In 1803 Jacques Dreux, a New Orleans Creole, received a Spanish grant on the Bogue Falia River 40 arpents (riverfront) by 40 arpents deep.
On Sept. 11, 1811, John Wharton Collins married Marie Elizabeth Tabiteau at St. Louis Cathedral. A son, Thomas Wharton Collins, was born to them on June 23, 1812. He became a journalist and newspaper owner (Source: Time Picayune files)
On May 16, 1813, Dreux sold his town with its claim of four citizens to Collins for $2300.00. The community was named Wharton, in honor of Collins' grandfather John Wharton.
During 1814 to 1815, John Wharton Collins served as Captain in Morgan's 4th Regiment, La. Militia. He took part in the Battle of New Orleans, January 1815 (West Bank).
On February 28, 1816, a bill was introduced in the state Legislature to change the name of Wharton to that of Covington. The bill passed and was enacted into law on March 11, 1816. Covington was named for General Leonard A. Covington , who had commanded the troops at St. Francisville and Baton Rouge when the West Florida revolt was settled.
A year later, in 1817, due to failing health, Collins wrote out his will. He was confined to bed by September and then died on December 26, 1817, at the age of 29. He was buried in a lead coffin in Covington cemetery No. 1 (in the section opposite the old city hall) at the corner of Columbia and Kirkland Streets in an unmarked grave. (Receipt for coffin is in Courthouse Files)
A tombstone monument does note that Collins is buried in the Covington cemetery.
The Last Will and Testament of John Wharton Collins
was found in a digital archive
Click on the image to make it larger
Will of John Wharton Collins (A translation)
John Wharton Collins
Be it known that I, John Wharton Collins, being of unsound health and aware of the uncertainty of human life, do now make and publish this my last will and testament, I declare that my father and mother are dead, that I am lawfully married to Maria Elisabith Tabuteau, by whom I have one child a son now living and about five years old named Thomas.
My wife’s Dowry being secured to her by our marriage contract passed before Marc Lafitle of the City of New Orleans notary public on the seventeenth September 1811 and she being secured also by law in one half of all that has been or may thereafter be required by us during our marriage I hereby give and bequeath to her the disposable portion or one fifth part of all my real and personal estate of which or may be disposable at the time of my decease. All the rest and residue of my property I give and bequeath to my heir or heirs according to the laws of this State.
I hereby appoint my said dearly beloved wife executrix of this my last will and guardian of such child or children of ours as may be living at the time of my decease, and also appoint my said dearly beloved wife to be detainer of my estate with power to take possession and
make inventory thereof without the intervention of justice and in fact of the foregoing I set my hand to this my oleographic will written and signed with my own hand at Wharton Parish of St Tammany and State of Louisiana this fourteenth day of April, the Year of our Lord our thousand eight hundred and Eighteen 1817
Signed Jno W Collins [seal]
The testator has on this day acknowledged the above to be his signature and seal. New Orleans, the 25th day of December one thousand eight hundred and seventeen
Signed G W. Morgan, Sam B Bennett, Wm M. F. Saul, James Hosmer, Wm. Flower,
James Davies, Seteen Brayard
For more information about Collins, CLICK HERE.
