Parentage of Johnathan Collins (b. 1706 Bucks Co. PA)

Received an email from a fellow descendant of Jonathan Collins (b. 1706 Bucks Co. PA) through his son Mahlon, curious as to why I had noted on an earlier blog post that Jonathan's parents were not John Collins and Mary Meachum.

Back in 2008, I had been contacted by another researcher who advised me that Jonathan's parents were not John and Mary (Meachum) Collins.  Lacking any evidence to support my claim, I detached them as his parents.  Right now I cannot locate the email or other correspondence regarding this line.

Jonathan Collins was born October 8, 1706 in Bucks County, Pennyslvania and Ann ____ in 1731 in Hardwick, Warren County, New Jersey.  Their daughter, Deborah, who married Samuel Willson, was my ancestress.

A cursory glance online shows that John Collins and Mary Meachum were from Connecticut.  It is likely that someone has confused two families online and that was where I picked up the data originally.

I am hopeful that this new correspondence can shed some light on the parentage of Jonathan and also break down some other early NJ brickwalls on this part of the family.

On This Day : December 30

1725 - Samuel JEWETT born in Bradford, Massachusetts.  Samuel was the son of Samuel JEWETT and Ruth HARDY.  Samuel was my 6x-great grandfather.

1730 - Jonathan COLLINS died in Hardwick, Sussex County, New Jersey.  Jonathan was my 8x-great grandfather.

1740 - Charles WRIGHT born in Fife, Scotland.  Charles was the son of Robert WRIGHT and Elizabeth HENDERSON.

1772 - Cyllania WOOLSTON died in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Cyllania was the daughter of John WOOLSTON and Sarah POWELL.  Cyllania was my 7x-great grandmother.

1791 - Robert Beverly CHEW died in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Robert was the son of Robert CHEW and Mary PERROTT.

1809 - Mary HAWORTH married Thomas DOAN.  Mary was the daughter of Absalom HAWORTH and Mary WEST.

1809 - Lavinia Moore McPHEETERS born.  Lavinia was the daughter of William McPHEETERS and Lavinia MOORE.

1810 - David RINEHART born in Boutetourt County, Virginia.  David was the son of Peter RINEHART and Margaret MINGA.

1825 - Samuel SCHLOTHAUER died.  Samuel was the son of Johann Michael SCHLOTHAUER and Elizabeth PETRY.

1884 - Princess Rosetta BOYER married Marin YOUNGBLOOD.  Princess was the daughter of Isaac B. BOYER and Elizabeth J. CHEVALIER.

1890 - Cora E. GROENENDYKE born.  Cora was the daughter of Thomas GROENENDYKE and Emily SMITH.

1900 - Samuel YOUNG married Lulu VINSON.  Samuel was the son of Leroy YOUNG and Mary Jane KING.

1903 - Ida Laura WEHRLY married Edward SCHOLER.  Ida was the daughter of William P. WEHRLY and Olive Jane SMITH.

1909 - Sarah Alice SWAFFORD married John JONES in Ray County, Missouri.  Sarah was the daughter of Samuel Richard SWAFFORD and Susan Isabell McGAUGH.

1944 - Bertha Ewing BRITTON died in Hunterdon, New Jersey.  Bertha was the daughter of Josiah Cole BRITTON and Elenor Creveling EWING.

1949 - Judy Darlene CUMMINGS died in Poplar Bluff, Butler County, Missouri.  Judy was the daughter of Luther St. Patrick CUMMINGS and Frances Bernice PURDUE.

1961 - Bertha Alberta HERCULES died in Richmond, Wayne County, Indiana.  Bertha was the daughter of Luman Cooper LeMASTERS and Barbara Isabel WEHRLY.

1962 - Cloyd J. PIERCE died.  Cloyd was the son of William Francis PIERCE and Vida MADDOX.

1963 - James Sheman SWAFFORD died in Sedalia, Missouri.  James was the son of Clyde Andrew SWAFFORD and Mary Maxine BENTLY.

1981 - Daniel Wayne LEWIS died in Wabash, Wabash County, Indiana.  Daniel was the son of Lawrence Solomon LEWIS and Ruth Alice SILLS.

Surname Saturday : Willson

The WILLSON surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname appear to be English Quaker.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 113 : Sarah A. Willson (c1804-1881).  Sarah was born circa 1804 in New Jersey, probably Sussex County.  She married July 6, 1822 in Belvidere, Sussex County, New Jersey to John Lambertson (c1800-1875). John was born circa 1800 in New Jersey.  They raised a family of ten children in New Jersey and Butler County, Ohio, moving to Ohio circa 1836-37.  John died October 1875 in Farmersville, Montgomery County, Ohio.  Sarah died December 21, 1881 in Ohio.

