Portrait

Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey, John Hall (Daily Union, Atlantic City, 1900):
John Collins, b. November 1, 1760, was the second son of the pioneer, Dr. Richard Collins, and may be rightly claimed as one of the founders of Methodism in America. He converted at Smithville, this county, in 1794, he was soon licensed as a local preacher and traveled extensively through a large part of West Jersey. His wife was Sarah Blackman, daughter of David Blackman, of English Creek. She was a most loyal and efficient help-mate in his Christian labors. In 1803 he removed to Ohio with his family, and took up an extensive tract of land in Clermont County.
Mr. Collins preached his first Methodist sermon in Cincinnati in 1804 and joined the traveling connection in 1804. He established the first society in Dayton, 1808, and was made presiding elder in 1819. It is said by various historians of the church that the Methodists had not, in its early days, a more successful preacher than Mr. Collins. The following is a description of him given by an eye-witness. The occasion was the quarterly meeting in Ohio. The meeting was opened by a young man who, I was informed , had been recently initiated into the ministry, He was followed by an old man dressed in linsey woolsey. He was tall and thin; his head was whitened by the frost of years; his countenance was one that men love to look upon.; there was nothing remarkable or peculiar in his features; his forehead was high and a little projecting; his eyes small and sunken; his nose thin and a little aquiline, and chin rather long. But he had an expression and countenance that is not easily
forgotten. As he arose every eye was riveted on him, and such was the silence of the large assembly that the softest whisper might have been heard. I felt I was in the presence of no ordinary man. He read the parable of the “Prodigal son,” and so preached and illustrated the text that the whole assembly burst into an involuntary gush of tears, such were his oratorical powers.”
After being in the west for a short time, Rev. Mr. Collins became worried over the spiritual welfare of his father, the old Doctor, who had tried the Quaker religion after renouncing Catholicism, so he returned to the old homestead at Collins’ Mills on a religious mission. Some days after his return his father said to him: “John, we are all glad to see thee, but I don’t like thy religion.” This was unexpected and greatly distress John. After some reflection he resolved to spend the whole of the ensuing night in prayer for his father. Accordingly, at nightfall, after supper, he hurried to the barn, that he might not be interrupted . Here he engaged in fervent prayer until near ten o’clock. Someone knocked at the barn door, but he made no answer. In a short time another messenger came and opening the door discovered him. This messenger was his sister, who had experienced religion and who informed him that he had been sought for in his room, at his brother’s nearby, and at other places, and that he was supposed to be in the barn. She told him their father was suffering the greatest mental agony and wished to see him. With joyful heart Mr. Collins hurried to his father and, embracing him, wept and prayed with him. The struggle continued until near daylight, when deliverance came. His father was filled with peace and joy and triumph” Life of John Collins. This briefly is part of the life of this great man who, his contemporaries claim, was the greatest apostle of Methodism through the Northwestern Territory. A sketch of his life was published by the western Book concern in 1849; to who this the writer is indebted, and also to Mrs. Ann Collins Fleming, who is the possessor of many of the letters and private papers of John Collins. He died in 1845, at the age of 76. A marble shaft marks his resting place in the little churchyard at Bethel, near the road to Ripley, Ohio. The children of John Collins and Sarah Blackman were four daughters and three sons, David,
Wesley, and Richard.

Reverend John Collins, a founder of Methodism in the USA.
Moved to Ohio as pioneer minister. See notes under wife Sarah Blackman's name about move of 100+ families to Clermont Co., SW Ohio in period 1803-1830. Built home in Elk Lick, Ohio, about 15 miles east of Cincinnati, with site flooded by a reservoir in 1972.
Had 7 children.

A photo and information about the migration can be found at http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/county/capemay/Migration2.htm.

Francis Chamberlain ancestral notes:
Rev. John Collins, b 1 Nov 1769. d 22 Aug 1845 (moved to Ohio)
Sarah Blackman -- married in 1793.

Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey, John Hall (Daily Union, Atlantic City, 1900):
John Collins, b 1 Nov 1769, d 22 Aug 1845, m Sarah Blackman, Nov 1793.

Genealogical notes by John and Mille Emmitt appearing in the Clermont County (Ohio) Genealogical Society newsletter, about 2000:
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CLERMONT'S REV. JOHN COLLINS
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The Rev. John Collins was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey, Nov.1st 1769 to Quaker parents. At an early age he became interested in religion. When he was a young man he went to Charleston to study religion, where he stayed one year. He returned to New Jersey in 1793 where he married Sarah Blackman. John was afflicted by a sickness that brought him to the verge of death in July 1794. He sought and found religion in October of that year, and soon became an active member of the Methodist Church. It wasn't long before he became a preacher in this faith. He had few equals in the pulpit. In the year 1803 Rev. Collins settled with his family on a farm in Clermont Co.Ohio, on the East Fork of the little Miami River near Elklick Rd., I might add that many present day Clermont County people are descended from this family. Some of his children were Wesley, Sarah, Mary, Belinda, Elvaner, Richard, Elizabeth, Alice & Electra. Wesley and Sarah died in childhood. Richard married Mary Ann Johnson 1 Mar. 1838, Elizabeth married Collins Bredwell 2 Mar. 1835 and 2nd L.D. Bredwell 18 Mar. 1841, Electra married Dr.George Bragdon and 2nd Col. William Thomas. [Correction: second husband of Elizabeth Collins was L.D. Stockton, not Bredwell.]
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In the year 1805 John built a 2 story stone house on his Elklick property. He held some of his first Methodist meetings here. This house was said to be the oldest stone house in Ohio, before it was bulldozed by the U.S.Corps. of Engineers in 1972 to make way for Harsha Lake in the East Fork State Park.
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John's son Richard became a very successful lawyer and was said by some to be the best in all of Ohio. He practiced in Hillsboro, but moved back to Clermont County in 1828 to practice in Batavia and started a mansion at Elklick site of 37 rooms that was finished by 1830. This was said to be the show place of Clermont County. It also was a victim of the Harsha Lake in 1972.
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Rev. John Collins preached the first Methodist sermon that was ever preached in Cincinnati. He soon organized the first Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Wesley Chapel now defunct. He also organized churches in Dayton, Chillicothe, Lebanon and not the least of them was the Collins Chapel in Clermont Co. now called Old Bethel Methodist Church. This church is in the East Fork State Park just 3/4 mile north of Bantam OH, this Church has been declared a historic place, and is maintained by the Historical Society. A cemetery surrounds this building. Many early Clermont Countians are buried there including Rev. John Collins. Meetings are held there occasionally even today in the year 2,000.
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The appearance of Rev. John Collins never failed to make the most favorable impression. His dress was neat and always plain and Quaker-like. His voice was soft and silvery, and had a soothing sympathetic way with his followers. He organized many Church Camps and followed these Church circuits: New Jersey, and in Ohio, New Richmond, Dayton, Scioto, White Oak, Miami, Deer Creek, Union and Cincinnati at various times in his career.
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Rev. John Collins had a great ministry, his influence was felt by thousands of people, not only as Pastor of Old Bethel Methodist Church at Bantam in Clermont County and at Wesley Chapel in downtown Cincinnati, and by the thousands that he came in contact during his career.
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After several years of poor health he departed this world the 22 Aug. 1845 at the home of his son Richard in Maysville, Kentucky. His tombstone at Old Bethel Cemetery reads "Rev. John Collins, Minister of the M.E. Church died Aug 22 1845 aged 75 years, 9 months, 22 days"
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Submitted by John & Mille Emmitt
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From an email from John Emmitt to Luke Wright, April 2002:
Hi: I am almost certain this is the John Collins you are looking for. Rev.John Collins lived in Clermont most of his time in Clermont Co. OH. but he did get around several counties and established Methodist churches there. Two years ago I wrote the attached article with the attached photo for the Clermont Co. Genealogical Society newsletter. We had in our possession a Xerox copy of his biography from a New Jersey Library published in 1849. We have since donated the copy of this book to the Clermont Co. Library. It mentioned his Church involvement in Ross County.

