Benjamin Collins resided in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. His wife was Mary McAlister. They had seven known children. Five of the children were girls. Anne was born 29 April 1787 and two other daughters were born before 1790. James was born before 1800 along with two more daughters. The seventh child a girl and our ancestor, Hannah was born 6 August 1802 in Mifflin County.

The Collins family moved to Muskingum County, Ohio in an area that would be later taken off to form a new county named Perry about 1809. Daughter Anne married Thomas Carroll also from Mifflin County on 29 December 1809 in Madison township, Muskingum County. In June 1810 his first grandson was born and named Benjamin Carroll in his honor. The following December 1810 the County Commissioners deducted sixty cents from Benjamin’s tax base.

With five daughters weddings were going to become a social activity for the Claytons for several years. On January 14, 1811 Jane married Thomas Beard. Their first son, James G., the second grandchild for the Collins family was born 19 July 1812.

Jonathan Carroll, brother of Thomas, and wife Rachel Clayton Carroll sold property in Clayton township to Benjamin 12 April 1813. The following year Benjamin was with the Carroll’s when they sold adjoining property to Henry Sellers. He signed as witness.

Another wedding took place in January 1816 when daughter Elizabeth married David Carroll. The following year daughter Sarah married John North 7 August 1817 also in Muskingum County, Ohio. In 1820 the Clayton’s were over forty five years old with two daughters left at home, Mary and Hannah. Mary married Jonathon Pugh 13 September 1820.

Nathan and Honor Chilcote purchased purchased two small pieces in the south west corner of Benjamin’s land in October 1827. Daughter Hannah signed as a witness. During this time frame Hannah also wrote a letter to family in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania describing her parents as frail and who each of her siblings were doing in Ohio. A transcription of the letter was provided the compiler by A Carroll family descendent, Richard Hayden, and reads in part:

" ...My brother and sisters are or have been all married and left me alone with my father and mother, who are now old and frail. Sister Jane is a widow with five sones who live with her and manage the farm. James has three living and two dead. Sally has three living and three dead... Hannah W. Collins."

Benjamin’s wife appears to have died in 1828. By 1830 Benjamin Collins had died. It is thought they are buried in Unity Presbyterian Church Yard in Clayton Township, Perry County, Ohio. Their grave stones were gone when visited in 1987 by this compiler. Hannah married Alexander Clayton in May 1832 and on 17 September 1832 the heirs of Benjamin Collins were listed in a Partition deed for property described as the south east quarter section 6, township 16, range 15 equally about 36 acres.

i. James Collins, married Catherine --?--.

ii. Elizabeth Collins, died 1875; married David Carroll 04 January 1816 in Muskingum County Ohio; died 1840.

iii. Sarah Collins, married John North 07 August 1817 in Muskingum County Ohio. They moved to Hocking County, Ohio.

iv. Mary Collins, died 14 November 1859 in Van Buren County Iowa; married Jonathon Pugh 13 September 1820 in Perry County Ohio.

v. Jane Collins, died 20 July 1850; married Thomas Beard 14 October 1811 in Muskingum County Ohio. The family went to Cass County, Illinois where At least one son was born. By 1850 Jane is back in Perry County, Ohio.

vi. Anne Collins, born 29 April 1787 in Mifflin Co., PA; died 28 November 1859 in New Lexington, Perry County, Ohio married  Thomas Carroll 29 December 1809 in Madison Township, Muskingum County Ohio; born 12 April 1785 in Mifflin Co., PA; died 27 March 1831 in New Lexington, Perry Co., Ohio.   

vii. Hannah W Collins, born 06 August 1802 in Mifflin County Pennsylvania; died 17 June 1883 in Bartlett, Wesley Township, Washington County Ohio; married Alexander Clayton 03 May 1832 in Perry County Ohio.