Ahnentafel # 226 : Samuel Willson (c1780-bet1836-50).  Samuel was born circa 1780 in New Jersey.  He married before 1850 in New Jersey to Elizabeth ________(c1780-aft1850).  Elizabeth was born circa 1780 in New Jersey and died after 1850 in Butler County, Ohio.  They had at least 6 children and moved to Ohio circa 1836-37.  Samuel died between 1836 and 1850, probably in Butler County, Ohio.

Ahnentafel # 452 : Mahlon Willson (1767-1852).  Mahlon was born 8mo 27d in Hunterdon Couny, New Jersey.  He married 6mo 11d 1789 at Kingwood MM, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  The name of his first wife is unknown.  They were the parents of 11 children.  He married secondly in August 1831 to Sarah Mann.  Mahlon died February 11, 1852 in Sussex County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 904 : Samuel Willson (1738-1794).  Samuel was born 1mo 5d in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He married 8mo 19d 1761 at Kingwood MM, Hunterdon County, New Jersey to Deborah Collins (1741-1803).  Deborah was born March 23, 1743 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 12 children.  Deborah died January 8, 1803 in Great Meadows, Warren County, New Jersey. Samuel died 5mo 22d 1794, probably in Warren County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 1808 : Samuel Willson (1706-1785).  Samuel was born January 19, 1706 in Chesterton Township, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Samuel married July 13, 1732 in Bethlehem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Deborah Willets (1712-1772).  Deborah was born January 14, 1712 in Little Egg Harbor, Burlington County, New Jersey.  They raised 10 children.  Deborah died Jun 2, 1772 in Hardwick, Warren County, New Jersey.  Samuel died in 1785 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 3616 : Samuel Willlson (1681-1761).  Samuel was born May 1, 1681 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.  He married December 6, 1705 in Chesterfield, Burlington County, New Jersey to Hester Overton (1682-1730).  Hester was born October 26, 1682 in Quakertown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.   They raised 8 children.  Hester died in 1730 in New Jersey.  Samuel died 12mo 19d 1761 in Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Ahnentafel # 7232 : Robert Willson (1652-1709).  Robert was born in 1652 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England.  He married 5mo 22d 1672 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England to Ann Hoag (c1652-1709).  Ann was born circa 1652.  They were the parents of at least 4 children.  Ann died December 1709 in Chesterfield, Burlington County, New Jersey.  Robert died February 10, 1709 in Chesterfield, Burlington County, New Jersey.

Related blog posts:

• Samuel Willson (b. January 19, 1705/06)

• Happy Anniversary : John Lambertson & Sarah A. Willson

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

On This Day : October 8

1686 - James PIERCE born in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  James was the son of John PIERCE and Deborah CONVERS.

1706 - Jonathan COLLINS born in Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  Jonathan was my 8x-great grandfather.

1772 - Jesse MAXSON born in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Jesse was the son of Ephraim MAXSON and Elisabeth DAVIS.  Jesse was my 4x-great grandfather.

1777 - Thomas SUMNER married Hanna HIATT in Guilford County, North Carolina.  Thomas was the son of Robert SUMNER and Phoebe BEALS.

1802 - Samuel McPherson HIGGINS born in Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey.  Samuel was the son of Judiah H. HIGGINS and Rachel McPHERSON.

1823 - Mary KELSO died in Cynthiana, Kentucky.  Mary was the daughter of William McPHEETERS and Rachel MOORE.

1864 - William CARTER died.  William was the son of John CARTER and Sarah BEALS.

1864 - Daniel B. KING born in Madison County, Indiana.  Daniel was the George Washington KING and Elizabeth HOWARD.

1866 - Anna MILLER born in Darke County, Ohio.  Anna was the daughter of George MILLER and Barbara BOLLINGER.

1868 - Thomas John RICHARDS born.  Thomas was the son of John Thomas RICHARDS and Mary Jane CROCKETT.

1870 - Ida Isabelle COFFELT born in Jefferson City, Missouri.  Ida was the daughter of Daniel COFFELT and Rebecca A. SWAFFORD.

1889 - Louisa MILLER married Henry C. MAASBERG in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana.  Louisa was the daughter of William MILLER and Elizabeth SCHAFER.

1889 - Alean Rodney SWAFFORD born in Richmond, Missouri.  Alean was the daughter of Landon Marcellus SWAFFORD and Bertie Belle MARSH.

