William Collier, born England before 1590, died Plymouth 1670 (?); married 1st ( ); married 2nd Jane ( ).
He was a Merchant Adventurer of London, and very active in support of the New England Settlers. In fact, he was one of those to subscribe for special aid to the Plymouth colonists on Nov. 15, 1626. He finally decided, like so many othe rmerchants, to remove himself and family to America. It is not surprising to find hi, his four daughters and apprentices (not servants), among whom were the brothers John, Job, and Daniel Cole, disembarking from the good ship "Mary and James," together with 190 passengers when it arrived at Plymouth in 1633. His wife probably had died, leaving him with the children.
He was an able man and soon took a high position in the Colony, especially in the matter of final settlement of accounts with the London Adventurers. He was a commissioner at the first meeting of the United Colonies in 1643, and served as Governor's Assisstant from 1634 to 1665, a period of 31 years. The Court ordered a special aide for him in 1659, on account of "age and much business."