Great Dunmow
Edward Collis (spelled Colliss in the church register)
and his wife Ann are recorded in Great Dunmow in 1648 when they baptised
their son John. Several generations lived in Dunmow with occupations
such as teaman or tailor. There is no evident connection with the Braintree
family but Dunmow often appears in our story.
West Essex
Another branch moved south from Cambridge along the Hertfordshire border
through such villages as Clavering and Manuden. They may have had connections
with the strong line which grew down through Hertfordshire. in 1662
Thomas Collis, a peuterer, and his son Richard, were fined for not attending
church. Jane Collis, wife of Samuel, was remanded to prison in Colchester
Castle in 1664 charged with stealing a riding coat, value one shilling,
as well as breeches and some writings, from her mother Jane Cooke. At
her trial she explained that her mother had been ill and she had taken
the goods for their safety. She was acquitted. These were litigious
times and Richard Collis, a tailor, appeared at the Quarter sessions
on several occasions. In 1662 he was fined for refusing to work repairing
the highway. The next year he was charged with assaulting and wounding
Jane Turner, then he was plaintiff when A.J.Hunniball stole silver worth
£4..15s (about £350 now) from him.