Person:Joseph Collins (2)

"Joseph Collins was the first of the name in Eastham. Of his ancestry the writer knows nothing of certainty. Some writers have it that he was from Lynn and son of Henry Collins, a starch maker of that place, who came from Ireland, but fail to give authority for their statements. He married Ruth, (not Duty Knowles, as is given by some writers) daughter of Richard Knowles, march 20, 1672. He died at Eastham about 1724. He appears to have been married twice. He mentions Sarah as his wife, in his will in 1723. He was a member of the North church in Eastham, and ordered that hs 'dragon table-cloth be delivered to teh deacons for the use of the church.' "Joseph Collins, Sen., the progenitor of the Cape family, had land granted him by the town. In 1681, he had twelve acres laid out near 'Spactacle Pond,' He is not much mentioned in the records of Eastham as taking active part in town affairs. He was several times juror, and in 1700 constable of the town."57

There is no evidence that Joseph was related to Henry of Lynn, nor that he came from Ireland. He was a juror several times, was on a 1695 list of Eastham inhabitants, was elected constable in 1700, and was appointed by the court on several occasions to inventory property.212

JOSEPH COLLINS OF EASTHAM (NEHGR 151:3, 1997; S N Collins Jr) Not the same as Joseph, son of Henry of Lynn; first ref in records is his m1 to Ruth KNOWLES. Sometimes claimed to be from Ireland: unproven. England? Barbados?Possibly son/bro of a John COLLINS mentioned in his will. Died prob Feb 18 1723/24; m2 Sarah (PIKE) STROUT widow of Christopher.

TORREY 173: Joseph/Ruth KNOWLES

Second Marriage to Sarah Pike

The following record proves that Sarah, wife of Christopher Strout was the same Sarah that married Joseph Collins of Eastham:

"Barnstable Probate Court Records", October 25, 1716: "Sarah Collins late Sarah Strought administrator to ye estate of Christopher Strought late of Cape Cod deceased and now wife of Joseph Collins of Eastham."

"Beside the gravestone of her son, Christopher Strout, Esq., in the burying ground on Meetinghouse Hill, in what is now South Portland, Maine, stands a small stone, not much larger than many footstones, evidently home-made, with the inscription: "Mrs. Sarah Collins". [NEHGR 79:292]

Source: Chrisman Pedigree[1]