1911 - Kenneth Paul LeMASTER born in Mercer County, Ohio.  Kenneth was the son of Clarence Harrison LeMASTER and Ferry Mae BICKEL.

1913 - M. David JACOBS died.  David was the son of David JACOBS and Barbara BYERS.

Wehrly Family, Portland, Indiana (1907)

Source: Complete Directory of Jay County, M & M Directory Co., Portland, Ind., 1907, p. 99

These listings of the WEHRLY family in Portland, Jay County, Indiana in 1907 are for my paternal relatives.


Charles WEHRLY with wife Rose is unidentified as a family member.  He was a laborer for the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad.


John William WEHRLY (1870-1954) with wife Esther L. WHITE was my paternal great-granduncle, and brother of my great grandmother, Barbara Isabel.  John was a jeweler.


John P. WEHRLY (1838-1910) with wife Katharine was my 2x great-granduncle. I usually have his wife's name spelled as Catherine with a "C".  She was a LEMASTERS, so I am related to both he and his wife.  He is shown as a laborer living at rural route 10 Portland.  In the 1900 census they were living in Madison Township, Jay County.


Lon WEHRLY (1880-1960) was the son of John P. above, his full name was Alonzo John Wehrly.  Interesting that his occupation was listed as salesman.  Later in life he would become sheriff of Jay County.  I do not know yet the maiden name of his wife, Bertha.


Luman Walker WEHRLY (1874-1961) was another son of John P. above, again another salesman.  He was living in Portland on Votaw.  His wife was Almeda COLLINS, listed simply as Meda in this directory.

On This Day : January 8

1715: Judith SANBORN born in Hampton Falls, Province of New Hampshire.  Judith was the daughter of Enoch SANBORN and Elizabeth DENNETT.  Judith was my 6x great-grandmother.


1720: Thomas FESSENDEN married Abigail LOCKE.  Thomas was the son of Nicholas FESSENDEN and Margaret CHENEY.


1732: Sarah ELDERTON born in Westerly, Rhode Island.  Sarah was the daughter of Roger ELDERTON and Lydia BABCOCK.


1740: George TAYLOR born.  George was the son of George TAYLOR and Rachel GIBSON. 


1750: Mary MILLS was born in Virginia.  Mary was the daughter of John MILLS and Sarah BEALS.


1778: George MAXSON married Anne MERRITT.  George was the son of Matthew MAXSON and Martha POTTER.


1780: Colby TAYLOR born.  Colby was the son of Commodore Richard TAYLOR and Catherine DAVIS.


1797: Richard TAYLOR married Mary TAYLOR.  Richard was the son of Commodore Richard TAYLOR and Catherine DAVIS.  Mary was the daughter of Edmund TAYLOR and Sarah STUBBS.


1803: Deborah WILLSON died in Great Meadows, Warren County, New Jersey.  Debora was the daughter of Jonathan COLLINS and Ann ________.  She was my 7x great-grandmother.


1811: Phebe GARRETT died.  Phebe was the daughter of Robert SUMNER and Phoebe BEALS.


1812: Royal Storrs PIERCE born.  Royal was the son of Gordon PIERCE and Thirsa SMALLEY.


1824: Allen WARDLAW married Sally BROWN.  Allen was the son of Samuel WARDLAW and Elizabeth NESBIT.


1827: Robert Conway RINEHART born in Henry County, Indiana.  Robert was the son of Jacob RINEHART and Mary (Polly) ADNEY.


1851: John MAXSON died in Doddridge County, Virginia.  John was the son of Zebulon MAXSON and Mary DAVIS.


1856: Franklin Pierce RUTHERFORD born.  Franklin was the son of Randolph Spicer RUTHERFORD and Christina Evalina HECK.


1870: William Marion HENDRIXSON married Mary Ann BERGER.  William was the son of Allen HENDRIXSON and Sarah Ann WRIGHT.


1875: Edmund G. PIERCE died in Madison County, Indiana.  Edmund was the son of Francis S. PIERCE and Rebecca PAGE.  Edmund was my 3x great-grandfather.


1885: Martha Ann SWAFFORD married U.S. Grant HEATH in Ray County, Missouri.  Martha was the daughter of John B. SWAFFORD and Nancy Rowena MILLARD.


1896: Taylor Evert CHIVLARE born in Yankeetown, Warrick County, Indiana.  Taylor was the son of Isaac C. CHIVLARE and Florence FOLLOWAY.


