Processed by: Archives Staff ; machine-readable finding aid created by:Eric Weig
Charles Scott papers
1777-1828, 1790-1813 (bulk dates)
University of Kentucky Special CollectionsLexington, Kentucky 40506
Arranged numerically by accession number and thereunder chronologically.
Collection is open for research.
[Identification of item], Charles Scott papers, 1777-1828, 1790-1813 (bulk dates), 1B53M118, 1VF55W17, 1B62M143, 1VF61M201, AAN9488LM, Special Collections, University of Kentucky.
109 pieces.
Governor, Soldier. Charles Scott, a Virginia native, served as a non-commissioned officer under George Washington during the French and Indian War, later rising to the rank of brigadier general during the Revolutionary War. He was with the Continental Army at Valley Forge, Trenton, Germantown, Monmouth, and Stony Point. He moved to Kentucky in 1785, after being chosen by the Virginia General Assembly to appoint superintendents and surveyors in the western lands. He served as Woodford County's representative to the Virginia House of Delegates. From 1791 to 1794 Scott took part in general expeditions against the Indians, including those with General Arthur St. Clair (1736-1818) and Anthony Wayne (1745-1796), serving as head of the Kentucky Volunteers. From 1808 to 1812, Scott served as governor of Kentucky.
These papers are correspondence with and documents signed by Charles Scott. Correspondents (for accession 1M54M6) included Thomas Barbee, James Barnett, Arthur Campbell, John Connolly, Christopher Greenup, Henry Lee, Robert Breckinridge McAfee, Isaac Shelby, Anthony Wayne and James Wilkinson. These letters concern Indian fighting (primarily with the Cherokees), military matters, land development, westward expansion, business enterprises and politics. There is a map of the Northwest territory, and muster rolls for John Dyal's company and the Fayette County militia.
Two broadsides are photostatic reproductions of a call to arms in 1808 (1B53M118) and an amendment to a land act in 1811 (1B62M143). One original broadside (1VF61M201) offers a reward for a runaway slave. Also in that accession are letters from Scott's brother concerning the gold rush in California. A document remitting a fine in 1810 is included in another accession (1VF55W13). One accession (1VF5517) contains Scott's appointment as Brigadier General, a land indenture and two letters from John Evans. There is also a photograph of Scott (1PA54M6 removed to photo archives).