From "The Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County", John Hall 1900: (first version)
Daniel Lake Collins was born in 17 July 1808 at Collins Mill, near Smithville, Atlantic Co., NJ. When four years of age he was bound out to his mother's brother, Daniel Lake, under whom he received his early instruction -- he learned surveying. Daniel Lake was a Quaker and surveyor living in Smith's Landing on the shore road, on land now owned by John B. Smith. When Daniel Collins became of age he received $1600 as his share of his father's estate (Levi), and soon after took a nine months' trip through the West with Mark Lake. Upon his return he was married and lived in the Ingersoll place. He was married in 1831 to Mary Ann Ingersoll, daughter of Isaac Ingersoll and Millicent Steelman (who after Isaac's death married Jeremiah Leeds). Daniel bought the Collins homestead, which extended originally along shore road from Wood Lane (Telton Road) to the county farm, and contained about 108 acres. Daniel was a very well read and thoughtful man, comtemporaries saying of him that his was one of the greatest brains this county had ever produced. In form he was large and powerful and had great endurance, part of which he attributed to abstemiou habits and the cold water treatment to which he was an adherent. He also learned the trade of plasterer (mason) in Philadelphia, and cobbler, having done the family mending. His property was afterwards increased by the purchase of one-third of the Daniel Lake Farm, and from this purchase he followed farming and oyster planting, making considerable money in the latter business. About 1850 he began investing his earnings in beach property, owning at different times with Col. Daniel Morris, Joseph Ieland, etc., large tracts on the now famous Absecon Beach. For about ten years until his death he lived a retired life. He died November 5, 1887, and was buried by his own request in the family burying ground on the old Dr. Richard Collins farm, near Smithville.

Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey, John Hall (Daily Union, Atlantic City, 1900) (second version):
31. Daniel Lake Collins, b. July 17, 1808, at Collins Mill, near Smithville, Atlantic county, N. J. was bound out to his mother’s brother, Daniel Lake, when four years of age. He received his early education under said Daniel Lake, who was a Quaker and surveyor, living in Smith’s Landing , on the shore road, on land owned by John B. Smith. Daniel Lake Collins learned surveying, and when he became of age received $1600 as his share of his father’s estate (4. Levi Collins). Soon after he took a nine month’s trip through the west with Mark Lake. Upon his return he was married and lived on the Ingersoll place. His marriage took place November 30, 1831, to Mary Ann Ingersoll, daughter of Isaac Ingersoll, and Millicent Steelman, who after Isaac’s death married Jeremiah Leeds. He bought the Collin’s homestead, which extended originally along the shore road from Wood lane (Tilton Road) to the county farm, and contained about 108 acres. Daniel was very well read and a thoughtful man, contemporaries saying of him that his was one of the greatest brains this country has ever produced. In form he was large and powerful and had great endurance, part of which he attributed to abstemious habits and the cold water treatments to which he was an adherent. Also learned the trade of plasterer (mason) in Philadelphia, and cobbler, having done the family mending. His property was afterwards increased by the purchase of one third of the Daniel Lake farm, and from this he purchase and followed farming and oyster planting, making considerable money in the latter business. About 1850 he began investing his earnings in beach property, owning at different time with Col. Daniel Morris, Joseph Ireland, etc., large tracts on the now famous Absecon Beach. About ten years before his death he lived a retired life. Died November 5. 1887, and was buried by his own request in the family burying on the old Dr. Richard Collins farm, near Smithville. His children were:` 53. Isaac, b. August 7, 1832; m., first Catherine Golden, November 23, 1854; m., second Almira Garwood, June 13, 1885. 54. John. B. September 24, 1834; m. Rebecca Price, September 24, 1855. 55. Millicent, b. December 13, 1836; d. July 21, 1874; m, Henry Risley, October 12, 1854. 56. Asenath, b. April 26,1839; d. February 10, 1870; m. William A. Bowen, September 10, 1859. 57. Sarah, b. July 26, 1841; m., first William S. Crazier, January 1, 1858; second, Noah Adams, April 26, 1865; m., third, Daniel Peterson, January 29, 1875. 58. Joseph B., b. February 8, 1844;
m. Eunice S. Bevis, June 16, 1864. 59. Steelman T., b July 15, 1846; m., first, Isabella O’Connell, November 10, 1866; second, Georgianna Reeves, November 7, 1886. 60. Esther Ann, b. April 4, 1849; d. December 24, 1872. 61. Nur L, b. June 1, 1856; d. May 9, 1876. 62. Mary Ann, b. November 29, 1854; m. James Lewis Risley, January 1, 1873.

