ROBERT EDWIN COLLIER FAMILY PAGES
HOW WE MET
Barbara Ann Sinclair was born and raised in Falls Creek; Pa. Barbara was active and well liked in school. She was a Cheerleader and Class Officers in most Grades attended. She enjoyed dancing and horseback riding as a young lady. Barbara was a hard working person from the earliest age. Barbara's ambition was to learn to fly and she took flying lessons in her father's airplane. She worked after school at Gray Printing in Falls Creek. After graduation Barbara worked as a bookkeeper at Schaffer's Furniture Co. and then Pennsylvania Bell Telephone as operator. Barbara left Falls Creek, Pa in 1953 and moved to Miami, FI where Southern Bell Telephone Co employed her. She roomed with several girls in Hialeah, FI and several of her roommates were employed as Stewardess for Eastern Air Lines. Soon after Barbara was hired to be a Flight Attendant for Eastern Air Lines based in Miami. She flew on Martin 404's, DC-4, Super Constellations, and finally Electra. A number of years she had overnight flights to Pittsburgh and stayed with Aunt Luella and Walter Swineford in Glenshaw, Pa, some times going on the bus to Falls Creek. A number of times her Uncle John Goss flew her from Butler, Pa to Falls Creek, Pa. in his twin-engine airplane. In August 1958 she had a blind date with a friend of her cousin, Filson Goss by the name of Bob Collier. Bob had seen Filson on his vacation trip to Oil City, PA to visit his family. Filson asked Bob to take his cousin Barbara out to dinner when he returned to his home in Miami, Fl.
Bob continues their date 49 years later.
Bob had ordered a 1958 Thunderbird Black/White on order for a number of months. It came in for delivery the day of first date of Bob and Barbara. Barbara had purchased a home in Westwood Lake section of South Miami. Barbara and Bob became engaged in January 1959 and married April 25, 1959 in Falls Creek, Pa. after a honeymoon in Mexico City and Acapulco, Mexico. Barbara continued to fly for Eastern Air Lines until the fall 1960. Barbara became very active in the Silverliner's ex Stewardess club and was elected 1st President of the club in Miami. Bob was promoted to Sales Manager, Southeastern United States for a large carpet manufacture. .
Barbara and Bob were members of Palmetto Presbyterian Church in Miami.
BARBARA S. COLLIER EDUCATION
* Graduate - Falls Creek High School, Pennsylvania
* Bell Telephone Operators School
* Eastern Airlines Flight Attendant School, Miami,FI .
EXPERIENCE
* Reclaiming America for Christ - Coral Ridge Ministries- Field Director 11 years
* Coral Ridge Christian Book Center - Owner - 11 years
* Westminster Academy, Ft Lauderdale, FI, Accountant 5 years
* Eastern Airlines, Miami, FI Flight Attendant 6 years
* Southern Bell Telephone Pa and Miami, FI Long distance operator 5 years
POLITICAL INVOLVEMENT
* Area Coordinator Ander Crenshaw for Governor Campaign 1994
* Tax Cap Broward County Coordinator 1996
* Republican Party of Broward County Hse Dst 93 Area Director
* Precinct Worker and Committeewoman Precinct 08R 24 years
* Republican Party State of FI Convention Delegate, 1986-87, '90, 1995-96 ;
* Republican Party of Broward County Executive Committee Precinct Orientation Teacher
* Christian Coalition, Broward County Chairman 16 years
* Broward County Republican Executive Committee Vice Chairman & acting Chairman 2 years
* Broward County Republican Leader of the year 2002
* Co-Chairman Broward County Bush-Cheney for President 2004
COMMUNITY SERVICE
* Community Service Board of City of Ft. Lauderdale, FI 2 years
* Status of Women of Broward County Board 3 years
* Concerned Women for America Ft. Lauderdale, FI 3 years
* Cemetery Board, City of Ft Lauderdale, FI 3 years
* Issues Awareness Moderator (information network) 26 years
* Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FI member 46 years
* Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FI Sunday School Teacher
* Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FI Chairman Vacation Bible School 4 years
* Westminster Academy Fair Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Chairman 3 years
* Westminster Academy Scholarship Committee 4 yrs
* Westminster Academy Parent Teacher Fellowship Board 4 years .
