JAMES M HARRISON and MAR HARRISON had the following Children: 1. MARTHA JANE HARRISON called JANE 2. MARY SUSANNAH HARRISON called MARY S., MARY SUSAN, and also SUSAN 3. ELIZABETH HARRISON called NANCY 4. JOHN E. HARRISON 5. GEORGE AUGUSTUS HARRISON called “GUS” 6. CHARLES H. HARRISON 7. THOMAS H.HARRISON 8. JAMES WM. HARRISON called WILLIAM* *[1840 census indicates the following for the children of James M and Mary Harrison: John E. age 18 George A. age 16 William H age 13 Thomas H age 11 Charles H. age 9 Nancy Bush age 10] 1. MARTHA JANE HARRISON born Oct. 9 1826 died May 23, 1910, married ELBERT HARLING (born May 16, 1819, died July 4, 1882). Both are buried in Mt Creek Church Yard near Edgefield, S.C. ELBERT HARLING served in the war Between the States as a private in company “K” of the 24th regiment of infantry, S.C. volunteers, in which company also served his brothers-in-law JAMES COLLINS and JAMES WILLIAM HARRISON as well as numerous friends and relatives. 2. MARY SUSANAH HARRISON born 1826 died of pneumonia Feb. 25, 1901, while on a visit to her son JAMES PICKENS COLLINS in Johnston, S.C. She was brought back to Graniteville S.C. for burial and rests in the lovely old cemetery, together with four of her children. She married JAMES COLLINS. Since MARY SUSANNAH HARRISON COLLINS is the great grandmother of my son [this family history was written by one of Jessica Thomspon Eustice’s grandmother’s cousins and is simply quoted in this transcription] for whom this information has been compiled, I set down in complete detail the knowledge I have. Our first glimpse of MARY SUSAN is from an old tin type and she is probably about seventeen at the time. She stands composed, demure and dainty while complacently seated is a gentleman friend! It is said the gentleman was BILL LAGRONE. Undoubtably it is the son of MARY A.E. HARRISON and ELIAS LAGRONE, MARY SUSAN’S cousin. Wheter there is an ‘understanding’ between them, I do not know, but also we have a tin type of BILL LAGRONE taken alone, and these two pictures come down to us from MARY SUSAN herself. MARY SUSANNAH HARRISON was a singer, possibly of no particular importance other than her own pleasure, but we have her song book with the old square notes and on the fly leaf the book has written “Mary Susan’s Book April the 2nd, 1843.” We do know that she was a very able seamstress and this stood her is good stead when the lean times came after the War. No doubt she was also a feminine charmer of no mean ability as we have a most quaint old valentine, the date May 6, 1844, in which the suitor John B. Cook declares his intentions to “Miss S.H.” We have not found a record of her marriage to JAMES COLLINS but have placed it between June 1844 and January 1846. We have recorded under date of Oct.9, 1854 a deed from James S. Collins to 'B.B. Outz’ (Book HHH p. 65) where he sold 96 acres on Mt Creek joining lands of Avon Hill, J Sheppard. A Reynolds and Gibson Collins and others. Witnesses Geo. M. Outz, William M. Hamilton testify Oct. 9, 1854. Susan Collins also sign [sic] the release. It is worded to call her Susan but she signs it as Mary S. under date of March 8, 1851. On April 15th, 1862 at Edgefield, S.C. James Collins enlisted as a Private of company “K” 24th Regiment S.C. Infantry, Confederate States Army. A report of operations and casualties of that organization in the Battle of Secessionville, S.C. June 16, 1862, dated James Island S.C. June 18, 1862 shows him missing. An undated Union Prisoners of war roll shows him captured at James Island, S.C. No later record of him has been found (letter from Adjutant General’s office Dec. 15, 1949) Historical Commission of S.C. at Columbus, S.C. says “James Colllins enlisted as a Private of company “K” 24th Regiment of Infantry May 13, 1862 from Edgefield District S.C. under Captain S.S. Tomkins. He is also listed on a roll of this Company dated 30th June 1862, as ‘supposed to be a prisoner taken battle 16th June, 1862.’ His name does not appear on any later rolls to the end of the War. Note: June 16, 1862 was the date of the Battle of Secessionville on James Island, and this Company was stationed on James Island at that time. My Husband [sic…this is from my grandmther’s cousin’s records remember] says his mother told him her father died in a prison ship in New York of cholera. We know he never returned to his wife and family. The one letter that is extant from James Collins is so interesting and descriptive that I have asked permission of MARY GLOVER COOPER (His granddaughter) to include it here: ‘Secessionville James Island June the 1st 1862 Dear Wife: I take this opportunity of dropping you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present. I hope when these few lines reaches you