The Clinch County Collins
"Sometime after James (Musgrove ed.) Sr. died, John F. (Collins) separated from his wife and lived in common law with Elizabeth Bryan Musgrove and her three sons David John, Charles H. and James Walter."
American Family Musgrove pg 734 (lge pdf file)
Before the Civil War
On the July 26 of that year, the 1860 Federal census (zoomable pdf file) taker in Clinch County, Georgia, recorded John Collins living with Elizabeth Musgrove and her three sons.They own one eighteen-year-old female slave. (zoomable pdf file)
Eight months later, April 12, 1861, the American Civil War broke out. John Collins was forty-six years old.
The Emancipation Proclamation
"In 1863, when President Lincoln issued his emancipation proclamation, ...many of the slaves on the farms of Clinch County refused to go, and stayed on with their old masters."History of Clinch County, Georgia - Huxford pg 58"Many slaves never heard of the Emancipation Proclamation, and very, very few could read it."
John Dewar Gleissner, Book Author: Prison & Slavery - A Surprising Comparison
It's questionable whether the slaves of Clinch County even knew Lincoln had freed them. No matter the case, a 'mulatto' boy, Joseph Collins, was born to he Collins household the same year as the proclamation.
Military Service
Act of the Georgia General Assembly for re-organizing the Georgia Militia
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| Act of the Georgia General Assembly for re-organizing the Georgia Militia |
"On December 14, 1863, the Georgia General Assembly passed an act to re-organize the state’s militia. (It required enrollment of ed.) all free white males between sixteen and sixty not already serving in the Confederate or State service."
Act of the Georgia General Assembly for re-organizing the Georgia MilitiaJohn Collins registered (hosted pdf file) under this act at age fifty. Older men were employed in the war to protect the home-front. Fortunately for grandpa John;
"During the war, this county was not invaded by any Federal troops; no battles were fought here. ...Many people came to this county from other sections, “refugeeing,” as it was known."
History of Clinch County, Georgia - Huxford pg 57
The War Ends
"On a trip back to visit Adelph, John F. Collins picked up his daughter for a visit with the Musgroves. Elizabeth and David fell in love and were married."
American Family Musgrove pg 734
Grandchildren and Criminal Charges
1867
- On the 25th of June, 1867, Mary Ann Savannah Musgrove was born to our great, great grandparents, David, and Betty Collins Musgrove.
- On July 2nd, John Collins signed the Georgia, Return of Qualified Voters and Reconstruction Oath.
- On August 27 Grandpa John Collins married Grandma Elizabeth Musgrove in Berrien County, Georgia.
1868
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| Clinch County Criminal Court Book A |
- In September 1868, John and Elizabeth Musgrove were charged with Adultery and Fornication by the Clinch County Superior Court.
- On November 14, 1868, the second grandchild by David and Betty, Laura Janet Musgrove, was born.
1869
- The charges against them were dropped in February 1869.
- John Leverett, rumored to be Grandpa Collins son-in-laws child, was born May 17, 1869.
After the War
"In 1860, the value of property in Clinch County was, according to the tax books, $1,304,429. In 1868, the value was $448,257, a decrease of 65 per cent."
History of Clinch County, Georgia - Huxford pg 71Grandpa Collins' property value in 1860 was $3000. His personal property was worth $2300. By 1870, he has $400 in personal valuables. His land in Clinch County has no value. He had, however, purchased property in Ware County, Georgia, where David and Betty lived.
Clinch County 1870 Federal Census
On the 1870 census, John and Elizabeth (Bryan Musgrove) Collins live in Clinch County, Georgia with her two teenage sons, Charles and James. So does her sister, Ellender (Bryan) Leverette and her two teenage daughters, Elizabeth and Mary.
Elizabeth is the unwed mother of the baby, John Leverett. The father is rumored to be John Collins' son-in-law, David Musgrove. Joseph Collins, a seven-year-old 'mulatto' boy, also lives with them.
Elizabeth is the unwed mother of the baby, John Leverett. The father is rumored to be John Collins' son-in-law, David Musgrove. Joseph Collins, a seven-year-old 'mulatto' boy, also lives with them.
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| Aunt Louise Tillman |
Joseph Collins
Our great aunt Louise told this story.
When the war ended, one of our ancestors owned a mentally challenged slave. They kept him on and raised him after the war.
She doesn't know who it as, but the Collins are the only slave owner ancestors we've found.
The 1880 Pierce County Federal Census
On the 1880 Federal census, John and Elizabeth Collins live in Pierce County, Georgia, with fifteen-year-old Joseph. He is listed as a 'boarder,' 'works on the farm' and his "Race" is now 'Black.'
They are raising Elizabeth's niece's three children; John, Samuel and Ida Leverett. Her son, Charles and his wife, Julie Gunter live next door. Her youngest son, James, has moved to Hamilton County, Florida.
They are raising Elizabeth's niece's three children; John, Samuel and Ida Leverett. Her son, Charles and his wife, Julie Gunter live next door. Her youngest son, James, has moved to Hamilton County, Florida.
Death in 1888
John Forbes Collins must have in died sometime in 1888.
In December of 1888 Aleph Collins, through her attorney, sold the three Musgrove brothers - David, Charles, and James - one-half interest in two parcels of land; one in Pierce and one in Ware County for $250.
Betty Collins' Suicide
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| Mrs. David Musgrove Commits Suicide |
Six years after he died, his daughter - our grandmother, Betty Collins - took strychnine poison and ended her life. She had been bedridden for months after a spider bite, according to Aunt Louise. She was forty-nine years old.
The Emancipation Strategy
*Note: Relationships, such as grandmother, 2nd great, etc., are expressed from the perspective of the grandchildren of Willis Edgar and Carrie (known as) Mae (Merritt) Musgrove.
Terms of relationship: grandmother, uncle, aunt, cousin, etc. - are used here generically to include relatives such as fourth great grandfathers, great grand uncles, second cousins twice removed, etc.
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