JOHN SCOTT© 1998 John Scott, a Scottish immigrant and farmer, gave his name to the area that became known as Scott's Ridge in Shelby Township, Jefferson Co. He lived 1789/90-3 Oct.1878 (died at age 89 per his tombstone) John was christened on 11 April 1790 in the parish of Crailing, Roxborough, Scotland, by his parents, William and Christian Stenhouse (a variant is Stonehouse. However, three christening records give the name as Stenhouse) Scott, who were reportedly married in the nearby town of Jedburgh. His siblings were baptized in the parishes of Yetholm and Eckford. All three parishes are located between Jedburgh and the nearby border of the English county of Northumberland. William and Christian, along with their children, Walter, John, Margaret and Agnes, came to the Scottish settlement in Switzerland and Jefferson Counties in 1818. Walter and Margaret (who m. Donald McKenzie), lived in Switzerland Co. while John and Agnes (who m. William Dow) lived in Jefferson. John first entered 40 acres in the SE 1/4 Section 30 Twp. 5N Range 12E on 30 Aug. 1822. This land neighbored the farm of his father-in-law Samuel Welch in Shelby Township. John married Samuel's daughter Rebecca Welch on 30 Apr. 1824 in Jefferson Co. 12 Nov. 1804-13 May 1868. John owned tracts in both Switzerland and Jefferson Co. with most purchases in Jefferson Co. Late in the 1830s, John began a series of purchases that were to give him ownership of hundreds of acres in what came to be called Scott's or Scotch Ridge. This included the 160 acres formerly owned by his father-in-law, which John purchased in 1850. Most of this land was sold to his children during the 1850s and 1860s. John left a will in Jefferson Co., which named his children. He may have moved to live with a son in his later years as the will (transcription) calls him John Scott of Madison Twp. John, his wife, three siblings and parents are all buried in the Cemetery of the Caledonia Presbyterian Church on the Jefferson-Switzerland Co. border.
Children of John Scott and Rebecca Welch
Secondary sources include The History of Switzerland Co.; records of C.R. Voris (transcribed by Mary Hill); Primary sources include Parish records of Scotland transcribed the Church of the Latter Day Saints; Will of John Scott; Switzerland and Jefferson Co., deeds and probate records. U.S. census records; personal visits to area cemeteries.
Jefferson County INGenWeb. |