I'm wondering if any of this info is familiar to any Collins searcher. Is there indeed a brother of Timothy who has descendants out there?? olinda6@aol.com 1. Timothy Collins England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 birth: 23 Sep 1754 christening: 09 Oct 1754 St. Sepulchre, London, England residence: 1754 St. Sepulchre, London, England parents: Timothy Collins, Elizabeth (Family info says James & Sarah) 2. There he married our mother then a widow named McAfee. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Franklin, also of Baltimore. Was familiar with the name and circumstances of an uncle in England. His name was James for which I was named. The circumstances of our father coming to America are as follows: Father was placed on board of a man-of-war and before going to sea was induced to leave with an American Captain bound for Baltimore, America. He left Baltimore and settled in Westmoreland County Pa in or about the year 1802. One more particular might be mentioned. Father received a chest of sundry articles from his friends in London, consigned to the port of Baltimore. I have a distinct recollection of this fact; some of the packages were marked Blackfriar. A second box was sent but was not received, owing to the Indians. Yours truly, (signed) James Collins 3. TC sent me a dozen or so pages on Timothy, et al. His great-grandson's recollection confirms the Henderson account about T's origin, "decoying" to America & fighting on both sides of the war. He adds that while on the British side he was captured by Indians and escaped after 7 months, then joined the American side. "He was supposed to be a British citizen, forcibly conscripted to fight against the colonies in the Revolutionary War. He defected to the American side upon arrival here. He fought alongside a man married to a relative of Franklin, who asked Collins to look after his wife's (Elizabeth) welfare in the event of his death. Interestingly, for reasons I can't recall, I place this story in Maryland. After the man died, Collins married the Franklin woman." 4. (Copied from typed papers Don't know who is writing this. DG) My great, great grandfather was James Collins. His wife was Sarah Brooks. They lived at Blackfrair Bridge, London; were clothiers and haberdashers. They had a daughter and two sons. The daughter, Sarah, married a man named Smith, who moved to Australia, died there without issue, in 1821 leaving money in England Chancery Court. Their two sons having just completed their education. Timothy, my great grandfather had decided on learning the silversmithing and Joseph had decided to take charge of the business, with his father, but they were walking on the street when a captain named Spencer invited them to a pleasure trip. They were going to try out a new vessel. They went and found they were pressed in to the English Army to fight the Americans. My grandfather was made a clerk on the trip over but his brother was never seen after, but grandfather was captured by Indians who made him run the gauntlet and whipped him if he did not beat in the race. He was in captivity 7 months, when he escaped. Joined the American Army and fought under Cols. Hall and Dorsey for which he received a pension as Sargent. My mother remembered seeing a suit of black broadcloth all finished only to seam up for grandfather Timothy; also a dark Green broadcloth cloak with capes to be finished; same for her. Sent by Grandfather and mother in England, to save duty. They lived in Blairsville, Indiana at this time. Mother was about 14 or 15 then. They were neighbors of the Livingstons there. 5. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP http://www.pa-roots.com/westmoreland/historyproject/vol1/chap40.html Among the early settlers of the township were the Walters, Sloans, McKowns, Kearns, Branthoovers, McKillips, Chambers, Hills, Rughs, Calhouns, Steels, Georges, Bairs, Yockeys, Thompsons, McQuilkins, McQuaides, McCutcheons, etc. The first school in the township was organized in 1808 in a small building on the land of David Hilty. Its first teacher was Timothy Collins. The house was a typical pioneer schoolhouse, built of logs and lighted by strips of greased paper pasted on crevices between the logs, and heated by an old-fashioned fireplace.