The "Old John" McCollum Family Group Page

Dr. John Davis McCollum, Sr./MD of Alpharetta and Marietta GA

John Davis McCollum, Jr. in center. Marietta GA

Craignish Castle, Argyllshire, Scotland

His great grandson, Joel McCollum (1791-1868), described Old John as "a remarkably sprightly man, and very wealthy. He came from Scotland without his family and the vessel in which he came was cast away on the Jersey shore. In due time he sent for his family and settled and remained with them until his death in said state of New Jersey... He died at the age of 103 years and was buried in the grave yard at Basking Ridge, New Jersey."

The Presbyterian Church of Basking Ridge was founded by Scottish settlers, probably about 1717 (possibly as early as 1710), making it one of the oldest churches in New Jersey. John McCollum was an Elder in the Session of this congregation for many years, as were a number of his descendants. The original deed to the property was issued by John Ayers on February 8, 1731, and conveyed to the seven trustees a plot of one and one half acres, on the middle of which stood the old log meeting house.

In 1732 to 1741 the Reverend John Cross was the first resident minister. Before his time circuit riding preachers served the church.

In 1749 a frame building was built, to replace the original log church, with 52 pews on the floor and 26 in the gallery. Pew rents ranged downward from $14.74 for pews nearest the pulpit. Pew number one was owned by John McCollum. In 1840 the present building was dedicated. A Session house was built in 1850 where the library now stands. The building was again enlarged in 1869, and in 1908 it was completely renovated and enlarged. The education wing was built in 1954-5.[McFadden]In the center of Basking Ridge, near the church, stands an old Oak tree estimated to be about 460 years of age [in 2000]. General Washington conferred with his officers in the shade of this tree. Several of Somerset County's oldest citizens are buried under its spreading branches, including John McCollum and his wife Mary.

The epitaphs on their tombstones read as follows:

"Here lies ye body of John McCollum who departed this life April ye 18th A.D. 1760 in the 103rd year of his age. 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 dyd when old, no age from Death being free, I'm now twom'd; in Earth's Dark Carven Lye, Conquered by Death, Make Ready All to Dye."

Beside him lies his wife, with this inscription on her grave stone:

"Here lies ye body of Mary, wife of John McCollum, who departed this life Ap 2nd A.D. 1760 in ye 84th year of her age. You females all, you virgins fair, behold; Your times' more precious than ye Mass'y Gold. Your glass runs fast, ye days hurl to an end. Death will arrest you er'e you apprehend. Warning ye take, prepare fast for ye grave. from which no age, no mortal can ye save."