records available on Fold3 show that this person was born in Galveston, TX and enlisted in New Orleans, LA on 16 May 1861 at age 15. He served as a musician until August of the same year when he was discharged for disability (bronchitis). The next year he enlisted in the 26th TX Cavalry (Debray’s) but received a second discharge after his father, John P. Collins, petitioned authorities citing the fact that his son was only 16 years old.

Apparently when a survivor filed to have a CSA plaque placed on the grave, the service of the two men was confused. Hope this brings some clarity to the confusion.

By: Patricia Naumann

Patricia Naumann — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:59:01 +0000

I am connected to Thomas Jefferson Collins. Get in touch if you will.

By: Patricia Naumann

Patricia Naumann — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:55:11 +0000

I am a descendant as well of George Wharton Collins. Let’s connect.

By: Patricia Naumann

Patricia Naumann — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 16:52:05 +0000

I too am a descendant. Please get in touch. patnaumann@msn.com

By: Garry Collins

Garry Collins — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 21:15:54 +0000

Vickie, I have another question. On Benjamin Franklin Collins’ grave in Big Sandy, Texas, he has a Confederate marker showing he was in Hoods Texas 1st Cavalry. I have a hard time believing this and wonder if this is a mistake as I believe it should be 7th Mississippi. I plan on going down to Hillsboro soon but have you heard anything about this?.

By: William Okie

William Okie — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 16:08:28 +0000

This is an interesting website, even though my connections to most of the people are minimal. I am descended from Sarah Collins who married William GIbson. She was the sister of William Wharton Collins, and daughter of Thomas Wharton Collins, who are mentioned by filoscotia.

I am wondering if you have found any proof of the connection between Thomas Wharton Sr and James Campbell/Mary Wharton. Scott Biggs (http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=gregcroxton&id=I003260) disputes a different purported child from Mary Wharton and Campbell, although he says Mary was 9 in contrast to other reports saying she was 13.

Does the book on George Thomas Wharton Collins say much about his ancestors? If so, do you know of any source for the book?

Thanks, William Okie

By: M. Kate Snide

M. Kate Snide — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:08:20 +0000

So interesting! He is of my family too. My mother was very interested in family history. After her passing in 2002, I began to show MORE interest in the family tree. My mother was Mary Jane (Power) (Sweeney) Toerner. Her parents were James W.H. and Mary Jane “Janie” (Roberts) Power. My name is Mary “Kate” (Sweeney) Snide. Hope to maybe meet someday. Do you reside in Texas?