* Radio Station - WAFG-FM 90.3 Radio Advisory Board 14 years
* Evangelism Explosion International Trainer 4 years
* Floranda Elementary School Fair Chairman 2 years
* Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee Cub Scout Trainer Den Mother 6 years
* Silverliners (former Eastern Airlines Stewardess) Miami, Fl. Founding President
* Silverliners Broward County Fl. Founding President .
* Stewardess Alumni Assoc of Broward County, Fl. Founding President.
* Junior Welfare Society Ft Lauderdale, Fl. Past President
* Toyland Charity Ball Chairman .
PERSONAL
Married to Robert E. Collier 49 years 3 sons
Rob, Attorney,
Randy, Law Enforcement officer,
Douglas, financial planner and investments.
Grandsons - Bobby, Jesse, Caleb, Colton, Chad
BARBARA COLLIER
Barbara Collier was the Field Director for the CENTER FOR RECLAIMING AMERICA, an outreach of Coral
Ridge Ministries, founded by Dr. D. James Kennedy. Before joining the CENTER, she owned and operated the Coral Ridge Christian Book Store for 11 years.
Barbara was Executive Vice Chairman and acting Chairman for the Broward County Republican Party 1995-96.
She has facilitated and organized fundraisers, meetings, and coffees for presidential candidates such as: Phil Gramm, Lamar Alexander, Bob Dole, and Alan Keyes and President George W. Bush, Sdn Fred Thompson. Barbara is extremely knowledge on all the issues and policies that affect our community, state, and nation. She conducts grassroots training workshops and has been invited to speak before political meetings, church groups, and public gatherings. .
Barbara has appeared on many local and national Talk Shows radio and Television.
ROBERT E. COLLIER DOB Uniontown, PA October 1, 1926
EDUCATION:
* Grade School, Junior High, Senior High, Oil City, PA
* Georgia Military College, Milledgeville, GA. Degree (1944)
* Broward County Sheriffs Police Academy. 1986.
SERVICE: World War II served in South Pacific - Guam, Saipan, Tianian with 20th Army Air Corp 21st Bomber Command.
Flight Engineer on B-29's, B-24's, A-26's, C-46, C-47.
Honorable discharge with numerous decorations.
WORK EXPERIENCE:
* Buyer: Carpet, Draperies, Furniture, Toys, Armstrong Collier Department Store, Oil City. Pa.
* Ass't Buyer Carpet and Rugs, Burdines Department Store, Miami, Fl.
* Graduate Executive Management School Burdine's Department Store, Miami, Fl.
* 35 years in Sales Management with large National firms Wunda Weve Carpet Co. and Dan River Mills,Wholesale
Carpet sales and management.
OTHER EXPERIENCES:
* Deacon Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Ft. Lauderdale, Fl 3 years.
* Ruling Elder Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Ft. Lauderdale, FL 16 years.
* Founding Board Member Evangelism Explosion International 10 years.
* Board of Directors Westminster Academy Christian School 12 years.
* Chairman Board of Directors WAFG-FM Radio Station 8 years.
* Sunday School Teacher Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church 21 years. .
* Chairman of Christian Education Committee 2 years.
* Ass't Dist. Commissioner Boy Scouts of America 11 years.
* Broward County Republican Executive Committee. 13 years
* Broward County Republican Party Membership Chairman 3 years
* Moderator "Issues Awareness Media Coalition" information group 9 years
* Broward County Executive Airport Advisory Board Ft Lauderdale, Fl 3 years
* Broward County Sheriffs Department Volunteer Handicapped Parking Officer 4 years
We live one block from our church, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Ft Lauderdale, Fl, listed as one of top 10 churches in North America by Billy Graham Assoc. as seen in over 500 cities and Armed Forces Radio and TV worldwide. We have been involved for over 47 years in these ministries. As known as Coral Ridge Hour - Late Senior Pastor Dr. D. James Kennedy.
Testimony of Barbara S. Collier
All my life I have attended church. Each Sunday I went to our little red brick church across the street from our house. It was my quiet time, I would sit and think and meditate during the sermon.
