An American Family History

Benjamin Collins was born about 1644 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. His parents were Henry and Ann Collins.

He married Priscilla Kirtland (Kirkland), on September 25, 1673 in Lynn. Ann was born in 1658 in Lynn. Her parents were Nathaniel Kirtland and Permelia Rand.

Benjamin and Priscilla's children included:
Susannah Collins (July 9, 1674) and
William Collins (1676 died as an infant).

Priscilla died on October 28, 1676. She probably died due to complications of childbirth.

Benjamin's second wife was the widow Elizabeth Leach Putnam. They married on September 5, 1677. Elizabeth was born September 27, 1653 in Salem. Her parents were John Leach and Elizabeth Conant. Elizabeth was Samuel Putnam’s widow. Samuel was born December 18, 1652 in Salem. His parents were Nathaniel Putnam and Elizabeth Hutchinson.

Elizabeth and Samuel Putnam had at least two children. Samuel died in 1676 when he was only 23.

Benjamin and Elizabeth's children included:
Priscilla Collins (1679),
Elizabeth Collins (1682),
Benjamin Collins (1684),
Richard Collins (1689),
Sarah Collins (1692), and
Anna Collins (1695).

According to Soldiers in King Philip's War by George Bodge Benjamin served under Captain George Corwin on September 23, 1676.

Benjamin was made freeman in 1691.

Elizabeth died on March 5, 1711.

Children of Anne and Henry Collins, Sr. Anne Collins Henry Collins, Jr. John Collins Margery Collins Williams Hannah Collins Ingersoll Joseph Collins Mary Collins Johnson Benjamin Collins

from Genealogical Guide to the Early Settlers of America by Henry Whittemore

Benjamin Collins, of Lynn, freeman 1691, married Sept. 25, 1673, Priscilla Kirtland, had Susanna, born July 9, 1674, William Oct. 14, 1676, died at 12 days; the mother died soon after, and he married Sept. 5, 1677, widow Elizabeth Putnam, had
Priscilla, May 2, 1679,
Elizabeth Jan. 3, 1682, and
Benjamin Dec. 5, 1684.

Any man entering a colony or becoming a a member the church, was not free. He was not forced to work, but his movements were carefully observed to see if they followed the Puritanical ideal. After this probationary period, he became a "freeman." Men then took the Oath of a Freeman where they vowed to defend the Commonwealth and not to overthrow the government.

1677 Map of New England click to enlarge

A History and Genealogy of the Conant Family in England and America by Frederick Odell Conant

Sarah [Conant] (Roger), born about 1628; married John [Leach], son of Lawrence and Elizabeth Leach. Although there is no direct documentary evidence to prove that she married John Leach, the circumstances indicating such a marriage are considered sufficient to warrant the statement; viz.:
1st, John Leach's wife was named Sarah;
2nd, there is no record of the marriage of either of them to anyone else;
3rd, John Leach was a near neighbor of Roger Conant;
4th, John Leach's eldest surviving child was John, and there were at least four daughters, one of whom was named Mary, who, at the time of Lot and Roger Conant's death, was unmarried;
5th, in Lot Conant's will Mary Leach is called kinswoman; and in Roger Conant's will she is mentioned in connection with his granddaughter, Rebecca; he also mentions his daughter, Sarah, and her son, John, and four daughters. Lawrence Leach came to New England in the fleet with Higginson, in 1629; took the freeman's oath 18 May, 1631, and died June, 1662, aged about 82.

John Leach had a grant of land 1637, and was made freeman 1681 (Savage). Sarah Leach was admitted to the First Church, 1648, and dismissed to the Beverly church, 1667; she died about 1681.

Children of John and Sarah (Conant) Leach:
i. John, bapt. 3 Sept., 1648;
ii. and iii. John, Sarah twins, bapt. Nov., 1648, married and had family
iv. Rachael, bapt, 6 Apr., 1651.
v. Sarah, bapt. il June, 1652.
vi. Elizabeth, bapt. 27 Nov., 1653.
vii. Mary, bapt. 8 Sep., 1654; m. 2 Mch., 1080, Thos. Field, and probably then received the cow or heifer left her by Lot Conant, 1674, "at her being married or leaving my wife."
viii. Richard, bapt. 15 June, 1656, d. y.