Glynn Virden Collier, of Goldthwaite, Texas died March 11, 2020 at the age of 97. He was descended from Efford Cobb Collier (a grandson of Vines Collier) and Elizabeth Singleton Harris. In 1857, Efford Cobb left Upson County, Georgia and relocated his family to Texas.
Glynn Virden Collier’s line from Vines is as follows:
Vines Collier and Sarah Elizabeth Williamson
Robert Collier and Martha Marshall Booker
Efford Cobb Collier and Elizabeth Singleton Harris
Isaac Groves Collier and Elizabeth Ann Phillips
Thomas Jefferson Collier and Martha Bell Virden
Glynn Virden Collier
Here is his obituary (courtesy of Stacy-Wilkins Funeral Home).
In 2017, Kendel Hopper, a high school student, was awarded a scholarship by the Mills County Historical Commission for a essay that resulted from his interview with Glynn Collier (see below).
On a recent trip to France, mom Terri and daughter Nellie Collier traveled from Paris to Cauliéres, the village from which the Collier family got its name. Based on the research gathered at the Collier Heritage Foundation and genealogical records handed down, a 2nd son of a Barony was appointed Magistrate over an abbey and the village it owned in the Somme region of France. The village was named Cauliéres and having no land of his own, he took the name of the village, thus becoming Johanne Cauliéres (later Anglicized to Collier).
In addition to seeing the home of our ancestors, we hoped to visit the church where, according to records, a number of Collier ancestors served as priest in the 1300’s. Despite my failed attempts at advanced contact with residents of this small village (209 people in 2006), we arrived in Cauliéres unannounced. When Nellie asked if we had a plan, I said “Yes. We’re going to walk around town until someone asks us why we’re here” — and that is precisely what happened!
This lovely lady was on her morning walk when we inquired if we could ask her a few questions about the village. Thankfully she spoke English and was a very friendly and helpful tour guide. We explained our connection to the village and ask if it would be possible to see inside the church. She led us to her friend’s house, the literal keeper of the keys, who immediately demanded to know what we wanted to do in “her” church!
After a five minute discussion (which seemed a bit heated), our second guide joined our procession to the church. More conversation and a generous donation to the church warmed up the keeper of the keys and we heard much about her church, which is only used for worship one Sunday a year and for weddings and funerals.
The stone portion of the church dates to the 1300’s and is a quaint, but beautiful tribute to the faith of the generations in this lovely village. (Shown here with Nellie).
The inside of the church was simple, but well tended. We were told that the original abbey was a ruin in a nearby field, with its remaining walls only a few inches tall.
Sometimes teaching your children to appreciate their heritage takes you on a wild goose chase. There were plenty of eye-rolls and a few protests, but I promise you that one day, Nellie will tell her children about the day we went to the home of her ancestors!
Our visit was capped off by an introduction to the mayor, who was out riding his bike, and an inquiry from the police, seen here talking with the mayor. They were wondering who these strangers were on a Monday morning walking around their small village!
All in all, it was a day well-spent!
When I asked our guides about the history of Cauliéres (which apparently means cabbage), the “key lady” graciously invited us into her home, where she shared these two clippings. Could someone in Collier-land translate them?
Terri Stagner Collier, wife of Christopher Reid Collier
Nellie’s genealogy from the Barnesville, GA line:
Isaac Cuthbert Collier 1846 – 1908
Jena Cuthbert Collier 1866 – 1944
Durward Cuthbert Collier 1890 – 1979
Jena Cuthbert Collier II 1917 – 2003
Christopher Reid Collier 1958 – present
Nellie Catherine Collier 2000 – present
Here is another view of the Church using GoogleEarth Streetview.
Using GoogleEarth, type ‘Caulières, France’ in the search bar and then ‘enter’. At the village, zoom in on “D92” at the intersection of Rue de’n Haut and Rue de l’Eglise.
I am Jerome Collier, as a French I particularly appreciated your report !
It is not impossible that we share this common origin.
