An American Family History

Ann Collins was born in 1605 in St Albans, Herfordshire, England.  Her maiden name is not known for sure. It could have been Riall, Ryall, or Royal.

She married Henry Collins about 1627. Their childen and life together are described in detail in the section on Henry and Ann Collins.

She became a widow when Henry died in 1687. Since as a married woman she owned nothing, he provided for her in his will. He gave

"my dear and loving wife, who hath ever been tender of me and industrious in her place in procuring what outward estate God hath bestowed upon us" to receive the benefit of all the housing and lands; "my movables, chattels, cattle, etc. at her disposal to either my own children or my grandchildren as she shall see cause at her decease;"

He also requested that his children be dutiful and tender to their aged mother.

Ann's will was dated September 8, 1690 and was probated in November, 1691. She bequeathed to her sons and to various grandchildren. She died on September 29, 1691 and was blind at the time of her death.

Will of Ann Collins
Lynn the 8 day of Sept 1690.
In the name of our Lord god everlasting amen. I Ann Collns of Lynn in the County of Essex in New England widow and the relict of Henry Collins senr of Lynn aforesd deceased

I the said Ann being very aged and my tyme of departure out of this world most uncertaine and may be very sudden as I have cause to think by reason of some late providences of god in visiting me with some touches of his hand upon my fraile body and hath taken away my naturall sight I thought meet to improve the present tyme the lord affords me and being through mercy free from my paines and distemper's and in my perfect memory. And cleare understanding Do make my last will & testat and dispose of what estate the lord hath afforded me of was left unto me by the last will of my husband above sd deceased.  

first I therefore Commend and committ my spirit into the hands of my deare lord Jesus christ In whom I doe believe only for eternal life & salvation on whom alone I trust and Relye Renounceing wholly my own rightousness believing his to be alsufficient and y I shall be covered and so accepted of god my heavenly father through Jesus Christ my blessed mediator and redeemer In which faith I rest and trust, That after breath is spent and natural life is gone from me I shall ascend in my Spirit unto god And therefore quietly commit my body to the grave there to rest till the glorious resurrection of the dead by Jesus christ Committing my dearly beloved children and grand children all of ye to the grace of god in Jesus christ, humbly desyreing his peace and love may be bestowed on them so as it may keep them in his feare and in love & peace one w another continually Amen.  

As for my temporal estate that god of his mercy hath vouchsafed to me to dispose of, I give and bequeath to be divided & disposed of after my decease as hereafter followeth. Renounceing all former wills

It. I give to my eldest sone Henry Collins my horse.

Item I give to my grandsone Nath. Collins [son of John] a Cow & a young mare and after my decease twenty shillings out of my estate then left if it will reach to doe [it] and so I leave that to my executor's.

Item I give to my grandchildren viz these children of my son John Collins deceased & not named in my will before viz. Elizabeth mary Daniel Hannah Lois the sume of three pound to be pd to each one soe much out of my estate if it will reach yrunto. as a testimony of my love to them, who wer suddenly deprived of their father & of his estate.

Item I give to my two grandsones. the sones of John Collins deceased viz Samuel and Joseph Collinses, the sume of five shillings to each of y after my decease. And so to abigail now townsend.

Item I give to Sussannah Collins the daughter of Benj Collins, twenty shillings.

I doe ordain & appoint my sone Henry Collins, and my sone Joseph Collins to be my two executor's of my estate and unto this my last will & testa And to make me a comely and Decent buriall. and to performe all my just and honest paym, and legacies, according to my will satisfyeing all their and my necessary charges And well considering what my estate will beare in honesty and honour.  

Morover I give unto my grandchildren Johnsons viz Mary
Richard Ruth, Samuel to each one the sume of twenty shillings after my decease that is as is expressed for all if my estate shall reach to performe all

moreover I doe ordain & desyre my well respected and trusty friends Mr. Jeremy Shepherd pastor of the church of christ in Lynn and oliver purchass to be my overseers, to see this my last will and testa to be performed and fullfilled.

And now that ye promisses y are contained & expressed in this sheet of paper is my last will & testat. for confirmation of the same that it is soe I the said Ann Collins, widow & relict of Henry Collins sen deceased affixed and set my own hand & seale hereunto,

as also that I have pd unto Elizabeth Collins [daughter of John] now alias Basset, soe much of my legacie to her in Indian corn the sume of 2 P.  

The signe of ANN COLLINS

Signed sealed & delyvered in the presence of Henry Silsbey Oliver purchase Henry Collins Jun  
Proved att a county court held at Salem the 24 of novr 1691