Mini Bios of People of Scots Descent
Joseph T Scott

Several members of the Scott family served in the Revolutionary army, the most prominent among these being Gen. Matthew Thompson Scott, a grandson of Gen. William Thompson, also a Revolutionary soldier. Gen. M. T. Scott was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Lucy C. Webb was a daughter of Capt. Isaac Webb of the 4th Va. regiment. The families of Webb, Ware, Thompson, Humphry, Fullerton, Taylor, Taylor, Tyler, Page, Talliaferro, Adams, Dean, Hyde, Savage, and Scott, are all related to Joseph Thompson Scott and wife, and many members of these families served in the Revolutionary army, the War of 1812, and in the various Indian wars of that period and later.

Joseph T. Scott enlisted as a surgeon in the 1st Mo. infantry, C. S. A. He was taken prisoner at Camp Jackson, but was shortly afterward exchanged and became a surgeon on the staff of Gen. Frost. During the course of his service in the Confederate army he participated in the memorable engagements of Carthage, Elkhorn Tavern, Iuka, Corinth, and Shiloh. Politically he was allied with the whigs prior to the Civil war, and afterward with the democratic party. Dr. Scott served as a member of the Charity hospital board of administrators during the administration of Gov. Wiltz. In church affiliation he was a Catholic. Dr. Scott was married to Miss Isidora Churchill Dean, daughter of Capt. James Savage Dean, of the U. S. army, and Harriette M. (Christy) Dean, of St. Louis, Mo., where the wedding took place. This union was blessed with the following children, in the order named: Howard, a civil engineer, who married Miss Roma de Rudio and is at this time located in British Columbia; Dora, wife of Brig.-Gen. C. A. Devol, of the quartermaster's corps, U. S. A.; Joseph Tilford, graduate of the medical department of Tulane university, class of 1894, and a practicing physician in the city of New Orleans since that date. The last named is also acting assistant surgeon, U. S. Public Health Service; president of the Board of Pension Examiners; medical examiner for the U. S. Civil Service Commission, 10th La. district; member Orleans Parish Medical association, Louisiana State Medical association, American Medical association, Southern Medical association, St. Luke's Guild; National Geographical society, and Kappa Alpha fraternity (Southern).

Dr. Joseph Tilford Scott was a member of Washington artillery for 18 years, and was serving as surgeon at the time of his resignation. He married Miss Florestine Forno, of New Orleans, daughter of Capt. Lawrence Forno, a member of Barlow's battery, 1st La. cavalry, Forrest's command, and who served also as a captain in the ''White League.'' Two children have been born to Dr. Joseph Tilford Scott and wife, namely, Joseph T. and Lucille. The other children of Dr. Joseph Thompson Scott and wife were Harriet M., Lucille M. (deceased, 1914), Arthur B., of Mississippi, who married Miss Corrine de B. Roman; Aline A., and Joseph N., the two last-named dying in infancy. Capt. John Scott, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, served as aide on Gen. George Washington's staff, and died from wounds received in the French and Indian wars. He fought with Wolf at Quebec. Capt. James Savage Dean, father of the wife of Joseph Thompson Scott, was born in the state of New York. He served in the War of 1812 and died in service at about the time of the outbreak of the Mexican war, having served also in several of the various Indian campaigns of the time. Capt. Dean was a nephew of Silas Dean, who served as minister plenipotentiary and ambassador extraordinary to France, and was a cotemporary of Benjamin Franklin. Dr. Joseph Thompson Scott was a descendant of Robert Scott, an old covenanter hero, and member of the Scottish parliament, who fought at the battle of Bothwell bridge. John, the eldest son of Robert, came to America in 1725, and his son, Matthew, married Miss Betsy Thompson, daughter of Brig.-Gen. William Thompson of the Revolutionary army.