that you and the children will be enjoying the same blessing. We have moved twice since I wrote to you, but we are on the same Island, but I do not know when we will move again. Some say we will move tomorrow, but I don’t think we’ll stay long at this place for we cannot get water fit to drink. It is the greatest land that I ever saw in my life. The people have all moved off. There is nobody on the island but soldiers. The crops look fine, corn is in from breast to head high. The Island is fifteen miles long. The land is as rich as it can be and as level as it can be. It is very warm down here in the day time, but it is very cool in the night. The health of the camp is very good. There is some cases of mumps and measles in the camp. I am very well at the time, but I have been poorly ever since I have been on the Island with my bowels, but they have got a heap better and I think I can stand it tolerable, I have not stopped yet. I want you to write to me about the wheat, you must do the best you can. The Yankees shelled us from the camp they was at. When I went to the camp, we lay in the swamp all day until evening, then we went back and got our things and moved about three miles from where we were and camp that night, and next day we moved about three miles more. We are now in full view of Ft Sumter and and about three miles from Charleston. I can not write much Susan, for it is the worst place to write you I ever did see. Someone is always a coming in to ink of paper or something else. It is powerful hot in the tent now, about one o’clock. You must excuse my bad writing for a feller has to catch his chance. “Doc” is a cutting wood today. Tell Tony I will try to send him some palmetto by the next letter I write. Tell Cousin Jarrott to write to me. Tell him I want to see him mighty bad. Give my love to all the children. I will try and come home as soon as I can, but no one can get a furlough now, times is sorter squally down here. As to my promise about the dog, I have kept it, and if I live I will keep it, I give you my word as a soldier. I have not seen but one white woman since I have been down here. I want you to get the dog if you please. I want to see you all mighty bad. Tell little Eddy howdy for me. I must close, Your affectionate husband until death. J. Collins. You must write, I want to hear from you. Write every chance you have. I heard from J. Collins [sic].” The above letter is addressed to Mrs. Susan Collins, Pleasant Lane, Edgefield, S.C. We know there was a post office there and believe that her father James M. also lived in that vicinity, but I do not know if she lived with him after her husband went to the War. My husband [sic] says his mother always told him that all of them were raised in luxury. She herself did not benefit too much from this, having been born not to long before the beginning of the War. Under date of Jan 28, 1865, Jas. M. Harrison of the state of S.C. Edgefield District for and in consideration of the natural love and affection he bore for his daughter Mary S. Collins, did give and grant into her, the children of her body, her executors, administrators and assigns, a tract of land in said District lying on the waters of Rocky Creek, waters of Turkey Creek, waters of Big Stephens Creek and Savannah River. Containing 30 acres of land, adjoining lands of Jarrott Nobles, James S. Harrison, and himself, to have and to hold the said land unto the said Mary S. Collins and her children, her executors and administrators and assigns forever, and the said Jas. M. Harrison for himself, his heirs and assigns forever. Witnessed by Jas M. Harrison and Wilkinson Motes. (Courthouse records; Deed Book LLL p. 131). My Husband’s mother told him they had a difficult time especially after the war, and that they were in the path of Sherman when he marched through South Carolina. They mananged to save some things because ex-slaves took them to the woods and hid them. There were only six slaves who chose to remain with the family after they were freed. Mary Susan Collins appears on the Edgefield County 1870 Census as Susan Collins, age 43. Occupation Farming. Real estate $129.00 Personal $180.00 Born in South Carolina. Three of her children also appear: Susan 15, Thomas 13, and Edward 11. All were born in South Carolina. On Dec 1, 1880, Mary S. Collins sold her 47 acres of land to James Harrison Strom, grandfather of the present [sic] Governor of South Carolina, Strom Thurmond. She gave her address as Graniteville, S.C. in Aiken County (Book 5, p. 462). In 1884 William and Susan Mayson sold their land to James H. Strom and in 1886 Nancy and Willima Mathis sold their land to the same J.H. Strom. Nancy Mathis was Nancy Elisabeth or Nancy Bush Harrison sister of Mary Susannah.