One of the most widely known frontiersmen. Born in 1752, and came with his father's family from the South Branch of the Potomac, to the waters of Short Creek, Ohio County. On January 6, 1777, at the first meeting of the Courts held at Black's cabin Samuel McColloch was appointed 'Major' of the militia. He commanded Van Meter's Fort, the Court House Fort. 

In 1777, while bringing relief to Fort Henry during one of its two sieges by Indians, he escaped from the Indians only by leaping his horse over a precipice some two hundred feet high, one of the celebrated exploits of border history. In 1779, he was in the Virginia legislature as a representative of Ohio County, and was out with Brodhead on the latter's campaign. He was mortally wounded by the Indians near Fort Van Meter July 30, 1782. After his death his widow  Andrew Woods.

Note: Major McColloch took an active role during the time that the Virginia Court was being held at Black's cabin. He was a member of the legislature in 1779 and yet he along with his brothers was a farmer, famous Indian fighter, tracker, hunter and leader of men.

He was only 30 years old when he died. It takes an extraordinary individual to possess the personal traits needed to move smoothly between such opposing life styles especially for one so young.

• The Famous McColloch's Leap
  
  
• The Death of Major Samuel McColloch

• AMERICAN REVOLUTION Compiled by Ross B. Johnston, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1977; ISBN 0-8063-0762-5
  
  
• VIRGINIA COURT RECORDS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA, From Annals of the Carnegie Museum by Boyd Crumrine, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore, 1974; ISBN 0-8063-0624-6