Joseph Thompson Scott began his professional education at Transylvania university, Lexington, Ky., and afterward studied at Paris, France, where he remained 5 years, following which he returned to the United States and graduated from McDowell Medical college, St. Louis, Mo., in 1860. Following his graduation he was commissioned as a surgeon in the 1st regiment, Mo. militia, but soon resigned to return to Paris on the suggestion of Prof. Louis, who invited him to become his chief of clinic. At the beginning of the Civil war, 8 months later, he hastened home and cast his lot with the citizen soldiery of Missouri, under Gov. Jackson, though urged by minister Falkner, an intimate friend, to enter the Union army. While serving as surgeon of his regiment he was captured, and was paroled at Camp Jackson, near St. Louis, May 10, 1861. As soon as exchanged he rejoined the Missouri troops under Gen. Sterling Price, and as surgeon of Guibor's battery, 1st Mo. infantry, and as a member of the staff of Gen. D. M. Frost, took part in the campaigns west of the Mississippi river, including the battle of Elkhorn Tavern. Later he was on duty with the troops under Gen. Price at Corinth and Iuka, and was promoted to the rank of chief medical director of Gen. Van Dorn's division. Oct. 16, 1862, he was ordered to report to Lieut.-Gen. T. H. Holmes for duty with Brig.-Gen. D. M. Frost, and continued on duty with that command until near the close of hostilities. In Feb., 1863, he was detailed by the war department as a member and recorder of the medical board for the examination of officers in the trans-Mississippi department and applicants for appointment in the medical department of the army. At the time of the surrender he was stationed at Washington, Ark., and was included in the surrender of Gen. Richard Taylor's command. At that time he was serving as medical inspector, army of the west.

At the close of the war Dr. Scott located at New Orleans and soon built up a large practice, enjoying popularity with all classes of people, but more particularly among his ex-Confederate comrades. It is said of him that he was always ready and willing to assist those in need, with professional services or otherwise. The doctor was a member of the commission of experts of the national board of health who worked with the Howard association during periods of great danger at New Orleans, and in the course of his professional experience also served as a member of the board of administrators of the New Orleans Charity hospital. He was a member of Camp No. 9, United Confederate Veterans, and also a member of the American Legion of Honor. He died June 25, 1896.

Maj. William D. Christy, maternal grandfather of the wife of Joseph Thompson Scott, was born Jan. 10, 1764, in Carlisle, Penn., his parents having come from Dundee, Scotland. His father, Thomas Christy, was a captain in the British army, and came to America before the struggle for independence began. He participated in the battle of Monongahela, and was severely wounded during that engagement. It should also be stated here that Capt. James Savage Dean, father of Mrs. Joseph Thompson Scott, was with Perry at the battle of Lake Erie, when only a boy. Later he became captain of the Second dragoons. In 1788 Gov. Randolph of Virginia appointed Maj. William Christy, just mentioned above, as lieutenant of a troop of cavalry in Jefferson county. He was a surveyor and had been occupied with that work in Kentucky and Indiana several years prior to receiving this commission. In the campaign of 1791 against the Indians of the northwest, Maj. Christy served as adjutant of Gen. St Clair's army, and it is related that he was one of the last 3 officers to leave the field. On this occasion he saw Col. Oldham dying and went to his assistance, receiving Col. Oldham's last message to his wife. Afterward, remembering his pledge to the mother of Lieut. Edward Taylor, whose sister he afterward married, he galloped on and found that youth by his gun, wounded and covered with blood. In a hand-to-hand struggle with an Indian, Christy cut down the savage and assisted Taylor from the field. In 1792 Christy was appointed adjutant of the 1st regiment, Ky. militia. In 1794 he joined Gen. Wayne and served in his campaign until the Indians had been punished and sued for peace. In 1799 he was appointed to the 33rd regiment, Ky. militia.

In 1804 Maj. Christy sold his land in Kentucky and moved to St. Louis, Mo., and in 1806 he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas and justice of the general quarter sessions of the peace in and for the district of St. Louis; in 1809, trustee for the town and precincts of St. Louis; in 1809 also aide-de-camp to the governor and commander-in-chief of the territory of Louisiana; in 1809 again, major-commander of the Louisiana rangers, on which occasion Gov. Lewis is said to have remarked: "I know Maj. Christy to be wise in council and swift in action." In 1812 Maj. Christy was appointed judge of the court of common pleas and courts of quarter-sessions for the district of St. Louis; in 1814, auditor of public accounts for the state of Missouri. Under presidents Monroe and Jackson, for 13 years Maj. Christy was registrar of the public land office for the district of St. Louis, and resigned in 1833 when age and bad health had rendered him too infirm for public office. Maj. Christy died in 1837. His wife, Miss Martha Thompson Taylor, was a first cousin to Pres. Zachary Taylor. She survived her husband until April, 1849. Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 790-793. Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit.D. Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.