ELM GROVE
My father, William C. Scott, was twice married, his first wife being Martha
White. His children by this marriage were William Walter, Joseph Gabriel, and
Elizabeth. His second marriage was to Mary Elizabeth Brown. By this wife there
were four children – Sarah Jane Brown (myself) born in October, 1840, James
Elijah, Mary Granbery, and Richard Brownrigg.
My father was a native of Perquimans County, eastern South Carolina, and all
of his children were born at Elm Grove, his home in that county, except my
brother James. Jim first saw the light of day in Hillsboro, Orange County,
North Carolina, where my father took his family in 1841, for the advantage
of good schools for the older children and also for the benefit of a more healthful
climate for his growing family. I was an infant when the move was made, and
we remained in Hillsboro about six years. While we were there, my brother James
was born and was baptized by the Rev. Mr. Curtis, his godfather being Judge
John Lancaster Bailey.
During these years, my father spent most of his time on his plantation in
Perquimans County, where he raised large crops of wheat and corn for the Charleston,
South Carolina, market. All travel in those days through that country was by
private conveyance, and it was nearly a week's journey between the down country
home and Hillsboro. I was six years old when my father decided to take us back
to the old home.
I well remember the great covered wagons containing household effects – the
family traveled in a couple of carriages – and the mid-day halts for dinner
under shady trees. When night approached, some spot near was chosen for camping
ground, and the horses were unhitched and fed. We found accommodations and
a hearty welcome at the nearby home of someone with whom Father had made acquaintance
in his journeying to and fro along this same highway of travel.
By sunrise next morning we were again well on the way, and after a week of
this slow progress we arrived at Elm Grove. Our home was about half way between
Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County and Hertford, the county town of Perquimans
situated on the Perquimans River.
Ours was not a thickly settled neighborhood, the residents of the planters
being in most instances two or three miles apart. Uncle Josiah Granbery's family
lived at Stockton, four miles from us. Then there were several families of
Skinners, the Blounts, Hoskinses, Whidbees, Lees, Sumners, and Newbys within
a radius of ten or twelve miles.
In Hertford lived our relatives the Elliotts and Mrs. Elizabeth Freer, whose
son, George Hert-Freer, married my sister Elizabeth in the late fall of 1852.
The nearest post office was at Woodville, a small village consisting of a few
dwellings, school house, country store – the proprietor being also Post Master,
and the home of always one, often two, physicians.
St. Barnabas Chapel was at least a couple of miles from the village of Woodville,
and Episcopal services were held there twice a month alternately by the Rev.
Edward Foshes, rector of the church in Elizabeth City, and the Rev. Mr. Snowden,
minister in charge of the Hertford church. As in most country parishes, the
visiting minister remained overnight with someone of the congregation. Next
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