Shirley, I have both articles taken from the Heritage book from Wilkes Co. NC. This is well written and documented by Mr. Young to a point. He neglects to say that there were other children and so far none of those children have been verified. I have worked over 20 years trying to get my John W. Collins who I find living in the household up to and including 1820 but disappears after that.Meredith fathered 4 other sons and 2 daughters that is not mentioned. Family rumors handed down from the children of William Collins ,one of his verified sons, speaks of operating a gristmill on TUG River, the smelting of silver, and that there was a relationship with Vardy Collins. I have records showing Merdy and Vardy both being in Wilkes Co. NC at same times and living on land that joined each other. There was only 4 years difference in their age. William Collins married 1) Mary MULLINS d/o William H. Mullins and Betsy Roberts.2) Maryanne HATFIELD d/o Joseph HATFIELD and Nancy EVANS My John W. Collins b. 1799-1802 ( census ) married twice, but I have never verified that first marriage. ( It is possible John married Lydia Toner 1821 Grainger Co. as per Riffe Book written by Fred J. Riffe 1995 If this is the case it throws another known Melungeon into the pot as Griffin COLLINS signed the marriage bands....... Is Meredith, Vardimon, and Griffin linked together????I would love the answer to that) John W. Collins does show up on McDowell Co. census 1860&70 married to Mary ROARK w/ children Alfred b. 1853 Tazewell Co., Arnetta"Nettie" b. 1855 Tazewell Co. and Richard b. 1858 Tazewell /McDowell Co. MY G Grandfather. Richard left McDowell Co. after the census of 1870 because the only one on 1880 is Arnetta and she is in the household of Harvy MULLINS. Richard went to Craigsville, Nicholas Co. WV and lived with his uncle William Collins til; he married and settled there. I know John W. COLLINS is son of Meredith but can't find a record to verify this. Meredith Collins' Children: m1 unknown name ca. 1782-1785 probably Russel Co, VA c1 Bradley b. 1787 probably Russell Co. VA d. after 1844 probably Appanoose Co. IA Married 4 times c2 Unknown name daughter b. 1788-95 ( possibly Lucinda ) m2 Polly Holloway ca. 1790-95 c3 Unknown name daughter b. 1796-1800 ( possibly Amy) c4 Reuben b. 1796-1799 he had 5 children c5 Edward "Ned" b. 1796-1799 d. after 1870 c6 Archibald b. 1800 he had 8 children c7 John W. b. probably 1802 c8 James b. 1804 2 wives, 6 children c9 William b. 4/13/1806 Russell Co. VA m3 Milly Johnson 1815-18 Common Law wife c10 Meredy Johnson Information coming from Eula Collins Conley, Orvis F. Collins & Marlin Cline These Three researchers are descendants of William Collins s/o Meredith Brenda Collins Dillon