Scott Reunion Book DRAFT by Tamir Mickens

AUGUST 2- 4, 2024

WE ARE FAMILY

Written by Deirdre Jackson Granddaughter of Mary Jane Scott

We come from many families, but together we are one. What a joyful time we’ll share while thanking God for all He’s done.

Time keeps moving forward, while the past we won’t forget. As we celebrate the legacy of those we’ve never met.

Good times, good food and memories is what you can expect. Throughout this week’s reunion as we take time to reflect.

Unique gifts and special talents are in our DNA. Make time for one another and relax during your stay.

Let’s not take this time for granted. Every day is God’s gift to us. Spending the weekend with our family as we grow in love and trust.

With this year’s Scott reunion we have only just begun. To recognize and to remember that together WE ARE ONE

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

AUGUST 2 - 4, 2024

FRIDAY AUGUST 2, 2024

3pm-5pm Arrival & Check in

Greetings Family,

Welcome to Atlanta! Check in to the hotel and receive your nametag, shirt, itinerary, and other materials! Hang out, meet others, relax, explore the city.

5pm-8:30pm Meet & Greet Reception

The Reunion will kick off with a meet and greet. We will make introductions, play games, share stories, talents, and more. Refreshments will be served.

Where? Embassy Suites Hotel Mtg Room

Attire: Casual

SATURDAY AUGUST 3, 2024

10am-2pm Cookout

Time to gather, grill, play, eat, drink and enjoy the outdoors.

Where? Hammond Park

705 Hammond Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30328

Attire: Reunion Shirt

2pm-6pm *Explore ATL on your own

6:30pm-10pm Banquet

Let’s reminisce, commune, honor the past, celebrate the present, and build for the future at a culminating banquet. A sit down dinner, with entertainment at the end. Where: Ballroom at Embassy Suites

Attire: Roaring 20s “Harlem Nights”

SUNDAY AUGUST 4, 2024

10am Worship Service

Rev. Virgil Scott, Pastor

Where? Embassy Suites Mtg. Room

It is an absolute pleasure to serve as the 2024 Scott Family Reunion Coordinator. We have been working hard to ensure that each of you have an awesome time while here in the ATL. Our ancestors persevered and paved the way for each of us to thrive in our own unique ways. Yet, “We are One”. Hence, our 2024 Reunion Theme. “We are One” embodies the fact that we are all descendants or relatives of Elbert Scott and Rosa Sheppard. We come from hardworking, God - fearing stock. Their faith and fortitude formed the foundation on which we stand, and we are forever grateful. So, we honor them! The colonizers never imagined that science would one day reunite what they tried to destroy. DNA has facilitated some of our connections with family that could have remained lost forever. What the colonizers tried to do has failed! Look at God! I am confident our ancestors are rejoicing that we will be together again. Now, we have a charge to keep. We owe it to our Forefathers and Queen Mothers to educate the generations to come. It starts with us! I’m praying that the “Atlanta Experience” will be educational, entertaining, and full of the sweet, sweet spirit the Scott Family is known for. See Ya’ll in the ATL!

Tina Scott - Morgan

Mellie Scott Hollis Griffin’s descendant (Elbert’s sister)

Friday August 2nd , 2024

5:00pm - 8:30pm

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Veranda Ballroom

-Welcome

-Prayer

-Introductions

-Family History Kahoot

Superlatives

Saturday August 3 , 2024 6:30pm – 10:30pm

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Veranda Room

PRELUDE

WELCOME

BLESSING OF THE FOOD

REFLECTIONS

William Scott.........................................Doris Harden, Granddaughter of William Scott

Will Hollis……………………….……..Russell Scott Sr., Grandson of Will Hollis

Alston James Scott………......................................Winston Scott, Son of A.J. Scott

