First Generation

1. Britton SCOTT was born between 1795 and 1799 in Georgia.^1,2,3,4,5

Britton's birthplace is unknown and censuses disagree on his birth year though all say he was born in Georgia. The censuses vary on the year of his birth, ranging from 1799 to 1801. On May 19, 1871 Britton applied for a pension based on his service in the War of 1812. At that time his age was stated as 74, making his birth year 1797. My estimation is that he was born no later than 1799.

Spelling variations of Britton's name have been noted in primary records. I have seen it spelled Britton, Brittain and Britain in county records. A record of his death in an old Scott Bible records his name as Britton: “Britton Scott, son of William Scott J------? his wife died on the 23 day of March 1881.” I have chosen to use this Bible record spelling, except when citing a source record where I leave the spelling as it was originally in the record.

The only record we have concerning the identity of Britton's parents was found in the above mentioned Scott family Bible. This Bible is thought to have originally belonged to Dorcus Coleman Scott, the granddaughter-in-law of Britton Scott. The publication date of the Bible is 1836.

From the Bible entry of Britton's death we know that his father's name was William and his mother's name started with a "J." I enlarged the digital image I have of this page, and to me his mother's name appears to be Jemima or Jemina, but the image is very unclear. (See the photo above.)}

A Chronological Record of Britton's Life

He served during the War of 1812 between 11 October 1813 and 15 January 1814.⁶

Britton's War of 1812 Pension File [Number SO20993] states,
"War of 1812. Declaration of Soldier for Pension. State of Georgia County of Emanuel. On this nineteenth day of May AD one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, personally appeared before me John Bell Clerk of the Superior, a Court of Record within and for the county and State aforesaid Brittain Scott aged seventy four years, a resident of 1208th Dist. Georgia Mil., county of Emanuel, State of Georgia, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is married; that his wife's name was Nancy Price, to whom he was married at Emanuel County Georgia on the fifteenth day of October 1816; that he served the full period of sixty days in the (1) military service of the United States in the war of 1812; that he is the identical Brittain Scott who (2) enlisted in Captain E. Bothwell's company Col. Melton's regiment at Fort Early Pulaski County, Georgia on about 11th day of October 1813, and was honorably discharged at Fort Early Pulaski Coounty, Georgia on about 15th day of January, 1814; that he served for three months at a Fort on Flint River Georgia, then Creek Indian frontier. Gen. Andrew Jackson was in command of the department marched with the troops from Fort Early to the Flint River, where he left Capt. Bothwell's company in charge of a small fort and continued westward with the main army."

He served during the Seminole Indian War from 7 Feb to 20 May in 1818.⁷ Britton was a private in Capt. Ebenezer Bothwell's Co. of Infantry, 2 Reg't Georgia Milita, Col. H. V. Milton.

Britton purchased from the estate sale of William Price in October 1818 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁸ This record establishes that Britton was living in Emanuel County as early as 1818. William Price may have been the uncle of Britton's first wife Nancy Price. Jesse Price, who was probably Nancy Price's father, was also a purchaser.

He purchased from the estate sale of James Fitzgerald on 28 May 1819 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁹ Other buyers were William Price, Jonathan Coleman & Juniper Hall.

He was listed as head of household in the 1820 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹
Pg. 53 (Printed Pg. 88)
Britton Scott - 1 male age 18-25, 1 female age 16-18. 1 engaged in farming. He was the only Scott enumerated in 1820 in Emanuel County. Living next door to Britton was Richard Sumner.

It isn't known if Britton owned the land he was farming in 1820, or if the land belonged to his father-in-law Jesse Price.

Britton was a fortunate drawer in the Georgia Land Lottery in 1821.¹⁰ Britton Scott was listed as living in Emanuel County, Chasons Military District. He drew Lot 53 Section 11 located in Houston County, Georgia. No records have been found to indicate what Britton may have done with this lot.

He and John Scott had a fi. fas. issued against them jointly in August 1829 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^11,12 Emanuel Sheriff's Sale. Will be sold on the first Tuesday in September next, at the court house, in the town of Swainsborough, Emanuel County, within the usual hours of sale the following property, viz 250 acres of pine land on the waters of Cannouche, adjoining Stephen Rich and others, levied on as the property of John Scott, to satisfy sundry fi.fas. issued from a Justice's court vs. John Scott, Britain Scott and John Scott, and John Scott and William Horton-property pointed out by the defendant; levied on and returned to me by a constable. Amos Snell, Sh'ff.

He was listed as head of household in the 1830 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹³
Swain's District, Pg. 170
Brittain Scott - 2 males age 5-10, 1 male age 30 - 40, 2 females under 5, 1 female age 20 - 30.

The family fits as follows: Jesse and Henry age 5-10, Britton age 30-40, Caroline and Rebecca under 5 and Nancy age 20-30. They were the only Scott family in Emanuel County in 1830 and 1840.

"Swains District" is written just before Brittain's name in the left column. That column is labeled "County, City, Ward, Town, Township, Parish, Precinct, Hamlet or District."

In early Georgia districts were named for the captain of the county militia. The name changed with the election or death of each successive company captain. An Eldred Swain was elected captain by his company's men in Emanuel County in 1819, 1822, and 1830. This same Eldred Swain became the guardian of Britton's second wife, Sophia Atkinson in 1842.

Britton paid Poor School tuition for sons John, Jesse and Henry on 18 September 1837 in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁴ This record does not state that these three children were the sons of Britton Scott. However, it is known for sure that Henry and John were Britton's sons. The fact that Jesse is listed with them provides circumstantial evidence that Jesse was also the son of Britton Scott.

He paid Poor School tuition for children Louisa, John and Rebecca in June 1839–September 1839 in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁵

He was listed as head of household in the 1840 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁶
District 57, Pg. 196, Visit 16
Britian Scott - 2 males under 5, 1 male 5 -10, 2 males 15- 20, 1 male 30-40, 1 female 5-10, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 30-40, 1 free colored male 55 -100; 4 people employed in agriculture; 1 person employed in manufacturing/trade; 1 white person insane/idiot.

