Without school I became a soldier at 16. I married my first wife Anne when I was very young, only 18.  We had four children: Collin Jr., Jimmy, Emeline and PollyAnne but sadly both of my middle children died as babies.  My wife also died in 1804.  A year later I married Betsy Leak Coleman and we added 7 more children to the family: Ford, Porche and Mercedes (twins), Liberty, Bentley, Fineas and Ferb.  I went on to have many jobs, and was a great and trusted friend to many important influental people.  After a long and productive life I will die on September 8, 1861.  My headstone will read: