Smyrna times., 1908-11-18
RECOLLECTION OF SMYRNA
OF OVER HALF A CENTURY
WILLIAM A.HUKILL RECALLS HIS
BOYHOOD DAYS INTHlS VICINITY
Tells of People He Knew Who We're
Prominent in Smyrna in fhe Early
Forties and Relates Incidents

Wilmington, Nov. 17:-The Col
Inns, 1 guess we will have to class |
with the Smiths, Browns, Jones,
and Walkers. They are divided and |
subdivided and are scattered over
the green earth till nobody since the |
days of Adam and Eve could half run
them out to the end. There is the
George Collins rfamily in Thorough
fare Neck which we have already
written up in the Evening Journal
and another family part of which
Morris Collins of the three brothers
was also in the Neck. But Peter
Collins another brother was in early
life near Smyrna and later lived and
died in Smyrna, and Abram the
youngest of the brothers was roll
ling stone and it took a part of two
counties to cover his roamings. He
liked a good time and could tell
good yarn. On one occasion he was
getting off good one about whipping
some fellow and when he got through
some one asked him, "Abe when did
it happen?" "Oh, he said was down
at Morris Collins and the other
fellow was at Bombay Hook" and
they let him alone. Peter Collins had
three sons, George, John and Peter,
one of them lived on a farm, which
he owned, at Pigeon Run in Red Lion
hundred some years ago, and another
on a farm near Bethel Church in
Kent County. After that lost track
of them. Then there was another
family of three or four brothers of
Appoquinimink hundred, James R.,
Andrew ]. Collins and Edward got
up into Mill Creek hundred.
James r. Collins and His Progeny
James R. had three children by his
first wife, two daughters and one
son. Miss Annie who married Frank
G. Stidham of the firm of Stidham &
Son, auctioneers of Wilmington, Del,
who is now a widow with three child
ren, one of which Harry, also an auc-
tioneer of the third generation in that
family. Miss Neotia Collins who
lives with Mrs. Stidham and James
Collins of Middletown. Mr.. James R.
Collins married for a second wife
Miss Magaret Lattomus and had two
sons, William H. Collins, a horse
dealer in Smyrna and Sherbourn Col
Inns an undertaken at Townsend. And
rev ]. Collins married Miss Margaret
ak% ao1 ho6 Iorcro 20 &c
children, but l have not much know
ledge of but two sons. Andrew ] =.
Jr., married Miss Wilhmina Walker,
daughter of Captain Wilson H. Wal
ker of Odessa, and Nnow widow in
Wilmington. Daniel Collins is now
on the police force of Wilmington.
One daughter married Aaron Reynolds
of Smyrna, one Bert Carpenter of
Philadelphia, one Mr.. Otherson, of
near st. Georges, and one John Town.
send of Townsend.
George D. Collins and his Family.
Then of the Collins, of Smyrna
and vicinity are two brothes, George
D. and John E. George D. married
Miss Wilhmina Taylor of Taylor's
Corner .Appoquinimink hundred and
three sons and one daughter is all
can account for. William Collins
: who married Miss Davis of neal
Smyrna lives in Wilmington. Ben
jamin Collins married Miss Middleton
and lives in Smyrna. The daughter
married Harry Wells who died and il
now Mrs. Joseph Primrose of Smyrna
John E, a very nice man lived anC
died in Smyrna, but l can't say NOR,
for / am not familiar with the case
Then there was little spicy kind O.
aWilliam Collins of Raymond Neck
who got elected for something at tn
same election that James H. Spruanc
was elected to the Legislature, fo
some old drunken fellow went hom
late cheering for Little Bill Collin
and Big Jim Spruance, and it ha
gone down into history that way
There was John P Collins of the oil
Neck family who died in Smyrna.
Smyrna Tailor who Made Tight Pant
Last hut not least was WilliaI
Collins tailor, who distinguishe
himself as tailor with the youn
of the New Castle side for being
champion on tight pants in 1855, you
humble servant included. 1t was
common saying and by word whe
the gentry met, "Are those Collins
maker And it was also said ths
he would make them just litt
tighter than the skin for the pan
would tear and the skin wouldn't.
The Cavenders and the Clements
Now the Cavenders come under Il