Thomas Collins (1779 - 1859)

Born 3 Mar 1779 in Trenton, Mercer, NJ, USA

Ancestors

Husband of Ann (Abbott) Collins — married 10 Sep 1812 in New Jersey, USA

Descendants

Died 22 Jan 1859 at age 79 in Burlington, Burlington, NJ, USA

Biography

Thomas was a Friend (Quaker)

Thomas, second son of Isaac Collins and his wife Rachel Budd was born on 1 Mar 1779, in Trenton, New Jersey. ^[1]

In his youth he was trained as a proof-reader and an operator of his father's old-fashioned lever press. Upon reaching a suitable age, he became a partner of the printing firm started by his father, but also found time for public works. He became a life member of the American Bible Society, the Manumission Society, etc., as well as a public school manager ^[1]

Thomas Collins married Ann Abbott the daughter of John Abbott and his wife Susan Bullock, of Abbottsville, New Jersey, on 10 Sep 1812 in Trenton, New Jersey by Quaker ceremony. ^{[1][2] [3]}

In a very short time after his marriage, in 1818, he believed he had accumulated sufficient wealth to retire from business, and removed from New York to Burlington, New Jersey, with his wife and three children, residing in the house previously occupied by his father from 1808 to 1817. ^[1]

In all, Thomas and his wife had six children, all sons: ^[4]

• John, born 1814
• Arthur, born 1815
• Charles, born 1817
• Thomas, born 1819
• Francis, born 1821
• Albert, born 1825

While living in Burlington, he enjoyed gardening and the cultivation of fine fruit, on the tract of land that belonged to his property. He gave a liberal education to all of his sons, sending several of them to Haverford School. The eldest son became a teacher, a profession he followed for more than twenty-five years ^[1]

He was in favor of the Colonization Society, and other antislavery societies, contributing funds in his later years to aid fugitive slaves making their way to freedom in Canada. He also was involved in the founding of a school for colored children, then a neglected class. ^[1]

Thomas participated in the Society of Friends as a clerk of one of the business meetings, a member of the visiting committee of the Monthly Meeting School, and he was quite concerned for the welfare of the Society to which he belonged.^[1]

He passed away on 22 Jan 1859, in Trenton, New Jersey, ^[1]. after having been retired for 40 years. ^{[5] [6]}

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} Author not given, "Reminiscences of Isaac and Rachel (Budd) Collins with an Account of Some of Their Descendants" J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia (1893)
2. ↑ New Jersey, Marriage Records, 1670-1965
3. ↑ Colonial Families of the United States of America, Volume VI Abbott Family
4. ↑ Collins, Margaret Hill and Aird, Ellinor Collins, "The Collins Family" Vol. II The Collins Family in America, Descendants of the Third Son of The Rev. William Collins, Vicar of Swansea, Glamorganshire, Wales, Privately Printed, Ardmore, Pennsylvania (1976)
5. ↑ Haverford College; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Deaths, 1800-1885; Collection: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: K3.12
6. ↑ U.S. and UK, Quaker Published Memorials, 1818-1919

See also: Marriage Certificate attached