Scott, Robert W. (Robert Wilmot), 1808-1884

Robert Wilmot Scott, agriculturist, was born in 1808 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He attended Transylvania University and became a lawyer in Frankfort, Kentucky. In the 1830's, Scott abandoned his law practice to become a farmer in Franklin and Woodford Counties. His farm was known as Locust Hill Plantation and he became one of Kentucky's most progressive farmers and livestock breeders. Scott died in 1884 at the home of his son-in-law, S.I.M. Major, in Frankfort and was buried in the Frankfort Cemetery.

From the description of Robert Scott crops and livestock notebook, ca. 1840-ca. 1884. (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 40106979

Biographical note: Robert Wilmot Scott was the son of Joel Scott and the latter's second wife, Sarah Ridgely Wilmot. Joel Scott was originally a farmer and miller in the Georgetown, Kentucky area until he received the appointment as director of the state penitentiary in Frankfort in 1825 from Governor Joseph Desha. Robert attended Transylvania University at the age of sixteen, during that institution's crisis over the presidency of Horace Holley. Robert became one of Holley's advocates.

After a year's study, Scott returned to Frankfort to read law in the offices of Judge James Haggin and Preston H. Loughborough. In September 1829, Scott left to travel to the East Coast visiting Virginia, Washington, D.C., the mid-Atlantic states, and New England before his return home in February 1830. The following year he married Elizabeth Watts Brown. Their family eventually included nine children.

Scott practiced law in Frankfort from 1830 to 1834. He resigned from his practice due to ill health. In 1834 he purchased the Locust Hill estate in Franklin and Woodford Counties and devoted the rest of his life to agricultural pursuits. The Scotts began construction of a Greek Revival style mansion on the property in 1845. Finished two years later, it is now known as Scotland. Scott's crops included corn, wheat, hemp, oats, and red clover. He became a noted livestock breeder, particularly of cattle, but raised sheep and hogs as well. The estate also featured orchards and vegetable gardens.

Scott was a progressive farmer and had an active scientific curiosity. He was interested in caves, geology, and natural history, among other subjects. Scott was one of the founders of the Kentucky Agricultural Society in 1838 and won election as its first recording secretary. The society was shortlived then but was revived in 1856. Scott served as secretary again from 1856 to 1858.

Scott assisted the establishment of a public school at Jett in Franklin County in 1838, under the new act passed by the General Assembly that year. He ran for election as a delegate to the 1849 constitutional convention, but was defeated.

The Scotts bought land in Florida in 1871 and spent much of their declining years there, due to ill health. Scott died in Frankfort, however, in 1884 at the home of his daughter, Mary Scott Major.

From the description of Papers, 1829-1884. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 191917794

Lawyer, politician, farmer.

Robert Wilmont Scott was a native of Bourbon County, Ky. After attending Transylvania University, Scott studied law in Frankfort and in Mercer County. In 1829 he travelled to the east coast. In 1835 Scott began raising stock in Franklin County. During this time he was instrumental in organizing the Franklin County Agricultural Society. Scott was also involved in area politics.

From the description of Robert W. Scott journals, 1829-1836 1829-1830 (bulk dates). (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 16816133