When I left home to fly as a stewardess, I still was searching for God, and I attended many new churches. When I married and moved to Ft Lauderdale from Miami, Fl we heard about a new Presbyterian Church near our home. We attended for several weeks and then decided to join the church. Each new member had an appointment with the young minister Rev. D. James Kennedy. At that time he asked me the question "If you died today, did I know for certain, if I would go to Heaven? I did not then know.
When I left Rev Kennedy's office I knew for certain I had eternal life and would spend eternity in Heaven.
The security of knowing where I'm going when I die makes life easier here on earth. I can cope with each new day.
May I ask you a question?
Do you know for certain that you are going to heaven? READ I JOHN 5:13
Personal Testimony of Robert E. Collier
For many years I attended church every Sunday and was involved in youth activities. During World War II, I was overseas and went by the Chaplain’s hut daily, for good cup of coffee.I was searching for answers to: Who God was? Who Jesus Christ was? And what was the purpose of the Bible? I could only remember hearing that I was a sinner going to Hell. I felt as long as I was going to Hell, I might as well to enjoy life to its fullest while here on this earth.
After moving to Ft. Lauderdale from Miami some
47 years ago, I agreed to go to a small Presbyterian church with my wife. She wanted to join this church and have a place where our third child could be baptized. It was necessary for me to meet with Rev. James Kennedy and the new youth minister, Rev. Simeon Fulcher. They shared with me how I could have eternal life and how I too could know for certain that I had eternal life.
After receiving eternal life, my life turned around 180 degrees.
Instead of interests in the country club and life in the fast lane, I found I was interested in knowing about God’s word and how it applied to my life. I found comfort and peace of mind, that I never thought was possible.
About 4 years after receiving “Eternal Life” I was hospitalized with a severe back problem. I had major surgery and for many months I was in extreme pain, as I learned to regain the use of my legs.
Now after 15 Operations I still love the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Remember ATTITUDE IS EVERTHING, IT IS THE ONLY THI Through all of the pain and suffering I had a comfort in knowing that I was a child of God and he would not let me suffer more pain than I could handle. I also had a comfort and peace of mind in knowing that I had eternal life and when I died I was going to live with Jesus Christ in Heaven.
Robert E. Collier
CORAL RIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
COMMUNICATOR
"A LIFE-CHANGING WITNESS"
by Mary Vinson Kuntz
I want you to come to Fort Lauderdale and meet some friends." I didn't know what an impact this phrase was going to have on my life... This was the first step of the Lord's ading that began a path to the Cross and salvation through Christ, not only for me, but also for my entire family.
I met Barbara and Bob Collier in December 1964 when my oldest daughter Suzanne, was six weeks old, and Barbara and Bob had three adorable little boys in cribs. We met at the same wonderful house a half block form Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church; it is still home to them today. My first husband had known Bob Collier through the interior design business and Art had recognized that this family glowed With something different-it was the light of Christ.
The Colliers mentioned a church down the street that had given them a basis for their family values and precepts. If we were in the area, we should come and worship. Our family moved to Fort Myers, Fl and as the years went on, Bob visited my dress shop and encouraged me with tracts, New Testaments, books, and the love of Christ. He always wore his EE pin on his lapel.
When my marriage ended explosively, Bob suggested a Christian counselor in Fort Lauderdale. He stressed how important it was to only open my mind to Christian counseling. So I drove from Fort Myers to Fort Lauderdale to see Dr. Buchanan who gave me peace and hope.
In 1972 my girls and I moved to the East coast of Florida. We made a path to Coral Ridge and I enrolled Suzanne (Now a M.D. doing research medical at John Hopkins Hospital) and Mariel1e in Westminster Academy. Suzanne was saved in Miss Neal's sixth grade class and Marielle in Mrs. Lipp's class. Christ found me while I was sitting in the pews of Coral Ridge church, and my mom came to know the Lord through an EE team led by Rev. T.M. Moore.
Barbara and Bob gave us spiritual guidance, love, encouragement, help in moving, dinners, hospital visits, and wonderful tickets to the Messiah. Bob prayed daily for our varying needs and spiritual growth.
