How our Scotts have lived the clan motto: "Amo" ("I Love")

www.scotclans.com, used with permission

As depicted above, our Scott clan motto is "Amo," which is "I love" in Latin.  I have been impressed with the deep love our family has traditionally shown to each other in each generation and across generations.  Here are some of the ways they have shown their love.  [I have indicated the FamilySearch id #s for a few key individuals. You can find the rest by looking those up.]

Family reunions

We have photos of Scott family reunions, dating from the 1894 gathering of A. Graham Scott and his siblings, whose parents were Moses (FS#L211-YBH) and Mary Ann Graham Scott.  I don't know how common it was for families to gather in reunions, but ours is likely unusual in the photographic record that we have!

1894 reunion: back row L to R: Elzumer (b. 1844, a Civil War veteran), Graham (b. 1850), and Oliver Scott (b. 1858).
Middle: Mary Scott Brinegar (b. 1861) and Sarah (Sadie) Scott Loy (b. 1953)
Front: Allie Scott Jones (b. 1855) and Carrie Scott Reeves (b. 1865)

The Scott family held many reunions over the years, as shown in the following photos, many of which are posted on FamilySearch, where the individuals are identified whenever possible.

1906 Scott reunion.  A. Graham Scott is 2nd from the right on the back row.
See FamilySearch for identification of other family members in the photo.

Here is a list of the reunions of the Moses Scott descendants (1894, 1906, 1907 and 1917), then Aaron Graham Scott (FS#L3F9-QGZ) descendants (he went by Graham), based on the records and photographs that we have.  It's likely we will discover more reunions as we examine their letters more closely.  A. Graham Scott evidently began the reunion tradition, which was carried on by his oldest son, Elzumer Scott (FS#K2QH-71F), after his father passed away in 1922.

Scott family reunions

1894  Missouri

1906  near Ridgeway, Missouri

1907  Missouri

1909  Ridgeway

1911  Ridgeway

1916  Ridgeway

1917  Marion, Missouri (see photo and newspaper clipping below)

1920  Meridian, Idaho

1932  Idaho

1933  Idaho

1939  Big Springs, Idaho

1946  Jackson Lake, Wyoming

1953  Hot Springs, Arkansas

1939 Scott family reunion (descendants of A. Graham Scott) in Big Springs, Idaho

  Here is a delightful account of the 1939 reunion from a newspaper, with family memories written as a song to be sung to the tune of "Oh Susannah." Other reunions were also written up in newspapers, some based on articles that Elzumer Scott submitted.  

Another way that the Scott family showed their love and kept in touch was through letters.  When A. Graham Scott passed away in 1922, he had 16 living children. I'm going to list them here because this post is publicly searchable and I'd like for descendants to be able to find their ancestor among the children. 

Children of A. Graham Scott (FS #L3F9-QGZ) and Aneliza Bandy Scott

Mable Scott (1872-1877)

Elzumer Scott (1874-1961) (aka "Zumer")

Charles Jarred Scott (1876-1951)

William Ota Scott (1878-1943) (aka "Ote")

Oscar Charles Scott (1880-1961) (aka "Nick")

Minnie Scott (1882-1964)

Zenith Wayne Scott (1887-1969)

Eva Scott (1889-1961, twin)

Edna Lee Scott (1889-1971, twin)

Ruth Scott (1891-1951)

Mary Lou Scott (1993-1977)

Benjamin Scott (1894-1895, twin)

Ralph R. Scott (1894-1972, twin)

Children of A. Graham Scott and Eva Alice Eyerly Scott

Howard Eyerly Scott (1899-1963)

Russell George Scott (1900-1954)

Raymond Graham Scott (1902-1963)

Fern Esther Scott (1904-unknown)

Ione Martha Scott (1905-1976)

Family members had always kept in touch through letters, but after Graham passed away, they created a Scott chain letter in 1922, and printed official letterhead stationery in 1929.  It appears that Zene was the first to manage the chain, then Elzumer, then his son Kenneth, and finally Kenneth's younger brother, Roland.  The Scott chain letter, in one form or another, continued for more than 65 years!  Because Zene, Elzumer, Kenneth, and Roland kept or made copies of many key letters, we can read them today.  We have 835 letters (and some documents) from A. Graham Scott and his children (not including Elzumer), 763 letters and docs from Elzumer, and 1783 letters and docs from Kenneth and Mary Scott (including some early letters from their sons).

In addition, Graham's descendants created a Scott Family Association in 1939.  Elzumer's notes (below) record in part "Had our big bonfire outside 6:30 to 8 pm. & roasted weiners & marshmallows. After that was over we went inside Inn for singing and business session. At this meeting the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: E. Scott. Pres. Edna Smith V. Pres. and Z.W. Scott Secy-Treas. It was suggested our organization be named “Scott Family Association”.

Here's an example of a letter from Howard, another of Graham's sons, to the Scott chain that was retained by Zene in the "permanent" file.  Be sure to read his humorous account of the trek west from Missouri to Idaho in the box car with Graham's and Elzumer's furniture!  