Buried in Collins family burying ground, which I (GSC) saw in early 1960's,
on site of Collins Mills, near Smithville and Port Republic, NJ (a description is by Linda Russel Lewis (c) 1999): http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nj/atlantic/cemetery/collins.txt
Gravestone: died aged 79 yr, 3 mo, 18 days.

Ancestry of Daniel Lake Collins in my file mostly or all taken from:
(1) Families of Burlington Co. Bill Abrams http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=teincnj&id=I079351
(2) camuskett.FTW Our Heritage Charlotte Muskett
(3) LDS

A diary of his trip west in about 1830 can be found at http://genealogy.dddezigns.com/.

1880 US Census, living with son Steelman T. Collins (see entry).

1850 US census: http://www.rootsweb.com/~cenfiles/nj/atlantic/1850/1pg0046.txt
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: NJ COUNTY: Atlantic DIVISION: Egg Harbor Township REEL NO: M432-442 PAGE NO: 46
=========================================================================================================================
LN HN FN LAST NAME FIRST NAME AGE SEX RACE OCCUP. VAL. BIRTHPLACE MRD. SCH. R/W DDB
=========================================================================================================================
23 349 353 Collins Daniel L. 41 M W Farmer $6,000 NJ
24 349 353 Collins Mary Ann 37 F W NJ
25 349 353 Collins Isaac 17 M W Farmer NJ X
26 349 353 Collins John 15 M W NJ X
27 349 353 Collins Millicent 13 F W NJ X
28 349 353 Collins Acenith 11 F W NJ X
29 349 353 Collins Sarah 8 F W NJ X
30 349 353 Collins Joseph R.(A?) 6 M W NJ X
31 349 353 Collins Steelman I.(T?)3 M W NJ
32 349 353 Collins Hester A. 1 F W NJ

1860 US census, NJ, Atlantic Co., Egg Harbor Twp., Smith's Landing
(unknown townships, ancestry.com page 78/301)
Daniel L. Lake, 51, Farmer, property value $4000, personal property value $2000.
Mary A., 47
Joseph, 15
Steelman, 13
Hester A., 11
Norris, 9
Mary, 5
John Shaw, 9
Millicent Fairbrother?, 16
All born NJ.
(next door neighbor:
Isaac Collins, 27, farmer, property $1200, personal prop. $300
Catharine, 24
Anna, 4
Mary, 2
Isabella O.Donnell, 12
Sarah A. Davis, 48
Peter A. Davis, 7
William H. Davis, 5
(second near neighbor is son-in-law Jonathan Albertson)

http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=teincnj&id=I079351
b place Collins Mill, Atlantic Co., NJ (close to Smithville).

