John Collins (1716 - 1778)

Born 21 Mar 1716 in Charlestown, Kings, Rhode Island

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 1 Oct 1778 at age 62 in Hopkinton, Kings, Rhode Island

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Biography

John was a Friend (Quaker)

John was born 21d 12m 1716/7 [21 Mar 1717] in Westerly.^[1]

He died 1d 10m 1778 [1 Oct 1778].^[1]

Testimony

The following testimony is from Memorials of deceased friends of New England Yearly Meeting.^[1]

Testimony from the monthly meeting of South Kingstown, in Kings County, in Rhode-Island Government, concerning John Collins.

He was born in the town then called Westerly, in said Government, the 21st day of 12th month, in the year 1716, old style, of believing parents, and when about 23 or 24 years of age, was convinced of the blessed truth, and became zealous and circumspect in his life and conversation, and for Truth’s sake, took up the cross and denied himself of his former pleasures and delights. It was not long after his convincement, before his mouth was opened in a public testimony, wherein although for some years he had but few words in meeting, yet his appearance was both acceptable and edifying to Friends, and as he proved himself faithful and diligent in the gift bestowed upon him, the Lord was pleased to enlarge it, so that he became an able minister of the gospel. And being possessed of a good understanding, he was through divine grace, serviceable in the discipline of the Church. He was also very diligent in attending meetings, until infirmity of body rendered him unable. He was not forward in appearing in testimony in meetings; but when he felt a necessity upon him so to do, his exercise tended to the edification and comfort of those who sat under his ministry. Upon his observing the great loss and damage many in connection with us had suffered, as he apprehended, from their taking upon them offices in civil government, he has been heard to say, that he thought all who take upon them our high and holy profession and strictly attend to the dictates of truth in their own hearts, would be preserved from taking such offices.

When he became affected with bodily disease, which was of a pulmonary nature, and protracted in its duration, his zeal and fervency were not abated, which was manifested by his continued constancy in attending meetings, both for worship and discipline. He was much engaged and took much pains in endeavoring to have the Africans or negroes freed from slavery, and often testified against that wicked practice. He was exemplary in bringing up his children in plainness of habit and speech. About a week before his decease, he called those of them that lived in the house with him, and said that he had no expectation of continuing long, and he had this advice to give them. “Live together in love, and be kind one to an other; and be diligent in attending meetings—and when met, not to be looking for words, but to endeavor to be gathered in ward and to wait in silence to be taught by that infallible teacher, the spirit of Christ, in your own hearts.” His disease increasing, and he continuing to grow weaker and his speech failing much, he appeared frequently to be in prayer, by lifting up his hands, and the moving of his lips, and one time was heard to say, “Be with me, O God, at this time.” At another time, a friend that was sitting by him, said “it may be, that thou mayest recover, there may be some further service for thee;” he answered, “I have no will about it, yet had rather be released if it be the Lord's will ; if not, I desire to be con formed thereunto, and if there be any further service for me, I hope I shall be faithful, but I believe that my service is over.” He continued to fail, and drawing towards his end, one of his sons coming to his bedside, he looked at him and said “almost gone,” his son answered “it looks so” and, “I think thou hast been greatly favored in the preservation of thy understanding;” he answered “yes, and notwithstanding the extremity of my pain, I believe I shall be favored with an easy passage when the time comes,” which to appearance, was granted him. He continued sensible to the last, and departed this life the 1st day of the 10th month, 1778, in the 63d year of his age, and was buried the 3d of the same, in the Friends' burying ground in Hopkinton, after a solemn meeting held on the occasion in the meeting-house. The foregoing testimony was signed by Stephen Hoxie, by order and on behalf of said Monthly Meeting of South Kingstown, held 28th of 3d month, 1780. STEPHEN HOXIE, Clerk at this time. The forgoing testimony of the Monthly Meeting of South Kingstown, respecting our esteemed friend John Collins, deceased, has been read in this meeting, and the same is directed to be sent up to the Yearly Meeting, this meeting approving thereof, with this additional testimony, that he, notwithstanding his views that the administration of civil government in the present state of the world did not belong to Friends, held civil government to be necessary, and that there was an order of men whose business it was to administer the same. We have also to mention his zeal and care to further the service of Friends who were traveling for the promotion of truth amongst us, often accompanying them therein, giving up his time to the service of the church, in a manner worthy of imitation. And as he lived to the promotion of righteousness on earth, we doubt not of his receiving the reward prepared for those who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity and truth.

Signed in and on behalf of our Quarterly Meeting, held at East Greenwich for Rhode Island, in New England, by adjournment, the 14th of 4th month 1780, by GEORGE COMSTOCK, Clerk,

John Collins was born. His parents were John Collins (~1679 - ) and Susanna Daggert ( - ).

John married Mehitable Bowen (1725 - ).

Their children were:

1. John ^[2]
2. Abigail Collins (1760 - 1831).

John Collins, father of Abigail, was a distinguished Quaker preacher and for many years sat at the head of the Friends New England Yearly Meeting. He died in Stonington in 1778. He was the son of John Collins and Susanna, daughter of William Daggert. He was the grandson of John Collins born 1632 and lost at sea in a shipwreck.

John died in 1778.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. Meeting for Sufferings. Memorials of Deceased Friends: of New England Yearly Meeting. Providence: Knowles & Vose, printers, 1841. p. 15.
2. ↑ "Rhode Island Births and Christenings, 1600-1914", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F8QJ-JSS : 17 December 2019), John Collins in entry for John Collins, 1745.

• Collins. Descendants of John Collins, of Charlestown, R.I. (George Knapp., 1901) p 10
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 18 November 2020), memorial page for John Collins (21 Mar 1716–1 Oct 1778), Find A Grave: Memorial #81909380, citing Friends Burial Ground, Hopkinton, Washington County, Rhode Island, USA ; Maintained by Jack and Ruth Gravance (contributor 47623823) .