Cabell County, West Virginia Biography of Hezekiah SCOTT ************************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor. Submitted by Andre' Jack Shye, , Sep 1999 ************************************************************************** Hezekiah Scott The lineage of the Scott family to the Handlin family was established by the marriage of Hezekiah Scott to Elizabeth Peacock Adamson, and the marriage of their daughter, Anna Belle, to Charles L. Handlin, Sr. Hezekiah was born in 1842 in Kanawha County, near what is today Charleston, West Virginia. Interestingly, Hezekiah is found in the 1850 Census in Kanawha County [Charleston] living in district 29, pg. 107. However, he is neither in the 1860, nor 1870 census for this region. His father, James Scott, Jr. of Kanawha County, in what was then western Virginia, had died at an early age, and his mother, Jane King, married A.S. Drake in 1852. From this marriage, Hezekiah would have three step- brothers and sisters, Sarah, Charles and John Drake. Hezekiah's father James was the son of James Scott and Nancy (?). Before James's death he had four children, who in addition to Hezekiah, were Martha, Isaiah, and Mary. A Sergeant, and later a Second Lieutenant, in Company D, 13th West Virginia Infantry, Hezekiah was seriously wounded in the Civil War in Winchester, Virginia in 1864, and per family legend, left for dead on the battlefield. However, when the burial details arrived, they found him alive and took him to a hospital for recovery. Per the Minutes of the West Virginia ConferenceI, pg. 105, he was the Regimental color Bearere. Based on records obtained from the National Archives, Hezekiah suffered for the rest of his life from his Civil War wounds. Records obtained indicate that before the war Hezekiah was a cooper (barrel maker) and that he entered military service at the age of 20, enlisting in Kanawha County, Virginia [now West Virginia]. At the time of enlistment, he was reported to be of fair complexion, having blue eyes, dark hark, and to be 6 feet 1-1/2 inches tall. During the war, records indicate that he received medical treatment on August 15th, 1863, and again on the 22nd of August, however, no diagnosis is reported in either instance. An attending physician in 1904 recorded in Cabell County, West Virginia that Hezekiah had been wounded on July 24th, 1864 in the Battle of Winchester, Virginia, when a musket ball punctured his skull behind the right ear, cutting away almost two square inches of the skull. The ball continued on into his neck before finally lodging in the right shoulder. Other doctors reported that this injury to the head caused Hezekiah to suffer from acute bouts of diarrhea, which led to piles and severe abdominal distress. They reported that he was unable to do a days work in labor, and that his ministerial duties were also difficult for him to perform. These bouts of illness would last for several weeks at a time when they occurred and were also attested to by a Methodist Minister who had grown up with Hezekiah [Rev. C. R. Graham of Hamlin, Lincoln County, West Virginia.] Based on these filings with the government, these conditions lasted for the remainder of his life. Hezekiah obtained pension for his service, which was discontinued on in 1913 as a result of his death on March 6th, 1913. After the war, Hezekiah reported to the government that he had married Elizabeth Peacock on September 25th, 1867 in Kanawha County. He later became the pastor of the 7th Avenue Methodist Church in Huntington, West Virginia from 1898 to 1902. Of interest is that records of this Church provide that a large number of the Hinerman family attended 7th Avenue Methodist [A.C. Hinerman, Maggie Hinerman, D. O. Hinerman, Walter Hinerman, W. G. Hinerman, and later Charles Hinerman, the husband of Pearl Shy]. Both Pearl Shy and Charles Hinerman taught Bible classes each Sunday at this Church. [Pearl Shy was the daughter of Chalmer Shy and Belle Smith. After Chalmer's death in 1899, Belle married Robert T. Hanlin/Handlin, whose son, Charles Leslie, Sr. married Hezekiah's daughter Anna Belle Scott (b. March 3rd, 1880, d. 1973).] Per Minutes of the West Virginia Conference, pg. 105, in West Virginia Hezekiah was the minister of the Pleasant Retreat for one year, Malden, for 3 years, Hartford City for 2 years, Point Pleasant for 2 years, Spencer for a year, Ravenswood for one year, Seventh Avenue in Huntington for 4 years, Chaplain Street in Wheeling for one year, and for one year in Terra Alta. He was also minister of the church in Oakland, Maryland for 3 years. He early the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Hezekiah and Elizabeth communicated with the Peacock family, in England, and South Africa, maintaining a close tie between the English and American elements of the family. One typical letter from that group is offered as a portion of this history, as it gives insight into the family in England, as well as the events of the times. Jan/10/1905 Market Square Grangetown RSO Yorkshire England Dr Brother & Sister I have just a little time to myself and I thing we ought to make a start this new year to wright more regularly to each other than we ever have done in the past. I am happy to say that we all keep in the best of health for which I that God for and for many other things in this life. I have been very successful in business and now I can take things a little easier as our family are grown up to men and women. Florie is the oldest 21 years, Christopher Charles 20 years, Ada is 18 years are all at home and employed in the buisness as we do pretty good buisness in Tronmongery & House furniturisings and infact what you might call it a General American Store. We are in the same shop that we ware in but we have extended and taken the next shop adjoining this is all our own property. I bought it some 12 years ago for fifteen hundred pounds so you may easily guess that I have had plenty of worry in buisness. I had a letter from our sister