Collins Facts
James D. Collins -
-- in school at the Ga. Military Academy at    time of war
-- age 15 ran away  from  school &  went to  the Army while here on sick leave when the Union soldiers captured  The Gate City, he was carried out  between 2 mattresses after war went to Mississippi was in charge of the prison at Andersonville 
-- after W. R. Venable died - became Clerk of   Superior Court for 4 yrs. then elected to County Commissioner & served on board for 8 yrs. 
-- one of the prime movers in building the   " old river line "  became parent line of The Atlanta Rapid Transit Co. then The Atlanta Railway & Power Co.
-- Named for James Collins, a pioneer of Atlanta, Collins Street was renamed Courtland Street on Sept. 20, 1886, because of S. Collins St. reputation as a red light district.
James A. Collins  
-- died March 1862
    first store in Marthasville with name Collins and Loyd 
 
 James D. Collins
-- son of James A. Collins
-- born  in Atlanta, a stones throw of the depot
   Dec. 19, 1846 - Feb. 26, 1904
   died at home in Bolton, buried in Decatur
-- wife - Miss Jennie Clarke Collins from Decatur -
   March 11, 1848 - June 15, 1916                   
    daughter of Rev. William Clarke - after J.D. died  
    moved to summer home  in Bolton, which              
    was just E. of present church - she gave the $8k
    and the land for present  Collins U.M. Church
-- daughter in law - Sarah Montgomery Venable
-- uncle - W. R. Venable - died Sept. 5, 1873  
    was clerk of Superior Court 
-- cousin - W. H. Venable
-- cousin - B. H. Venable