As I recall, it was Howard's glowing descriptions of the west that motivated Graham to sell his prosperous farm in Missouri and move to Meridian, Idaho, at the age of 70 (two years before his death).  Further evidence of the Scott siblings love for each other is that many of them moved west around the same time. (A side note:  As a result of this major relocation, some descendants, including Kenneth, joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) 

We'll need to do more research to find out exactly which of Graham's children moved west with him, but by the time of the 1939 reunion, at least four his children and their families were living in Idaho, with others in Illinois, Indiana, Washington, D.C. (Kenneth and Zene), Colorado, and California. 

The chain letter worked this way:  a family member would receive a packet with everyone's letters, remove their old letter, put in a new letter, and send the packet to the next person/family on the chain.  Here's an example of a routing list:

In addition to organizing reunions, writing letters to the family, and managing the family chain letter, Elzumer recorded family history information (as early as 1899) and he and Zene kept records when family members were born, married, and died.  Here's an example of early records he kept (in about 1910).  (Note: The first generation is not correct, but from Jacob Sallee forward is accurate.)

The Scotts were a picture-taking family, especially Elzumer and Kenneth!  We have photos of the Bandy, Sallee, and Scott families (by far the majority of A. Graham and descendants), totaling 3,287 images (in some cases front and back, plus some duplicates). Elzumer appears to have been the family photographer, beginning with the first photo in this post, taken in 1894. 

Here is Elzumer with his camera at the 1939 reunion. We have an entire photo album of that reunion, containing about 150 photos.  Kenneth continued the tradition, taking many photos and movies of his family. We have 4,513 images (including fronts, backs, and duplicates) for Kenneth and Mary's family.  Fortunately, Elzumer, Zene, and Kenneth were great about labeling photos on the back, so we can identify family members!

Elzumer Scott and camera, Scott family reunion 1939, Big Springs, Idaho

Zene's note on the back of this photo says, "Kenneth, Roland (eating or singing), Harry"

Scott family members had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and sing together. They shared many funny stories in their letters to each other (like Howard's above) and made joking comments about each other's letters.

Our Scott ancestors (and collateral lines) fought in many of the great wars, including the War of 1812 (John Dunkerson, FS#L8MJ-ZKR, a hero in the pivotal Battle of Lake Erie), the Civil War (including Elzumer Scott, b. 1844, FS#KJCJ-L7B and Thomas E. Sallee FS#LHWP-YCS), and World War II.  More research needs to be done on the military service of our family members.  During WW II, family members noted relatives who were serving and circulated the "Honor Roll" in the Scott family chain letter.

The Scott, Sallee, Bandy and other ancestral families were devout Christians. That's worthy of another post, but for now, I'll share just one example, a letter from Thomas E. Sallee to his daughter Carrie Mae and her husband Elzumer Scott, the day their son Raymond died, barely more than a year old.

These are just a few examples of the love Scott family members had for each other and for the Lord.  Preserving these letters, documents, and photos--and faith in Jesus Christ--has been a multi-generational effort.  

I have posted many letters and photographs from our Scott ancestors at FamilySearch.  You can sign up for a free account there and see what's available by searching for a relative in the Tree. We're constantly adding new material. FamilySearch is a lot like Ancestry except that everyone is working on one common Tree--the ultimate in crowd sourcing!  

What will we do to continue this amazing legacy our Scott ancestors have given us? Will we pass on the stories of how our ancestors loved and supported each other in challenging and happy times? Will we leave a record to inspire our children and grandchildren?

Share your ideas and efforts in the Comments section below!

Our North Carolina Ancestors, Part 1: William Holland

Our North Carolina connections are the ancestors of Lovica Holland (1824-1906) (KJZW-HVR), wife of Paschal Bandy (KJZW-HVR).  (I'm including the FamilySearch ID #s for each person so you can find out more information if you'd like, including the sources for the information in this post.)

Lovica and Paschal Bandy are Grandpa Kenneth's great-grandparents.  Kenneth was only a year old when Paschal died, but he was 7 when Lovica died, so he may have known her.

Lovica Holland and Paschal Bandy

Lovica's grandfather, Matthew Holland (LZG2-Q9Z), was born in 1760 in Anson, North Carolina.  He is found living in Rutherford, North Carolina in the 1790 census.  His wife, Syval Honneycutt (born 1769; L4TG-PH9) appears to be from North Carolina as well. (I couldn't find any records for her, but there are a number of records for Honneycutts in North Carolina.)

Lovica's father, William Holland (KJZW-SJ7), was born in 1786 in Lincoln County, North Carolina, and his mother, Lovisa (aka Levicy) Bess (or Best) was born in 1794, also in Lincoln.  They were married in 1811.  Matthew Holland put up the securities for their marriage and signed with an X, indicating he was not literate. William and Lovisa stayed in Lincoln County for about three years after their marriage, where there first two children, Lawson and Elizabeth, were born.

By the time their third child, Mathilda, was born in 1814, William and Lovisa were living in Hopkins County, Kentucky, 500 miles northwest from Lincoln, North Carolina.