When I married again 18 years later, they asked Bob Kuntz and me to join a Mariners dinner group. If the Colliers had not been there, we would have traveled a much different road.
Bob (Collier) served as a deacon for two years and as an elder for 16 years. He taught great Sunday
School classes on apologetics, the cults, and the occult for over 20 years. He was also a Chairman of the
Music, Worship, and Christian Education Committees , as well as the Westminster Academy School Board for ten years, and also the Chairman of WAFG Radio Committee. Bob also served on the founding board of Evangelism Explosion International.
Barbara worked for many years in bookkeeping at Westminster Academy, Owned a Christian Book store for 10 years and served on the Board of WAFG radio station and Coral Ridge Ministries. She and Bob established Issues Awareness over 25 years ago and has fostered sister groups as well.
This past year she received the Florida Republican of the Year award. This Fall she will lead and participate in her seventh Reclaiming America for Christ Conference.
Because the Colliers have allowed themselves to be beacons of light for Christ, they shine the way
to Him for others. In 1964, we began a quest that ended at the foot of the Cross-an eternal blessing. Thank you, Barbara and Bob Collier.
OUR email ADDRESS IS:
rcollier10126@comcast.net
Barbara and Sister Carol
Barbara Cheerleader 1946
Graduate Barbara Sinclair 1947
Stewardess Barbara Sinclair Eastern Air Lines 1955
Working a flight Eastern Air Lines Super Constallation
Engagement picture Jan. 1959
Before Wedding, Mother Eleanor O'Harrow Sinclair and Barbara
Our Wedding April 25, 1959
Honeymoon Mexico City and LAS BRIAS Acapulco, Mexico
Christmas 1959 brother Dick and wife Joyce, Oil City and Falls Creek, Pa
Bob's dislike of chickens
Bob's ready to bat, Brother Dick, Margaret Armstrong
Cadet Bob Collier Georgia Military College 1943
Aviation Cadet Bob Collier
Landing on Guam, Mariana Islands S. Pacific
Home from South Pacific 1946
Collier family Sumer 1946
Bob Executive at Burdine's Department Store, Miami, Fl 1955
Bob, Salesman Florida, Sales Manager Southeast States Wunda Weve Carpet Co
Grandmother Eleanor Sinclair, Rob, Randy
Our 3 sons 1964
Grandparents dog GiGi and our sons
Learning to work at early age
Camping at early ages Holiday Rambler 1966
Condor motorhome and family 1972
Ceal and Ed Collier 45th Anniversary
Ed and Ceal Collier's 50th Anniversary
Eagle Scouts Col George Stoller, David Scott, Mgr. Editor, Attorney Rob Collier, Gov. Mark Sanford, South Carolina
How we looked 25 years earlier party
Attorney Rob Collier, MA University Fla, University Miami Law School
Doug Collier graduation Florida State University
Randy's graduation Florida Atlantic University
Barbara and our 59 Jaguar Mark IX Salon
Barbara and Bob polyester look
Barbara and Bob Church Picture
Sandy and Rob's Wedding September 3, 1988
Ruthie and Randy's Wedding July 28, 1990
Carol and Doug's Wedding May 28, 2004
Our Home in Ft Lauderdale, Fl last 41 years
Barbara Collier, Chairman G.O.P. Broward County Fl
Majority Leader Congressman Newt Gigridge
Gov. and Sen. Lamar Alexander
President, Christian Coalition Ralph Reed
Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole
Sen Phil Gramm, Presidental Candidate
Former First Lady Barbara Bush
Barbara and Gov. Jeb Bush
Gov. Jeb Bush, Barbara, Mayor Jim Naugle
Congressman Clay and Emilly Shaw and Collier's
Gov. and President George W. Bush and Barbara
Deputy Bob Collier, Sheriff Nick Navarro, Broward Sheriff's Graduation
Bob teaching class Issues Awarness Political Action Coalition
Our first Christian Book Store for 11 years
Business Executive Doug Collier
Collier sons at Rally for Barbara 1996
Dr D James Kennedy and Doug at Wedding rehearsal
Barbara Class Reunion, Falls Creek, Pa
Great Grandmother Ceal Collier viewing Great, Great Grandson Robert E. Collier III along with Sandy's parents Saul and Betty Gary
Rob bathing sons and nephew Caleb, repeat performance
Our 3 sons many years earlier
Deer Connie and Bobby
Barbara and Jesse the birdman
Jesse, Rob, Randy, Colton
Randy and Chad
Barbara and Caleb
Rob, Barbara and our dog Connie
Dr D James Kennedy, Kaye Carlson, Barbara Thanksgiving 2000
Dr D James Kennedy and Bob Thanksgiving 2000
Jess and Bobby earlier picture
Bobby the ball player
Jesse Award Winner in Baseball
All Stars Bobby and Jesse
Ruthie, Randy and three sons All Stars