James Scott Descendants of James Scott

Lawyer Scott…………………………..Virgil Scott Jr., Grandson of Lawyer Scott

CLOSING REMARKS

Tamir Mickens

of Mellie Scott-Hollis-Griffin

of Mary Jane Scott Spencer

Rev. Dr. Virgil Scott Sr, Pastor

Sunday August 4 , 2024

10:00am

Embassy Suites by Hilton, Veranda Room

CALL

DEVOTION PRAYER

LITURGICAL DANCE

Lailah Wright

Ivey Scott

Imina Scott

Kam'Ryn,Jordan

Kamora Jordan

Ka"Adyn Jordan

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER

MUSICAL SELECTION

SERMON

ANNOUNCEMENTS

BENEDICTION

THE HISTORY OF REV. E.L. SCOTT and ROSA SHEPPARD

Written and Compiled by Tamir Mickens, 2024 Update

*All women are referred to by their maiden names

Elbert Scott was born in October of 1844 in Lowndes County Georgia. He is believed to be the fifth child born to Isam/Isham Scott Sr. and Mary/Millie Jones. His father, Isam, was born in Screven County Georgia around 1810 to Bob and Chaney Scott, their origins are currently unknown. His mother, Mary Jones was born around 1813 to Moses and Hagar/Eve Jones in Richmond County Georgia. The official route that brought Mary to Screven County Georgia is still unclear. However, Isam met Mary and through this union they had fifteen children: Moses, Robert, Caroline, Isam Jr , Elbert, Mary, Lucy, Millie, Thomas, Chaney, Sallie, Laura, July, Ellen, and Dennis.

Elbert was born enslaved to Hardy Hunter of Lowndes County. Hardy Hunter and his family owned many enslaved families that would take up the surnames: Hollis, Frazier, Sheppard post-emancipation. Elbert’s sister, Millie Scott would marry Silas Hollis and have nine children, then two children with Ed Griffin after the death of Silas Sr. In 1855, Hardy Hunter died and his wife, Martha, marries William Jones. The enslaved Scott family was bequeathed to Martha and her new husband and they can be found in their estate inventory along with the Sheppard family that would become their lifelong neighbors past emancipation.

Rosa Sheppard was born to London Sheppard and Jane Wade in Screven County Georgia around 1846. Her father London Sheppard was possibly born to a man named Prince or Richard Sheppard. The origins of Jane Wade have many pieces that have yet to be uncovered by research. Nevertheless, London and Jane have their first child Eveline Sheppard around 1835. Together they would have eleven more children together: Richard, Nellie, Rosa, Mary, Jane, Prince, Matilda, Carinda, March, Lizzie, Rilla, and Alex Sheppard. Hardy Hunter, the same owner who owned the Scott family died in 1856. In it, he lists twenty six slaves and the Sheppard family has been identified within the ranks.. London, Jane, and all of the Sheppard children would live and thrive here in Brooks County for the next eighty years. Jane Sheppard, Rosa’s mother, would become the first African American woman to own land in Brooks County in 1889.

Rosa Sheppard, circa 1908

It is unclear when Rosa Sheppard officially met Elbert Scott nor has a marriage record for the two ever been located. This is most likely because the couple met and were married while still enslaved and slave marriages were illegal. However, it occurred in or around 1865 as they would have their first child: Mitchell Scott. Most of Elbert’s family resided in Lowndes County after emancipation, whereas Rosa’s family seemed to be settled in nearby Brooks County.

Deed from Hardy Hunter’s Estate to William and Martha Jones, 1855 TRANSCRIPTION:

And the following negroes, to wit, Mary and her children Ann, Damon, Simon, Lavina, Tom, Caroline, Elbert, Isam, Mary, Lucy, Millie, Ed, Daniel, Eliza, the children of Ann, Margaret, Lavinia, Dolly, York, Sarah, and Ellen. Winser, Rachel, Jane, Rose, Emilene, Jane, Mary, Prince, Tilda

1870 U.S. Federal Census record showing Isam Scott Sr. living in Brooks County Georgia with his wife, Milly, and children: Thomas, Mary, Peggy, Chaney, Sarah(Sallie), Ellen, and Laura. Prince and Druscilla are most likely stepchildren from Milly.