1897: Malenia DAVIS born.  Malenia was the daughter of Joseph Newton DAVIS and Almeda DAVIS.


1898: Maxine MAXSON born in Pennsylvania.  Maxine was the daughter of Hal Yates MAXSON and Emma FRANK.


1898: Henry PETRY died.  Henry was the son of Henry PETRY and Elizabeth WEHRLY.


1900: Janet Audra DAVIS born.  Janet was the daughter of Winchester Journey DAVIS and Lula Iona DAVIS.


1910: Harley LEE married Anna SMITH in Ray County, Missouri.  Harley was the son of Luther Wesley LEE and Basthal D. GANT.

Family Milestones: September 12th

My paternal 5th-great grandfather, Cornelius SUTTON, married on this date in 1806 in Harrison County, Virginia to Elisabeth DAVIS.  Cornelius was the son of Amos and Jane (CLAWSON) SUTTON.  Elisabeth was the daughter of Thomas William and Tacy (CRANDALL) DAVIS.  Cornelius was born October 29, 1750 in New Jersey.  Elisabeth was born in 1746 in New Jersey.  Elisabeth died 1807 in New Salem, Virginia.  Cornelius died September 30, 1850 in West Union, Doddridge County, Virginia.  


My maternal 5th-great granduncle, Bennett PIERCE, was born on this date in 1771.  Bennett was the son of Seth and Bethiah (FIELD) PIERCE, and the older brother of my Gordon PIERCE.  Bennett died March 17, 1773.  Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal 5th-great grandaunt, Elizabeth PIERCE, was born on this date in 1788.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Seth and Bethiah (FIELD) PIERCE, and the younger sister of my Gordon PIERCE.  Elizabeth married Chester COLLINS.  Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal great-grandaunt, Lillian PIERCE, was born on this date in 1902 in Madison County, Indiana.  Lillian was the daughter of William Francis and Clara (PENISTEN) PIERCE, and the younger sister of my Edna Muriel PIERCE. Lillian died August 11, 1921 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  


My maternal 6th-great grandfather, Seth PIERCE, was born on this date in 1744 in Woburn, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.  Seth was the son of Seth and Elizabeth (NYE) PIERCE.  Seth married April 17, 1767 to Bethiah FIELD, daughter of Bennett and Elizabeth (SPOFFORD) FIELD.  Bethiah was born April 8, 1746 in Stafford, Windham County, Connecticut.  They had 12 children.  Bethiah died September 18, 1807.  Seth died in 1835 in Homer, Cortland County, New York.

Samuel Willson (b. January 19, 1705/06)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 8th-great grandfather, Samuel Willson.

Samuel was born January 19, 1705/06 in Chesterton Twp., Burlington Co., NJ, the son of Samuel and Hester (Overton) Willson. Samuel married July 13, 1732 in Bucks Co., PA to Deborah Willets, daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Seaman) Willets. Deborah was born January 14, 1711/12 in Little Egg Harbor, Burlington Co., NJ and died June 2, 1772 in Hardwick, Warren Co., NJ Samuel died 1785 in Hunterdon Co., NJ.

Samuel and his family were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker). Some of the dating may be improperly recorded from the Quaker dating system.

Known children of Samule and Deborah (Willets) Willson are as follows :
i. Mary Willson b. June 29, 1733 Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. 1816 m. Jacob Lundy
ii. Deborah Willson b. June 17, 1735, d. May 3, 1800 Ontario, Canada, m. Titus Doan
iii. Samuel Willson b. 1738 1st mo., 5dy Bethlehem MM, Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. 1794 5th mo., 22dy., m. Deborah Collins
iv. Sarah Willson b. May 29, 1740 Hunterdon Co., NJ
v. Joseph Willson b. December 10, 1742 Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. October 26, 1784 New Jersey, m. Elizabeth Schmucke
vi. Gabriel Willson b. December 13, 1745 Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. 1803 m. Keziah Decker
vi. John Willson b. February 23, 1747/48 Warren Co., NJ, m. Elizabeth Schooley
vii. James Willson b. November 27, 1750 Warren Co., NJ, m. Sarah Schmuck
viii. Esther Willson b. March 13, 1754 Sussex Co., NJ., d. December 20, 1836 Sussex Co., NJ, m. George Lundy
ix. Susanna Willson b. June 27, 1757 Warren Co., NJ, d. aft. April 12, 1792 Westland, PA., m. Jacob Smith

I descend from Samuel and Deborah (Willets) Willson through their son, Samuel, as follows :
Samuel Willson and Deborah Willets
Samuel Willson and Deborah Collins
Mahlon Willson and ________
Samuel Wilson and Elizabeth ________
Sarah A. Wilson and John Lambertson
Carey W. Lambertson and Clara E. Cook
Charles Wilson Lambertson and Pearl May Beals
Clemon Beals Lambertson and June Kirk Davis (my great-grandparents)

Deborah Willets (b. January 14, 1711/12)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 8th-great grandmother, Deborah Willets.