The family fits as follows: James and William Thomas under 5, John 5-10, Jesse and Henry 15-20, Britton 30-40; Louisa 5-10, Caroline and Rebecca 10-15, Nancy 30-40; one free colored male [identity unknown].

The 1850 census indicates that Britton was a "mechanic" which may explain why he is listed in manufacturing/trade in 1840. Most likely he worked in the turpentine trade which was present in the county at that time.

The only other Scott in 1840 was Mary Scott at visit 4. She was the widow of John J. Scott, relationship to Britton unclear.

Britton was listed on the Tax Digest in the 57th District in 1841 in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁷

He purchased from the estate of Jonathan Coleman on 16 September 1841 in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁸ His purchases included 50 lbs. cotton, grindstone, plows, auger knife and drawing knife. Other buyers included Davis Atkins, William Hall and John Lamb.

He served as a Justice of the Inferior Court fron April 1843 to January 1845 in Emanuel County, Georgia.¹⁹ In an e-mail dated Sept. 6, 2006, a Georgia Archivist said, "JIC is an abbreviation used to refer to Justice of the Inferior Court. ... Typically, such a justice "had read law", or in terms more familiar to us, was apprenticed to a lawyer until he was deemed a fit attorney. Our General Name Index indicates that Britain Scott was Justice of the Inferior Court in Emanuel County 1843-1845."

The following is a marriage record which shows that Britton in his capacity of J.I.C. performed the marriage of Rufus Knight and Margaret McMillan. According to a Knight descendant Rufus Knight lived in the Coleman Lake area of Emanuel County. This is east of where Britton lived so it is highly likely that they knew each other. The Knight descendant confirmed that the bride did live in Jefferson County at the time of the marriage permit.

"STATE OF GEORGIA County of Jefferson To any Minister of the Gospel, Judge, Justice of the Inferior Court, or Justice of the Peace, to Celebrate.
These are to authorise and permit you to join in the Honerable State of Matrimony, Rufus Knight of the one part, and Margaret McMillian of the other part, according to the Rites of your Church: Provided there be no lawful cause to obstruct the same; and this shall be your authority for so long.
Given under my hand, as Clerk of the Court of Ordinary, for the County aforesaid, this Twenty first day of November 1844. Ebenezer Bothwell - Clerk
I do hereby Certify, that Rufus Knight and Margaret McMillian were joined together in the Holy Bans of Matrimony, by me, on the fifth day of December 1844. Brittian Scott - J.I.C."

Britton had two pieces of property surveyed in November 1843 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^20,21 Land Plat Book C states on Pg. 330, "Emanuel County, Georgia Scale of 2" chain per inch Warranty dated the 6th November 1843 and surveyed the 8th of November 1843 for Brittain Scott who resides in this State a tract of Three hundred and eighteen acres of land bounded as the above plat represents. Surv'd by George M. Clifton CS. Advertised the 19th of April 1845. Jesse P. Scott, Henry [G.?] Scott, CC" [Backward C-shaped piece of property. "Said Scott" is written in the middle of the C and there is a squiggly line [creek?] running between the words "Said" and "Scott". The lower part of C-shaped property is labled "Britton Scott 318 acres of pine land on Canoochee." All is bordered to the north and east by vacant tracts and bordered on the south by the Canoochee Creek. The west label would be "Said Scott."]

Pg. 333 "Emanuel County, Georgia Scale of 2 per inch Warranty dated the 4th of September 1843 and surveyed the 7th of November 1843 for Britton Scott who resides in this state a tract of three hundred and twenty five acres of land bounded as the above plat represents. Surveyed by George M. Clifton CS Advertised the 19th of April 1845 Britton Scott Jesse P. Scott CC." [Property labeled "Brittain Scott 325 acres of pine on Canoochee." The tracts to the north, west, and south are vacant. On the east the Canoochee borders it.]

Farris W. Cadle, an expert in Georgia land surveying, wrote the following excellent explanation of the headright system.

"Under the headright system of land granting, which was in effect over much of Georgia in the early 1800's, each head of a family was entitled to a grant of two hundred acres plus fifty additional acres for each family member or slave. To obtain the grant the applicant would appear before the land court in the county in which the land he desired was located and take a simple, oral oath attesting to the fact that he was entitled to a grant. The land courts were made up of three justices of the peace, the one with the senior commission presiding.. If the land court approved, the applicant was issued a warrant: for a survey which described, as far as possible, the tract desired. The applicant presented the warrant to the county surveyor who had the responsibility of laying the tract off, making a plat of it, and then transmitting the warrant and plat to the state surveyor general. In addition the county surveyor was required to advertise the survey for three months after it was performed. Upon receiving the warrant and plat the surveyor general made out a grant which he and the governor signed. The grant was then sent to the county Surveyor who recorded it and delivered it to the grantee. For all of this the applicant paid for the survey, the paper work, and a nominal fee for the land."
(https://sites.rootsweb.com/~gaemanue/land/lplat1.htm)

He received two headright grants of 325 and 318 acres in 1845 in Emanuel County, Georgia.²² On 15 January 1846 he bought 350 acres from Jordan Flanders and sold it at a profit on 15 Feb. 1847 to Wiley Nasworthy.²³

