Author: Edward Wayne Cozart, Jr.
William Collings and wife, Ann, joined the Scotch Plains Baptist church in 1747 and 1749. Benjamin Collins and William Collins were baptized at Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 5 Aug 1747. Ann Collins was baptized at the same, Oct. 1749. These were probably adult baptisms, as the Baptists do not practice infant baptisms. The Scotch Plains Baptist Church is now located in Union Co., NJ. In 1747 it was in Elizabeth Twp., Essex County, NJ. In 1747, fifteen people petitioned the Piscataway Church for permission to organize a separate church. Among the members as of 5 Aug 1747 were Benjamin Collins and William Collins.

William Collings witnessed the will of Abraham Elston in 1751.

William Collins, William Elstone, and Samuel Elston were all listed as freeholders in Elizabeth Town, Essex Co., NJ as of 1 Sep 1755.

William Elston Collings bought land at Scotch Plains in 1768.

William Collins and his wife asked for a Letter of Dismissal from the Scotch Plains Baptist Church as they had removed to VA (now PA). The family of William and Ann Elston Collings came from Pennsylvania to the Froman’s Creek/Cox’s Creek area of Nelson County in about 1780. They were entered into church records in there on 2 Feb 1780.

"Memorial of May 15, 1780, signed by the inhabitants of Kentucky and Illinois and address to the Continental Congress" - Folios 247-249 inclusive. Virginia Records.

TO THE HONORABLE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
"…The Petition of a number of the true and loyal subjects of the United States of America at large most humbly Showeth.

"That your Petitioners having heretofore been Inhabiters of the different States of America Since the commencement of the contest with Great Britain for the common cause of Liberty; have ventured their lives in a wild uncultivated part of the Continent on the western Waters of Ohio…”
Among the many signers were: Spencer Collings, William Collings, George Crist, Thomas Collings, and William Collings (spelling verbatim)


WILL OF WILLIAM COLLINGS:

In the name of God, Amen, I, William Collings, of Nelson County, and State of Virginia, being of sound and perfect understanding, though weak and low in body, do make this my last will and Testament: Imprimis: I give and bequeath my soul to God my maker, humbly praying he will in mercy receive it.
Imprimis: I give my body to the earth to be turned into corruption, in sure and certain hope of its resurrection at the last day.
And for my worldly goods:

Item: I will and require that all my debts be justly paid by the direction of my true and loving friend, John McGee, whom I have chosen by his own consent to be my whole and sole executor to see this my last will and testament performed.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Anne, the lot of land I now live on, with all its buildings and improvements (An entire line is missing here at the fold of the paper) by my youngest son, Thomas, She giving him half the production of said farm, to who I Will and Bequeath one horse and all my farming utensils at the death of my wife.
Item: I give to my grandson, Isaac Collings, son of Zebulon Collings fifteen Pounds Virginia Currency on Condition that he lives with and is obedient to his grandmother during her life.
Item: I will and desire that after the Demise of my loving wife, Anne, the lot of land I now live on with all the rest of my worldly goods be equally divided between my children, viz: Zebulon Collings, Spencer, Elizabeth, William Elston and Thomas Collings.
Signed and sealed in presence of us David Ruby, John Peak, William Goff
(On the reverse of the document) /s/ William Collings
At a Court held for Nelson County on the 11th day of December, 1787, the last Will and Testament of William Collings, Dec'd., was produced by John McGee, the Executor therein mentioned and being proved by the oaths of David Ruby, John Peak and William Goff, the subscribing witnesses, was ordered to record.
Teste: /s/ Isaac Morrison, Clk
William Collings Will Proved 11 Dec., 1787. Recorded in Book 1, page 31.


Several of William's descendants were brutally killed by Shawnee Indians in what is called the "Pigeon Roost Massacre" in Clark (now Scott) Co., IN on 3 Sept. 1812 during the War of 1812. Many who were not killed still had their homes and farms burned and ruined.