Obituaries and funeral notices
1. Funeral services for James Collins.
A. The Free Press, Cartersville, Georgia, September 11, 1879, p. 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
Dr. Felton will preach the funeral of Mr. James Collins at Pine Log Methodist church on the second Sunday in October next. Mr. Collins was captured 4th day of July in 1864 by the Federal army. He was taken off and never returned to his home.
B. The Free Press, Cartersville, Georgia, October 2, 1879, p. 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty
Funeral Notice
Dr. Felton will preach the funeral notice of James Collins (who was captured by the Federals in 1864,) at Pine Log church, on the second Sunday in November next. Mr. Collins, although released, did not live to return to his home. The friends of the deceased are respectfully invited to be present at the funeral.
[Note: The exact identity of James Collins is unknown, but he is almost certainly related to the descendants of Jacob and Mary Martin Collins. Many Collins lived in Pine Log or nearby. Davis Collins’ son James V. and Jacob Collins Jrs.’ son James C. or K. P, are the two likely candidates. Neither appears in any census records after 1860. The curiosity is why a funeral service is being held 15 years after the end of the war if James “did not live to return to his home,” not to mention why there were two such services. Perhaps the first was postponed.]
2. Funeral notice for John Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 28 January 1892, page 8. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
“Pine Log”
On last Saturday, 23rd inst., Mr. Jno. Collins breathed his last and passed over the river to enjoy eternal bliss on the other side. The funeral service was held by the Rev. Mr. Mann who preached a very able sermon. Mr. Collins was a good citizen and true and devoted Christian. His dying words to his family were, “Don’t weep after me, I am going over to make the seventh one of my family on the other side.” He leaves a wife and several children to mourn his loss. The bereaved have our heartfelt sympathies in their great loss.
{Note: John's exact identity is unknown, but he is not John W. Collins, son of Archibald Grimes Collins, born 1878. He could possibly be John D. Collins, born 1859, the son of Julius A. and Thalander Collins. Julius was Davis Collins’ eldest son. I can’t confirm that John D. was the seventh member of his family to die, but by 1892 his grandparents are both dead and the family is large enough to account for four more.The heading "Pine Log" indicates a county correspondent, a person, usually an elderly woman, who filed a weekly report of news in their community. The Collins were long-time citizens of the town.]
3. Funeral notice for Miss Laura Collins, daughter of William Jasper Collins.
The Free Press, Cartersville, Georgia, 10 May 1883, page 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
“Death of Miss Laura Collins”
We regret to learn that Miss Laura Collins, daughter of Mr. W. J. Collins, superintendent of the county pauper farm, died yesterday morning at 10 o’clock, of consumption, in the eighteenth year of her age. Her remains will be interred this morning at our cemetery at 10 o’clock. We sympathize with Mr. Collins and his wife, who but a short while ago buried their only married daughter. We can say nothing to assuage the grief that time only can temper. The days may come and go, but the sorrow will still cling to the bereaved hearts of the father and the mother.
[Note: Laura was the daughter of William Jasper Collins and Savilla Garrison.]
4. Funeral notice for Martin Collins.
The Cartersville Express, Cartersville, Georgia, 30 June 1871, page 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
“Martin Collins”
Martin Collins, one of the most worthy, pious and industrious county citizens, departed this life, in great peace and triumph, at his residence near Milam’s Ferry, on Tuesday last, after a wasting protracted spell of sickness. His remains were brought to this place on Wednesday and his funeral was preached from the Methodist E. Church, by Dr. Wm. H. Felton, from the text “let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” The sermon was a most solemn and impressive one. Many eyes were bedewed with tears, and many hearts pulsated with emotions of sympathy for the grief-stricken wife and weeping orphan children, who were present to hear the last, sad tribute of respect paid to the memory of the one in whom their earthly hopes centered, and around whom their fondest affections clustered as husband and father. The corpse was followed to the cemetery by a large train of kindred and friends, where it was deposited in the earth to wait till his triumphant spirit returns to put it on afresh, at the last day. His dying admonition to his family and brethren was “meet me heaven.” For many years he had been an exemplary and acceptable member of the M. E. Church South, and died as he had lived—in the faith of the gospel of Christ. “Well done, weary pilgrim! Enter into thy rest.”
