This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RobertFord14 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.washington/4178.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The James COLLINS (a farmer, age 46) and Mary COLLINS (age 93) in dwelling # 988 of the 1850 census of Washington County is a mystery in that they are enumerated between Col. William BYARS and Henry MOCK. There is no other James COLLINS in the 1850 census of WC. On 05 Oct 1798, Patrick COLLINS bought 92 acres in Washington County from William & Elizabeth BRADSHAW. This 92 acre tract was located on the north side of the South Fork of the Holston River east or southeast of Alvarado. Alvarado being about one-half mile slightly southeast of the mouth of the Middle Fork of the Holston River where it empties into the South Fork of the Holston River. See: http://boards.ancestry.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.washington/1608.1.1.1.1.1.2.2/mb.ashx for additional info on Patrick COLLINS. (Note: the URL -- http://www.topozone.com/map -- mentioned in the above website no longer works as TopoZone is now merged into a pay site). In the 1860 census of Washington County , is a James COLLINS (a farmer, age 55, dwelling # 903). This James COLLINS is also listed in the Schedule 4 "Productions of Agriculture" of the 1860 census of Washington County (Post Office "Bluff Bridge"). On page 17, line 10 of the Agriculture census, James COLLINS is shown as having 50 improved acres and an additional 42 acres of unimproved land, thus a total of 92 acres. If the James COLLINS that was a farmer in the 1850 census of WC was also listed in the 1850 Agricultural census schedule, his acreage (improved & unimproved) would also be included. Thus if it was 92 acres, mystery solved. For more on Patrick COLLINS, see: http://www.michaelh53.com/genealogy/collins/patrickcollins.htm [On the other hand there was a Charles COLLINS associated with Col. Wm. BYARS and both were part of the early history of Emory & Henry College. Collins House is the oldest college building still on its original foundation. Built in 1845 as a home for Emory & Henry's first president, Charles COLLINS (1838-52), the house carries his name. Col. BYARS owned various properties in Washington County including his residence for a time called Brook Hall]. Bob Ford Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.