"State of Georgia Emanuel County. This indenture made this the 15th day of Jany in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty six between Jordan Flanders of the county and state aforesaid of the one part, and Britton Scott, of the same place of the other part witnesseth that the said Jordan Flanders for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and forty dollars and 90 cents to him in hand paid at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained, sold and conveyed. I do by these presents grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Britton Scott all that tract or parcel of land thereby 350 acres lying and being in the county and state of aforesaid on the East side of the Little Ohoopee River originally granted to Aaron Barber which grant will show its shapes and ----? fully by having reference to the original ---------[unclear] to have and to hold said tract of land unto him the said Britton Scott, his heirs and assigns together with all and ----? the rights, encumbrances and appurtenances thereof to the same in any ----- [unclear]. Signed Jordan Flanders. Witnessed by Richard B. Flanders, John Sumner. Entered Jany 5th day 1848"

"This indenture made this the fifteenth day of Feb 1847 between Britton Scott of the Co and State ...and Wiley Nasworthy of the same place....for and in consideration of the sum of $200 to him....And...do grant, bargain, sell and convey to the said Wiley Nasworthy....all that tract or parcel of land situated .... in the said county 350 acres....designated by the grants of the same lying on the waters of the Little Ohoopee (and originally granted to Aaron Barber) to have and to hold said tract ..of land unto him the said Wiley Nasworthy, his heirs... and for myself, my heirs......Britton Scott. Witnessed by Duncan McLeod and Will McLeod."

Wiley Nasworthy was the son of Mary Lucretia Scott and John Nasworthy. Mary Lucretia Scott Nasworthy Coleman may have been kin to Britton in some way. The Colemanac, Pg. 19, lists them as siblings and children of Gen. John Baytop Scott, but I have not found anything to prove this.

Britton sold 400 acres to White R. Smith on 31 March 1849 in Emanuel County, Georgia.²³

"This indenture made this thirty first day of March 1849... between Britton Scott and Whit R. Smith witnesseth that the said Britton Scott has made demand to the said Whit R. Smith his certain promissory note ..in his hand and being dated Britton Scott promised to pay ..White R. Smith as…..$84.81 on the first day of January ….for and in consideration of the sum of $5 by the said White R. Smith the said Britton Scott paid this ..whereof in his acknowledged. Witnessed by Duncan McLeod & Will McLeod." [Very difficult to read.] He was paid $5.87 "for the keeping of Mary Price, one of the poor of the county" about 1850 in Emanuel County, Georgia.²⁴ "On motion of Britian Scott that is ordered that the county treasurer pay him out of any money not otherwise appropriated for the keeping of Mary Price one of the Poor of said County for 5 1/2 months. Receive the above order in full Britain Scott on motion of John Overstreet. It is ordered that the county treasurer pay five and 87/100 dollars for [?] county [?] state and of any money not otherwise appropriated Receive payment on the above order John Overstreet."
Since Mary Price was probably the mother of Britton's wife Nancy it would be reasonable that Britton was responsible for his mother-in-law's care. Mary had to have lived with Britton and Nancy prior to Aug. 28, 1850 because on that date Mary Price was listed by the census taker in the household of Jesse P. Scott, their eldest living son.

He was listed as head of household in the 1850 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.²⁵
District 28, Pg. 455, Visit 169/169
Britian Scott 51, mechanic, $400 real property; Nancy 41, born in South Carolina; Caroline 22, "idiotic;" John 19, farmer; Rebecca 16; Thomas 14; Sarah 7.

This census was enumerated 31 Aug. 1850. All were born in Georgia except Nancy. Britton and Nancy's oldest two sons, Jesse and Henry, were already married and had households of their own nearby. James is missing in this census from his parents' household, and I have not been able to locate him.

By the time the 1850 census was taken there was a pine tree industry in Emanuel County that involved such things as sawmills, turpentine stills, shingles, etc. Some occupations were reported in the census as they related to the pine tree industry. Britton's occupation of "mechanic" possibly means that he repaired machinery for this industry.

Other Scotts in 1850 were:
Lucretia Scott Coleman [relationship to Britton unknown]
Scott, Jesse P. 28 [Britton's son]
Scott, Mary M. 40 [widow of John J. Scott, relationship unknown]
Scott, Henry 23 [Britton's son]
Scott, James L. 19 [son of John J. and Mary M. Stroud Scott, living in the home of James Stroud and his wife Sabra Drew.]

Britton was awarded 157 acres on Crooked Creek as a headright grant in 1851 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^22,26 The following is the survey warrant for this grant:

"Georgia Emanuel County: by the court of Justices for the county of Emanuel to George W. Clifton county surveyor of said county you are here by authrised and required to admeasure and lay out to Britain Scott a track of land which shall contain two hundred acers of land a joining lands of Britain Scott. You are also here by directed and required to record a plat of the same in your office and transmit a copy thair of to gether with this warrant to the surveyor ginral office within the turm of two years from this dat. Given under my hand and seal December the 5 day 1851. James M. Tapley JIC Wm. W. ___?"

It is unclear to me why Britton only received 157 acres when the warrant clearly authorized 200 acres.

He was a trustee at Haw-Hammack Baptist Church in 1851 in Emanuel County, Georgia.²⁷ By an act of the General Assembly of the State of Georgia, passed in 1851, churches and non-profit organizations were allowed to incorporate. The Baptist Church in the Fifty-Third District of Emanuel County was incorporated as Haw-Hammack Baptist Church. Britton Scott, Elam B. Lewis, Elisha Coleman, B. E. Brinson, and Irwin L. Kirkland, were appointed ..."capable in law, to sue and be sued; to receive by gift or otherwise, and to hold, use and dispose of any property they may become possessed of by gift, purchase or otherwise, and shall have power to make all by-laws necessary and proper for carrying their powers into effect, not repugnant to the Constitution or Laws of this State, or the United States. And the said Trustees may use a common seal, and appoint such officers as to them may appear proper, and to remove the same, and when any vacancy occurs in the Board of Trustees, by death, resignation or otherwise, the remaining Trustees shall have power, or a majority of them may appoint, as their by-laws shall direct."

This church is still in existence today.

