Collins Cemetery Plaque

Hidden away, west of Highway 183, lies the Collins Cemetery Plaque. It whispers tales of resilience and community. This plaque marks more than just a cemetery. It represents the legacy of Newton Isaac Collins Sr. Collins, a freed slave from Alabama, arrived in Texas in 1863. He faced re-enslavement in Manor, but after the Civil War, he finally tasted true freedom. Collins became a carpenter and a successful businessman. He purchased land in East Austin in 1872. Later, in 1891, he traded some of this property for a larger plot of farmland in Pilot Knob. This area, near what is now McKinney Falls State Park, became the heart of his family’s future. The Collins Cemetery, established by Collins himself, holds the remains of his family members. The earliest known burial was Collins’ son-in-law, Ben Bremond, in 1894. Dee Gabriel Collins, Newton’s son, rests here beside his wife, Donnie Louise. Vinie, Collins’ daughter, and other members of the Collins and Bremond families also found their final resting place within this sacred ground. A small, iron fence surrounds a monument dedicated to Newton Isaac Collins Sr., a testament to his vital role in the Pilot Knob community. The Collins Cemetery Plaque stands as a tribute to his enduring spirit. It commemorates a man who overcame adversity to build a thriving community for his family and descendants. The plaque is a poignant reminder of his contribution to the rich tapestry of Texas history.