Randy and family at his promotion party
Bob, Ruthie and Randy sons at Nursing Home 2001
Collier Christmas Dinner with Friends 2002
Barbara 10 Commandment Memorial "Reclaiming America Conference Feb. 2005
Chief Justice (Alabama) Roy Moore and his 10 Commandment memorial
Barbara information desk "Reclaiming America" conference Feb. 2005
Yea Collier team Rob, Randy and sons
Barbara sister Carol Peace and husband Don Peace
Bob's sister Virginia Penrose and husband Ray Penrose
Bob's brother Dick and wife Joyce (deceased)
Bob's Uncle Paul and Kaye Brinstad, Carmel, Ca 1958
Randy and sons Feb. 2005
Collier grandsons Christmas 2004
Carol, Doug and Barbara February 2005
Bob in bed at home with some of our family 2002
Carol Collier May 15, 2005
Barbara and Bird "Johnson"
Bob on 3 wheeler in our Computer office
Barbara presenting plaques to Dr Kennedy
Vice President Dick Cheney and Barbara May 2006
Coral Ridge Presbyterian Chuch our church home for 44 years
We may properly credit the Romans with originating our modern system of names, but we may equally blame the demise of this intelligent practice on the barbarians who swept across western Europe between the third and fifth centuries A. D. During the Dark Ages (following the Fall of Rome) most Europeans were known first only by their given name, and later occasionally by their given name prefixed to their place of birth. The advent of the eleventh century, however, saw the cultural, social, and economic conditions in Europe grow more complex. Populations increased dramatically; the rise of feudalism and the early stirring of mercantilism supplanted the simple communal life of the country village. All these developments forced people into ever-growing towns and cities. Communications, the handmaid of commerce, became more efficient. Under such conditions, the use of a single name caused increasing confusion, and soon, the hereditary surname (a last name, bequeathed to each generation of children in the same or similar (form) found growing acceptance. Perhaps the most notable instance of this development was the introduction of feudalism into England with the Norman Invasion of 1066. Within the space of three generations, the French worked an almost total transformation of English culture. In particular, the Anglo-Saxon and Celtic language was merged with and in some cases was replaced by the native tongue of the new Norman rulers. In the course of time other modifications followed and hereditary surnames achieved a clearly defined order previously unknown. Beginning in the seventeenth century this system was transferred virtually intact to the American colonies.
The family name COLLIER is a good example of the evolutionary nature of this system. It derives from the occupation of coal mining, and as a term is still in use in Britain. "Coleman" was another name for the miner or seller of coal and still survived as a modern surname. Prior to the "machine age" coal mining involved the labor of many men for a small output. It was tedious, dirty, and dangerous and probably attracted young men without other skills and few prospects of getting them. Where several generations of a family worked in coal, the secondary name "the Collier" would become readily associated with them. Many surnames, like the family name COLLIER, evolved directly or indirectly from the occupational titles. Those possessing a trade were well respected by their neighbors and consequently were usual identified by a personal name followed by their occupation. Alternately, other descriptive "tags" might be used to convey information about the person being named. Since few other forms of communication were available to the medieval British, "word of mouth" was an important source of information. Other surname types derived in a similar manner from place of residence, relationship, and nicknames. Occupational surnames comprise the third largest of the four classes of surname origin. The remaining three in order of size are: place names (Fields, Stones), relationships (Williamson, Williams), and nicknames (Short, Black). Because of the evolutionary nature of name development, it is virtually impossible to pinpoint the exact date of the formation of any new name. COLLIER, of course, is no exception. However, some of the ancient records of early forms of the name and show usage as early as 1273. The names listed below are excerpts from these records.
