Hannah W. Collins was born 06 August 1802 in Mifflin County Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Benjamin Collins and Mary McAlister. She moved to what was Clayton Township, Muskingum County, Ohio [later Perry County, Ohio], with her parents, by the time she was eight years old.

Hannah was admitted to Unity Presbyterian Church in Clayton Township 29 May 1826. Researcher, Richard Hayden, supplied the compiler with the following letter Hannah had written to family sometime between 1827 and 1828 to her cousin John McAlister in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania.

"Respected friends: I embrace the present opportunity of informing you that I am in a reasonable state of health at the present, for which I have reason to be thankful. ...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. Polly had three living and one dead. Remember me to my friends in that county. Especially to your son Hugh as I can remember more about him than any of the rest. I wish you would write and invite Stephen George if you have an opportunity to write us. No more at present, Your affectionate friend, Hannah W. Collins."

Hannah’s father died in 1830 and she then married Alexander Clayton 03 May 1832 in Perry County Ohio we assume at Unity Presbyterian Church. In September 1832 Hannah was listed in the estate partition for his estate.

Hannah and Alexander had their first child, Elizabeth 5 June 1835. She was followed by three sons born between 1837 and 1843. Sometime between 1835 and 1837 the three moved to Wesley township, Washington County, Ohio. Their son David Elzy was born in Bartlett, Wesley township 17 July 1837.

The village of Bartlett was originally known as Plymouth. It also incorporated East Plymouth and Pleasanton. The Claytons bought and sold several lots and acres in Wesley township through out the 1840's. Two more children were born, James Allen Clayton in 1840 and our ancestor Isaac Calvin Clayton born 17 April 1843.

There are two photographs from the Dessie Clayton Feyler album in the compiler’s collection that were taken by H. W. Craig photographer in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio. They are undated but a family in member in Iowa thought the photographs may be of Hannah and her husband.

Hannah’s husband, Alexander died 12 April 1878 and was buried in Smith Cemetery on county road 206 north east of Bartlett. After his death Hannah continued to reside in Wesley township with her son James Allen until her death 17 June 1883. Hannah was buried next to her husband in Smith Cemetery.