He and his sons Jesse and Henry were listed in the Tax Digest in the 58th District in 1851 in Emanuel County, Georgia.²⁸ Britton signed an indenture stating that he owed Zacchias L. Brown $478.35 on 14 April 1854.²⁹

The indenture is a 2-page document that is difficult to read. Britton promised to pay Zachaius Brown the money he owed him or else he would forfeit the 400 acres on which he lived as well as "one blind horse & one sorrel mare and colts one of the age of two years old and the other two weeks old." The indenture states that this agreement would be void if Britton paid the amount he owed Brown.

He served on the Grand Jury on 16 October 1854 in Emanuel County, Georgia.³⁰

He paid Poor School tuition for 2 of his children between 1854 and 1860.³¹ Britton was listed as living in the 55th District. In 1854 the two children he paid tuition for were unnamed. In 1860 they were James and Sarah Scott, his two youngest children.

In 1856 200 acres belonging to Britton Scott were sold to satisfy a fi fas against him.³² Britton was listed as head of household in the 1860 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.³³
1208 District, Pg. 875, Visit 34/35
Scott, Britain 65; Nancy 53; Caroline M. 33; Rebeckar 24; James W. 21; Sarahann 16. Britton was listed owing $500 real estate, $600 personal property. He was able to read & write. Nancy, Caroline, Rebeckar & James W. were "over 20 and unable to read or write." Caroline was listed as an "idiot."

Other Scotts in 1860:
Scott, John 29 [Britton's son]
Scott, Jessie P. 38 [Britton's son]
Scott, T. A. 14 [student/boarder in household of C. C. Richards, teacher, relationship unknown.]
Scott, Mary 52 [widow of John J. Scott, relationship unknown]

He saw sons John, James and William Thomas leave home and fight for the Confederacy between 1861 and 1864. William Thomas Scott was the first to enlist on October 1, 1861 and served as a private. He appeared last on roll for October 31, 1861. According to John Flanders' statement in the pension application for William Thomas' widow, Nancy Flanders Scott, he was discharged in April 1862 from the 38th Georgia Infantry near Savannah, Georgia. He died in 1892 and was buried in Scott Cemetery #2 at Swainsboro, Georgia. His tombstone reads, "Muster Roll of Company C, 38th Regiment Georgia Volunteer Infantry Evans' Brigade, Gordon's Division Wright's Legion Army of Northern Virginia CSA."

Both James and John were in Co. H, 48th Regiment, Army of Northern Virginia, Emanuel County, Georgia, McLeod Confederate Volunteers. They enlisted together on March 4, 1862 and served as privates. James, Britton's youngest son, was wounded at Mechanicsville, Virginia on June 26, 1862 only four months after his enlistment. He died of his wounds on July 7, 1862. John survived the battle that killed his brother and was discharged with a disability near Madison Station, Virginia Jan. 22, 1864.

James Dorsey in his book Footprints Along The Ohoopee gives insight into why John and James enlisted when they did in early March 1862. "In early 1862 the Confederate Army needed additional troops for the struggle in Virginia. On February 13, 1862, The Georgia Adjutant General's office issued a call for all white male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five not already in the service to volunteer by March 4 or be subject to the draft. This led to the formation of the "Emanuel Guards" also known as the "McLeod Volunteers." It was headed by Captain Neil McLeod, who stayed with the company until he resigned October 29, 1862. The company later became Company H, 48th Regiment, Georgia Volunteers Infantry. It surrendered with General Lee in 1865. McLeod was a justice of the Inferior court of Emanuel."

He suffered loss of property to Sherman's army between November 30 and 1 December 1864.³⁴
On Aug. 18, 1871 Britton filed a claim of $693.00. The claims states, "That he has a claim against the United States for a mare and farm produce taken at petitioner's residence in the 1208th District G.M. Emanuel County, Georgia on the 30th day of November and the 1st day of December, 1864." The list of confiscated property included: 1 bay mare 12 years of age, 1 bay mare 8 years of age, 50 turkeys, 75 bushels corn, 1000 lbs. fodder, 50 chickens, 11 geese, 25 gallons syrup, 75 lbs. tobacco and 2 saddles & bridles.

Britton was required to sign the following statements: "That all the items .... were taken from your petitioner for the use of and were used by the United States army by officers and soldiers, mounted infantry, belonging to the Corps Company of the right wing of General W. T. Sherman's army. Said property was taken to the camp of said Corps at Swain's Old Mill Emanuel County State of Georgia. These facts are stated of petitioner's own knowledge. That no voucher, receipt other writing was given thereof. .... That your petitioner remained loyal adherent to the cause and the Government of the United States during the way and was so loyal before and at the time of the taking of the property for which this claim is maid. That said claim has not before been resented to any Department or elsewhere for adjustment. .... and deponent further says that he did not voluntarily serve in the Confederate army or navy ..... at any time during the late rebellion; that he never voluntarily furnished any stores, supplies or any officer, department or adherent of the same in support thereof, and the he never voluntarily accepted or exercised the functions of any office whatsoever under, or yielded voluntary support to, the said Confederate government."

Britton gave John Peeples and Benjamin A. Moxly as witnesses who could be relied upon to prove his loyalty. His daughters Rebecca Scott and Sarah Scott as well as John Peeples were given as witnesses who could prove other facts in his petition.

Britton signed this document [by his mark] in spite of the fact that three of his sons served in the Confederacy. He, like many other men in Emanuel County, did what he had to do to recover property confiscated by Sherman's army.

