LEE SCALF
 Son of 
John Scalf Sr. and Edeah Carlisle
Lee<John Sr.<Lewis Scalf

MAJOR NEW ADDITIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED

NOTE: Following the previous posting of this chapter new information was received concerning the family of William Turner Scaff and William Littleton Scaff. William Turner Scaff was originally thought to have been a son of William Littleton Scaff of Greenup County, Kentucky. We have since learned that William Turner Scaff was the grandson of William Littleton Scaff and Nancy Jane Antis Scaff.

We have also received the pension file of Melsena Jefferson Scaff whose relationship to the family could not be determined previously. The pension file reveals that Melsena Scaff was the second wife of William Littleton Scaff and therefore, this chapter has been updated with this new information.

In an attempt to research and compile the family of Lee Scalf, son of John Scalf, Sr. and Edeah Carlisle Scalf, the following information was obtained from various records and descendents of the SCAFF, SCALF and SEXTON families.

It should be noted that we are unable to confirm the family of Lee Scalf other than one son. The available records and supporting evidence suggest very strongly that William Littleton Scaff of Greenup County, Kentucky was the son of Lee Scalf. After many years of research by various researchers, records (if any exist) concerning Lee Scalf still elude us.

The fact that Lee Scalf was living in Russell County, Virginia in 1840 and missing afterwards on census records suggest to the author that Lee Scalf died before the enumeration of the 1850 census. This makes it very difficult to research the family of Lee because we have no names from census records, nor do we have a marriage record for Lee Scalf.

Further complicating the research it was believed by some researchers that two men by the name of William Scaff were living in Greenup County, Kentucky. One was stated as William Scaff and the other William T. Scaff. Since the original writing of this chapter, we have found evidence to confirm that only one William Scaff was living in Greenup County, Kentucky during 1850 – 1900. This was William Littleton Scaff, son of Lee Scalf.

Legend states that William T. Scaff was born 1850 and died 1918 and is buried at the Holley Cemetery in Greenup County, Kentucky. He was believed previously by descendents to have been the husband of Melsena/Melsina Jefferson Scaff.

Legend further states that William T. Scaff was Sergeant William T. Scaff killed in Germany in WWI; however, it has been confirmed by the widow’s pension application of Melsena (Melsena) Jefferson Scaff that she was in fact married to William Littleton Scaff and not William T. Scaff as originally thought. Although William T. Scaff did exist, he was not born until 1886 and was a Sergeant in WWI. William T. Scaff was the grandson of William Littleton Scaff and his first wife Nancy Jane Antis. This William T. Scaff was not buried at the Holley Cemetery, however.

William Littleton Scaff, the subject of our focus, was born 1830-1840. There is a difference in age of nearly twenty years between these two men. William Littleton Scaff married Nancy Jane Antis, daughter of Hiram Antis. William T. Scaff was born 1886, the son of George Scaff and Ella. George was a son of William Littleton Scaff and Nancy Jane Antis Scaff.

Prior to the writing and posting of this chapter, a pension file for Melsena Jefferson Scaff was requested from the Washington D. C. Archives. That file had not been received until after the posting of this chapter.

We begin first with the available information found for Lee Scalf son of John Scalf Sr. and Edeah (Edy) Carlisle Scalf.
  

AVAILABLE INFORMATION FOR
LEE SCALF  
 

Lee Scalf, son of John Scalf, Sr. and Edeah (Edy) Carlisle Scalf, was born about 1810 or 1811 in either Floyd County, Kentucky or Russell County, Virginia. From the available records it appears that Lee Scalf died 1845-1850, probably in Russell County, Virginia.

From the statement of Patsy (Counts) Scalf wife of John Scalf, Jr., in Hawkins County, Tennessee in July of 1845, Patsy stated, “Lee has 7 children.” Lee Scalf was the brother-in-law of Patsy (Counts) Scalf and we assume that Patsy would have known the number of Lee’s children.

However, Patsy also stated “it had been some time since she had seen the family.” Patsy was living in Hawkins County, Tennessee and Lee was living in Russell County, Virginia at this time. Although the two counties were in different states they were/are a short distance apart.  

It is the opinion of the author that Lee Scalf did not marry until 1830-1833. Lee would have been 20 years old in 1830 if he were born 1810; however, he might have married at 18 which could then place his marriage date around 1828. If Lee married around 1828 he most likely did not have children until 1829 or1830. Therefore, Lee would not have sons old enough to be taxed on the following tax lists and the tax lists reveal that Lee was the only male in the home over 16 years old. 

Lee first appears as head of house on the 1833 tax list of Russell County, Virginia further suggesting he married 1830-1833. His father, John Scalf, Sr. and two brothers, Brittan and John Jr. were also listed on this tax list; however, only the tax lists for Lee Scalf will be listed here. (See chapters on John Scalf Sr., John Scalf Jr., and Brittan Scalf for those tax lists)

Notes by the author will be listed in parentheses ( )

1833B - March 11
Scalf, Lea - 1 white male over 16           (Lee)   

1834B - Western District - February 10   
Scalf, Lee - 1 white male over 16 - 1 horse            (Lee)

Lee is missing from the 1835 tax list of Russell County but appears again on the 1836 tax list.

1836A - May 12       
Scalf, Lee - 1 white male over 16 - 1 horse            (Lee)

1837 - March 7
Scalf, Lea -1 white male over 16 - 2 horses            (Lee)

Lee is then missing from the 1838 tax list and appears again in 1839

 1839B
Scalf, Lee - 1 white male over 16 - 4 horses           (Lee)

The last time Lee Scalf appears on the tax lists of Russell County, Virginia is the year 1840.  If the tax lists are correct, there were no sons in the home of Lee Scalf old enough to be taxed. Lee also appears on the census record of 1840 in Russell County, Virginia but is no longer found after this census.