Next, Senath Holland was born in Okoaw River, Territory of Illinois, near what is now Okaw, Illinois, about 240 miles north of where Mahilda had been born.  Four more children were born in Illinois before our ancestor, Lovisa, was born in Peoria County, Illinois in 1824.  The remaining five children were born in Tazewell County, just south of Peoria County.

So William Holland and his wife Lovisa Bess were born and married in North Carolina, but not long after they moved to Kentucky and then settled in Illinois where they spent the rest of their lives.  I can't resist sharing the information about their experiences in Illinois which I just discovered this evening in the book, Early History of Washington, Illinois and Vicinity (1929), which popped up totally by "coincidence" as I was searching online and opened to the very page which referenced our ancestor Ruben Bandy (see below)!

"The first settlement in the town of Washington, or its vicinity, of which we have any account, was made in the spring of 1825, by William Holland, Sr., who came here from Peoria—then Fort Clark. He was formerly from North Carolina, and was employed by the United States government as a blacksmith for the Indians, who then inhabited this part of Illinois, and for several years after settling here he continued to work for the Indians." (p. 12).  As blacksmith he repaired guns for the white settlers as well as for the Indians, and he built the first grist mill in 1827 on his homestead, run by horse power (p. 9).

"We have already shown that William Holland, Sr., was the first settler, the first to build a house and improve a farm, and we find him also the first mechanic. As such he carried on a blacksmith shop from his first induction into the country for several years. He did a general blacksmith business, and also repaired guns not only for the white inhabitants, but also for the Indians, who were then numerous in this part of the state. His was the only shop in town prior to 1835...." (p. 9).

"The first school taught in Washington was a subscription school. It was taught by George H. Shaw, now of Shaw's Grove, who was traveling through the country prospecting and stopped for the night with William Holland, Sr., where, owing to the severity of the weather—it being winter—he remained till spring. Holland soon discovered Shaw's fitness to teach, and engaged him to teach, and gave him, as compensation, his board, washing, and horse feed. Rather slender compensation, as it made no provision for clothing. After engaging the teacher, the next thing was a school house, which was built by Holland and his few neighbors in a day or two. It was a log house, such as was called in those days a single cabin, 16 x 18 feet. They seated it with split logs, the writing desks being  constructed of similar material, and lighted it by sawing out part of one log at each end and pasting greased paper over the aperture or opening. This greased paper, while not highly transparent, admitted some light, and kept the wind out. This school was taught in the winter of 1827 and 1828" (p. 11).

"The first religious society here was organized by Jesse Walker, a Methodist preacher, in 1828 or 1829. Their first meeting was held at William Holland's, whose family and the family of James Harvey constituted most of the society at that time. Holland and Harvey were the only male members. Their meetings were held in Holland's house for the first few years, then at other private houses until the public school house was built, in which they held their meetings until 1840 or 1841...." (p. 12).

"In 1829 William Holland and William Thompson were elected to the office of justice of the peace for this precinct.  They were among the first elected in this county. Their territorial jurisdiction were co-extensive with the boundaries of the county, which then embraced a broad expanse of territory east of the Illinois river and extended northward to Chicago and southward to Jacksonville" (p. 14). William was also a member of the board of county commissioners (p. 15).   He laid out the town of Washington in 1834 (p. 21).

"In 1829 a band of Indians camped one and one-half miles west of Washington. The white women were afraid of them and Mr. Holland asked their chief to have them move farther away. They complied with the request and located near Fort Clark on the Tazewell side of the river. The Indians were harsh at times and would walk into the homes. They one time broke open Mrs. Jane Holland's trunk, but did not take any of the contents. They were after money. Mr. Holland was a quick tempered man and spoke to them about their act. They said they would not do harm to the 'pale face' " (p. 73).

Sadly, William's wife Lovisa died on January 27th, 1833, likely of complications of childbirth, as her last of 14 children, Catherine Jane was born on January 18th.

"During his long and eventful life he [William Holland] was married three times, and was the father of twenty-one children—fourteen by his first wife [Lovisa Bess] and seven by his second wife [Jane Wilson, p. 64]. He had eighty-two grandchildren...and fifty great grandchildren. He died...at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Up to within a few years of his death he was vigorous in body and in full possession of his mental faculties" (p. 12).

In the book there is the account of an interview of William Holland's last remaining child, Mrs. Esther Ann Weeks, who was born in 1842.  Here is her account:

"...Mr. Holland had a gunsmith shop in Peoria and also raised corn on the Illinois river bottom on the Tazewell side of the river. In cultivating his crop he crossed the stream in a birch bark canoe. After Mr. Holland settled in Washington he continued to conduct his shop as gunsmith for the Indians at Fort Clark. In doing so he rode his gray horse, "Turk", to the river bank and let him loose to go home, and he swam the river both going and coming, and ran home to Washington.  Turk was a great horse. The neighborhood children used his back to support their teeter board. Mr. Holland used to put Esther Ann and her little brother on his back and let Turk trot off to the barn. The children fell off, but the horse kept on his way and on reaching the barn looked back to see their predicament, and if a horse could laugh he surely did.