There is nothing in Britton's claim documents which states that his claim was denied, hower thirty-four years after Britton later, the following article appeared on Thursday March 2nd, 1905 in the local Forest Blade Newspaper:

"Mess. Saffold & Larsen, of this city, are looking into several war claims based upon property destroyed during the civil war. The claims which they are looking into at present are, Eli Roberts, $1255.00, Brittain Scott, $693.00, White R. Smith, $596.75, John A. Spence, $624.50, Richard Sumner, $1042.50, Abner Sutton, $516.50, Michael Wiggins, $1818.00 and they are now engaged in obtaining the names and post offices of the different heirs to these parties. If the proper proof can be obtained, and the different heirs wish them to look into the matter, they will make a most strenuous effort to enforce collection, and it is quite possible that a member of the firm will go to Washington, DC and give the matters personal attention as soon as satisfactory proof can be obtained. While these gentlemen do not say a great deal, we are of the opinion, judging from their past success in difficult matters, that there is some chance of their bringing some of this money into our county, and we would advise those interested to consult with them at an date."

It is unknown if any of Britton's descendants ever received any part of the $693.00 which was owed to him.

Emanuel Memories 1776 -1976, Pg. 40 explains how Sherman pillaged Britton's property as well as that of many other Emanuel County residents:

"On Nov. 15, 1864 after destroying Atlanta the army of Major General William T. Sherman began its destructive "march to the sea." .....On Nov. 29, 1864 the 1st Division 15th Army Corp ...entered Emanuel County. During the next three days the 15th and 17th Army Corps were to march through the county. ....... For a county that had reported a total population of just over 5,000 in1860, the entry of this army must have seemed like a deluge."

The army was living off the land so "foragers" were sent out in all directions to gather supplies and to pillage. A cotton gin that belonged to Jessie P. Scott, [Britton's son] who lived near Dellwood, was burned. Any Confederate soldiers found at home recuperating from wounds or sickness were taken to prison. Henry Scott, son of Jessie Scott and a member of Company C, 54 Georgia Regiment had been wounded at the Battle of Peachtree Creek, Georgia, on July 20, 1864 and was home at the time. He was hidden in a brier patch until the Yankees had left."

Britton was listed as an indigent in 1867.³⁵ Since this was so soon after the Civil War, I speculate that Britton must have been reduced to "indigent" status because General Sherman's army destroyed his crops and homestead and took all his livestock. Sophia Atkinson, Britton's future second wife, was also on this list.

He filed for an homestead exemption in Emanuel County in January 1870.³⁶

He was listed as head of household in the 1870 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.³⁷
46 Division, Swainsboro P.O., Pg. 331, Visit 63/63
Scott, Britain 74, Farmer & Mechanic; Nancy 60 born in North Carolina; Rebecca 40; Sarah 24. All were born in Georgia except Nancy who was born in North Carolina. Britian's real estate value was $240.00. His personal property was valued at $160.

Next door to Britton & Nancy lived his future second wife Sophia Atkinson, listed as head of household with two children.

Other Scotts in 1870 were:
Scott, William Thomas 32 [Britton's son]
Scott Jesse 50 [Britton's son]
Scott, George 23 [Jesse's son; Britton's grandson]
Scott, Henry 25 [Jesse's son; Britton's grandson]
Scott, John 40 [Britton's son]
Scott, Mary 62 [Widow of John J. Scott, relationship unknown.]

Britton was denied a War of 1812 pension, "rejected by reason of service subsequent to Treaty of Peace" on 13 July 1872.³⁸ Britton's pension file states, "There are no Rolls of Captain Bothwell's Company of Georgia Militia, War of 1812, on file in this office."

He lost his wife Nancy to death before 7 March 1873.³⁹ The Sandersville Herald & Georgian reported on Wednesday, March 7, 1873 that, "Mrs. Britten Scott, an aged and devotedly pious lady of Emanuel County, died a few days since."

He was considered a "pauper of the county" and was paid his monthly allowance of $2.50 on 3 December 1877.⁴⁰

Britton lived with his second wife Sophia in the home of her son Jackson James Swain in Emanuel County, Georgia in 1880.⁴¹
District 1208, Pg. 581-582, Visit 241/241
Sophia was listed as "Saphire," age 60 and as a mother-in-law, instead of mother to Jackson Swain, age 24. Her husband Britton Scott was listed as age 79 and as father-in-law. Both Sophia and Britton were "without occupation."

Other Scotts in 1880:
Pg. 582, Visit 235/235 Sarah Scott 33, single [Britton's daughter. She was a cook for Joseph H. Fulghum.]
Pg. 563, Visit 76/76 John Scott 46 [Britton's son]
Pg. 560, Visit 32/32 Frank Scott 22 [Francis B., son of Britton's son John]
Pg. 564, Visit 94/94 Henry T. Scott 35 [son of Britton's son Jesse]
Pg. 576, Visit 2/2 William Thomas Scott 47 [Britton's son]
Pg. 577, Visit 25/25 Jesse P. Scott 60 [Britton's son]
Pg. 577, Visit 26/26 George L. Scott 30 [son of Britton's son Jesse]
Pg. 576, Visit 17/17 Daniel Z. Scott 29 [son of Britton's son Jesse]

Sophia's daughter Cherochee "Cherry" lived next door with her husband James N. Hill. James was from North Carolina. James was 65 and Cherry was 19. They had a daughter named Leona, age 1.

He died on 23 March 1881 at the age of 86 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁴² The only record of Britton's death that we have is found in the Scott family Bible. Recorded on the "Deaths" page, it states, "Britton Scott, son of William Scott J------? [unclear] his wife died on the 23 day of March 1881."

His burial place is unknown. Perhaps Britton and his first wife Nancy Price were buried in Scott Cemetery #1 where their son Jesse and his wife Martha Lamb were buried. Faris Cadle, a Georgia land consultant and a descendant of Jesse P. Scott, said in an email dated October 30, 2002, "The old Scott cemetery is on the Jesse P. Scott grant." Since Jesse was still living when Britton died, it would make sense that he would bury his father and his mother in the family cemetery located on his own land.

Scott Cemetery #1 is located north of Swainsboro off Forest Ranger Road in the woods. When I last visited the cemetery in 2002 it was very overgrown and the gravestones had been scattered and/or broken. In addition to obvious graves there are what appears to be grave-size indentions indicating unmarked graves.

