Fox Valley Chapter Patriot Profile
Private Henry Collins 1764 - 1847This page contains information on Henry Collins, a soldier who fought in the American Revolution and who is buried in Lake County adjacent to the counties served by the Fox Valley Chapter. This page contains his biography and a link to a front-page story in the Daily Herald on the rededication of his grave on 25 May 2012. Henry Collins enlisted before his 17th birthday. He lived to be almost 83 years old and is buried in the Mount Rest Cemetery in Wadsworth, Lake County, Illinois. |
Biography of Patriot Henry Collins
Henry Collins was born in Southborough, Worcester County, Massachusetts on April 14, 1764.
In March of 1781 at the age of 16 years and 10 months Henry Collins enlisted at Southborough for a term of two years with several others from Southborough when a levy was placed on the town to supply a number of men for the army.
These men were mustered in at Sutton, Massachusetts. Henry served in a company commanded by Captain Sewall in the regiment commanded by Colonel Ebenezer Sprout.
From Sutton the regiment was marched to Springfield, Massachusetts, and from there to West Point.
Henry Collins served his two year enlistment in the same regiment, and was discharged at West Point in December 1783 at the end of the war. Henry’s discharge was signed by General Henry Knox.
After the war Henry returned to Southborough and remained here a number of years. From here he moved to Marlborough, New Hampshire. He then relocated to Lansingburgh, New York, and then to Lanesborough, Massachusetts. He eventually moved to Abbotsford, Lower Canada.
In July 1832 Henry returned from Canada to St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont where on July 5, 1832 he made application for a pension. He was placed on the pension rolls of Vermont at the rate of $80 per annum.
It is not known when Henry Collins relocated to Illinois. However, on April 10, 1847 Henry Collins passed away at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 26 days. He is buried in the Mount Rest Cemetery in Wadsworth, Lake County, Illinois.
Sources:
Henry Collins’ Revolutionary War Pension Application File #S.12584
DAR Patriot Index, Volume I, page 570
Soldiers of the American Revolution Buried in Illinois, Illinois Genealogical Society, 1975, page 45
Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in Illinois, Mrs. Harriet J. Walker, Los Angeles, 1917, page 67
Photos from Mount Rest Cemetery in Wadsworth
Henry Collins passed away on April 10, 1847 at the age of 82 years, 11 months and 26 days, and is buried
in the Mount Rest Cemetery in Wadsworth, Illinois. His grave is located at the top of the hill on the north and
west (Old Route 41) sides of the cemetery. It is a nice location in a classic old cemetery.
Click for
MapQuest map to cemetery.
Click on thumbnail and enlarged photo will autoclose in 15 seconds.
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The sign to the Mount Rest Cemetery is visible on Old Route 41 just north of Interstate 94. |  |
Henry Collins grave is at the top of the first hill nearest the cemetery entrance. It is near the tall white grave stone. | |||
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Looking down the hill toward the entrance with Henry's grave in the foreground. Tall white grave stone is a landmark. |  |
Memorial Stone placed by the American Legion. Metal pole is part of the SAR Marker and its top is now behind the grave. | |||
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Close-up of Henry Collin's headstone showing he died on April 10, 1847 at age (about) 84. |  |
Sideways view of Henry's grave showing the SAR medallion. It has been secured into the concrete used to stabilize Henry's headstone and memorial stone. | |||
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View of Henry Collin's grave looking east with I-94 in the background. |  |
Close-up of the SAR Medallion which in now secured in concrete. |