JOSEPH SCOTT, one of the oldest, and undoubtedly one of the most robust men of his age in Independence township, is descended from a prominent family. He is a son of Arthur Scott, who was born in 1761, in Lancaster county, Penn., and there passed his boyhood days. When only a stripling he joined the Continental army, and served during the war of the Revolution. He was one of those half-clothed and nearly starved heroes who suffered in that never-to-be-forgotten winter at Valley Forge. He was sick for many weeks, he served as a teamster in the struggle, and has often related to his son Joseph the terrible scenes of those early days, the outlines of which are familiar to every student of United States history. At the close of the war young Arthur resolved to seek a home in the wilds of western Pennsylvania, of which he had heard thrilling tales of adventure. After a long and tedious journey, traveling by narrow paths through unbroken forests, the sun his only compass, our daring pioneer at last came to the eastern boundary of Washington county, and paused for a time at a place called Ginger Hill. He there met Miss Ann Hamilton, the young lady he afterward wooed and won. She was born in the year 1773, in Adams county, Penn., near Gettysburg. In 1786 Arthur Scott came with his older brother, Samuel, to Washington county, and bought 175 acres of land, lying near Buffalo creek, about one mile from the Pennsylvania and West Virginia (then Virginia) lines, in Hopewell (now Independence) township. It was then an unbroken forest, and the Indians, who had but recently moved across the river into Ohio, often made raids through their former hunting grounds. During these periods of danger, the pioneers were compelled to seek a temporary refuge in the blockhouses constructed for that purpose. Wild animals were numerous; bears, deer, and wild turkeys roamed through the forest, and the unearthly scream of the panther made the night hideous to human ears. After purchasing their land, the two brothers erected a log cabin, and began the herculean task of clearing away the forest. But the toil and privations were endured with the lightest of hearts, for each of the young men were looking eagerly forward to a happy home in the very near future. When the first cabin was finished, Samuel brought home his young wife, and they then began to prepare for the coming of Arthur's bride. But the plans of one were doomed to disappointment. One day Samuel Scott, in company with a brother-in-law, James Law, crossed the Ohio river in search of game. They soon separated, promising to join each other at a given point, and, after a circuitous course, Scott came to the place of meeting and waited for Law. Meanwhile Law had approached the place in search of game, and, mistaking him for a deer, fired, and the unfortunate man fell dead. The news of the terrible accident was broken to the young wife, who continued to reside on the farm with her two children Joseph and John for some time. She was afterward married to a Mr. Hutchinson, and the home place eventually became the property of her son John. He took charge of it in the year 1808, and with his wife (formerly a Miss Ferguson) resided upon it till the year 1830, when it was then purchased of him by his cousin Joseph.
Soon after they had erected the cabin of Samuel Scott, Arthur also built his home on a part of the original tract, and in 1789 he was married to Ann Hamilton. This couple passed their entire lives on the home farm, and reared the following children: William (deceased September 20, 1851), born November 20, 1790, moved to a farm in Richland county, Ohio, which he cleared from the forest, and there remained until his death: John, born March 6, 1792, during his youth hauled loads of salt and merchandise over the mountains (just before the war of 1812 he hauled a wagon load of specie for the Government from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, being accompanied by a detachment of soldiers. For this service he received $10 per cwt.); Elizabeth (deceased August 8, 1866), born August 8, 1794, was the wife of Walter Craig, a well-known politician, statesman and legislator of Washington county; Agnes (deceased February 14, 1869), born February 3, 1797, wife of William Gilmore, of Ohio county, W. Va.; Mary, wife of John Alexander, born February 18, 1799; David (deceased in 1887, at Portsmouth, Ohio), born January 12, 1801, learned piano and organ making in Philadelphia, and afterward became a piano tuner; Samuel (deceased March 25, 1866, at the home of his brother Joseph), born March 6, 1803, passed his early life on the farm, afterward becoming a merchant in Pittsburgh; Jane (deceased July 22, 1886), born November 11, 1805, was married to Hugh Miller, of Knox county; Joseph (subject of the present sketch); and Margaret Ann (deceased March 15, 1838, at her home in Independence township, Washington county), born November 19, 1811, wife of Henry Smith.
Although Arthur Scott had but a limited early education, by close application and observation he became a well-informed and fluent man, and was an eager reader. He never tasted whisky, was a strong advocate of temperance, and an earnest religious worker. The "still house" that was found on almost every farm in those days was "conspicuous by its absence" on the farm of Mr. Scott, who instilled the same principles into the minds of his children. Politically he was first a Democrat, but after the election of Andrew Jackson, became a Whig. In the latter part of his life he lived with his son Joseph until the time of his death, which occurred July 24, 1843. His widow survived him several years, when she passed away October 15, 1848, while visiting a daughter in Summit county, Ohio.
Joseph Scott was the ninth child in the order of birth, and was born May 12, 1808, in Hopewell (now Independence) township, and passed his earlier years attending to the common duties of a farmer boy. He received his education in the usual log hut, which required neither nails nor glass in its construction, greased paper serving all practical purposes as a window. The teacher was hired by a subscription from those of the parents who felt inclined to pay for the instruction. Adventurous urchins had no lack of material sport, for in those days wild animals were often seen, and bears were frequent visitors in the neighborhood. Joseph Scott attended school about three months in the winter season, and during the summer assisted on the farm. On August 22, 1832, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Cozad (who was born November 11, 1807, in Carroll county, Ohio), daughter of Jacob Cozad, a Presbyterian minister of New Hagerstown, Ohio. They have had children as follows: John (a farmer of Independence township), born August 16, 1833; Margaret Ann (deceased in 1837), born August 3, 1835; William H. (deceased, a farmer of Washington State), born January 26, 1837; Elizabeth J. (Mrs. George U. Chaney, of West Alexander), born March 22, 1839; Rebecca B. (Mrs. Klinefelter, of Washington, Penn. ), born February 4, 1841; David A. (a merchant of Independence, Penn.), born December '2, 1842; Joseph (a farmer of Osage county, Kans.), born January 3, 1845; Jacob O. (a citizen of Washington, this county), born December 27, 1846; and Sarah M. (Mrs. Thomas Lang, of Grafton, W. Va.), born October 5, 1849.
After his marriage Mr. Scott took charge of the home place, as his father was growing old, and remained upon it until 1887, following his vocation of farming and stock raising. His wife died on January 25 of that year, and he afterward moved to the home of his son David, where he has since remained. He is now living a retired life, but still owns the old place. Mr. Scott happily possesses a very retentive memory, and easily recalls incidents of his boyhood as if they had occurred but yesterday. No man is better known, or more highly respected than this gentleman. He organized and was the prime mover in the first Sabbath-school held in the Presbyterian Church, in Independence, Penn., of which he has been a member for sixty-five years, serving as elder fifty-four years. Politically, he has ever been an enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party since its formation, previous to which he was a Whig. He has never missed a county, township, State or national election since he was old enough to vote, and was an active Anti- slavery man. In addition to his regular business, he has performed many public duties, having been guardian for twelve children at one time. He was colonel in the Tenth Pennsylvania Militia for four years and is frequently called by that title.
[Since the above was written the subject of the sketch died January 1, 1893.]
Text taken from page 1223 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]