Henri.- le Colyer - County Buchinghamshire - Hundred Rolls, 1273
Robert le Coliere - County Bedfordshire - Hundred Rolls, 1273
Thomas le Colier - Country Huntingdonshire - Hundred Rolls, 1273
Adam Colier - Yorkshire Poll Tax, 1379
Benedictus Colier - Yorkshire Poll Tax, 1379
The surname COLLIER is found in the English counties of Surrey, Cheshire, Berkshire, and Staffordshire. By the time of the first census in America in 1790, many COLLIER families had settled in this country. The average COLLIER household had 5.5 members and census records indicate that many more COLLIER head-of-households living in Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky than in any other part of America. Official United States records compiled in 1974 indicate that in that year COLLIER was the 487th most frequently occurring surname in the nation. Today (1978) there are approximately 56,200 adult Americans named COLLIER. The first immigrants were the English, who were to lead all other nationalities in immigration until the first half of the nineteen century, when Irish and German immigrants began to arrive in large numbers. Early English immigrants consisted, basically, of two different groups who settled in two different place: the Puritans in Massachusetts and the Cavaliers in Virginia. AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 1235 Kenilworth Ave N. E., Washington, D. C. 20019
Who are the earliest Colliers/Colyers/ etc known in the the records that have come down to us? Where were they from?
The origin of the family name Collier was probably the village of Caulieres in France, and the first recorded use of the name was in a cartulary of Selincourt Abbey in 1217, when one of the witnesses was "Frater johannes de Caoulieres" ANTIQUARIES DEPICARDIE, Vol 40. Amiens; grant by Godefrid deMianny. v Johannes de Liestes was born in the village of Liestre, 44 kilometers southeast of Boulogne, Department of Pas-de-Calais, in northest France. He was the younger son of a baronial family who, as a young man was apparently transferred, by the mother abbey, to. Selincourt Abbey, which assigned him as a bailiff or magistrate to the management of the village of Caulieres. The evidence indicates that he was not a member of the clergy and the designation "Frater" was probably a courtesy title he because of his duties in connection with the village of Caulieres. Johannes adopted the name of the village of his emplyoyment. Caulieres. as his surname and became the founder of a prolific family. He did not possess a feudal estate since the entire village belonged to the abbey, so each of his sons had to acquire his own estate through purchase, marriage, military service, or other means. As a result. the Caulieres family spread widely over ancient picardy and Arthos, but disappeared from the village whose name they bore: A variety of coats-of-arms arose among the various family branches. The forename Robert occurred repeatedly throughout the Department of Pas-de-Calais in this region that our ancestor Robert Coleire was born about 1453.
Robert was born near the end of the hundred year war (1337-1437) between France and England The English kings controlled much of France. William the conqueror was also was Duke of Normandy: so his heirs continued to rule that important part of France, Eleanor of Aquintain, heiress of thaf vast feudal estate that included most southwestern France, was divorced by King Louis VII of France and married an English prince who became King Henry II of England. The English kings held their French lands as vassals of the King of France while ruling England in their own right. In theory their lands were part of the french kingdom, but in practice they belonged to end. Fighting over feudal claims went on for several centuries, but in the 14th centuries the trouble blazed into a national war that lasted over a hundred years. For a time war went badly for the French. Then Joan of Arc changed the course of event. leading the French in the defense of Orleans. She also recaptured the city of Reins where the French kings were crowned, making possible the coronation of the Dauphin, heir to the crown. The new King was lazy and did not follow up on the victories and later, the English captured Joan and burned her at the stake. According to legend, one of English soldiers. who had come rejoice at the death of an was heard to cry out, "We are lost we have burned a saint!" The English cause in cause was indeed lost. In the next few years, the French slowly drove back the invadered until only Calais. France remained remained in English hands. Calais, France was controlled by England until 1558. Where in England was the name Collier and var.) most prevalent in olden days. Where in the world is it most prevalent today?