[Note: Martin was the son of Wiley Harris Collins and Nancy Martin, and husband of Derinda Langford, daughter of George Perry Langford and his aunt Mary Collins.]
5.The death of Mary Kidd Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, February 24, 1888, Page 5. Transcribed by Laurel Baty 2006
“Death of Mrs. Collins.
“She is Stricken With Paralysis and Passes Peacefully Away”
The citizens of Cartersville were shocked last Sunday morning by the information that Mrs. Collins, wife of Judge Aaron Collins, had been stricken with paralysis and was expected to die. She lingered until Sunday evening about 7 o’clock, when she expired. She was buried Tuesday morning, and the remains were followed to their last resting place by a large number of relatives and friends. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. H. J. Adams, pastor of the Methodist church, assisted by Rev. W. H. Cooper, pastor of the Baptist church.
Mrs. Collins, whose maiden name was Miss Mary Kidd, was born in Wilkes county, N. C., and when quite young she was married to Mr. Williams, which made her the step-mother of Mr. James H. Williams, of this county. Her husband died in Polk county, Tenn., in 1858, and in April 9, 1859, she was married to Judge Aaron Collins, and in December following they moved to Cartersville where they have since resided. In 1865 she joined the Christian church while in Worthington, Ind., and in December 1868 she joined the Cartersville Methodist church and she has ever lived the life of a devoted Christian. One who has known her intimately for a number of years says he has never known a more consistent Christian, a kinder neighbor or a more loving mother. She leaves a husband and adopted daughter to mourn her demise. She expressed herself, when in perfect health as being ready to await the Master’s call. Though her illness was very short her many friends did all that could be done for her, but the disease was beyond human aid.
[Note: Mary was the wife of Aaron Collins, the son of William Jasper and Mary Collins.]
6. The death of Miles A. Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 23 January 1896. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
“Death of M. A. Collins.
After a Protracted Illness of One Year He Succumbs to the Disease”
Mr. Miles A. Collins died at his home in Cartersville yesterday about noon, of dropsy.
He has been sick for about one year, and while he would rally at times, and was able to be about, yet the steady inroads of disease have been gradually encroaching upon his once robust constitution, and for the past few weeks he has been confined to his room. Although he had been sick so long, his death was a shock in its suddenness to his friends who had been informed only the day before, that he seemed to be improving.
Mr. Collins was born in North Carolina in 1840 and was in his 56th year at the time of his death. His father moved to Georgia when he was quite young and settled in Pickens county. He came to Cartersville in 1867 and was married to Miss Cora Clayton, near Stilesboro, in 1869. He was for a number of years in the saw mill business with Mr. S. M. Roberts, and about fifteen years ago they engaged in the mercantile business in this city, and the firm of Roberts & Collins was widely known throughout this section. They continued the partnership up to about three years ago when they closed out and retired.
Mr. Collins was serving his third term as county commissioner, having been elected to that office at three successive elections. He has been for many years a prominent member of the Methodist church and was for a long time chairman of the board of stewards.
He leaves a wife and five children, the eldest being about seventeen and the youngest about six years old.
He was a member of the Knights of Honor in which order he had $2,000 insurance. He was a prominent and popular citizen and his death is a severe loss to the town and county.
[Note: Miles was the son of Davis Collins and Martha Jackson.]
7. The death of Mrs. Perry Collins, formerly Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 18 June1891, page 8. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
“Hall’s Mill,”
Our community was again visited on last Thursday with the grim monster death, claiming for its victim Mrs. Perry Collins. She had suffered for a long while with consumption. When the message came she was ready to go. What a blessed thought to feel that our friends are at rest.