Meggie a few days ago, saying that mother is keeping well and sister Jan and husband and family and sister Polly and husband are also enjoying good health and I am also happy to say that all our family are in good health, all we want now is Peace as there has been plenty of wars. I should like to see America and England united together, then I think could hold the rest of World at bay. Trade in this country has never been good since the South African war and now this war with Russia and Japan and a good many people think it won't be long before we might be plunged in war with Germany, but I hope this will not ocore. Give our Love to all your family and to aunt Grahams (?) family and all friends and you must wright and our Scott more regularly with best Love for a happy and prosperus New Year, yours faithfully Bro Matthew Peacock [brother of Elizabeth] Per a letter from his daughter dated January 2nd, 1906, Matthew had died, about one year after he wrote the above letter. Hezekiah and Elizabeth's other children, in addition to James Wm. Adamson (from Elizabeth's first marriage) and Anna Belle, were Mary, who died June 20th, 1880, Ellen A. (b. July 19th, 1868 - d. 1933), Sarah Gertrude "Gertie" (b. June 9th, 1882 - d. 1959), John W. (b. October 31st, 1876 - d. 1936) and James M. (b. November 1st, 1871). They made Huntington, West Virginia home, and it was here that Hezakiah died at the age of 71. With the exception of James M., all of the children are buried in Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington. Hezekiah's death was reported in the Herald-Dispatch in Huntington, West Virginia on the 7th of March 1913 and he was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery. AGED MINISTER DIES SUDDENLY REV. HEZEKIAH SCOTT CROSSES GREAT DIVIDE One of Most Prominent Ministers in West Virginia Died Thursday Morning One of the most beloved ministers in West Virginia is dead. With the passing of the Rev. Hezekiah Scott, at 4:30 o'clock yesterday morning at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. L. Handlin, at 1625 Eight Avenue, there left this world a man who was perhaps as well known and as generally loved as any minister in the state of West Virginia. He had been identified with the M. E. church practically all his active life. The final stroke that marked his passing occurred Tuesday morning. He ate breakfast as usual and was apparently in the best of health and spirits. After eating he went out on the porch, secured the morning paper and sat down in the house to read it. Almost immediately he was observed by his little grand daughter to act in a peculiar manner and she called her mother. By that time the aged minister was unable to speak, paralysis having touched him into unconsciousness. A physician was summoned by nothing could be done and the end came at the hour named, Thursday morning. When a young man, Mr. Scott enlisted in the Thirteenth Virginia Infantry, fighting throughout the Civil War, rising from the ranks to a lieutenancy. He fought with distinction, receiving several ugly wounds that caused him a great deal of suffering to the day of this death. He had been connected with the West Virginia Conference of the M. E. church for many years and because of his wounds received in the war, was frequently unable to attend to his active work. He was made a deacon by the conference in 1876 and an elder in 1879 and since that period had been constantly laboring for his Master until 1906, when he retired from the duties that held him so long. His last charge was at Wheeling. He was the pastor of the Seventh Avenue M. E. church in this city from 1898 until 1902. He had been pastor at Terra Alta and at Oakland, Md. From where he went to his last charge. After finishing his work in Wheeling he came to Huntington where he made his home with his daughter until death claimed him. His wife preceded him to the grave by three years. He is survived by three sons and three daughters, who are Joseph W. Scott of Woods, John W. Scott of Cincinnati, J. M. Scott of Keyser, Mrs. J. F. Burgess of Montgomery, Mrs. C. L. Handlin and Mrs. H. A. Shaub both of this city. The final rites will be performed at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, from the Seventh Avenue M. E. church, the pulpit of which he filled for several years. The Rev. R. G. Backus will officiate. Interment will be made at Spring Hill. The following obituary was taken from the Minutes of the West Virginia Conference, pg. 117 and 118 regarding Hezekiah's wife. Elizabeth Scott was born in Trimdon Grange, England, October 20, 1841 and departed this life May 13, 19110. She was married to Hezekiah Scott, September 25, 1867. Six of their seven children are still living, Joseph W. of Woods, W. VA; Ellen A., wife of J. F. Burgiss, of Montgomery, W. Va.; James M. of Dayton, O.; Annie E., wife of C. L. Handlin, of Huntington, W.Va.; Jno. W., of DuBois, Ida., and Gertrude A., wife of H. A. Shaub of Huntington, who with their father, the mother of Sister Scott, who is in her ninety-second year, and four sisters are left to mourn their loss. Sister Scott was converted in 1866, and at once joined the church of which she remained a faithful member until death came. She was a good mother, a faithful wife, and a colaborer with her husband who has so faithfully and efficiently served his church. She and her husband spent the winter in Florida, and she was seemingly enjoying the best of health, and thought of surprising their children by walking in on them without warning; but when the reached Montgomery, W.Va., the home of their oldest daughter, she was suddenly taken ill, and died in a short time of heart trouble, of which she was afflicted for years. She died without moving, save to smile. She was a good woman and will be missed in her home, in her church and in the community. The funeral services were conducted at Seventy Avenue church, by Revs. F. S. Townsend and W. M. Shultz, after which her body was laid to rest in Spring Hill cemetery.