ROBERT COLEIRE de DARLASTON (c, 1453- c. 1505
Robert Coleire was born in France about 1453 and died in Staffordshire. England about 1505. He married lsabella Doddington, daughter of Sir John Doddington, about 1483. Robert Colleire came to England about 1482, long preceeding the arrival of other members of his family in England and Ireland. He settled in the market town of Stone Manor, in Straffordshire County, England. The town stands on the river Trent and Trent Mersey Canal, 7 miles north northwest of Strafford, 7 miles south of Stoke-upon-Trent, and 137 miles from London. He was a taylor (tailer), draper(a dealer in cloth or in (clothes), then a woolbuyer. Some of these staplers (dealers in staple goods) grew to great wealth. In the year 1503, two years before his death, Robert and Isabella moved to Darlaston Manor. Robert and his son Thurston leased Darlaston Manor, in the county of Straffordshire, from Thomas Whally, then in 1537, Robert's son, James purchased the manor from Richard Whalley.
Except for a brief time Robert's great grandson, James Collier, sold the manor to his father-in-law in 1597 and until his son Francis repurchased it from his grandfather in 1597, there was a Collier (Coleire) as Lord of Darlaston over 180 years, until a great-great-great-great-grandson, James Collier (Coleire) sold it to William Jervis in 1685.
Anne Laidley Collier, 210 West Main Street , Uniontown, PA Chapter did an genealogy study of relatives that served in the Revolutionary War for the DAR Chapter GREAT MEADOWS and it was forward to: Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington, D. C. It was based on Col. Charles Swan service during the Revolutionary War.
The Collier Coat of Arms
And its History Coats of Arms were developed in the Middle Ages as a means of identifying warriors in battle and tournaments. The present function of the Coat of Arms (although still one of identity) serves more to preserve the traditions that arose from its earlier use.
Heraldic artists of old developed their own unique language to describe an individual Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms was drawn by an heraldic artist from information recorded in ancient heraldic archives. Our research indicates that there are often times a number of different Coats of Arms recorded for a specific surname. When possible we select and translate the Coat of Arms most representative of your surname or its variant for illustration.
THE COLLIER COAT OF ARMS HERE IS OFFICIALLY DOCUMENTED IN RIETSTAP'S ARMORIAL GENERAl., THE ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ARMS (SHIELD) IS AS FOLLOWS: "D'OR A LA CROIX PATFEE AU PIED FICHE DE GU.; AU CANTON D'AZUR, CH. D'UN CHATEAU AU NAT., LEMUR BATTU EN BRECHE."
WHEN TRANSLATED THE BLAZON ALSO DESCRIBES THE ORIGINAL COLORS OF THE COLLIER ARMS AS: "GOLD; A RED PATIZE FITCHEE CROSS; A BLUE UPPER CORNER CHARGED WITH A NATURALLY COLORED CASTE, THE WALLS ARE DAMAGED WITH HOLES." ABOVE THE SHIELD AND HELMET IS THE CREST WHICH IS DESCRIBED AS: "A GOLD PATFEE FITCHEE CROSS BETWEEN TWO BLACK WINGS, EACH WING STREWN WITH GOLD ERMINE SPOTS."