Deborah was born January 14, 1711/12 in Little Egg Harbor, Burlington Co., NJ., the daughter of Joseph and Deborah (Seaman) Willets. Deborah married July 13, 1732 in Bethlehem, Bucks Co., PA. to Samuel Willson, son of Samuel and Hester (Overton) Willson. Samuel was born January 19, 1705/06 in Chesterton Twp., Burlington Co., NJ. and died 1785 in Hunterdon Co., NJ. Deborarh died June 2, 1772 in Hardwick, Warren Co., NJ.

Many of these dates have not been properly converted from the Quaker format, but I present them as they stand in my database as a starting point.

Known children of Samuel and Deborah (Willets) Willson are as follows :
i. Mary Willson b. June 29, 1733 Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. 1816 m. Jacob Lundy
ii. Deborah Willson b. June 17, 1735, d. May 3, 1800 Ontario, CAN, m. Titus Doan
iii. Samuel Willson b. 1738-1mo-5d Hunterdon Co., NJ., d. 1794-5mo-22d, m. Deborah Collins.
iv. Sarah Willson b. May 29, 1740 Hunterdon Co., NJ
v. Joseph Willson b. December 10, 1742 Hunterdon Co., NJ, d. October 26, 1784 NJ, m. Elizabeth Schmuke
vi. Gabriel Willson b. December 13, 1745 Hunterdon Co., NJ., d. 1803, m. Keziah Decker
vii. John Willson b. February 23, 1747/48 Warren Co., NJ, m. Elizabeth Schooley
viii. James Willson b. November 27, 1750 Warren Co., NJ., m. Sarah Schmuck
ix. Esther Willson b. March 13, 1754 Sussex Co., NJ., d. Decmber 20, 1836 Sussex Co., NJ, m. George Lundy
x. Susanna Willson b. June 27, 1757 Warren Co., NJ, d. aft. April 12, 1792 Westland, PA., m. Jacob Smith

Today in my database : Joseph Willets (b. October 13, 1677)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 9th-great grandfather, Joseph Willets.

Joseph was born October 13, 1677 in Hempstead, Nassau Co., NY. Joseph married November 6, 1702 in Hempstead, Nassau Co., NY to Deborah Seaman, daugther of John and Maria (Moore) Seaman. Deborah was born ca. 1682 in Hempstead, Nassau Co., NY and died in 1733 in Haddonfield, Burlington Co., NJ. Joseph died in 1733 in Haddonfield, Burlington Co., NJ.

I descend from Joseph and Deborah's daughter, Deborah, as follows :

Joseph Willets and Deborah Seaman
Deborah Willets and Samuel Willson
Samuell Willson and Deborah Collins
Mahlon Willson and ________
Samuel Wilson and Elizabeth ________
Sarah A. Wilson and John Lambertson
Carey W. Lambertson and Clara Cook
Charles Wilson Lambertson and Pearl May Beals
Clemon Beals Lambertson and June Kirk Davis (my great-grandparents)

Today in my database : Jonathan Collins (b. October 8, 1706)

Today's featured relative in my database is my maternal 8th great-grandfather, Jonathan Collins.

Jonathan was born October 8, 1706 in Buckingham, Bucks Co., PA. Jonathan married Ann _______ on June 2, 1731 in Hardwick, Warren Co., NJ. Ann was born ca. 1719 in Buckingham, Bucks Co., PA and died before 1785 in Bucks Co., PA. Jonathan died December 30, 1731 in Hardwick, Sussex Co., NJ.

I descend from Jonathan & Ann's daughter, Deborah, as follows :

Jonathan Collins m. Ann ________
Deborah Collins m. Samuel Willson
Mahlon Willson m. ________
Samuel Willson m. Elizabeth ________
Sarah A. Willson m. John Lambertson
Carey W. Lambertson m. Clara E. Cook
Charles Wilson Lambertson m. Pearl May Beals
Clemon Beals Lambertson m. June Kirk Davis (my great-grandparents)

Update : 9-17-08 As pointed out by an astute reader, the parentage of Jonathan Collins is NOT John and Mary (Meacham) Collins, as previously reported. I am correcting my data.