From http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/an/surnames.collins/5653 (lwrightjax@aol.com):


“Spendlove, Harrison, Allen, Sanders, Barton, Jones, Higbee, Zabriskie, Carr, Brindle” Ancestry file, Jackie Leatham, , accessed 24 Jun 2007:
Clermont County Patents and Surveys
Recorded Patents: Note: Surveys will be coming soon
The following is a list of the United States patents for lands in this county, on record in the Recorder's Office, and shows the name of the patentee, number of acres,date of patent, and name of the President issuing the same, and when surveyed.
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Higbee , Isaac 41 2/3a 14 Oct 1818 Monroe 15 Oct 1817
D-3:138 McCullom , Cornelius & Rebecca hw of CCo to Higby , Isaac 1 Oct 1805 1a 69 poles - $20
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D - 3:137 Higby , Isaac & Sophia hw of CCo to McCullom , cornelius of same co 1 Oct , 1805 1a 69 poles - $20 an equal right
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Rev. John COLLINS, Methodist minister from Gloucester Co., who led a group of followers to found "New Jersey Settlement" in Clermont Co., Ohio in 1803. Wife was Sarah BLACKMAN.
5 Apr 1998, Janet Klenk, JKlenk2588@aol.com
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See: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BLACKMAN/2001-07/0994874553
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NJATLANT-L Archives
Archiver > NJATLANT > 2001-11 > 1006029803
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From: HERMON B FAGLEY >
Subject: [NJATLANT] History-Old Bethel M.E.,Bantam,Clermont Co,Oh
Date: Sat, 17 Nov 2001 15:43:23 -0500
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I'm going to post to some NJ shore areas where some came from, and to some sw Ohio counties ,who shared the Methodist circut-riders. I note US SUPREME COURT Justice John McLean,author of a bio of Rev John Collins [m Sarah Blackman, Galloway Twnsp, old Gloucester Co,NJ] taught,and preached at Old Bethel. There is a word-las- that might be [?]
Lewis,or Jas-James. Somebody knows this church as well as Rev Carl Ely and I. I'm typing 2 miles from it,and descend from James Blackman, Thomas and John Hitch, Jesse Justice,and more were many great uncles-HB FAGLEY 2679 St Rt 125 Bethel,Ohio 45106 HFAGLEY@ AOL.COM
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History of Old Bethel Church: HISTORY OF OLD BETHEL CHURCH
The Church History, was taken from the original record with original spelling and punctuation as found in the record.The author of this historical record is not identjfied. Ed. 19 April, 1991
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Rev. John Coliins came here from NJ. in the year 1803 and became the owner of a large tract of land on the east fork of the Little Miami River. In 1804 he donated enough ground on which to build a church, and one made of logs from the surrounding forest, and called "Collins Meeting House" was, in a few months, dedicated by him. Other churches were established in adjacent neighborhoods and ere long there was an extensive circuit embracing those churches and called "Collins Circuit" of which Rev. John Collins was the first pastor. Every two
weeks, sometimes on Sabbath, sometimes on Wednesday, there was preaching in Collins Meeting House. Prayer and class meetings were held regularly. Most of the early settlers assembled at these services and respectfully and attentively heard the word. The little church was blessed with revivals of great power, and many true and steadfast members were added to it. After a few years, its members had so increased that they were enabled to substitute a frame church for the log church in which they had been worshiping. While it was in course of erection,
Mrs. Collins, wife of Rev. John Collins brought victuals to the carpenters and other workman, and was so happy that they could hear her singing as she came and went through the woods. The frame church with its high inclosed pulpit and galleries around three sides was dedicated in 1818. Rev. Jno McLean, a local preacher, taught two summers in the log church which was not torn down for awhile. After a time the circuit was given the name of Laurel and Mt. Carmel, Olive Branch. Bethel and other villages were placed in other circuits. Zoar and Concord societie were formed principally from the membership of Old Bethel. Mrs. Sarah Clark, wife of Benj. Clark, a Methodist exhorter and class leader was the second person buried in Old Bethel cemetery. Mr. Chanler was the first. One of the early Bishops of the M.E. Church delivered a sermon in Old
