Immigrant John Neil “Old John” McCollum

Collum Short Stories

By Faye Collum Fairley

Retrieving data from the 1600s is a very difficult task. Definitive proof of documentation during that time is almost like hen’s teeth. With the documents I have, however, I will attempt to give an account of the very first Colum immigrant to walk the beautiful soil here in these United States.

In the 1600s, there were many Clans in the areas of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Two such Clans were Clan Malcolm and Clan Campbell. These two Clans were joined with the marriage of Bevin Neil McCollum (from Clan Malcolm) and Lady Janet Campbell. They were united in marriage in 1656 in Scotland.

Born to these parents, in 1657 was John Neil McCollum. He was the most beautiful baby ever born in Kintype, Argyll, Scotland.

During that time, using the “Mc” or “Mac” in front of the surname simply indicated “son of”. Some of the people kept the “Mc” prefix on their names; some discarded it after leaving Scotland.

Childhood in Scotland in the 1600’s was not easy. The child mortality rate in that era was exceptionally high. This was due partly to the primitive medical knowledge. The almost constant wet weather served as a breeding ground for many illnesses. These diseases, while mostly attacked children, also claimed many lives up to age 25.

The toys and games in that era did not differ from those of children all over the world in that time period. Children of the 1600’s in Scotland were not unlike the children of America in 1600. If they had access to sticks, mud puddles, and balls, they played catch, stick horses, Cowboys and Indians, Cops and Robbers, or Scotts and Romans. The mud puddles were used in all games simply for the fun of it.

John Neil McCollum had a very normal childhood in Scotland. That normal, however, today would be called archaic. Nothing authoritative showed siblings for John Neil; it is possible there were none. It is also possible that he had siblings that were lost to some of the catastrophic diseases known of that time and region.

John grew into a very handsome man. His large stature gained respect from all who knew him. His good looks gained attention of every pretty girl he met. The Scottish accent is a beauty to behold, and all the girls enjoyed hearing (and seeing) this Scotsman speak. When he met a sweet bonnie lass named Margaret, though, his heart skipped a beat. When she heard his magical Scottish voice whisper her name, she knew this man was for her. They married when he was about 27 years old. Little did they know that their life together would soon meet a tragic end.

In 1685, King Charles II, King of England died. His brother James II became King. This started a rebellion, because part of the people opposed having a Roman Catholic King. There was an illegitimate son of Charles II who claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne. Many people were in an upheaval, and of different opinions. Each believing he owned the truth.

Archibald Campbell, from Clan Campbell, the Earl of Argyll, planned to recruit troops to take control of the area. More than ten years prior, Parliament had passed the Test Act which excluded Catholics from political office. Clan Campbell and followers’ objective was to prevent the Roman Catholic Kingship. John Neil was a part of this rebellion following Archibald Campbell.

As with any “civil” war, one side generally has the fastest horses, better weapons, sharper swords, superior helmets, and stronger shields. This rebellion was no different. They were defeated by John Churchill (the 6th great grandfather of Winston Churchill) at the Battle of Sedgemoor in Somerset. The rebels were punished severely. Some lost their lives; John Neil and many others were sentenced in July 1685 to be “exiled to the King’s plantations abroad”. If they ever returned to Scotland, they would have been put to death. So, in total disgust, hundreds of prisoners were ordered to take their tartans and kilts, and leave Scotland permanently. They were required to give the King four years of work, then they would receive 25 acres of land, and a suit of clothes. They could then go free; none could return to Scotland. No one knew what a cruel passage this would be.

The prisoners were kept in confinement from July until the ship arrived to take them abroad. The vessel “Henry and Francis”, departed in September 1685, captained by Richard Hutton. Being in confinement since July, some of the prisoners had contracted a deadly disease. With no concern for safety, ill or healthy, they were all placed together. On this vessel with the prisoners, were wives and children of some of the Covenanters. (Prisoners)

One month into this fifteen-week journey, in addition to the diseases on board this craft, the condition of the provisions laid in by Captain Hutton was also endangering the lives of prisoners and crew. The meat had decayed and caused the already deadly disease to turn malignant. There were three to four bodies being disposed of over the side each day of the journey.

A list of names was available, but some names were missing. I submit that the list was compromised by bad spelling, unconcern, and possibly partial destruction. The fact that the list is not complete, leaves supposition that perhaps John Neil brought his new bride with him, and she became ill and died. Another scenario is that her family forbade her to accompany him to be banished permanently from her home land. Either of them might be correct.