Jerry Ueckermann, Nov 2003:
http://worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=ukes4&id=I44
b 17 Jul 1808, Collins Mills, Galloway Tap., NJ
d 5 Nov 1887, Egg Harbor Twp. (Pleasantville area), NJ
Pasted below is an interesting article about Daniel Lake Collins, his house, and family that apparently was published in the Atlantic City Press around 1930.
[begin article]
Recalls Collins Homestead
In Death Of Pioneer's Son
-----
Now Owned by Grandson, Building Almost as Solid as
When Built; Formed Part of Famous Mainland
Plantation Since Divided Among Children; Family
Rich in Tradition
------
The passing of Joseph Collins, 86, recently, recalls the old homestead, where he was born February 4, 1844, and which is still standing almost as solid as the day it was built by his father in 1832, who was generally known as "Daniel L.," an abbreviation of Daniel L. Collins.
It is located in the lower end of Pleasantville, not far from the county hospital and old folks' home, and which section was formerly known as Smiths Landing. The homestead is within 200 feet of the Shore road, and it is noticeable among the group of buildings surrounding it because it faces southeast, the idea of the builder being to have the sun shining in the front of the house most of the day.
The rear side fronts on what is known as Tilton road, and this highway, still in use, was one of the main thoroughfares leading towards Philadelphia, much more travelled a half century ago than today.
The old homestead is owned by Hugh Collins and adjoins the latter's home, which faces directly on the Shore road. He is a grandson. His home is part of the old Collins' Plantation as it was known when Daniel L. lived in it and reared a family of nine children. Other descendants of Daniel L. live in homes nearby which too, were, parts of the plantation.
Daniel L. had ways that were individualistic. When each of his sons reached voting age he gave them $500 in cash and a farm. The daughters were given the same amount in cash and property located either in Pleasantville or Atlantic City. Before he died, it is family history, that he di­vided among the children a consider­able proportion of his landed holdings. Each share, says one it the grand­children, was valued at $9000.
----------------------------------------------
Built from Nearby Trees
It is related that he was one of the few residents in the county who had implicit faith in the national credit and believed that Uncle Sam would pay the gold face value of the paper money the government was issuing to finance the Ciri War, and which was selling at a discount in the open market. He bought and held all the greenbacks he could carry with the capital at his command, and reaped a rich reward.
The old homestead has the plain farmhouse architectural appearance and differed from the other pretentious homes along the mainland front, erected by many prosperous sea captains, fwhich ran to what is referred to along the Shore as "ginger-bread" trimming.
The homestead contains 11 rooms. It is built of cedar and oak which was cut from the woods which surrounded the site and fashioned into boards and beams in nearby mills and by hand. The floor boards are four inches thick. Some of the ceilings are beamed. All ceilings and walls, as was the rule in the days when the building was erected, were of boards.
The cellar has a depth of 9 feet. The reason for the depth was that it was used for storing perishable farm foods for winter's use and sale. Each of the rooms originally had an open fire place. Most of them have dis­appeared.
-------------------------------------
Sought As Society Home
Of the family of nine children, all were born in the homestead except Isaac, and the only survivor is Mrs. James Lewis Risley, who resides on Verona avenue, near the Shore road. The others were John, Millicent, Aseneth, Sarah, Joseph, Steelman, Hester, Nur and Mary Ann.
The old homestead is occupied by Elijah Smith, who is employed in one of the county institutions. Hugh, the grandson, has never considered the sale of the property. There has been some talk of obtaining it as the home of the Atlantic County Historical Society.
The Collins, from the time of the arrival from Ireland of Dr. Richard Collins, who settled in Port Republic and who is buried there, have been prosperous land owners. The descendants today own much real estate in both the city and county. Dr. Collins was the first physician to locate in this locality which at the time was part of Gloucester county.
The Dr. Collins homestead was lo­cated on the Judge French property in Port Republic, He took up resi­dence there in 1756. He died in 1808. Hc tame from Ireland in 1756.
Dr. Richard Collins was a surgeon during the Revolutionary War and family tradition is that he entertained George Washington. Also it is noted by the family that Isaac Collins, his grandson, entertained Woodrow Wilson, when the latter was governor. Isaac became sheriff of the county, as a democrat, and he was the last member of that political faith to occupy the office of sheriff.
----------------------------
Early Days Recalled
While the Collins' were always landed gentry and raised crops and cattle, yet they have more or less been prominent as baymen in marketing clams and oysters. In this field they were particularly successful.
There were many grandchildren. Isaac was the father of 15, John of 14, Joseph of 10, Steelman, 11, Millicent 3, Aseneth 3, Hester 6 and Sallie 1. -­
Harry Collins, a grandson of Steelman Collins, is still interested in bay products. He has clam bed acreage in Lake's bay which would tong upwards of a million clams.
The Collins homestead, located in Smiths Landing, it is handed down, re­ceived its name because Daniel Smith owned a landing wharf facing the bay. In 1800, much of the land, and the wharf, which was owned by Smith, passed to Pardon Ryon Sr.
A daughter of Joseph, Mrs. Lena Sooy, who resides in Linwood, is the possessor of a tomahawk which she found near the old homestead, and it is nearly in a perfect state of preser­vation. It is fashioned out of a brownish stone.
In her girlhood Mrs. Sooy recalls that the homestead was surrounded by a group of buildings in the form of pens, stables, granneries and sheds, for sheltering sheep, cattle, hogs, horses and domestic fowls. The old folks told her that they sheared the sheep, carded the wool and spun the cloth on looms.
The shore front of the mainland was thickly wooded with oak, cedar, and pine. The cutting of firewood, making charcoal and shipping lumber were sources of income to the shore population.
The Sooys have a map, made in 1770, which shows the Shore road, which begun at Somes [Somers?] Point and ended at Leeds Point.
[end article]
Gerald Ueckermann, 2003

Gravestone in Collins Burial Grounds, Port Republic, NJ.

• Married: 23 Oct or 30 Nov 1831 in Gloucester Co., NJ

1. 10 children COLLINS
2. Steelman T. COLLINS b: 15 Jul 1846 in New Jersey
3. Esther Ann COLLINS b: 4 Apr 1849
4. Isaac COLLINS b: 7 Aug 1832 in Ingersoll place, Pleasantville, Atlantic Co., NJ
5. John COLLINS b: 24 Sep 1834 in New Jersey
6. Millicent COLLINS b: 13 Dec 1836
7. Asenath COLLINS b: 26 Apr 1839 in Smith's Landing (Pleasantville), Atlantic Co., NJ
8. Sarah COLLINS b: 26 Jul 1841 in New Jersey
9. Joseph Baker COLLINS b: 8 Feb 1844 in New Jersey
10. Nur L. or Norris COLLINS b: 6 Jan or 1 Jun 1851 in New Jersey
11. Mary Ann COLLINS b: 29 Nov 1854 in New Jersey