Barton Collins (deceased) was the first of the pioneers of Jamestown Township, as before stated.  His wife, who shared his lot and survived him a third of a century, was better known to the old settlers from her longer residence.   She was married to Mr. Collins in 1820, and in 1835 they came to this State and county, being the first white settlers of Jamestown Township. They settled upon the farm where they both remained their natural lives, and which is now the property of George W. Collins.    Mr. Collins died in January,  1849, after which Mrs. Collins lived on the homestead with her son until her death, July 16, 1882, at the age of eighty-five years, six months and fourteen days.

She was the mother of eleven children, and had the satisfaction of seeing them grow to be respectable and influential men and women.  Five proceded her to rest, leaving six to mourn her loss, they being George W.,  Charles and  Mrs C. Mallory, residing in Jamestown;  Mrs. Hastings, of Fremont;  Mrs. Saxton, of Coldwater, Mich.; and Mrs. Seeley, of Noble County.   Mrs. Collins
was a member of the Baptist church, in her native State, from which she brought a letter and afterward became identified with the society of that denomination organized at Jamestown, but which went down some years before her death.  She retained her eyesight and faculties to a good old age, and was a great reader, taking much comfort in perusing the papers.