The Collett Family of Clinton County, Ohio

DANIEL COLLETT, Jr., deceased, was born October 1, 1795, in Jefferson County, Va. In the year 1814, his parents, Daniel, Sr., and Mary Collett, settled in what is now known as Chester Township, Clinton Co., Ohio, and where they settled there was not a stick miss. They endured all the hardships and privations usually endured by the pioneers of that early day. Daniel, Sr., was the father of 'seven children a member of the Church of England, and departed this life fin June, 1835. His with died in September, ! 82G. Daniel Collett, Jr., was reared on a farm, and received tl, rudiments of an English education in a district school. In March, 1826, he married - Miss Virginia McKay, daughter of Moses and Abigail Mc'Kay. To them were burn one child — Daniel. Mrs. McKay died January, 1827. In August, 1831, he married Miss Charity Hackney, daughter of Aaron and Hannah Hackney, by whom lie had five children. ' Ho was a member of the Baptist Church, in which church he officiated as Deacon. Politically he was a Republican. He departed this life irrSeptomber, 1862. His wife died in September, 1881. _ Daniel, one of the sons of Daniel Collett, Jr was born in January, 1827. When an infant his mother died. He was then taken care of by Mrs. Jonathan Collett, with whom he remained until he was about eikdit years of age. He then went again to live with his own people on the old homestead where he at present resides, lie has served as Township. Trustee for about twelve years, and has in his possession about 500 acres of land. Jonathan Collett,, Sr., brother or Daniel Collett, Jr., was born April, 1787, in Jefferson County, Va. In May, 1822 he married Sarah McKay, daughter of Moses and Abigail McKay, and sister of Mrs. Daniel Collett, Jr. They bad nine children, of whom six are still living. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and died in October, 1865. His wife died in 1852. He was a man of sterling integrity and worth.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

DANIEL H. COLLETT, deceased, was born March 11, 1806, in Lebanon, Warren Co., Ohio. He was the son of Moses and Rebecca Collett, who settled in Warren County about 1806. Daniel II. was reared on a farm, and received a fair English education. He was married, November 4, 1830, to Miss Maria A. McKay, sister of Francis McKay, whose sketch appears in this work. To them have been born eight children, viz.: Thamasin, Moses, Abigail, Elizabeth, Sarah A., Francis, Horace, and Rebecca (deceased). In the year 1831, he settled on 360 acres of land in Chester Township, Clinton County, about three miles southeast of where New Burlington is located. He was industrious, persevering and energetic in his business matters. During the latter years of his life, he was troubled with heart disease, from the effects of which he died very suddenly, January 11, 1871. He was a kind and loving father, and an affectionate husband. In his death, Clinton County lost eno of her most worthy and honorable citizens. He was a member of the Baptist Church at Jonah’s Run, in-which church he officiated as Deacon. Clinton County has had but few men more worthy of representation in the annals of her history than the subject of our sketch.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HORACE W. COLLETT.

Horace W. Collett, a well-known citizen of Chester township, this county, who has always been an industrious worker, was born on April 12, 1832, on the farm where he now given. He is a progressive farmer and stockman, who owns one hundred and fifty acres of land in Chester township, but who farms about two hundred and fifty acres.

Mr. Collelt is the sou of Daniel H. und Maria (McKay) Col let t. the foruier of whom was born in Warren county. Ohio, In 1SO0 and died on January 11, 1871. He was married on.November 4, IKio, to Maria McKay, daughter of Moses McKay. Daniel H. Collett was the son of Moses and Kebecea (Haines) Collett, the former of Virginia, one of ihe eight sons born to Daniel and Mary (Haines) Collett. among the others being Jonathan, Isaac. Aaron, Benjamin. Daniel, Jr., and Joshua. Moses Collett married Itebecca Haines in Maryland and in 1812 she wanted to visit ber people In the East, fso she and Jonathan made the journey through ou horseback. Daniel Collett. at the age of sixty years, sold out his jiossessious in Maryland and, with the mother and daughters, came back with them In a carriage. A colored boy, "Black Dan,"' came with I hem and lived with the family until his death. Dauie) Collett, the third child born to Moses. Sr.. and Klizn belli (Armstroug) Collett, born ou February 2, 1752. was a soldier in the Continental army and a justice of the peace for many years in Jefferson county, Virginin. About 17X0 be was married to Mary Haines, who was born on October 10. 1".>1. They had eight sons and a daughter, who, with his brother. John, and his sister, Sarah, are the ancestors of all the Colletts in Clinton and Warren <-counties. Moses Collett. Sr.. was born on November 17, 171X, and died In 17S3. His wife. Elizabeth Armstrong, was Inmi on August \H. 1725. Moses was the sou of Stephen Collett. whose father and mother were French Huguenots, who fled from Franco to escape religious liersecutioii. Stephen's mother died after his birth at sen and she was buried on the voyage to America.

In 1*14 Daniel Collett purchased two thousand three hundred and fifty-eight acres from James Smith. Sr., paying two and one-half dollars an acre in three annual installments. In 1M5 Daniel Collett purchased from William Elzey and wife nine hundred and ten acres for three dollars an acre, making a tract of three thousand two hundred and sixty-eight acres. Much of this land has been handed down from generation to generation in the Collett family.

Daniel H. Collett, who was one of the eight sons born to Moses and ItelK?cca (Haines) Collett. was the father of Horace W. He was educated In the common schools of CI ester township and was engaged in farming and clearing alt of his life. He owned three hundred and sixty acres of land. By his marriage to Maria McKay, he had seven children, of whom Horace W. Is the youngest, the others being as follows: Turn son, who married Jesse Woods; Moses; Ahigal. who is the wife of Joshua Nickerson; Eliaivetli. who married Joseph Browning; Sarah, who became the wife of Joseph Shnmbaugh, and Francis, who married Sallie Ferguson. The family were members of the Baptist church at Jonas llun and Dnnlel H. Collett served many years as a deacon of that church. He was a Ttepubllcan.

Horace W. Collett also was educated In the common schools of Clinton county and by Google of Wnrren county. He attended the high school at Harveysburg and, when about twenty-one years old, began forming on the farm where be now Uvea

In 1881 Horace W. Collett was married to Rachel Anne Rnyburn, who was born In 1851). the daughter of James and Margaret (Hninea) Rnyburn, to wblcb union two children have been born, James W., who was born ou July 6, 1883, and Margaret, In 1880, the latter of whom Is still at home. James W. Collett attended the high school at New Burlington nnd is a farmer in Chester township, where be owns eighty-three acres of land, though he farms altogether two hundred und ninety acres. James \V. Collett urn rr led Luura McCoy, daughter of J. K. and Martha McCoy, and one child has been born to this union. [name withheld], who was born on October 10, 1914. James W. Collett is a member of the Methodist Kplscopal church, a Republican in politics and, fraternally, a member of Masonic Lodge No. 574.

Mr. and Mrs. Horace W. Collett and daughter, Margaret, are members of the Methodist church at New Burlington and he Is an ardent Republican, politically.

Perseverance and sterling worth are almost always sure to win conspicuous recognition in all localities. Harley H. Smith, who. for a number of years, has been recognised as one of the leading educators of this county, is a young man of genial presence, intelligent and broad-minded. He Is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, superintendent of the Kingman high school, nnd owner of one hundred and seventy acres of land in Chester township. His career is a splendid example of the successful, self-made young man. and he eminently deserves the trust reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

Harley H. Smith was born on May 2. 1>vs0, at New Burlington, at the edge of Greene county. Ohio, a son of Lewis and Rachel E. (Craft) Smith, the former of whom was lK>rn on May fi, 1837. In Warren county. Ohio, and died on May 7. 1902. The latter was born on September 10. 1839. at New Burlington, in this county, daughter of Allen and Rachel (Maun) Craft.

The paternal grandparents of Harley II. Smith were James and Elizabeth (Cain) Smith, both of whom were natives of Warren county, Ohio. J nine Smith was a blacksmith at New Burlington, and owned the first blacksmith shop in that town. He worked at that trade all his life and. in addition to his work as a blacksmith, was the owner of a farm, which he operated in connection with his work in the blacksmith shop. He was a member of the old Whig party and a stanch citizen, he and his wife having been prominent members of the Methodist church. James and Elizabeth (Cain I Smith were the parents of twelve children. Lewis, Wesley. Joseph R.. Hannah. Josephine. Arabella, Ijnirn, Alice. Nancy, and three who died in Infancy.

The late Lewis Smith, father of Harley II.. learned the blacksmith trade after finishing his education in the schools of New Burlington, and worked at that trade practically all of his life in that town. During the last eight years of his life, he served as commissioner of Greene county, Ohio. Several years before he was elected commissioner he served as trustee of Spring Valley township In that county. He was a Republican in politics, a member of the Methodist church, and held about every office In that church. He was a prominent member of the Masonic lodge, and his six sons were nil members of the same fraternal organization. Lewis Smith nnd wife were the parents of ten children. Reiia Bell. Wesley A.. William R. Wayne C. Harry. Minnie. I.e Roy, Harriet and Hurley H. (twins) nnd Leslie.

Harley H. Smith begun a pursuit of education in the common schools at New Burlington, but later attended the Nenla high school for two years. After leaving high school he taught school for eight years in Greene county, and subsequently entered Ohio Wesleyan University, and was graduated from that excellent institution with the class of 1011. receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

BERNARD Y. COLLETT.