I did locate a copy of the ship’s record. This record contains a copy of a declaration that twenty-eight of the prisoners signed. It states that the prisoners were unequivocally defiant of any kingship which is in opposition of God’s Word. It also states that they stand together ready to resist and testify against anything that is contrary to the Word of God. These Covenanters (prisoners of the King) felt that by giving in to the tyranny, they would also be declining Jesus Christ. These Covenanters were not willing to deny Jesus Christ! The form did not identify the twenty-eight who signed it.

This three hundred fifty-ton ship carried twenty great guns for protection. The prisoners were kept most of the time in a “vault” below deck. They were not allowed to walk about and worship. Those caught attempting to worship had large timbers thrown down among them to injure and frighten them into total submission. The captain also carried a whip and seemed to gain pleasure in using it on the prisoners.

Most of the ship’s crew died from the fever or rancid food. This fifteen-week gruesome expedition ended in New Jersey in December 1685. They were not expecting the reception they received.

The people along the coast had not heard the word of God and offered no kindness at all. They were inhospitable to all the newcomers. As they moved inward, however, they encountered Christians living in a small town. When the Covenanters told the townspeople of their plight, the townspeople opened their homes to the weary prisoners and families.

There were not many who were fortunate enough to have families survive the deadly voyage. Aside from the fever, infected food, and the captain’s wrath, the ship had encountered several storms on the long travel. John would always carry the macabre memories of the horrid journey. It was very difficult to see his friends being mistreated; it was harder to see their lifeless bodies thrown overboard in quite a nonchalant manner. John Neil Colum was a strong man, but each loss of an acquaintance was a severe blow to his character.

With strength and determination, John Neil McCollum completed his sentence of four years of service on the King’s plantation. He traded his tartan for a hat. The bright sunshine in America was not something he was accustomed to. The kilt wasn’t working for farm work, especially on windy days.

John Neil’s father Blevins passed away while John was serving his sentence to the King. It is not known if John knew of his father’s death, but he could not go back. Some believe that John’s mother came to America before she died, but I found no evidence of this.

With his new suit of clothes, twenty-five acres of land, and a hunger to live free and worship as he pleased, John started a new journey. His search for a wife led him into the arms of a wee lass named Mary Bern. He was now 33, and the wee lass he married was 14 years old. Their first child was born in 1690. The first son was named John Mack Colum II. Two years later, they welcomed another son into the family. He was called Samuel. It is stated by some, that they had more children. Daniel, David, Duncan, and Mary are alleged children of John Neil and Mary Bern. I cannot document their births, however. No evidence can be verified on either birth. With each discovery, though, another hint is uncovered. This information will soon be easily accessible.

The son John Mack II (my 7th great grandfather), and Samuel, however, I have traced for several generations. Samuel’s descendants for the most part have kept the “Mc” in their names. John Mack II and his brood did not keep the prefix.

John Mack had a son named John Samuel Collum. After the birth of the third “John Colum”, John Neil became known as “Old John” He was referred to as “Old John” for the remainder of his days.

Some believe that Old John was in a prison in Scotland during his last days. I have found no documentation of that. Contrary to what some believe, Old John remained in the New Jersey area, he was responsible for the origin of the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and Cemetery in Basking Ridge, Somerset County New Jersey. He worked diligently to guarantee that his offspring would have a church to be thankful for. He knew the sorrow of not being able to freely worship; he didn’t want any of his descendants to ever suffer that feeling. Old John and sweet Mary shared many years together. They raised children, and enjoyed grandchildren for many years. God blessed them with many years of wedded bliss and family ties. The persecution he suffered was rewarded many times.

In her 84th year, on April 2, 1760, sweet Mary passed on to meet her Lord and Savior. Only sixteen days later, in his 103rd year, Old John joined his bonnie wee lass just over the rainbow where they share love eternal.

In the Basking Ridge Cemetery, are ten McCollum’s resting in peace with Old John and sweet Mary. The cemetery has more than one thousand interments; most of them are relatives of Old John and Mary.

His self-composed epitaph (in exact language), reads: “You old, you young, you middle-aged, great and small, take my advice, be ready for death’s call. I once was young and many days did see, I died when old, no age from death being free. I’m now entombed in earth’s dark cavern lye, conquered by death. Make ready all to dye.”

John Neil McCollum was not only a believer of Jesus Christ but was an exceptional hero. He was willing to give his life for the privilege to worship God. He suffered much, with great loss before finding freedom and true love. The persecution he endured was long and hard; God rewarded his faith and strength tenfold. He enjoyed many years of that magnificent love he sacrificed so much to have. Even in his final days, in his final words, he encouraged all to be ready for death’s call.