Bethel church on a week day about the year 1821. The first 5.5. was organized about 1830. Daughter of Rev. Collins was one of the teachers. Quarterly Conferences were notable occasions. Tickets were given those who attended the love feasts. Presiding elders and pastors preached with tongues of fire while the people prayed and praised with fervor. The preachers were entertained mostly by Rev. John Collins, Jas Blackman and Thos String. Among the very earliest pastors of the church were, Jno Strange, Augustus Eddye, Levi White, Greenbury R. Jones, Isaac C. Hunter, John Clark, las W. Finley, Win. Simmons, Jno Ulin, Arthur B. Elliott, James Smith, Leroy Swormstedt, Win. D. Barrett and ___ Leedom, Zacharial Connell, Jacob Young, Geo W Maley, Burns Westlake and ___ Wells Dunn,~ Hands ,Verhoof, ___Frazer
___Beasley, Goshorn, ____Baxter Hosinger, and ___Gasner. John Collins v-.-, and William Simmons (his son-in-law) traveled the circuit together about the year 1832.
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The next year John Collins was reappointed to the circuit with John lJIin as his calleagus. The last named, after a few months died. Rev___Verhoof having preached but once at each appointment on circuit was taken sick and died. Rev. Greenbury R. Jones was two or three times on the circuit. Rev. Levi White lived on Rev. John Collins farm and always had class meeting at the church on Thursday. Jas Blackman (brother of Mrs Collins) was for a long time leader of this class. Rev. John Collins died and was buried here in 1845 Rev George Light officiated at the funeral service. Rev. Agustus Eddy taught school at Afton and married Patsy Thomas of that place. In 1890 Mrs. Eddy celebrated her 90th birthday with her three surviving children one of them the wife of Rev. E. Edwards of Wisconsin. Often while teaching school at Aften Agustus Deey exhorted in Collins meeting house and when he entered the ministry and became the pastor of the society he conducted some remarkable meetings there. Rev Jno Eddy, a war chaplain who was shot in ambush, and Thos. C. Eddy D. D., the orator, editor, and missionary secretary were his sons. Between the years 1835 and 1858, the following were among the pastors of Old Bethel, Edward D. Rowe, Win. Perrish and David Whitcomb, Jno Barton, M.G. Purkiser, Jas M. Gatch, Wesley Rowe and ___ Estell, - Chaney, Win. H. Lander, Win. H. Fyffer, Enoch G. West, Henry E. Purkiser, Jno Shinn, Win. B. Jackson, las Armstrong, Geo Pararott. Rev. Benj Lakin, after his location' at Laurel preached, many times at Old Bethel. las M. Trimble D.D, Rev. Sam'l Latty and other ministers preached here on some special occasions. Rev. las Armstrong resided here for a number of years before and after his superanuation. He did much for Old Bethel and in this cemetery his remains awaits the resurection of the just. Under Rev. Welsly Rowe and his colleagus, there was a wonderful revival at Old Bethel, one of the memorable conversions at this time was that of a man who did not want to be converted and who after listening to part of a sermon from Rev. N. Daily on the miracles of healing wrought by the Saviour started homeward, declaring that the church should not catch him for he was no cripple. Before he could get to the top of the bill up which he was running he fell and could get no further and had to be carried home. Then he desired to be a new creature in Christ Jesus and he sought the Lord and was changed. Among the exhorters and local preachers who often preached at Old Bethel or assisted the early pastors in special meetings were Eli Daily, Jesse Justice, Christian Husong, Nathanal Daily, Stephen Washington Duly, Richard Short, George W. Mallick, Jno Brunaugh, Robt Nichols, Andrew McLean, John McLean, Fee, - Price, - Warden, Jay, - Grange, mo Smith, Edmund Burdsall, Jno Hill, Lewis Duckwall, Jno Gest, - Thompson, David Lindsy, Judson Calhoun, Elshia Dole. Among the stewards and class leaders of the early days were las Blackman, John Blair, Joshua Dole, Benj Clark, Dan'l Ogden, Jesse Branduff, Thos