Mediaeval Knight In Armour
The HELM frequently had a dome-shaped top section (SKULL) to deflect blows. The most popular form of CREST was a fan-shaped construction of painted parchment on a wood or metal frame. The viewing area (SIGHT) when the VISOR was down permitted limited vision but was small enough to reject weapon thrusts. The air slots in the visor were called BREATHS. When not in use in combat, the visor was lifted or removed altogether. The neck cover (GORGET) was a series of curved plates which were tied or chained together. Body armor was usually strapped over chain mail. The upper arm (PAULDRON) and lower arm (VAMBRACE) defenses were curved plates articulated at the elbow with small cupped plates (COUTERS). A circular plate (RONDEL or BESAGEW) was tied or riveted at the shoulder. The BREASTPLATE, a single plate covering the whole chest, was developed from a series of small plates which were chained or riveted together. It was generally tied or buckled across the open back, although some breastplates with holes for lacings apparenty had some form of back defense. The LANCE REST was only used in tournaments or combat and was generally folded away or removed when not in use. The hip defense (TASSET) was usually a series of curved articulated plates which encircled the waist and were fastened at the sides. Leg harness consisted of curved plates (CUISSES) about the upper leg and lower leg (GREAVES). The knee defense (POLEYN) had small circular side wings to protect the tendons inside the joint. Foot defenses (SABATON) were often plate-covered shoes. Hands were protected by cuffs and encircling wrist plates, with the fingers covered by rows of over-lapping scales (GAUNTLETS). The SHIELD was generally long with a flattened top and pointed bottom, a design which allowed the user both visibility and maneuverability on horseback.
AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE, 1235 Kenilworth Ave N. E., Washington, D. C. 20019
Subject: Collier Orgins
From: Donna Colyer Hunt
To:
Some info that I have picked up in my research regarding the origins of, the surname
and its derivaties.
Source - Dictionary of English Surnames 1995 pub Oxford Press by P H Reaney.
The Dictionary of English Surnames gives us the following: COLIAR, COLIER, COLIERE, COLLIAR, COLLIER, COLLEER, COLLYER, COLYEAR, COLYEAR, COLYER
formed from "col" a derivative of coal, a maker or seller of charcoal in ancient times.
Notes -Being a referred to by your occupation was a common practice in early times, This was a migratory occupation, workers moved along with their jobs, much like many of us today, Movement from one coal producing area to another, perhaps leaving relatives along the way, created pockets of surname. Many of these pockets survived, multiplied and give us the origins of our personal lines today.
Examples from the Dictionary of English Surnames with sources and notes from the editors.-
Ranuff Collier at 1150 (L) found in Lincolnshire (source FM Stenton, Documents illustrative of the Social and Economic History of the Danelaw, London England 1920)
Bernard le coliere 1172 SO Somerset source: (P) Pipe Rolls: Record Commission. 3 vol, London 1833-44: Pipe Roll Soc (in progress); The Great Roll of the Pipe for the 26ths year of Henry the Third, ed H L Cannon, Yale Hist, Pub 1918.
A derivative of Old Engiish col "coal'! a maker or seller of charcoal (a1375 MED)
a1375 MED - Middle English Dictionary ed H Kurah, SM Kuhn and J Reidy, Ann Arbor 1954
Note- From research done by Ronald Collier, Appalachian Genealogist, Cumberland, KY
England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland certainly had coal producing areas.
The names survive in many modern families, particularily in England. COLYEAR was the
most common in Scotland where the famiiy was a branch of the powerful and famous
Robertson Clan.
In Ireland, the first appearance of the name COLLIER is for Colliertown in County Meath 1305. The name also extended into Carlow Kilkenny and Wexford Counties.
In France: COLLIER developed fram a place name CAULLiERS.
And the noble French famiiy of COLYEAR de Portmore of Ecosse had a Scottish heritage.
The German version KOHLER, KOLLAR and KOLLER developed also from the place of Kohler.
The earliest COLLIER in America appears to be WILLIAM, appearing on tax records 1633. And SARAH COLLIER married Love Brewster in 1634 in Piymouth MA. Love Brewster father. William, the Captain of the Mayflower which landed at Plymouth Rock, MA 1620.
From 1620 til today, COLLIER remains a active surname. Colyer is less active with approximateiy 1000 hits in the 1990 census. COLLYER is even more rare.
CONGRESSIONAL LAND GRANTS 16 SEPTEMBER 1776
For Revolutionay War service
(America Genealogical Research Institue, 1235 Kenilworth Ave. N E, Washigton, D C )
To a Colonel 500 acres
To a Lieutenant Colonel 450 acres
To a Major 400 acres
To a Captain 300 acres
To a Lieutenant 200 acres
To a Ensign 150 acres
To each Non-Commissioned office and soldier 100 acres
These land grant were for WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA and what later to become OHIO.