David Collins

David Collins (1756-1810), deputy judge advocate and lieutenant-governor of New South Wales.

David Collins (1756-1810), deputy Judge-Advocate and Lieutenant-Governor, was born on 3 March 1756 in London, the third child of Arthur Tooker Collins, an officer of marines and later Major-General commanding the Plymouth Division, and his wife Henrietta Caroline, née Fraser, of Park, King's County, Ireland. At 14 he joined his father's division as an Ensign. He was promoted second Lieutenant in 1771, and next year served in HMS SOUTHHAMPTON. In 1775 he left for North America and was at the battle of Bunker's Hill on 17 June when the British suffered heavy losses. In 1777 he was stationed at Halifax, Nova Scotia where he married Mary (Maria Stuart), daughter of Captain Charles Proctor. He was promoted Captain-Lieutenant in August 1779 and Captain in July 1780.