As you ask, please find hereunder a translation of the main facts reported in the paper you were given, with my approximative english.
First sheet :
Caulières comes from the latin cauliera, field of cabbages.
Lieutenant Spindler has served bravely during the 1939-45 war in Caulières and died with glory while commanding his unit.
Desforges family owned 7/8 of the village until french revolution (1789)
1906 : 38 persons are working in the 3 brush companies, and multiples craftsmen and traders.
1930 : electricity arrives in the village
Second sheet :
Caulières was « Cauliers » in 1169.
During XII th century, Selincourt abbey established in Caulières a yard called « Saint Nicolas de Caulières », which became the village of Lamaronde.
In 1846, discovery of a vase containing medals, dated from the roman empire – between IIIrd and Vth century.
The church was built XVIII th century, except the choir which is from XVI th.
The village produces forage, grains, beef, pork.
Saint celebration : July 27th
Jerome, thank you so much for your contribution! It is much appreciated. What else can you tell us? For example, what do you know about Lieutenant Spindler?
Hi,
More details about Lieutenant Spindler, as stated in the paper of Terry:
Lieutenant Spindler, 49e BCA
He showed remarkable self-sacrifice and courage during the fighting on June 6, 1940, earning the admiration of all by his disregard for danger. Fell gloriously at the head of his section. This citation is accompanied by the award of the Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf.
More generally, the best source document I identified about this origin in Caulieres is the book of Vaughn Ballard “Robert Terrell Collier his ancestors”, which itself does not mention a source that would prove the story (see page 3 of the book “Johannes de Liestes”). The story is beautiful, but the only checkable fact is the citation of one name, Brother Jean de Caouliere (“Frater Johannes de Caouliéres” in the original text) .
I wonder if somoene has more source, or an email adress to contact the author Vaughn Ballard? He seems to leave in Arlington, TX.
In the past year, CHF has had the opportunity to examine several Collier Family Bibles, the oldest of which belonged to Robert Collier (see May 3, 2015 post Robert Collier, Son of Vines and Elizabeth Collier). Robert was born in Virginia in 1783 and died in Upson County, Georgia in 1850, so the Bible is vintage early 1800s.
The Bible is massive with plain front and back covers.
Inside the front cover is a note that “Hambleton was folded 15th of August – 1838”. Hambleton was obviously a horse (foal) and his birth was considered important.
The family history portion is well-preserved and mostly very legible. Based on known handwriting characteristics, the entries in green ink at the end of the “Deaths” section, were added by Jena Cuthbert Collier. The entry of the death of Robert Collier was written by the same person who made most of the entries in the Robert Marshall Collier Family Bible (most likely Robert Marshall himself). The Robert Marshall Bible will be covered in a later post. Martha Marshall Booker, the wife of Robert Collier, signed her name with an “X” (see deed in June 6, 2015 post Robert Marshall Collier’s Papers), so she would not have made the remaining entries in the Family Bible. A comparison of the writing in the initial entry under “Marriages” and the legal document signed by Robert Collier and presented in the May 3, 2015 post, Robert Collier, Son of Vines and Elizabeth Collier, indicate that the entries were made by Robert Collier.
Transcriptions follow each page.
MARRIAGES
Robert Collier and Martha Marshall Booker was married the first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six.
BIRTHS
Robert Collier was born the thirteenth of November in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & eighty three (1783)
Martha Marshall Booker from the best account was born in the year of our Lord Seventeen hundred & eighty two (1782)
Edith Louisa Collier was born on Monday the Sixteenth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & seven
William Vines Collier was born on Tuesday the fourth of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight (1808)
Sarah Smith Collier was born on Thursday the twenty eighth of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & nine (1809)
Efford Cobb Collier was born on Saturday the fourth of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eleven (1811)
BIRTHS
Mary Booker Collier was born on Thursday the fourth of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirteen (1813)
Robert Marshall Collier was born on Wednesday the ninth of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & fourteen (1814)
Frances Elizabeth Collier was born on Sunday the Twenty sixth of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eighteen (1818)
Isaac Cuthbert Collier was born on Saturday the twenty ninth of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty one (1821).
