Surname Saturday ~ COLLINS of Salem, Massachusetts

Statement signed by Christian (Collins) Bray by her mark 1690

COLLINS / COLLINGS/  COLLYNGS

Francis Collins, my 9^th great grandfather, is of unknown birth and origins.  He was a carpenter, and had a house lot near the neck in Salem, Massachusetts in 1658.   When he died in 1689 his will left his estate to his wife, Hannah, for life, and then it passed to his son, John.  This land was near Shallop Cove, which was hereafter known as Collins Cove, even today.

Baker’s Island is off the coast of Salem.  In 1670 Francis Collins was given the right to build a house on the island for himself and his son (John?).  In return they protected the island from trespassers illegally cutting wood without the approval of the Salem selectmen.

In 1686 Francis Collins petitioned the town of Salem for a license to sell beer and cider.  He had been a long time resident, but was now “deaf and palsied”.  The selectmen granted his request in June 1687 “provided he sold by the quart”. 

Francis Collins wrote his will on 14 January 1688/9, and it was proven on 26 November 1689.  Among his probate papers was the acknowledgement seen above.  It was written by my 8^th great grandmother, Christian (Collins) Bray, daughter of Francis Collins.  In this statement she acknowledges receipt of her legacy (ten pounds) from her brother, John Collins, the executor of their father’s will.

Know all men by these persons that I Christian Bray

Of Salem in ye County of Essex Widdow and of

The daughter of ffrancis Collins of Salem Late Decd.

Have received of my Brother John Collins Adm.

De bonis non or the said estate ten pounds money in

Full for a Legacy being ?? by the said ffrancis

Collins who ye said Christian Bray and those for

I the sd. Christian Bray do ?? for myself, my

Heirs, ex. & dom. Acquitt exon excute ??

This Jono. Collins aforsd. From any farther or other

Payment account or Reckoning to ye said Estate

Or any waist Referring those unto as witnessed

My hand & seal affixed ye 28^th day of November 1790

                                                                                    her

Signed Sealed & Delivered                 Christian     CB            Bray

In presence of us                                                mark & seal

Benja. Smith

Elizabeth Gerrish

A map of Salem showing Collins Cove

My COLLINS genealogy:

Generation 1:  Francis Collins, born in England, died 1689 in Salem, Massachusetts; married about 1653 to Hannah Cockerill, daughter of William Cockerill.  She died after 1707 in Salem.  Nine children.

Generation 2:  Christian Collins, born April 1665; married on 5 November 1685 in Salem to Robert Bray, son of Robert Bray and Thomasine UKNOWN.  Five children.

Generation 3:  Priscilla Bray m. Jonathan Webb

Generation 4: Mary Webb m. Joseph Cloutman

Generation 5:  Joseph Cloutman m. Hannah Becket

Generation 6:  Mary Cloutman m. Abijah Hitchings

Generation 7: Abijah Hitchings m. Eliza Ann Treadwell

Generation 8:  Abijah Franklin Hitchings m. Hannah Eliza Lewis

Generation 9:  Arthur Treadwell Hitchings m. Florence Etta Hoogerzeil

Generation 10:  Gertrude Matilda Hitchings m. Stanley Elmer Allen (my grandparents)

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Heather Wilkinson Rojo, “Surname Saturday ~ COLLINS of Salem, Massachusetts”, Nutfield Genealogy, posted April 29, 2017, (http://nutfieldgenealogy.blogspot.com/2017/04/surname-saturday-collins-of-salem.html: accessed [access date]).