[Note: Perry is the son of Thomas and Nancy Collins.The “Hall’s Mill” heading indicates a county correspondent reporting news from the Hall’s Mill community. Hall’s Mill is another name for Hall’s, or Hall’s Station, a small community on the railroad about half way between Adairsville and Kingston.]
8. The death of Savilla J. Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 3 June 1897 Page 1.Transcribed and submitted by Laurel Baty.
“A Good Lady of This City Passes Away Last Week”
Mrs. Sivilla J. Collins, died at her home, on Church street at 11 o’clock on the morning of the 26th ult. Mrs. Collins had been sick for some time and her death was an event not unexpected by her relations.
Mrs. Collins was before her marriage, a Miss Garrison and has lived in Bartow all her life. She had been a member of the Methodist church for over thirty years and was a Christian woman, whose influence for good was felt among those who knew her. She was the wife of Mr. W. J. Collins, whom she leaves behind, and also one daughter, Miss Florence Collins. She had two children that are dead.
The funeral took place from the residence at 2 o’clock p. m. the 27th, and was conducted by Rev. P. Allen.
The remains were interred in Oak Hill cemetery.
[Note: Savilla was the wife of William Jasper Collins, son of William James Collins.]
9. The death of Thomas M. Collins.
Cartersville Free Press, Cartersville, Georgia, 21 April 1881 Page 3. Transcribed and submitted by Laurel Baty
“Death of Mr. Thomas M. Collins."
Died of typhoid fever, on Thursday, the 14th inst., at his home in Salacoa, Cherokee county, Mr. Thomas M. Collins, son of Thomas R. Collins; aged 34 years. He was buried with Masonic honors, and there were four or five hundred persons at the burying. The deceased was one of the first citizens of Cherokee county, and by his integrity and upright dealing he was greatly admired by all who knew him, and he will be sadly missed by his neighbors and friends. His funeral sermon will be preached at Fairview church, in Cherokee county, sometime in June. The friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend."
[Note: Thomas M. Collins was the son of Thomas R. Collins, and grandson of Jacob Archibald Collins, Jr.]
10. The death of Davis Collins.
The Cartersville American, Cartersville, Georgia, 26 August 1884, page 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty.
We tender our sympathies to Mr. Miles A. Collins, in the loss of his father, who died at his home near Blountsville, Ala., on the 8th inst., at the advanced age of 76 years.
11. The death of Mattie Bufford Bradley Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 24 October 1895, Page 3. Transcribed and submitted by Laurel Baty
“Mrs. Charles Collins”
A peculiarly sad death was that of Mrs. Charles L. Collins, which occurred at her home on Gilmer street on Saturday night last at about 10 o’clock. She had been in good health up to Tuesday of last week, when she was seized with a cold. It developed to a troublesome and stubborn stage rapidly and despite all usual remedies applied lingered to torture. Saturday pneumonia symptoms were developed and her physicians becoming alarmed, notified her relatives that the outlook in her case was serious. She grew worse, despite all attention and effort given her, and died at the time above stated.
Mrs. Collins was formerly Miss Mattie Bufford Bradley, the daughter of Mr. Joseph Bradley, one of the most popular citizens of Bartow county. She was married to Mr. Charles L. Collins in August of last year. The married life of the young people was as happy as could be. They seemed well suited to each other and their young lives blended in one vein of harmonious bliss.
Mrs. Collins was an exceptionally bright and companionable lady, possessed of all traits that made the loveable, good wife. She leaves besides her husband an infant four months old.
She was a member of the Baptist church at Cross Roads and lived scrupulously up to her Christian duties.
Her funeral occurred from the home Sunday evening and was one of the saddest that has occurred in Cartersville in many a day. The services were conducted by Rev. A. H. Buford, by whom she was baptized and Rev. W. H. Patterson. A large concourse of friends followed the remains to their last resting place in Oak Hill cemetery.