Jenkins, Jno Enan, Win Holliday, Win McDonald, Jno Offutt, Benj Jenkins, Elisha Dole. The following are a few of the members who worshiped in the log church, Thos Hitch Sr, Zephaniah Steelman, David White, Enos Smith, Jas Ware, Sam'l Strimple, las Dole, -Moss and their wives, Isaac Higbee, las Deal, Isiah Clark. Christopher Clark, Mrs. Sarah Jeffris. The following are a few of those who became members after the frame church was built, John Leeds, Thou Mull, Thos Scull, las Stewart, mo Caster, Edward Barton, Jno McColium, Leeds Douthty, Jno Wilson, Eben Risley, and their wives, Robt Burnett, Jno Compton, Brazier James, Richard Mace and Wm Higher. The first four of the local preachers mentioned were enrolled in the membership of Old BetheL Their wives as also the wives of all the stewards and class leaders afterwards named,
lived excellent lives and did excelent work in the church. Many of the children of these pioneer christians and of others whose names are not given emulated their parents in piety and good deeds. Some of their sons received and obeyed the Divine call to preach Christ crucified, while some of their daughters became the wives of ministers of the Gospel. In the year 1868 the frame church was remodeled. While the work was being accomplished, Sunday school and prayer meetings were held in the Bantam school house. The Presbyterian church having been kindly offered for public worship and preaching, the people assembled there for these services. The new church was dedicated in October 1868 by J.W. Langley D.D. Revs, W.T. McMullen, R.E. Smith and 'M.A. Head being present.
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2ND IMPORT-
The following from: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/nj/county/capemay/Migration2.htm
The Rev. John Collins was born in Gloucester County, New Jersey, Nov.1st 1769 to Quaker parents.. At an early age he became interested in religion. When he was a young man he went to Charleston to study religion, where he stayed one year. He returned to New Jersey in 1793 where he married Sarah Blackman. John was afflicted by a sickness that brought him to the verge of death in July 1794. He sought and found religion in October of that year, and soon became an active member of the Methodist Church. It wasn't long before he became a preacher in this faith. He had few equals in the pulpit. In the year 1803, Rev. Collins settled with his family on a farm in Clermont Co. Ohio, on the East Fork of the little Miami River near Elk Lick Rd. In the year 1805 John built a 2 story stone house on his Elk Lick property. He held some of his first Methodist meetings here. This house was said to be the oldest stone house in Ohio, before it was bulldozed by the U.S. Corps. of Engineers in 1972 to make way for Harsha Lake in the East Fork State Park. Many present day Clermont County people are descended from this family (Rev. John Collins & Sarah Blackman). Some of their children were Wesley, Sarah, Mary, Belinda, Elvaner, Richard, Elizabeth, Alice & Electra. Wesley and Sarah died in childhood. Richard married Mary Ann Johnson 1 Mar. 1838, Elizabeth married Collins Bredwell 2 Mar. 1835 and 2nd L. D. Bredwell 18 Mar. 1841, Electra married Dr. George Bragdon and 2nd Col. William Thomas. John's son Richard became a very successful lawyer and was said by some to be the best in all of Ohio. He practiced in Hillsboro, but moved back to Clermont County in 1828 to practice in Batavia and started a mansion at Elk Lick site of 37 rooms that was finished by 1830. This was said to be the show place of Clermont County. It also was a victim of the Harsha Lake in 1972. Rev. John Collins preached the first Methodist sermon that was ever preached in Cincinnati. He soon organized the first Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Wesley Chapel, now defunct. He also organized churches in Dayton, Chillicothe, Lebanon and not the least of them was the Collins Chapel in Clermont Co. now called Old Bethel Methodist Church. This church is in the East Fork State Park just 3/4 mile north of Bantam OH, this Church has been declared a historic place, and is maintained by the Historical Society. A cemetery surrounds this building. Many early Clermont Countyians are buried there including Rev. John Collins. Meetings are held there occasionally even today in the year 2,000.