Mr. Holland had three wives and was the father of twenty-one children, fourteen by his first wife, Levycy Bess Holland, and seven by his second wife, Mrs. Jane Wilson Cowen Holland. By this third wife, Mrs. Meadows Holland, there were no children. Mrs. Meadows was a sister of Ezra Miles and Mrs. Borland. Mr. Holland had a family of ten children when he settled in Washington. He soon had a school conducted in his own home. He took a deep interest in helping his children with their studies. One of the family pastimes was to have a "spelling bee" with the father as the pronouncer.

The first religious meeting in Washington was held in Mr. Holland's log cabin....Before his death Mr. Holland had all his children come home and he preached them a sermon he had prepared. This sermon was delivered at his funeral by Rev. Howe of the Christian church. It has been preserved and is in print. It shows that Mr. Holland was a man of learning and was well posted on the Bible. It also proves that he was a firm believer in the Christian faith" (pp. 71-72).

This story not only provides fascinating details about William Holland and his life on the Illinois frontier, but it provides the name of his third wife, who until I added her this evening, did not appear in FamilySearch!  We still need her full name, birth date, etc.

"William Holland gave a 4th of July dinner in the year 1850 in a fine grove where the Henry Denhart home now stands. He erected long tables and bought muslin for table cloths. The citizens did not wish for him to bear all of the expense, and they formed a procession in the square and marched to the grounds. As they passed his shop, which was south of the grove, they passed through a gate. Mr. Holland's little daughter, Esther Ann, about 10 years old, held her little apron to catch the coins of a free will offering from the dinner guests. Mrs. Holland, son William and Hamilton Riddle, a son-in-law, did all of the cooking for the big dinner" (p. 73).

Because William Holland was the first settler of Washington, Illinois, he was celebrated on Oct. 17th, 2015, "William Holland Day," with special events recreating the period when he lived--see this link.  This article shows the location of William's property and recounts his role in founding the town.  A photo of the home of our ancestor Matthew Holland, son of William, appears in this article.  It has been designated as Washington's first historic landmark.

Reuben Bandy (L4WT-5N7), Paschal Bandy's father, came from Kentucky in 1831 and settled in Washington, Illinois. One of the early marriages in Washington was celebrated at his home in October, 1833, between Lawson Holland and Elizabeth Bandy (ibid, p. 4), so now we know how the Holland and the Bandy families met!  In fact, as it turns out three of William Holland's children married three of Reuben Bandy's children:  Lawson and Elizabeth, Lovica and Paschal, and Narcissa and George.

THE WEDDING OF CARRIE MAE SALLEE AND ELZUMER SCOTT, SEPTEMBER 16, 1897

For this post, I have merged two newspaper articles that Mary Whittle Scott hand-copied from a scrapbook kept by Elzumer Scott.  The newspapers [names unknown] report the wedding, on Sept. 16, 1897, of Carrie Mae Sallee and Elzumer Scott, Kenneth's parents.  The account is charming and very descriptive--if only we had photos!

Carrie Mae Sallee and Elzumer Scott

 A Most Pleasant Affair–Unique and Fashionable

The Baptist church was the scene Thursday night of one of the most pleasant and beautiful weddings that has ever been witnessed in Chillicothe (Missouri).  The contracting parties were from among our most highly esteemed citizens, and elaborate preparations were made that the event might be a happy one to the bridal couple as well as to friends and relatives.

The young couple are well known in Chillicothe, the bride being a resident of the city, and a highly accomplished young lady,  Miss Carrie Mae Sallee.  Miss Sallee is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Edward Sallee, and is a lovely young lady. 

Carrie Mae Sallee, 1877-1950

The groom is from Chicago, he being the stenographer of the General Superintendent of the Rock Island railroad, Mr. Elzumer Scott.  He is a graduate of the Chillicothe Normal, and during his three years in school he made scores of friends where delighted to do him honor on his wedding day.

Elzumer Scott, 1874-1961

The church had been decorated for the affair in a decidedly original but appropriate manner.  The rostrum was arranged to represent a rustic scene.  In the background was a cottage, and from the house through the grass ran a path to an old fashioned well–moss covered, and with the regulation old oaken bucket. Surrounding the well and house were arranged large palms and ferns giving the appearance of trees.  Immediately above the altar was a decorated arch hanging out above the couple with a monogram beautifully wrought forming the letter “S”.  Other decorations throughout the church were of evergreens and smilax.

The church was filled with invited guests.  Shortly before 8 o’clock, Mrs. J. M. Dunn sang a beautiful solo in her most happy and entertaining manner, Robyn’s lovely ballad, “You.”  The sentiment of the song accorded well with the occasion, and Mrs. Dunn sang it with surpassing sweetness.  At 8 o’clock, as the tone of the solo died away, the organ began Mendelssohn’s superb wedding march, played by Mrs. Sherman, and the violin by Miss Fannie Tinkham.

The ushers, James England and Wade Wright, led the way up either aisle, followed by the maid of honor, Miss Ethel Sallee, sister of the bride, and the best man Mr. Carl Wolf; the brides maids Miss Effie Hatcher and Miss Louise Pitts, and their attendants, Mr. Arthur Sallee and Mr. Charles Scott, brother of the groom.  Following the bridesmaids came two winsome little flower girls, Rita Dunn and Zelma Davis, like two little fairies in fairy-land, and then came the bride and groom.  At the altar the attendants arranged themselves on either side of the bride and groom and the officiating minister Rev. S. Y. Pitts, while the flower girls stationed themselves by the old well.