Britton SCOTT and Nancy PRICE were married on 15 October 1816 in Emanuel County, Georgia.³⁸
Britton's War of 1812 pension application is the only record I have found of his marriage to Nancy Price. Their marriage in 1816 is also the earliest date I have found thus far for Britton's presence in Emanuel County.

Nancy PRICE, daughter of Jesse PRICE and Mary A. [PRICE], was born about 1802 most likely in the state of North Carolina.^25,43,44
The censuses of Emanuel County disagree in which state and in what year Nancy was born.

1850 - South Carolina - born about 1802 - age 48
1860 - Georgia - born about 1807 - age 53
1870 - North Carolina - born about 1810 - age 60

I only have circumstantial evidence for the identity of Nancy's parents. I have considered two possibilities for her father: William or Jesse Price. Both received land grants in Emanuel County in 1815. Nancy married Britton Scott in Emanuel County in 1816.

I believe the county records support the assumption that Jesse Price was Nancy Price's father and her mother was Mary A. Price. Listed below is circumstantial proof for my assumption:

1. Nancy Price married Britton Scott Oct. 17, 1816, in Emanuel County, Georgia.

2. Emanuel County records show Mary Price as the administrator for Jesse's estate in 1826. This proves the first name of Jesse's wife.

3. An 1850 probate court record states that Nancy's husband Britton Scott was paid by Emanuel County “for the keeping of Mary Price one of the Poor of said County for 5 1/2 months.” This indicates that Britton was responsible for Mary Price, which would be the case if she were his widowed mother-in-law.

4. In 1850 census records show Mary Price age 80 and born in North Carolina living in the home of Jesse P. Scott. Jesse's parents were Britton and Nancy Scott and Mary Price was his maternal grandmother.

She died before 7 March 1873 at the age of 71 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁴⁵ "Wednesday, March 7, 1873...Emanuel County: Mrs. Britten Scott, an aged and devotedly pious lady of Emanuel County, died a few days since." (Original Source: The Sandersville Herald & Georgian.)

Her burial place is unknown. Perhaps Nancy and her husband Britton Scott were buried in Scott Cemetery #1 where their son Jesse and his wife Martha Lamb were buried. This cemetery is on the site of Jesse Scott's land grant. Since Jesse was still living when his parents died, it would make sense that he would bury them in the family cemetery located on his own land.

Britton SCOTT-4952 and Nancy PRICE-4963 had the following children:

2	i.	William SCOTT was born on 19 September 1819 in Georgia.⁴² The only information I have on William comes from the Scott family Bible where a birth and death entry states, "William Scott, son of Britton Scott and Nancy his wife was born in the year of our Lord 19th Sept. 1819. William Scott son of William and Nancy died on 15th day of December 1819" The death entry names William's father as William, not Britton. Could this have just been a mistake by the person who entered the the information in the Bible, or is it possible that Britain's complete name was William Britain Scott? He died on 15 December 1819 at the age of 0 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁴² His burial place is unknown.
+3	ii.	Jesse P. SCOTT-4438.
+4	iii.	Henry G. SCOTT-4974.
5	iv.	Caroline M. SCOTT was born between 1827 and 1828 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^33,46 Caroline was described as "idiotic" in the 1850 census. In the 1840 census her father's household contained 1 person in the column marked "Insane and Idiots at Private Charge." We can conclude that Caroline was handicapped in some way. She was living with her parents in the 1850-1860 censuses. Since she was not enumerated in her parents' home in 1870 we are left to wonder if she died or married between 1860 and 1870. In 1860 she was age 33. In view of her age and the fact that she was handicapped it seems more likely to me that she died by 1870. She died Unknown. Her burial place is unknown.
+6	v.	John SCOTT-4985.
7	vi.	Rebecca SCOTT was born between 1830 and 1836 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^25,44,47,48 Proof that Britton had a daughter named Rebecca is found in the county Poor School Records. On June 3, 1839 tuition was paid for "Britton Scott's daughter Rebecca." Rebecca was living with her parents in 1850, 1860 and 1870. In the 1880 Washington County, Georgia census there was a Rebecka Scott who was a boarder in the home of William and Frances Ashley. Rebecka was age 48 and she had two daughters, Lou age 9 and Minnie age 7. The children appear to be Rebecka Scott's. If that Rebecka was Britton's daughter, then she did not marry, though she had children. In his 1871 claim to recover property destroyed during the Civil War Britton listed daughters Rebecca Scott and Sarah Scott as wittnesses who verify his statement. This indicates to me that they still lived in his home. She died Unknown. Her burial place is unknown.
+8	vii.	William Thomas SCOTT-5018.
9	viii.	James Willis SCOTT was born on 2 April 1839 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^42,49 The Scott family Bible says, "James Willis Scott son of Britton Scott and Mary his wife was born April 2 1839." The naming of Britton's wife as "Mary" in this entry is a puzzle. Could Nancy Price's first name have been Mary or was this just a mistake made by the person who wrote the entries in the Bible? James lived with his parents until he went off to fight in the Civil War. He served as a private in Co. H, 48th GA Regiment Infantry, Army of North Virginia CSA, from March 4 to 7 July 1862.^50,51 After the first shots were fired in Charleston SC on April 12,1861 Georgia began to organize military units for defense. These units were mainly state militia called up for six months of service. On October 1, 1861 James Scott's older brother William Thomas became the first of three Scott brothers to join the Confederate Army. William Thomas was in Company C of the 38th Regiment. Five months later James and his brother John also joined the Confederate Army on Marcy 4, 1862 in Swainsboro, Georgia and served together in 48th Geogia, Company H. James Dorsey in his book Footprints Along The Ohoopee gives insight into why James Scott and his older brother John enlisted when they did in early March 1862. In early 1862 the Confederate Army needed additional troops for the struggle in Virginia. On February 13, 1862, the Georgia Adjutant General's office issued a call for all white male citizens between the ages of eighteen and forty-five not already in the service to volunteer by March 4 or be subject to the draft. This led to the formation of the "Emanuel Guards" also known as the "McLeod Volunteers." It was headed by Captain Neil McLeod, who stayed with the company until he resigned October 29, 1862. The company later became Company H, 48th Regiment, Georgia Volunteers Infantry. It surrendered with General Lee in 1865. McLeod was a justice of the Inferior court of Emanuel. By May 1862 James and John had completed a brief basic training and their regiment's first assignment was the defense of Charleston, South Carolina. When the Northern Army began its advance on the Confederate Capital of Richmond the 48th Georgia began marching to the battlefields of Virginia. When the 48th Georgia arrived in Richmond it was assigned to Roswell Ripley's Brigade of D. H. Hill's Division of the Army of Northern Virginia just after the Battle of Seven Pines. At Seven Pines the commanding General of the Army of Northern Virginia, General Joe Johnston, had been severely wounded. His replacement was General Robert E. Lee, who had been supervising the defenses around the Confederate capital of Richmond. Lee had a plan to stop the Federal advance and drive their forces back down the peninsula. James and John, along with the 48th Georgia Regiment, now part of Ripley's brigade, were ordered to advance on Mechanicsville where Lee and his generals planned to attack the Federal Army on June 26. After crossing the Chickahominy River the Confederates met heavy resistance at Beaver Dam Creek. After several CSA units were driven back from the creek, the Fourth Brigade of A. P. Hill's division under General Pender was ordered to move right along Beaver Dam Creek. They were flooded with federal battery fire and became trapped. General D. H. Hill ordered Ripley to move right in support of a rescue of Pender by crossing the Mechanicsville Bridge and taking position on the western bank of Beaver Dam Creek at the extreme right of the Confederate lines just above the river. Federal battery fire from the creek's opposite side pounded the exposed brigades. Ripley ordered two regiments left, the 48th GA & 3rd NC, to provide support for Pender. The men of Ripley's Brigade charged but could not reach the creek. As the night came Ripley's men moved back beyond the creek just as the artillery began to arrive. Ripley's men were relieved and were moved back beyond Mechanicsville early next morning, but by that time James and many others were already injured or killed. We have no information about the extent of James' wounds. He may have been treated at a field hospital before being transported to a hospital in Richmond while John, along with the rest of the survivors in the 48th Regiment, was ordered to retreat back to Mechanicsville. One has to wonder if John was allowed time to visit his younger brother in the hospital in Richmond before James died. Military records show that John continued fighting with the 48th until he was discharged with a disability near Madison Station, Virginia on January 22, 1864. He died in Second Georgia Hospital [from wounds he received in the Battle of Mechanicsville] on 7 July 1862 at the age of 23 in Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia.^50,51 On one of James' muster roll receipts he was absent "in hosp" in June. On June 30,1862 he was listed as wounded in the Second Georgia Hospital, also known as General Hospital 14. [Richmond Dispatch, page 3, column 1.] Click on the camera image by James' name to see a picture of the present day building which housed the hospital where James died. The building was a warehouse before it was appropriated as a Confederate hospital. Located at 20 N. 20th Street in Richmond, the building is next to the Edgar Allen Poe Museum and is once again used as a warehouse. No letters are known to exist between James Scott and his parents. We do not know how Britton and Nancy Scott were notified that their youngest son had died, only 4 months after he joined the Confederate Army and left the home farm in Emanuel County, Georgia. On July 23, 1863 Britton appointed Neil McLeod, who was James' captain when he joined the war, as his attorney in order to recover James' unpaid pay. McLeod had power of attorney to act in Britton's place. The papers make it clear that Britton was James' father and since no wife was named, we know James never married. "I certify I have examined the claim of Brittain Scott father of James Scott deceased late private of McLeod's Co. H 48th Regiment Georgia Vol and find that there is due to the said claimant the sum of Twenty-four dollars and fifty six cents ($24.56), being for the services of deceased from April 30th 1862, the date of his last payment to July 7th, 1862, the date of his death, inclusive 2 months and 7 days......" His burial place is at Oakwood Cemetery, Confederate Section C in Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia. In August 2009 we visited Richmond to find James Scott's burial place. Armed with information another descendant found on his trip to Richmond, we visited the Chimborazo Medical Museum and told a cemetery expert and an historian by the name of Bobby Crick what we knew. At first they couldn't find anything about James in their burial books. Then Mr. Crick remembered a booklet of typewritten pages bound together with the title Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, Confederate Interment Information Sept. 17, 1861 through Dec. 9, 1862. James' date of death fell within that time period, and we found him listed on page 45. Mr. Crick gave me a copy of that page and also a copy of the original record that was used to compile the typed page. James' burial place is not actually given on either sheet, but the historian assured me that everyone on the both sheets was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Confederate section C. When I asked how he knew this, he said that the original record is from an handwritten register kept by the Oakwood Cemetery keeper in 1862. He cautioned me that sometimes the cemetery keeper made mistakes trying to decipher handwriting. In James' case the cemetery keeper interpreted James initials as T. W. instead of J. W. and he misinterpreted James' state as LA (Louisiana) instead of GA. We went to Oakwood Cemetery but could not find a C marker in the Confederate section, or markers for any of the other sections. We did find an area containing a few grave markers for soldiers who died July 7, 1862, the same date James died, so we knew we were in section C and had found the general area in which he is buried.
10	ix.	Louisa J. SCOTT was born before June 1839 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁵² The 1830 and 1840 censuses do not list people by name, so the Poor School records of Emanuel County contain the only proof I have found that Britton had a daughter named Louisa. On Sept. 18, 1837, tuition payments were made to the Poor School of 57th district for 3 of Britton Scott's sons, John, Jesse and Henry. Listed immediately under the three sons was the name Louisa Stroud. Is it possible that Louisa's name was recorded incorrectly as Stroud instead of Scott? On 7 June 1839 and again on Sept. 15, 1839 tuition was paid for "Britton Scott's daughter Louisa." Louisa was not enumerated in Britton's household in 1850. She died Unknown in Unknown. Her burial place is unknown.
11	x.	Sarah Ann Martha SCOTT was born on 29 July 1843 in Emanuel County, Georgia.^{42,53,54,55,56} The Scott family Bible records that "Sarah Ann Martha Scott, daughter of Britton Scott, Nancy his wife, was born 29 July 1843." Sarah Ann was living with her parents in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 censuses. In his 1871 claim to recover property destroyed during the Civil War Britton listed daughters Rebecca Scott and Sarah Scott as wittnesses who verify his statement. This indicates to me that they still lived in his home. She lived in the Joseph Fulghum household and worked as their cook in Emanuel County, Georgia in 1880.⁵⁵ Sarah's father Britton and his second wife Sophia Atkinson were living only 6 houses away from the Fulghum household in the home of Sophia's son James Jackson Swain. She died Unknown. Her burial place is unknown.