[Note: I do not know the relationship of Charles Collins to the rest of the Collins family, but I include this notice and the one below because it is highly likely he is a Collins relative.]
12. The death of Abda Bradley Collins, the infant son of Charles Collins.
Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 21 May 1896. Transcribed and submitted by Laurel Baty
“A Bright Infant”
In noticing the several deaths of children that occurred in the community in our last week’s issue we inadvertently overlooked that of the little son of Mr. Charles Collins. This was a peculiarly sad death. The mother an amiable, much beloved lady, died about a year ago, at a time when life was a blissful dream, opening up before her young vision in a glorious panorama, when the fell reaper blighted the realization, and a husband was left to mourn the loss of a loved companion and a little one was deprived of a mother’s love, care and training.
This babe was the father’s pride and hope and daily thought, and had every care of parent and other kindred and gave promise of buoyant life, health and growth, when several weeks ago it contracted pneumonia in some way, and after a short spell, which was supplemented by cholera infantum it died at 11 months of age. Abda Bradley Collins was an unusually bright child. His death was a sad blow to his father, who has the sympathy of all in his bereavement.
[Note: It is possible this notice and the one above refer to the same family.]
13. The death of Carrie Collins.
Cartersville Express, Cartersville, Georgia, 22 August 1879, Page 5. Transcribed by Laurel Baty
“Little Carrie Collins”
Carrie, daughter of Mr. Miles A. and Toccoa Collins, was born Feb. 25, 1878, and died in Cartersville, Ga., Aug. 14, 1879.
These parents have been bereaved of their only child. How sad! God has removed other children from this family circle, and now little Carrie has been received into our “Father’s house.” Weep not, fond parents, you will see her again! Jesus has said, “suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.” When David’s child died, he said, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” How consoling to parents to believe that bye and bye they shall be joined to their children, who have died, in a state of conscious existence. How beautiful the words of the Christian poet:
“I take these little lambs,” said he
“And lay them in my breast;
Protection they shall find in me,
In me be ever blest.”
[Note: Carrie Collins was the daughter of Miles A. and Toccoa Collins. Miles was the son of Wiley Harris Collins and Rhoda Martin.]
14. The death of the son of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Collins.
The Courant American, Cartersville, Georgia, 26 November1896, Page 5. Transcribed and submitted by Laurel Baty
“Brief Local Items”
A son, eleven months old of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Collins died Wednesday of last week.
[Note: The Bartow County marriage records have an Oscar Collins married to Annie Knox on 3 November 1910, but I don't know if this is the same Oscar, nor do I know Oscar’s relationship to the rest of the Collins.]
15. The death of Freddie Collins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Collins.
The Cartersville Courant, Cartersville, Georgia, 17 November 1886, page 3. Transcribed by Laurel Baty
No grief is more poignant than the death of a beloved child. Such was the grief that overwhelmed Mr. and Mrs. Martin Collins on Saturday last when their baby boy, Freddie, aged 15 months, died of pneumonia. The remains of the sweet child were laid to rest on Sunday afternoon.
16. The death of Mrs. Henry Collins.
Cartersville News, Cartersville, Georgia, 12 November 1908, Page 4. Transcribed by Laurel Baty
Mrs. Collins, the wife of Mr. Henry Collins, died at their home in the western part of the city, one day last week. She was a sister of Dr. D. H. Monroe, of Emerson, and a most estimable young woman.
[Note: Her husband, Henry H. Collins, was the son of Miller and Delilah Langford Collins. The Bartow marriage records list a Henry Collins who married Eva Monroe on 11 January 1885, and a Henry Collins who married Parthenia Simmons on 10 January 1889. I don't know if the two Henrys are the same. Also, H. H. Collins married Mrs. Pauline Smith on 24 November 1920 in Bartow County. ]