As the wedding march was hushed, Rev. Pitts began the ceremony, “You come in the roseate morning of life to where two ways meet, to drink of the empyrean fountain of happiness that has flown in the halcyon days of Eden.”

At this point little Retia Dunn took from the old oaken bucket a glass of water and handed it to the preacher.  He in turn handed it to the bride and groom.  Each drank of the water, and when it was returned to Rev. Pitts, he, holding a glass high above his head, poured part of its contents on the floor, and continued the ceremony with these words:


“For we must needs die and are as water spilt on the ground that cannot be gathered up again; yet doth God devise means that his banished be not expelled from Him.”  This water, emblematic of our dissolution, suggests with the promise, our immortality and God’s supernal blessing.

“Water is a thing of beauty, sustenance and joy, a force in nature most salutatory, an emblem of God’s unfailing grace.  You have seen two crystal drops pending on a vibrating stem, blending into one; the union is dissoluble; so with your radiant, palpitating lives.  This holy union is like that of Christ and His Church, therefore a man shall leave father and mother and cleave to his wife.

And now do each of you promise and vow, before God and these witnesses, that you will live together in the holy bonds of matrimony according to God’s ordinance, clinging to each other in the loving, dutiful, faithful relation of husband and wife, as long as you both shall live?  Then in the name of God and by the authority of the state I pronounce you lawfully married.”

To the lovely strains of the recessional the party marched out of the church, but received many congratulations at the door by friends who could not attend the reception The bridal party left the church, and were driven to the bride’s home on Trenton Street, where a reception was held.

Carrie Mae Sallee. This may have been her wedding picture.

Miss Sallee wore a dress of white organdie over blue silk and carried a bouquet of bride roses.
[Organdie is a stiff transparent fabric of cotton or silk.]
Miss Eythel Sallee wore a white organdie over Nile green silk and carried roses.
Miss Effie Holcher’s gown was white organdie over violet silk, and her bouquet was of carnations.
Miss Pitts wore white organdie over pink silk and her bouquet was of carnations.
The flower girls were daintily gowned in white.  They had been trained by Mrs. Fulton.

The bride and groom left Friday for Princeton, where his parents will give a reception.  Soon they will leave for Chicago, where they will make their future.

Elzumer and Carrie Mae Scott

A SON REMEMBERS ELZUMER AND CARRIE MAE SCOTT

Recollections of Kenneth Leroy Scott:

Father, Elzumer Scott, was born March 30, 1874 on a farm near Blythedale, in the northern front of Harrison County, Missouri, not far from the Iowa line, the eldest son of Graham and Aneliza Bandy Scott.

My mother, Carrie Mae--the third child of Thomas Edward Sallee and Adelia Putnam--was born May 14, 1877 in Mercer County, Missouri, not far from the Iowa line, near Princeton, some twenty miles east of where my father was born.

Carrie Mae Sallee as a child, circa 1880

In those days of horse and buggy travel that was a distance that people generally did not frequently travel. My mother and the other members of her family were in the Baptist Church.

Carrie Mae Sallee Scott, 1877-1950

Elzumer Scott, 1874-1961

My mother and father became acquainted at the First Baptist Church in Chillicothe, Missouri, where my father had gone to attend the Chillicothe Business College.

It was in Chillicothe where mother and father were married on September 16, 1897, in the First Baptist Church.

Carrie Mae Sallee and Elzumer Scott

I have always been grateful for the strict religious home in which I was reared and the religious example my dear parents provided.

From as early as I can remember until the end of their mortality, Father and Mother were very faithful members of the Baptist Church and studied the Bible regularly.  For many years Father was the financial clerk and was in charge of the choir.  Mother sang in the choir.

Kenneth Leroy Scott and his mother, Carrie Mae Sallee Scott

KENNETH SCOTT EARLY YEARS

 

On February 2, 1899, I was born in the home of my parents, Elzumer and Carrie Mae Scott in Chicago, Illinois.  My dear mother was attended in this, her first child bearing, by a very nice Irish neighbor lady, an experienced "midwife," who had been closely watching this lovely young lady, who as a young bride, had moved from the rural area of northwestern Missouri to the big city.  When the attending doctor finally arrived, this kindly but outspoken neighbor said, "Everything has been promptly attended to and you might as well go back to where you came from."  Presently my father arrived in response to the call to his office downtown, and was elated to find that his wife and firstborn son were doing well.

There is little record of my first years in Chicago.  I have a much-treasured, enlarged and framed picture of myself riding on a wheelbarrow of grass clippings, being pushed by my father.  

Does anyone have the original of this photo?

We found part of it! Elzumer

It shows the dress style of that period, with my father wearing a stiff white collar and tie, which must have been the way city surburbanites were supposed to dress when doing their yard work.

Kenneth

I also have a picture of my mother and myself, taken in a local park, showing us dressed in the fashion of that early period. 

