WILLIAM COLLIER and JANE CLARKE lived in St. Olave Parish, Southwark, England, a borough of London. They were married there May 16, 1611. They had twelve children, eight of whom died young. [TAG 49:215; TAG 51:58]. In the St. Olave register, WILLIAM was called a grocer. He had a brew-house in London in 1631.

WILLIAM COLLIER was one of the merchants of London who aided the Pilgrims in coming to Plymouth, furnishing the money for their outfit. After the partnership between the Pilgrims and the Adventurers was terminated, he came over in 1633 in the "Mary and John", one of 196 passengers. With him came his four daughters. There is no mention of his wife, so she probably died before he came over.

It was said that he was not content to share the profits of the enterprise of the Pilgrims without sharing their hardships. He at once took a prominent position in the young colony. He was made a freeman in 1633. In 1634, he was one of the tax assessors, and was himself taxed at two pounds, five pence. He was on many committees for assigning and laying out the land.

He served on the Council of War more than once. He was assistant for twenty-eight years and was one of the most regular in attendance, rarely being absent. He was one of the commissioners at the first meeting of the United Colonies in 1643. In 1659, "on account of his age and much business on him", the court ordered the treasure to procure him a servant and allowed 10 pounds for that purpose.