Son of Benjamin Columbus Collier, Sr. and Margaret (Peggy)Lane. He was first married on September 27, 1832, in Georgia, to Elizabeth Ann "Eliza" Stewart. Eliza was buried in Blakely, GA. After Eliza's death, James G. was married again, on June 5, 1843, in Early Co., Georgia, to Elizabeth Wynne Stewart. She was later called Aunt Bettie (sometimes shown as Aunt Bessie.Both wives were the daughters of John Stewart and Lucretia Wynne.

He resided between February 24, 1812 and 1821 in Twiggs County, GA. He resided between 1821 and 1852 in Blakely, Early County, GA. He was elected as Justice of the Peace on April 2, 1834 in Early County, GA. He was elected as Treasurer between 1837 and 1839 in Early County, GA. He was elected as Clerk of the Inferior and Superior Courts between 1840 and 1843 in Early County, GA. He was a Trustee of Blakely Academy in 1841 in Blakely, Early County, GA. He was a Deacon, First Baptist Church of Blakely, GA in 1847 in Blakely, Early County, GA. He was a Farmer in 1850 in Early County, GA. He was elected as Justice of the Inferior Court in 1851/52 in Early County, GA. He resided between February 1853 and 1896 in Tyler County, TX. He was a Baptist between September 24, 1855 and 1891 in Beech Creek Baptist Church, Tyler County, TX. He was a member of Texas State Legislature in 1857/58. He was a Farmer in 1860 in Tyler County, TX. He served in the military during the Civil War between November 1861 and June 1862, 11th Battalion, Texas Volunteer Calvary & Infantry (Spaight's). James was a Confederate Captain in Company "D", Spaights Battalion, Texas Volunteers, . He was a Miller in 1870 in Tyler County, TX. He was elected as Tax Assessor between 1876 and 1878 in Tyler County, TX. He resided between 1877 and 1880 in Town Bluff, Tyler County, TX. He was a Farmer in 1880 in Town Bluff, Tyler County, TX. He was elected as County Treasurer in 1887/88 in Tyler County, TX. He died on October 23, 1896 in Beech Creek Community, Tyler County, TX.

Capt. Collier and his second wife are both buried in the Beech Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, near Spurger, in Tyler Co., TX.

Elizabeth Wynne (Bessie) STEWART and Capt. James Gautney (Jeems) COLLIER and his wife, Elizabeth Wynne Stewart Collier had the following 9 children:

James Dallas COLLIER (Oct 12 1844 - Nov 30 1935)
Elizabeth Jane (Eliza) COLLIER (Apr 28 1847 - Jan 10 1933)
Sarah Elizabeth (Sallie) COLLIER (May 15 1849 - Jun 23 1920)
Madison Lane (Mattie) COLLIER (May 23 1851 - Jan 31 1938)
Eldonia Lucretia (Donie) COLLIER (Jul 13 1854 - Sep 9 1884)
Sophronia Ann (Fronie) COLLIER (Feb 19 1856 - Dec 15 1918)
Johanna (Johnnie Ann) COLLIER (Dec 14 1857 - Jan 3 1927)
George Wynne (Bud) COLLIER (Dec 8 1860 - Oct 28 1943)
Emily Josephine (Josie) COLLIER (Dec 4 1864 - Jun 26 1955)