[M’coLLom] MEMOIRS OF THE McCOLLOM FAMILY 123 
were recovered again. On another occasion John, then in his six- 
teenth year, nearly lost his valued rifle, on which he depended for 
safety, through cupidity of an Indian who came up to their camp 
and picked up the rifle with the words, “me swap,” replacing it with 
his dilapidated musket. John sprang quickly and struck the Indian 
a heavy blow on the neck that laid him out for a while, John then 
recovered his gun, and the Indian was contented to depart with his 
musket. 
After a variety of thrilling adventures the family were re-united 
again at Genesee, N.Y., where they remained for a time and then con- 
tinued their ‘journey into Canada, settling finally near where the village 
of Smithville now stands. James McCollom obtained a good tract 
of land and resided upon it with his family until his death. 
The entry of crown lands was gazetted at Niagara, on page (111) 
of a list dated on the margin 1797, and copy published at Ottawa, on 
page (148) of the Canadian archives of early State Papers of Upper 
Canada.” The crown deed conveying 200 acres to James McCollom 
is dated 1803, and is now, in 1898, in possession of Miss Catharine 
McCollom, of Smithville, Ontario, who is of the fourth generation. 
A crown deed for the adjoining 200 acres was conveyed to John 
McCollom, eldest son of James McCollom, and the property is now in 
the possession of Mr. Melvin McCollom, of Smithville, who is also of 
the fourth generation. 
John McCollom, the eldest son of James McCollom, was born in 
the State of New Jersey, January 30th, 1773, and he and his sister 
Sarah, had the great misfortune to lose their mother when both were 
quite young. They were removed with their father’s family to Cherry 
Valley, N.Y., and thence ultimately to Canada, as already mentioned. 
He grew up healthy and vigorous and with a kind disposition, but 
circumstances were not favourable for enjoyment on account of preva- 
lent alarms and excitement during the period of the Revolutionary 
War, and were also very trying subsequently when he was compelled 
to leave home, early associates and familiar scenes for others untried 
and new, with relatives to undertake, what was at that time a long, 
perilous journey, to reach British territory again. He assisted in 
opening the Ridge Road, a leading thoroughfare running westward 
to Buffalo. Having attained his majority about the time of coming 
to Canada, he worked industriously to assist in establishing the new 
home and for the improvement of the new country. He obtained a 
crown deed in 1802 for 200 acres of land adjoining his father’s home- 
stead near Smithville, and, having married Miss Sarah Sternberg, 
they resided upon this farm until 1808, when [he disposed of it and 