Does anyone have the original?

When I was about four years old, my parents decided that the big city was not the place where they wanted to spend more of their life.  Perhaps this was influenced somewhat by their sadness in the death of their second child, Raymond, who died on December 23, 1902, from whopping cough at the age of nine months.  He was buried in Chicago, Illinois.

Raymond E. Scott, age 5 months, March 16, 1902

So Father accepted an offer to become cashier of the First National Bank of Ridgeway, Missouri, and we moved to the town about five miles from his birthplace.  Our home there was a rather small house only a few blocks from the main street of that town of less than 1,000 population.  We had a barn where we kept a driving horse and buggy, a cow, and a nearby chicken house where we kept enough hens to supply us with eggs and an occasional chicken dinner.  Near the house was a cellar where we kept the milk, butter, and the garden vegetables during the winter months.

AARON GRAHAM SCOTT FAMILY REUNION IN 1911

Kenneth's recollection of the first Scott family reunion
Grandfather Scott was very fond of his family. With the help of my father, he arranged the first reunion of his family at the farm about 5 miles north of Ridgeway. Uncle Charlie and his family came from Chicago, Oat and family came in an old Ford from Tourner, Colorado. Aunt Minnie, Ruthy, and family came from western Kansas. Zene and family came from Washington, D.C. and all others from nearby. Tents were provided for sleeping quarters (with the teenage boys including myself sleeping on blankets in the barn with hay as a mattress). There was a regular rifle target shooting gallery, ball games, kite making and flying contests, foot races, and croquet games. A wagon load of ripe watermelons was available to all. One day friends of the family were invited from the countryside. That made a big crowd and several brought their band instruments resulting in a brass band being formed. As the oldest grandson, I ran a race with my great aunt, Rachael Robb, Grandfather Scott's older sister--a great story teller--who could from the first time in our memory, tell stories about Grandfather Scott, to the joy of us children. This was the first of several Scott family reunions.

Aaron Graham Scott Family Reunion, 31 Aug 1911

The Scott Family Reunion, August 31, 1911
We have a delightful account of this reunion, though unfortunately we don't know who wrote it.  We feel confident the photo above is from this reunion, as the account below states "there were sixteen of us"--the same number of children in the photo.  The woman to the left of Aaron Graham Scott (center) is Eva Alice Eyerly, whom he married in 1898 after his first wife, Ann Eliza Bandy, died in 1897. Aaron Graham and Ann Eliza had 13 children (to his left and standing behind him), two of whom died as children.  The children to the right of Eva are the five children that she bore Aaron Graham. Elzumer, Kenneth's father, is standing in back just to the right of the tree.

Here's the account written shortly after the reunion took place:

    On Thursday and Friday of last week there was a reunion of the A. G. Scott family that will be remembered, by Graham and the children at least, for many years to come.  All the children were present, some not having been home for seven years, and it was the first time they were all together since fourteen years ago.  Six states were represented, as it were, by those who came from a distance.  There was Charley from Chicago, Illinois; Ota from Towner, Colorado: Minnie from Chase, Nebraska: Zenith from Washington, D.C.: Edna from Indianapolis, Indiana: and Eva from Topeka, Kansas; the balance of the family living here.  There are sixteen in all and every one is enjoying the best of health.  It was quite a treat to meet on the old farm again.  Other relatives who came from a distance were Mr. Jerome Traupel with his wife and daughter from Van Wert, Iowa, and Mrs. Rachel Robb, whose home is in Hoyt, Kansas.

    Eva was the last of the children to arrive.  She was met by the others on Wednesday, at Blythedale, from which place they all went to the cemetery to place flowers upon the grave of the dear mother who had left them just fourteen years before.

    On the following day they were at the farm home where every preparation had been made for the pleasure and comfort of all.  Tents were stretched upon the shady lawn; a large swing, a shooting gallery and games for both young and old.  Just before noon the children presented Mr. Scott with a large rocking chair with the wish that it might not only be useful to himself but to his wife also who had done so much to make the reunion a happy one.  At dinner time the table was filled with everything good, and for the first time in many years all were once more assembled at their father's table.  In the evening the boys played the fife and drums and marched up and down the road just as they used to do so long ago.  Every one enjoyed it immensely, especially Graham, who seemed to be the youngest of the bunch.  When the music began he stepped upon the porch and did an old time dancing stunt with surprising spryness.

    The next day, Friday, relatives and neighbors from far and near, gathered in, bringing well- filled baskets with them.  About 140 were present.  In the yard a long table heaped with all manner of good things to eat; great platters of fried chicken, meats, salads, pies, cakes, fruit, etc.  As a side issue there was a wagon load of ripe melons furnished by Oliver Scott.  Ample justice having been done to the sumptuous repast, the attention of the crowd was directed to the ball game which took place in the pasture just south of the house.  Players were quickly chosen and the game was on.  Battery for one side: Roy Scott and Hugh Brinigar.  The other: Less Bandy, Ruthy Jacobs and Guy Crosby.  Umpire E. Scott.  Our space will not permit of a detailed description of the marvelous and sensational plays which were made (to say nothing of the rank decisions of the umpire), but Ol Scott, in a heart-rending effort to make a home-rum, went down on all fours between third and home, his wind about gone.  He made a brave effort to reach the goal on his hands and knees but put out ten feet from the plate.  Omer Hutton played all over the field, his main object being to keep out of the way of the ball, and at bat the same motive prevailed.  Bill Loy completed a famous home run by sliding the last fifteen feet on his head.  Score 16 to 5.