The Collet! family In America is of French Huguenot origin and is perhaps derived from one of three brothers of that faith, who. about 1660, fled from France on account of religions persecution. One fled to the mountains with a number of other people of his faith: one fled to England, from which either he or his descendants eventually immigrated to America. A third, with his wife, embarked on a ship to America and, during the voyage, the mother gave birth to a son and a little later died and was buried at sea. The child lived and was named Stephen and eventually located In Maryland near where Baltimore now stands. He married IHIzabeth Armstrong, who was born on August 18, 172" and they had eight children. Five of these children are unaccounted for. Practically the whole family, however, moved to Jefferson county. Virginia, about the time of 111** breaking out of the Revolutionary War. Daniel, the third child In the family of Stephen and Elizabeth Collett. who was born on February 2, 1752, was a soldier In the Continental army and a prominent judge in Virginia. About 1780 be married Mary Haines, who was born on October 10, 1753, and they had eight sons and a daughter, who, with his brother. John, and his sister. Sarah, are the ancestors of all of the Colletts in Clinton and Wnrren counties. Among these sons was Jonathan, who hauled the stone and also a part of the lumber nnd timber used in the construction of the United States arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Bernard Y. Collett, one of the widely-known and highly-respected farmers of Chester township, Is the grandson of Jonathan Collett, the great-grandson of Daniel and Mary (Haines) Collett and the great-treat-crnndson of Stephen and Elizabeth (Armstrong) Collett. Bernard Y. Collett was born on August 7, 1853. near Harveysburg, in Warren county. His parents were Benjamin and Sarah (Yeo) Collett, the former of whom was born In Chester township, August 26, 1829. She was the daughter of Joshua and Allle (Duffey) Yeo. They were married on October 3, 1860.

Jonathan Collett, heretofore referred to as the son of Daniel and Mary (Haines) Collett, was married on April 80, 1823, to Sarah McKay, a representative of the famous McKay family of this county, who was born on November 11, 1790, In Warren county, and whose parents, who had come originally from Virginia to Warren county, settled in Clinton county as early as 1814. Jonathan and Sarah (McKay) Collett had ten children, namely: Ann, born on March 14, 1824, who married William McCune; Moses, June 7, 1825; Benjumin, December 18. 1826; Francis, May 17, 1820; Martha, February 1, 1831; Aaron, October 10. 1832; George, December 21, 1834; William. June 30, 1838; Robert, December 27, 1840; and Asel Waters, September 17, 1842. The family were all members of the Baptist church. It was with the money obtained from work on the United StateB arsenal at Harpers Ferry that Jonathan Collett was able to buy a large tract of land.

Jonathan Collett's father, Daniel Collett, was a devout Episcopalian, who entered the Revolutionary army under Captain Wright, of Mariinsburg, Virginia, and served at Valley Forge, White Plains and at tho defeat of General Gates. He also served when the Virginia volunteers were encamped In Pennsylvania, and also fought at the battle of Monmouth. He resided in Virginia for forty years and for many years was a justice of the peace, being appointed as they were in that day in Virginia for life or during good behavior. He held his court monthly and It Is said that there was more dignity attending the justices' courts In those days than Is to be seen today in the higher courts of Ohio. On one occasion the Judge of the court of Jefferson assessed a line upon each of the Justices of that county for neglect to provide suitable steps to the jail at Charleston. Mr. Collett paid his fine and then took the contract for erecting the stone steps which now grace the front of that historic edifice.

Of the ten children born to Jonathan and Sarah (McKay) Collett, Bcujauiiu Collett, the father of Bernard Y., was the third. He was educated In the common schools of Chester township and began his life as a farmer in Warren county, but after a few years returned to Chester township, where be remained the rest of his life on a farm of one hundred and fifty acres. Beujamlu and Sarah (Yeo) Collett bad four children: Alley, who died small; Bernard Y., the subject of this sketch: Mary, who died at the age of niue years: and Anna M. The father of these children died on October 12, 1892, and the mother In 1907. They were members of the Baptist church. He was a Republican In politics. During the Civil War, be served as captain of the home militia and was later promoted to colonel. At one time, he was paymaster of the local militia.

Bernard Y. Collett, the second child born to his parents, received his education in the schools of Chester township and at Harveysburg. He has been a farmer practically all of his life. He and his sister have a farm of three hundred and thirty acres which is highly improved.

On December 23, 1874. Bernard Y. Collett was married to Emma Shtdaker. who was born on Octolwr 16, 1856, and died on November 27, 1003, leaving one child. Edith, who married Shirley Scott, of Mllford, Ohio.

Bernard Y. Collett was elected as a delegate from Clinton county to the constitutional convention of 1912. He Is a Republican.

In 1014 the Collett families In Clinton county celebrated the one hundredth anniversary of the coming of the family to this section. One hundred and one members of the family were present at this reunion. During the last forty-nine years, the Collett and McKay families have held a family picnic every year without exception, and In all of this period Bernard Y. Collett has been a regular attendant.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

NATHAN H. COLLETT, farmer, P. O. Harveysburg, was born November 27, 1810, in Greene County, where he remained until he was about thirty-three years of age. He was reared to man’s estate on a farm, and received a fair English education in a district school. On October 12, 1836, he married Miss Mary S. Hackney. born March 2, 1812, in Frederick County, Va., and daughter of Aaron and Hannah Hackney. To them have been born seven children, five of whom are still living, Viz.: Eleanor, Hannah, Rebecca, Louisa and Hugh S. In 1815, Mr. Collett removed from Greene to Clinton County, and settled in the southern portion of Chester Township, where he still resides. He has served as Trustee for Chester Township. Politically, lie is a Republican; is a member of the Baptist Church, and the owner of 190 Hcres of land. '..

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.