SAMUEL MCCOLLOCH
McColloch was part of another financial deal on May 6, 1777. We read:
"This will oblige me and my heirs to pay Burr Harrison in order the ... sum of 29 pounds ten shillings continental money of Pennsylvania on or before the first of August next being the amount due for 12 head of cattle now on Wheeling Island ... to pay at the same time 8 pounds same currency for all the hides belonging to said Harrison now in Wheeling Fort to be received from the commisary at the place. Samuel McColloch."
Harrison had sold the cattle and hides to Fort Henry but had not yet been paid for them. McColloch bought the cattle and hides which were in the possession of Francis Duke, the commissary. There are other references concerning money to be given later. The patter we see is that Ohio County was bankrupt, and that McColloch lent sums to it, or, as here, bought the supplies for himself. Also, through these transactions, we may notice the fluctuation of references to dollars and poounds. Dollars were used for part of 1777, but were replaced by pounds because of the poor state of the colonies' treasuries.
The final event of 1777 is, without doubt, one of the most famous exploits in military folklore. On September 1, Fort Henry was attacked by a band of 300 Indians. Calls for aid reached as far as Catfish Camp (Washington, Pa.), and included Van Metre's Fort, which Major McColloch commanded. On his way with 40 men, he was ambushed and, to escape, rode off or down Wheeling Hill. This deed is, unfortunately, not recorded in any documented report of the attack, or in accounts later related to historians. Nor does anyone record whether the leap took place at this time. Layman C. Draper believed that the leap occurred, but not as part of this siege. The leap is part of the history of this area, and, with the information we have about McColloch, seems to fit with recorded statements of his bravery. But, more factual information is not extant.
There is little on McColloch in 1778. This can be explained in part, by the declaration of martial law by Col. David Shepard, from June 2, 1777 until April 6, 1778. Records kept during this emergency were minimal. At the end of the year, on December 7, Samuel, John Canon and J. P. Duval petitioned the Virginia Senate concerning the status of Col. David Rodgers. Rodgers had been appointed County Lieutenant, an honorific title which had nothing to do with one's rank, on March 4, 1777, and had served in the Senate. Under intense Indian pressure, Rodgers left Ohio County for Fayette County, and finally moved to New York.
The action of McColloch and the others seems justified, in investigating Rodgers' status. Also, there may have been political motives on the part of the petitioners wich inspired the action. In any event, McColloch was appointed to the Senate the following year. Rodgers himself was eventually killed by Simon Girty somewhere near Cincinnati, on October 4, 1779.
In August of 1779, McColloch took part in Brodhead's Campaign. This action led by Gen. Daniel Brodhead and including Samuel's brother John, was intended to be a show of strength, and a chance to position more forts in the area, such as Fort MacIntyre.
Interviews conducted by Layman Draper with former militiamen acknowledged Samuel's presence. Jesse Ellis was 23 at the time of the campaign, and stated, "Col. John Gibson (commandant of Fort Pitt), Lt. Col. George Vanlandingham, and Major Samuel McColloch commanded the militia." The interview was recorded in 1845, when Ellis was eighty-nine years old.
The 1846 interview with Daniel Higgins also states, that, "a Major McColloch was put on the campaign." Higgins was born in 1758, and was eighty-eight when interviewed. He makes no further mention of McColloch, but does speak of Capt. Samuel Brady. It is interesting that these men recalled McColloch after 66 years. He must have made some impression. Also, we can understand the lack of mention, since a young soldier would be more liable to have contact with one closer in rank than a major.
Draper also interviewed Charles O'Bail, an Indian, the son of the half-breed Shawnee chief Cornplanter (named John O'Bail by the British), who was present on the other side. He mentions neither McColloch nor Brady. Another Indian, Capt. John Decker, was interviewed at the age of 100 or better. He makes no mention of McColloch. If McColloch were hated as fiercely as supposed, these adversaries might have remembered him more clearly.
Also in 1779, McColloch was the representative of Ohio County to the Virginia legislature. There is no other information on this appointment, or on McColloch's actions while serving.
As mentioned, above, McColloch's personal wealth bailed out Ohio County often. Mary Ogle collected the pension of her husband on Jule 2, 1777.
"Mary Ogle allowed pension her husband being killed in the service of the United States allowed the sum of twenty pounds and to draw on the treasury for the same."
In September of 1779, the County records the reimbursement of the pension to McColloch, who had loaned the money to Ogle.
"Pay Samuel McColloch eighty pounds allowed Mary Ogle for her husband being killed in the Continental service."
This eighty pounds represents the accrued sum, and reflects an increase in the pension to Ogle.
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