    After the game a large crowd gathered in the house to join in the singing, and then came martial music.  In the midst of the fife and drum music, Uncle Bill Graham could remain silent no longer, and told the boys how he had marched into the battle of Gettysburg to the tune of “Smithton” which they had just played, and while he was now growing old, if another call was made for volunteers and he was to hear the strains of that music he would certainly have to “fall in” and shoulder arms in the defense of his country.  There were many other features of entertainment during the day, one of which was an interesting foot-race between Aunt Rachel Robb, age 82, and Kenneth Scott, age 12; Mrs. Robb easily won, and undoubtedly holds the record for one of her age.

    The reunion was an event that will long be remembered, not only by the children, but by all who were present.  A series of splendid pictures were taken during the two days by L. J. Wight and J. R. Day.  In a few days the children will have returned to their respective homes, and will carry with them a memory of that home-coming which years cannot efface.

    Charlie Scott returned to his home in Chicago Saturday after attending the family reunion at the home of his father, A. G. Scott, northeast of town.

A. G. Scott Family Reunion, circa 1917.  Elzumer and Carrie Mae are behind and to the right of Aaron Graham (center).

THE SCOTT FAMILY REUNION TRADITION

Comments by Mary Lee Call, unless otherwise noted:
We are greatly blessed to belong to a family that for generations has loved getting together to laugh, sing, and tell stories.  Elzumer Scott, Kenneth’s father, seems to have had an especially keen interest in organizing and documenting family gatherings.  In notes he kept for the reunion in 1939, he indicates that his old camera was used to take photos at “our first reunion in 1907.”  Elzumer was the oldest child of Aaron Graham Scott, and perhaps that is one reason he felt responsible to promote family unity.

Children and grandchildren of Aaron Graham Scott (seated on porch), 1909.  Kenneth, age 10, is 2nd from left

Aaron Graham Scott and family, circa 1917

From Aug. 6th to Aug. 11th, 1939, many of the descendants of Aaron Graham Scott gathered at Big Springs, Idaho.

Family member examining "Scott Reunion" notice on Big Springs Inn sign

There was a printed program booklet, including blank pages for notes on each day’s events. Elzumer, who organized the reunion, took careful notes of those in attendance, as well as the activities every day. Notice how the women are always wearing dresses and the men are in suits! 

1939 Scott Reunion program booklet.  The photo of Big Springs is very similar to the ones at the web site linked above.

The “Reunion Song,” printed in the inside cover of the reunion booklet, really captures the spirit of the Scott family and some of their favorite past times.. It was written by Carrie Mae’s sister-in-law, Evelyn Sallee, “for the Sake of Old Lang Syne,” or in other words, “for old time’s sake,” and sung to the tune of “Oh, Susanna!”

1939 SCOTT REUNION SONG
We’ve gathered from California, we have come from Buffalo,
From Chicago and from Washington, and Indianapolis too;
From Utah, Colorado, and we’ve come from “Old Mission.”

CHORUS
Happy greetings. Welcome every one.
We sing for “Auld Lang Syne’s sake”
And we’re having lots of fun.

‘Twas back in 1874 that father built a home. [“Father” is Aaron Graham Scott.]
Near the church in Pleasant Valley, and ‘twas there we all were grown;
‘Twas many happy years we spent ere we began to roam.
And even now our memories take us back to that old home.

There was skating in the winter time and there was lots of snow.
In Summer the “Ole Swimmin’ Hole” where we all loved to go.
In daytime there was work to do and we were busy boys,
But evening brought the “Singin’ School” and all the other joys.

We girls were busy every day when we were not in school,
A cookin’ for the harvest hands and minding every rule.
We had to wash, we had to iron, we had to bake and sew,
But with it all we had our fun and lots of parties too.

In these beautiful surroundings: mountains covered o’er with pine,
With their frangrance on the breezes and the lovely columbine.
Who could ask for greater happiness than we’re enjoying here.
Recalling days of long ago, and friends we love so dear.

We know that our reunion here will soon be at an end.
We know not how, or where or when that we shall meet again.
So let’s be merry while we may and laugh and sing and play.
So we’ll recall in coming years our happiness today.

Elzumer had everyone attending the reunion sign their name, including the children who had learned to write. In the next colum, he wrote their birth dates, followed by the city and state where they lived at the time of the reunion. According to this record, there were 42 family members in attendance.  Elzumer himself was the oldest, age 65, and Billie Joe Scott, age 2 1/2, was the youngest.  Many family members lived in Idaho, where Aaron Graham Scott had moved with his family, while others came from Washington, D.C. (Kenneth, Zene and Myrtle, or Mildred, as she was known at the time), Chicago, Towner (Colorado), Indianapolis, Salt Lake City, and Los Angeles.  Only one family member, K. Lewis Weary, still lived in Missouri.

