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Ancestors of Merritt Scott

Generation No. 2


      2. Merritt Scott, born 19 Aug 1823; died Unknown. He was the son of 4. Elias Scott and 5. Sally Nagle. He married 3. Julia Ann Decker Apr 1842.

      3. Julia Ann Decker, born Abt. 1827; died Unknown.
     
Children of Merritt Scott and Julia Decker are:
  i.   Ziba Scott, born 1845; died Unknown; married Elsie L Purdy 03 Jul 1867 in Moscow, Pa; born 1852; died 12 Oct 1912.
  Notes for Ziba Scott:
Source - History of PA Volunteers, 1861-5


"Drinker's Beech" by G. Ellis
MILLER from "The Villager"

ZIBA SCOTT DISAPPEARS

Ziba SCOTT, 60, a resident of Springbrook for 40 years, disappeared in a
bitter cold, blinding snowstormon the evening of April 5, 1905, and
although the entire male population of the area, about 50 men, combed
the countryside for several days, he was not found.

The disappearance was strange, for Ziba SCOTT knew every nook and cranny
of the Poconos from Thornhurst to Nay Aug--from the Moosic Mountain to
Sterling! He was a woodsman, hunter and trapper, walked faster than
anyone else, and was an expert gunman. In fact, he was called
Springbrook's last pioneer. To just disappear was a decided mystery!

According to Wayne O. TURNER, a Springbrook neighbor who recently died
in Florida, Ziba Scott lived off the land for he could earn more than
the prevailing wage of one-dollar-a-day and his noon meal by hunting,
trapping, fishing and digging ginseng roots which was used for medicinal
purposes and sold for as much as fifteen dollars a pound when dried. He
also supplied several restaurants and hotels in Scranton with trout,
bear and venison.

It was on the return trip from one of these trips to Scranton that he
was last seen alive. He had walked from the railroad station at Moscow
and was last seen at 5 p.m. by George P. ROLLISON at Maple Lake as he
passed there. It wasn't until October 16 of the same year that Ziba's
remains were found in the woods not far from his home by Humphrey
WILLIAMS as he was hunting for game. He was buried in the Springbrook
Cemetery on October 17.

On July 3, 1867 Ziba SCOTT had married 15-year-old Elsie Louisa PURDY
and they set up housekeeping in a little house which he had built on the
road which leads to Maple Lake from near Springbrook Corners. They
named their first two children Zibz and Elsie, but Ziba Jr. died when he
was quite young. They had seven other children: Edward, Everett,
Gertrude, David, Winfield, Peter and Floyd.

Mother Elsie, a strong robust woman, ruled the roost. At least, her
children were obedient. She had a way of keeping everyone busy. Maybe
that was her secret. However, they were mischevious. One of the boys
tried to be excused from school one day in the springtime by eating
leeks, a wild herb that smells like garlic. Instead, his teacher raised
the windows!

During the winter season, Ziba ran trap lines throughout the area, so
many that he had a route for each day of the week. He trapped fox,
skunk, weasels, bears, wild cats, raccoon, mink, otter, muskrats--the
hides of which he sold in Scranton to fur dealers. When his gun could
be heard near home, Elsie would remark, "Let's put the kettle on. We'll
have meat for dinner." They ate rabbits, woodchuck, grouse, squirrels,
deer, bear--anything edible that the woods provided. Their vegetables
came from the luxurient garden beside their home which Elsie tended with
the help of her brood. These were supplemented with wld strawberries,
raspberries, blackberries, and huckleberries--and in the springtime,
dandelions, milkweeds, cowslips,lamb's quarter and other "greens" were
added to their diet.

The members of the family would often find a bee tree which they would
mark by carving their initials on it--the custom in those days of
"finder's keepers." Again this brought a profit by selling the honey,
for a bee tree would often yield several gallons.

Ziba's family was musical, too, and often played at country dances,
although they all "played by ear." Grandfather Merritt SCOTT played the
flute, and Elsie's fingers flew across the piano keys, while the rest of
the family manipulated the fiddle, the mandolin, the jews harp, the
harmonica, or any other instrument they could get their hands on.

Several other SCOTT families also lived in Springbrook, all relatives,
and they were a sober, industrious, congenial family, always dear to the
hearts of those who were fortunate enough to be their neighbors.


"Drinker Beach" column in "Villager"

Ziba Scott disappeared in a blinding snowstorm on the evening of April 5, 1905, as he walked to his home from Moscow. His remains were found by Humphrey Williams of Springbrook, near Scott's home on Oct 16, 1905. They were interred in the Springbrook Cemetary on Oct 17. his wife died Oct 12, 1912


Moscow and the Civil War by G. Ellis Miller

Scott, Ziba (unassigned) was discharged May 23, 1865. He was born 1845, a son of Merritt and Julia A Decker Scott of Springbrook. He married at Moscow on July 3, 1867 to Elsie Louise Purdy (1852-1912), and lived at Springbrook. He was known as a great hunter. Children: Ziba; Elsie L; Edwin L; William E; Mary; David L; James W; Peter O; and Floyd H. Unit was - 163 RD Penna Infantry

  More About Ziba Scott:
Burial: 17 Oct 1905, Springbrook Cemetary, Springbrook, PA
Military service: 18th Pa Cavalry

  ii.   Clara Scott, born Abt. 1847; died Unknown; married T.W. Stetler; died Unknown.
  iii.   Julia A Scott, born Abt. 1849; died Unknown.
  1 iv.   Merritt Scott, born 11 Oct 1853; died 08 Sep 1923; married (1) Mary Ann Haines; married (2) Alice Brady 14 Apr 1908 in Scranton, Pa.
  v.   Olive Scott, born Abt. 1854; died Unknown; married Charles E Masters; died Unknown.
  vi.   Priscilla Scott, born Abt. 1856; died Unknown; married David L Horne; died Unknown.
  vii.   Sarah Scott, born Abt. 1859; died Unknown; married ? Olmstead; died Unknown.
  viii.   David Scott, born Abt. 1861; died 16 Jan 1905; married Alice Brady; born Abt. 1864; died Unknown.
  ix.   Jeanette Scott, born 1864; died Unknown.
  x.   Andrew Scott, born Abt. 1869; died Unknown.


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