John's son Richard became a very successful lawyer and was said by some tobe the best in all of Ohio. He practiced in Hillsboro, but moved back to Clermont County in 1828 to practice in Batavia and started a mansion at Elk Lick site of 37 rooms that was finished by 1830. This was said to be the show place of Clermont County. It also was a victim of the Harsha Lake in 1972.
Rev. John Collins preached the first Methodist sermon that was ever preached in Cincinnati. He soon organized the first Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Wesley Chapel now defunct. He also organized churches in Dayton, Chillicothe, Lebanon and not the least of them was the Collins Chapel in Clermont Co. now called Old Bethel Methodist Church. This church is in the East Fork State Park just 3/4 mile north of Bantam OH, this Church has been declared a historic place, and is maintained by the Historical Society. A cemetery surrounds this building. Many early Clermont Countyians are buried there including Rev. John Collins. Meetings are held there occasionally even today in the year 2,000. The appearance of Rev. John Collins never failed to make the most favorable impression. His dress was neat and always plain and Quaker-like. His voice was soft and silvery, and had a soothing sympathetic way with his followers. He organized many Church Camps and followed these Church circuits: New Jersey, and in Ohio, New Richmond, Dayton, Scioto, White Oak, Miami, Deer Creek, Union and Cincinnati at various times in his career. Rev. John Collins had a great ministry, his influence was felt by thousands of people, not only as Pastor of Old Bethel Methodist Church at Bantam in Clermont County and at Wesley Chapel in downtown Cincinnati, and by the thousands that he came in contact during his career. After several years of poor health he departed this world the 22 Aug. 1845 at the home of his son Richard in Maysville, Kentucky. His tombstone at Old Bethel Cemetery reads "Rev. John Collins, Minister of the M. E. Church died Aug 22 1845 aged 75 years, 9 months, 22 days"
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Above is a Story My Wife Millie and I wrote for The Clermont Co. Genealogical Society Newsletter in 2000. The basic data came from a very rare book "A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF REV. JOHN COLLINS" published in 1849 by the Methodist Publishing Co. in Cincinnati, this 60 page book was sent to us from a researcher in New Jersey as a xerox copy from a Library there.
We have since placed this copy in a 3 ring binder and presented it to the Clermont Co. Genealogical Society Library in Batavia OH. I have a scan of an Autographed picture of Rev. John COLLINS from this same book that I can send by attachment to any individual interested. A query about this man on the Ross Co. list prompted us to share this article more widely knowing that many people descended from his large family through out the Ohio Valley. (Neither of us are related to John Collins that we know of) Submitted by John & Mille Emmitt
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• Married: Nov 1793 in New Jersey

1. Richard COLLINS b: 3 Jun 1797 or 22 Feb 1796 in NJ
2. 7 children COLLINS
3. David COLLINS
4. Wesley COLLINS b: 1798 in Gloucester Co., NJ
5. Alice COLLINS b: abt 1809 in Clermont Co., Ohio
6. Learner COLLINS
7. Elizabeth COLLINS b: abt 1815 in Ohio
8. Electra COLLINS