The only record of Elbert Scott found between 1865 and 1870 is his voter registration certificate for the 1867 Georgia Elections. He registered in Brooks County, yet, in 1870 he and his family were residing in Lowndes County. By this census, Elbert and Rosa only have three children in the household: Two sons, Mitchell and Charley Scott and a daughter, Willie Lee. It is uncertain if Charley is their son as he never appears in later records. On future census records that ask about the number of children Rosa Sheppard had, she always answers “11.” This number accounts for all children except Charley. It is still possible that he could be their child, but died young or the child of Dinah Wade, Elbert’s first wife.

For all of the 1870s without any shift, Elbert Scott works for William Jones of Brooks County along with several of his brothers and brothers in law. His aggregate property value in 1871 was just $7. As the decade moves forward by 1879 his aggregate was $900. It is not known when he and Rosa officially made the move, but by 1880 they are now living in Brooks County Georgia. They are surrounded by the relatives and neighbors they would have for the rest of their lives in the Simmon Hill community. By 1880 they would also have four more children, Carrie, James, William, and Lizzie.

The 1880s brought significant progress to many African Americans living in the Simmon Hill community, including Elbert and Rosa. It is also assumed that Elbert became an ordained minister during this decade. While this could have occurred well before 1880, it is the first decade where he is recorded in documents as being a minister. During this decade he performs several marriages for neighbors and even two of his siblings Sallie and Laura Scott. It is unknown when Elbert and Rosa become members of Simmon Hill Missionary Baptist Church, but this is where he would serve as an associate pastor for the remainder of his life.

Along with serving the community in a spiritual capacity, he also was a major part of the boom in agriculture in the Simmon Hill community. Elbert Scott, his Sheppard in-laws, the Wootens, Sirmans, Spencers, Gosiers, Fraziers, and too many others to name would become prosperous farmers in the area. By 1891, Elbert Scott would have an aggregate property value of $800. By this same year, he and Rosa would have their last four children: Robert, Doctor, Ada, Lawyer, and Mary Jane. They would also have their first grandchild: Rosa Allen, from their daughter Willie Lee Scott. In 1893 he would purchase his first plot of land in the 13th district in lot 523. With $400 Elbert Scott purchased 52.5 acres of land that would remain in his family until present day.

Deed from W.M Lewis to Elbert Scott October 16, 1893

Transcription (First Highlighted Area): This indenture made the sixteenth day of October in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety three between W.M. Lewis, Mary Hewell, Sarah Bozeman, Esther Jane Lewis, Martha Lewis, G. Reibert, and Susan Lewis, heirs of law of J.J Lewis of the county of Brooks of the other part witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for in consideration of the sum of two hundred and twenty dollars to them in handpaid at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has granted bargained, sold, aliened, conveyed, and confirmed, and by these presents does grant, bargain, sell, alien, convey, and confirm unto the said Elbert Scott his heirs and assigns all of the Northeast corner of Lot of land number 523 in the 12th land district of said county containing 52 ½ acres more or less, bounded as follows. On the north by original land line on the east by original land line on the south by land of the same lot sold to James Hollis on the west by land on the same lot sold to Jerry Reynolds.

distance behind where they lived. In 1902, Elbert would build a sturdy white frame house that their descendants would live in for the next eighty years (see Figure x). By 1912, all of their children would be married and several would begin to move away.

By 1912, all of their children would be married and several would begin to move away. Their daughter Carrie Scott would marry E. W. Williams in 1908 and move to Jacksonville Florida. Her younger brother James Scott would also move to Jacksonville Florida after marrying a neighbor, Mattie Spencer. James Scott would be the first of their children to

The remaining children of Elbert and Rosa would stay in Brooks County for the rest of their lives, all living in in lot 523 of the 13th district. They would farm and assist their parents with their farm, up until the death of Rev. Elbert Scott on October 3, 1924 at about eighty years old.

Rosa was well into her nineties as 1940 approached. Her grandchildren remember her being a petite, dark skinned woman, that was affectionately called “Muh.”