He went to Freetown Ma. and married Sarah Dotson/Dodson here or there whos family was also from Scituate. Was Richard the immigrant or were there earlier Collins's there?

Richard from what the records say was b. 1697 in Freetown Ma. His parents would have been living there for him to be born at least his mother. HIs parents may have been the immigrants. You would have to find his parents and where they came from. It seems like itis not going to be an easy task.
Tina

There are contemporary Collins in Newport co. court records from Warwick but no Richard. What records in particulardo you speak of?

I was referring to the info on Family Search. I could not find anything on NEHGS.

I have a Richard Collins that was born in Scituate Mass, Plymouth County 1697 who married Sarah Dodson. Sarah Dodson's father was Jonathan Dodson who bought property (lot 12)in Freetown June 8 1705 from Richard Hatch. Dodson settled there about 1708 and later (probably after Sarah married Richard) allowed Sarah and Richard (Collins) to live on lot 12 as well. "Lot 12" of Freetown eventually became part of Fall River (northernmost side). "Jonathan Dodson was an important man of Freetown, serving as selectman, moderator, town clerk,assessor and constable.." (Phillips History of Fall River p. 92-93). On June 2, 1713 Dodson was voted to be the minister of the gospel for the town "until there is a supply from England."

Richard Collins remains an enigmatic personality and no trace exists of his parents. Based on my conversations with Carol Miles, genealogist of Scituate, MA, Richard was "most likely" descended from the group that founded Scituate who were called "The Fathers of Kent" and sailed from England. In my "opinion" one or both of Richard's parents were indentured servants who were not included on the ship's passenger lists. Many of those lists were lost, or discarded after arrival. Ms. Miles will be sending me photocopies of rare, early Scituate history that may have more about Collins and Dodson. When it is received I will post anything that is relevant to this conversation.

Thank you so much for the insight into his line. I wondered why it seemed dead ended.

I received the afore-mentioned records from Ms. Miles of the Scituate Historical Society and have confirmed from the records sent that there is NO record of Richard Collins being born abt 1697 or even marrying Sarah Dodson abt 1727 in Scituate, Plymouth County. That the couple lived in Freetown, MA and bore children in Freetown is however indisputable. I am a direct descendant, in fact. Ms. Miles believes that the LDS record for Richard Collins AFN 1566-59J submitted by one Donald A. Beanston of San Diego, CA is in fact incorrect and without validity. I wrote to the Church of Latter Day Saints inquiring about this submission and will post here their reply when available. It is possible that this whole mess began with an error on a gravestone inscription in an old Scituate, MA cemetery, which states on the footstone "Anthony Collin". Research reveals no such person. In another account of the same cemetery, the name Anthony Collin has been replaced with the name Anthony Collamore (b. England died in shipwreck off Scituate, Dec 16, 1693) Off course it would be impossible for this deceased person to have fathered Richard 6 years after his death! There is a record of Sarah Dodson being born in Scituate, 15 July, 1701 but just when she marries Richard and moves to Freetown is not known. She is there, in Freetown in 1754 when Richard dies as attested by his will and inventory of Estate. Richard Collins is classed in this will as a "yeoman" meaning a farmer. So now I have to do more research from the "Vital Records of the Town of Freetown Massachusetts, 1686 thru 1890" by Helen G. Thomas to see what else can be found about these ellusive rlatives.
Sarah Dodson, by the way, is said to have come from the Royal bloodline of King Charlamange. Let me know if you are interested...

Thank you for the dedication to your quest. Amazing how things get messed up. Some of the best Freetown info can be found in the Goff Library in Rehoboth Village, but it requires a visit or three.

Hi Dad,

Great insight on the possible origins of Richard Collins. Did you ever look into purchasing a certified death certificate? The commonwealth of MA's vital statistic records go back to 1635. I can order the copy which will list both parents names on the death cert. Let me know if you think this might be of assistance.

~Aja

Personally I'm not so interested as I think he was first immigrant but more interested in his former residence. I meant to look at his land evidence in Taunton deeds,quite often first purchase will state his former residence.