1939 Register of those attending, including signatures, birth dates and current residence.

Scott family members at 1939 reunion.  Elzumer is 2nd from the left and Kenneth is 5th from the right in the back row.

According to Elzumer’s notes, there was a similar pattern for each day of the reunion:  In the mornings, a group of family members would drive over to Yellowstone Park or Jackson Lake, while other family members remained at camp, enjoying each other's company. In the evenings, the family would gather to sing and tell stories. On one evening, the “young folks” were in charge of the program.

Songs suggested for "Group Singing":
Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All here
I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad
Home on the Range
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain
The Old Gray Mare
There’s a Long, Long Trail
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
Now the Day is Over
Blest Be the Tie

Another Sallee relative, Ethyl Sallee–Snow, wrote a song for the reunion.  Following is one of the verses:

THE GATHERIN’ O’ THE CLAN
Tune–“The Wearin’ o’ the Green”
Oh, listen friends and you shall hear
The news that’s going round:
The Scotts’ll be a meetin’
From all the world around.
Oh, the Scotts have lads and lassies,
That are worthy of the name,
and for beauty and for numbers,
They can put Dionne to shame!
There’ll be happiness and merry smiles,
To Joy, there’ll be no ban,
When the Scotts will be a-meetin’
At the Gatherin’ o’ the Clan.

NOTES BY ELZUMER SCOTT:
Aug. 7th: A very fine day...Visiting, reminiscing and taking pictures occupied most of the day. Group meeting at Inn again tonight with logs burning in the huge fireplace. Stories were told of by-gone days & songs were sung.

Elzumer (on the left next to his brother Charles) with his Premo camera, purchased about 1895 in Chicago.

Aug. 8th: ...”A fine day... Had a good group meeting tonight–no set program but several present made interesting talks and we all sang songs.

Elzumer and his younger sister Edna Scott Smith

Aug. 9th: A nice day.  Another party go to Park today with Irvin in his car....Others visited around camp & took pictures.
...Had our big bonfire outside 6:30 to 8 pm. & roasted weiners & marshmallows.
After that was over we went inside Inn for singing and business session.
At this meeting the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
E. Scott, Pres., Edna Smith, V. Pres. and Zene W. Scott, Secy-Treas.
It was suggested our organization be named “Scott Family Association”.
...This meeting was one of the best had.--Great interest was taken by all–with the thought that the Scott family reunions should be continued at intervals of not longer than 5 years.

The Scott sisters:  Minnie (1882-1964), Edna (1889-1971) , Eva (1889-1961) (twins), and Mary (1893-1977).

The Scott brothers:  Ralph 1894-1972), Zene (1887-1969), Nick (1880-1961), Ote (1878-1943), Chas (1876-1951), 'Zumer (1874-1961)

Aug. 11th: A fine day...About 8:30 pm. all that was left at camp got in cars & drove to Pond's Lodge, 10 miles away, to enjoy program put on by the young folks.
...Roland played the piano, several of the young people, in fact all of them, gave numbers...& then all sang songs. Not having time to rehearse & some leaving, young folks did not put on their musical act, but the script was filed with our Sec’y Zene.

Ruth Elizabeth, age 13, and her mother, Mary L. Abbey wait for train to return to Los Angeles.  Elzumer noted that Ruth passed away suddenly less than a month later on Sept. 5, 1939.

This “Benediction” was also included in the printed program:
The Lord bless thee and keep thee;
The Lord make His face shine upon thee.
And be gracious unto thee.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,
And give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

We have a copy of a “Scott Reunion Song,” to be sung to the tune of “Sidewalks of New York,” which was composed, played and sung by Roland and Helen Scott at Signal Moutain Lodge, Jackson Lake, Wyoming, during the family reunion, Aug. 11th to 16th, 1946.

1946 SCOTT REUNION SONG
East coast, West coast, We’re here from all around,
The Scotts are having a rosy time;
There’s not a single frown,–
It’s swell to be together in nature’s wonderland,
And greet the folks from far and near
Among the Tetons Grand.

East coast, West coast–we’ve come by car and train;
And those who had the “bank-roll”--
Came in by a-e-r-o-p-l-a-n-e; There’s Alice, Ruth & Minnie
And Zene and Howard too,--
We’d like to mention the others, but
‘T would take all night if we do.

East coast, West coast, We’re here at Jackson Lake,
Eva Grace had a birthday–And Aunt Edna baked a cake;
The squirrels are taking over; They are smoking pipes
I see,–Uncle Zumer had quite a time
Chasing his pipe up a tree.--

Carrie Mae and Elzumer at camp.  Not sure if photo is candid or staged!

East coast, West coast; So now the time has come
To pack the old jalopy and take it on the run;
And those who missed this meeting, should make a
Solemn vow,–that next time they will be on hand
If they have to sell the cow.

The reunion of Aaron Graham Scott's in 1946 is the last one we have on record. Kenneth and Mary, however, continued the family tradition and held reunions with their sons and families throughout their lives. We will share photos of those reunions in future posts.