COLLIER COUSINS
One Southeast Texas Branch

Collier Cousins are scattered all over Southeast Texas and beyond. This branch of the Collier Family arrived in Southeast Texas about 1848, when two daughters of Benjamin C. Collier, of Early County, Georgia, arrived here with their families. Both of the daughters had married brothers by the name of Hooks. They settled in that part of Tyler County that was later to become Hardin County.  Later they were joined by more members of the Collier Clan. It seems that a great many families from that area of Georgia ended up in Southeast Texas.

Benjamin Columbus Collier was born about 1790, probably in Charlotte County, Virginia. He died about April 17, 1846 (some sources say January 17, 1846) in Early County. Benjamin had given the land for and founded the city of Blakely, now the county seat of Early County. He was buried in what is now Wesley Chapel Cemetery on North Church Street in Blakely. On May 16, 1975, at Founders Day ceremonies, a bronze and marble marker bearing his name was placed in front of the City Hall on the courthouse square.

Several sources say he was the son of Benjamin Collier and Sallie Gaines Collier (daughter of John Collier and Hannah Cary). Several Collier researchers have some serious questions as to the accuracy of this decent but have no positive proof to the contrary, only a possible theory as presented by Anne Chappell, another Collier descendant. Ben was first married about 1804, probably in Virginia to Margaret "Peggy" Lane, daughter of Joseph Lane & Elizabeth Gwaltney. We don't know exactly when Margaret was born, probably in Virginia, but she died February 7, 1830 in Blakely, Early Co., GA. Benjamin & Margaret were the parents of nine known children. After the death of Margaret Lane-Collier, Benjamin was married, a second time, to Mrs. Mary ?(Barr) ?Granberry. This is the name that is cited in several sources although the marriage records for neither of his marriages have been located. Ben and his second wife were the parents of four more known children. Note the time span between births (1807 to 1812 and 1833 to 1837). It is possible that there were additional children who perhaps were born dead or died young and are unknown to this writer. After Benjamin's death, his widow (2/w) married Joseph J. Keith in Early County, Georgia in 1849 and moved to Tyler County, Texas in 1852. Many of the Collier descandants are buried in the Beech Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Tyler County, Texas and many more in the Hooks Cemetery in Hardin County, Texas.
ISSUE: (1/m) of BENJAMIN C. COLLIER to MARGARET LANE

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