DEATHS
Isaac Cuthbert Collier departed this life on Thursday about 12 o’clock the 7th of May in the City of Macon in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty (1840) in the triumphs of a saving faith – his diing (sic) words was “glory & honor to God and the Lamb forever & ever.”
Robert Collier Father of This family departed This life on Sunday 1O minutes after 1O oclock in the night being the 6t h day of January in the year of our Lord One Thousand and fifty in his sixty seventh year of his age he was a good Husband & Kind Father and an indulgent Master. His last words as understood was “I am done with the world.”
Added in green ink (by Jena Cuthbert Collier:
Wm Vines Collier son of Robt. & Martha Booker Collier died in Columbus Ga on May 11 – 1877 and is buried in Oakland Cemetery Atlanta Ga on the Raines lot .
Martha Booker Collier died in Upson Co Ga (3 mi south of The Rock) May 27 – 1876
CHF is grateful to Christopher Collier for allowing access to these valuable family treasures.
This is a followup to The Collier Collection Goes to Savannah, posted July 31, 2016 (click here). After two years of organizing and cataloguing, Georgia Historical Society announced the Collier Collection open for researchers. The announcement was issued in a GHS news release of June 21, 2018 from Atlanta.
On June 24, 1932, the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) placed a monument over the grave of Vines Collier. See the February 15, 2015 CHF post on the subject, Marking of the Grave of Vines Collier, 1932
The Atlanta Journal newspaper reported on the event in its the August 21, 1932 Sunday Edition.
A high resolution electronic copy can be accessed for downloading by clicking on the following link.
Although I am familiar with most of the information in the article, and have visited Vines Collier home inside and out, I still very much appreciate the addition of this article. One cannot collect too much information on the Collier Family.
Hi Terry,
I am Jerome Collier, as a French I particularly appreciated your report !
It is not impossible that we share this common origin.
As you ask, please find hereunder a translation of the main facts reported in the paper you were given, with my approximative english.
First sheet :
Caulières comes from the latin cauliera, field of cabbages.
Lieutenant Spindler has served bravely during the 1939-45 war in Caulières and died with glory while commanding his unit.
Desforges family owned 7/8 of the village until french revolution (1789)
1906 : 38 persons are working in the 3 brush companies, and multiples craftsmen and traders.
1930 : electricity arrives in the village
Second sheet :
Caulières was « Cauliers » in 1169.
During XII th century, Selincourt abbey established in Caulières a yard called « Saint Nicolas de Caulières », which became the village of Lamaronde.
In 1846, discovery of a vase containing medals, dated from the roman empire – between IIIrd and Vth century.
The church was built XVIII th century, except the choir which is from XVI th.
The village produces forage, grains, beef, pork.
Saint celebration : July 27th
Jerome, thank you so much for your contribution! It is much appreciated. What else can you tell us? For example, what do you know about Lieutenant Spindler?
Hi,
More details about Lieutenant Spindler, as stated in the paper of Terry:
Lieutenant Spindler, 49e BCA
He showed remarkable self-sacrifice and courage during the fighting on June 6, 1940, earning the admiration of all by his disregard for danger. Fell gloriously at the head of his section. This citation is accompanied by the award of the Croix de Guerre with Palm Leaf.
More generally, the best source document I identified about this origin in Caulieres is the book of Vaughn Ballard “Robert Terrell Collier his ancestors”, which itself does not mention a source that would prove the story (see page 3 of the book “Johannes de Liestes”). The story is beautiful, but the only checkable fact is the citation of one name, Brother Jean de Caouliere (“Frater Johannes de Caouliéres” in the original text) .
I wonder if somoene has more source, or an email adress to contact the author Vaughn Ballard? He seems to leave in Arlington, TX.
Unfortunately, Mr. Ballard passed away several years ago (2013, I believe).