Britton SCOTT and Sophia ATKINSON were married by 15 July 1878 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁵⁷

Britton and Sophira Scott sold 237 acres in the 1280th district to John C. Coleman on October 13, 1879. The date of instrument was July 15, 1878. The marriage date for Britain & Sophira is therefore after Nancy's death March 7, 1873 and by July 15, 1878. In the 1870 Emanuel Census at visit 64 living next door to Britain & Nancy was his future second wife Sophia Atkinson, listed as head of household with two children. See the 1880 census below which shows Britton and Sophira living with her daughter and son-in-law.

Sophia ATKINSON, daughter of Ransom ATKINSON and Charity [ATKINSON], was born in June 1823 in Georgia.⁵⁸

I believe that Sophia's parents were Ransom and Charity Atkinson. In the 1820 census of Emanuel County there was a Ramsom Adkinson. Ransom and his wife were in the age 18-26 category. Another male in the age 10-16 category could have been Ransom's brother who may have been helping Ransome farm as two were listed engaged in agriculture.

Ransom died by 12 June 1824 as evidenced by an inventory and appraisement county record for the estate of Ransom Atkinson. Stephen Swain and Charity Atkinson were listed as administrator and administratrix. Charity Atkinson was not found in the 1830 or 1840 census and I do not know what became of her.

She was listed on the Poor School roll on 11 September 1837 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁵⁹ Sopha Adkison was age 14 and she was listed along with Permilia Swain, Elizabeth Swain, Margaret Swain and William Swain, who were the children of Eldred Swain.

She was placed under the guardianship of Eldred Swain. in May 1842 in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁶⁰ At the May 1842 term of the Inferior Court of Emanuel County Eldred Swain posted a "guardian bond " and became the court approved guardian of Sophia Atkison, minor. Since the term "minor" and not "orphan" was used one can assume that Sophia's mother Charity still survived.

Sophia Atkinson was reported in the 1850 census household of Eldred Swain. It is my conclusion that her mother Charity was deceased by then.

Sophia was living in the household of Eldred and Delana Swain in 1850.⁶¹
District 28 Pg. 458, Visit 204/204
Swain, Eldred 54, mechanic; Delana 54; Saphy 27; William 22; James 9
The census taker obviously erroneously listed Saphy as a Swain instead of Atkinson.

She was listed as head of household in the 1860 census in Johnson County, Georgia.⁶²
Wrightsville, Pg. 464, Visit 128/129
Sofiah Atkins was age 37. Living next door to her guardian Eldred Swain with her son William J. age 5. The census records that Sophia had $400 real property and $40 personal property. She was listed as a "Domestick."

She was listed as head of household in the 1870 census in Emanuel County, Georgia.⁶³
46 Division, Swainsboro PO, Pg. 331, Visit 64/64
Sophia Atkinson was living next door to Britain & Nancy Scott. She was listed as the head of household. Living with Sophia were 14-year old James J. who worked on the farm and a female named Cherochee, age 3. Sophia had $60 real property, $150 personal. Neither she nor James J. could read & write.

From the 1860 Johnson County & 1870 Emanuel County censuses, we can determine that the boy living with Sophia was named William Jackson James (or William James Jackson). James J. was Sophia's son and probably Cherochee was her daughter. In later censuses James J. is listed as a Swain, not an Atkinson.

Sophia lived with her husband Britton Scott in the home of her son James Jackson Swain in Emanuel County, Georgia in 1880.⁴¹
District 1208, Pg. 581-582, Visit 241/241
Sophia was listed as "Saphire," age 60 and as a mother-in-law, instead of mother to Jackson Swain, age 24. Her husband Britton Scott was listed as age 79 and as father-in-law. Both Sophia and Britton were "without occupation."

Sophia's daughter Cherochee "Cherry" lived next door with her husband James N. Hill. James was from North Carolina. James was 65 and Cherry was 19. They had a daughter named Leona, age 1.

She lived in the home of her son James Swain in Emanuel County, Georgia in 1900.⁶⁴ Britton Scott died in March 1881. Sophia continued to live with her son Wiliam James Jackson Swain and his family. She was listed as Sopha Scott, mother and widow, born June 1823. She was age 76. [Adrian, Pg. 180, Visit 251/251]

She died before 25 April 1910 at the age of 86 in Georgia.⁶⁵ By 1910 Sophia's son William James Jackson was living in Montgomery County, Georgia with his family, but his mother was not listed in his household in this census. It is not known when she died or where she was buried, but she likely passed away sometime between 18 June 1900 and 25 April 1910, the dates of the census enumeration.

Scott Family: Descendants of Britton Scott of Emanuel County, Georgia