Jonathan was the son of Aaron and Elizabeth Corse Scott of Deerfield, Massachusetts. Aaron was most likely African American and Elizabeth was White. Jonathan was born circa 1758-1761, and baptized on Sept. 26, 1762. According to Massachusetts Soldiers and Sailors of the Revolutionary War (Vol. 13, pg. 923) Jonathan was 19 years old when he enlisted in 1778. He stood 5 feet, 6 inches tall and had a dark complexion and dark hair. He gave his occupation as farmer.
Jonathan first enlisted in 1778, and served for three years. A transcription for his enlistment receipt is below.
South Hadley March 25 1778
This May Certify that Jonathan Scott has been Mustered in the Continental Army in Col Jacksons Battalion in Capt Keiths Compy [Company] for three years Service & has Receiv d the State Bounty only being fifteen Pounds & Ten Shillings pr [per] R Woodbridge Muster Mr. [Master]
After serving in the war, Jonathan wed Abigail Wright in Deerfield in June of 1784. They were married by a justice of the peace because Deerfield’s only minister at the time was a “violent tory” [against breaking away from England] and Jonathan refused to be married by him. The excerpt below is from Abigail’s declaration made to the Court of Common Pleas in Oswego County, New York on September 19, 1838:
And the said Abigail further deposeth and saith that she was married as above stated by Esq. M. r Niel in the town of Deerfield in the state of Massachusetts, there being at the time but one Clergyman in the town and as he had been a violent tory her said husband refused to be married by him, and further that she knows of no record of any kind of her said marriage, and never knew
The Scott’s son Eleazer was born in 1788 and they might have had a daughter. In 1820, the family was living in New Haven, New York, and the census report for that year lists Jonathan (one male 45+ years of age), Abigail (one female 45+ years of age), and a female between the ages of 16-26. This might be the daughter. Before moving to New Haven, the couple lived in Paris, New York.
In 1820 Jonathan applied for a pension for his service as a soldier. He declared that he was:
by occupation a farmer but in consequence of a rupture in the Lower part of the body and the rheumatism and other bodily infirmities he is unable to do much Labor and that he has no family living with him except his wife named abagail aged as this deponent believes 54 years very infirm and out of health
As part of the application Jonathan had to take an inventory (also known as a “schedule”) of his personal property and real estate. A transcription of it is below. Values are given in dollars and cents.
Schedule
Real estate I have none --------
Personal Property as follows ----
1 Chair Table --------------------1 00
2 pine chests -------------------- 3 00
4 common chairs ----------------2 00
1 Cup board ---------------------1 50
1 Candle stand---------------------75
1 Large Wheel -------------------2 00
1 small Wheel -------------------2 50
4 tin Milk pans ------------------1 00
6 Cups & C. Saucers --------------25
1 Tea pot -------------------------50
1 Common Qt. Pitcher -----------37
7 earthen Plates -----------------50
4 Qt. Bowls ----------------------20
1 pt. Bowl -------------------------9
1 Brown earthen Platter --------12 ½
1 pt. Tumbler --------------------12 ½
1 Wine Glass ---------------------5
1 pr small steelyards ---------1 50
5 Knives & forks ----------------50
1 Butcher knife -----------------25
1 3 pail Kittle -----------------2 50
1 Iron pott --------------------1 25
1 Tea Kittle -------------------1 00
1 small spider ------------------75
1 Bake Kittle without Lid -------75
1 pr fire tons & Rake -----------75
1 pr Tongs ----------------------75
1 Smoothing Iron ---------------25
1 Old Meat Barrell --------------50
1 Axe -------------------------- 2 00
1 old Axe -----------------------1 00
1 scythe & Tackle --------------2 00
1 small pitchfork ---------------1 00
1 Rake ----------------------------18
1 pr. Sheep Shears ----------------27
1 small Looking Glass ----------1 00
1 Sickle ---------------------------37
1 Water pail ----------------------25
1 Milk pail ------------------------25
1 Swill pail ------------------------15
1 Small Auger ---------------------75
1 Do Auger-------------------------75
2 Chisils --------------------------1 00
2 Hogs ----------------------------6 00
2 spotted pigs ---------------------2 00
7 sheep ---------------------------10 50
6 Dung hill fowls --------------------75
1 Hen sitting on 9 Eggs -------------12 ½
1 piece of Chain 4 feet Long --------75
1 cow but has strayed away 10 00
and I expect never to find
About one acre of corn on 5 00
the Ground
$73 20 ½
Jonathan Scott died in New Haven, New York on January 27, 1834.
Military Service