The census records of 1840 reveal that Lee Scalf only had three children at home in 1840, one male and two females.  The male was born 1835-1840 and therefore would not have been old enough to be taxed on the tax lists. If Lee married in 1828 or 1830 he certainly could have had seven children in ten years; however, we question where the other four children were living in 1840. It is not likely that Lee had children married at the time of the tax lists even if he married by 1828.

The only other explanation for the seven children listed by Patsy (Counts) Scalf, is that several children possibly had died by the time Patsy made the statement in 1845 or shortly thereafter.  However, we would think that Patsy would have known about the deceased children if they had died before 1845 but if so, she failed to mention them in her statement. 

Lee is listed on the 1840 Russell County, Virginia tax list along with the 1840 census. These are the last records found of Lee Scalf.

1840B - April 23
Scalf, Lea - 1 white male over 16 - 3 horses            (This would be Lee)

Note that Lee is taxed each year on one white male 16 or over. This indicates that Lee was the only male old enough in the home to be taxed. The 1840 census suggests that Lee only had one son living and again, not old enough to be taxed.

Lee then appears on the 1840 Russell County, Virginia census record. In the home is a female in the same age group as Lee and this was probably his wife. According to this census, Lee had two daughters born 1830-1840 and one son born 1835-1840. Lee then disappears from the records. Census records from all states have failed to reveal Lee Scalf after 1840.   

1840 Russell County, VA    

Lee Scalf

We can estimate that there could have been one child born 1830-1835 and another child born 1835-1840. There could also have been two children born 1840-1845 and would correlate with Patsy’s statement; however, one would assume if Patsy knew of these children, she surely would have known of the deaths of the children if they had died. A review of the other family members in the area also did not reveal any extra family members in the home. It should be noted that the name of Lee’s wife is unknown and the children (if living) might have been with her relatives.

Patsy’s family lived in Russell County, Virginia and according to Patsy’s deposition in Hawkins County, Tennessee it appears Patsy did visit her family in Russell County, Virginia at various times. Therefore, we must assume that Patsy’s statement was correct although we cannot confirm four other children.

Theoretically, if Lee had four older children he surely married around 1830-1832. If so, he could have had a child 1831, 1833, 1835, 1837, 1839, 1841 and 1843 or 1833, 1835, 1837, 1839, 1841, 1843 and 1845. This would correlate with Patsy’s statement of “7 children.” However, considering that Patsy said Lee had “7 children by 1845” we believe there should have been more children listed on the 1840 census if they were living but only three children appear in 1840. 

This causes the author to wonder how long it had been since Patsy (Counts) Scalf had seen the Lee Scalf family when she made her statement in 1845. Patsy and her husband John Jr. moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee around 1838-1840 and may or may not have seen the Lee Scalf family after their move to Hawkins.

The tax lists of Russell County imply that Lee Scalf might also have been involved in the horse-droving business with his brother Brittan Scalf. However, this is only speculation based on the fact that Lee and Brittan owned several horses and were missing from the tax lists in the same year. It is also possible they were only gone from home to visit their Kentucky or Tennessee relatives. It was reported to Henry P. Scalf by the grandsons of Brittan Scalf that Brittan was involved in the horse business; however, we have no definite information that his brother Lee was involved.

Note that on the tax list of 1839 Lee owns four horses and Brittan owns two. Lee and his brother Brittan were both missing from the tax list of Russell County, Virginia in 1835, which indicates that both men might have been away from home at this time. However, the tax collector may simply have missed them that day or the page they were listed on could have been missing from the file. 

In 1838 Lee is missing from the tax list and Brittan appears. In 1839 both appear again and in 1840 Brittan is missing but Lee appears. Brittan was charged with a debt of $39.00 in 1839. It has been stated in prior writings that Brittan ran into financial problems during this time. Brittan did not own more than two horses again until 1844. However, Lee owned four horses in 1839 and three in 1840.

This might suggest that both Brittan and Lee were in the business of buying and selling horses or they simply owned a few more horses than the average farmer. The average farmer owned one and sometimes two workhorses or mules, depending on the terrain of the farm to be worked and of course, the affordability of the farmer. Not very many folks in Appalachia owned saddle horses at that time; however, there were and still are a few horse farms nearby Russell County, Virginia.

If Lee and Brittan were partners in business, it would seem logical that both would be gone at the same time or even at different intervals either to buy or sell horses. It is unknown exactly what type of business Brittan was involved in concerning horses but it is stated in Chronicles of the Scalf Family that he was in the “horse-droving business.” 

Lee’s brother Brittan Scalf appears on the tax lists of Russell County, Virginia until his death in 1845. We lost track of Lee after the 1840 census and tax lists of Russell County indicate that Lee Scalf had either died or left the area. We assume from the statement of Patsy Counts Scalf in 1845 that Lee was still living in 1845. However, Brittan was still living in July of 1845 when Patsy made her statement, but had died by October of that year. It is just as possible that Lee died near or at the same time as his brother Brittan.

Lee may have been killed in the same accident as his brother Brittan in late 1845. The grandsons of Brittan Scalf stated to Henry Scalf, author of “Chronicles of the Scalf Family” that their grandfather Brittan was killed by a falling tree while working on the road. If Brittan’s brother Lee had been killed at the same time, this information may not have been passed on to the grandsons of Brittan or they simply failed to mention it.

According to records, we believe Brittan was killed around October of 1845, which would have been after the statement of Patsy Counts Scalf in July of 1845. Brittan’s wife, Talitha Couch Scalf, moved her family over to Floyd County, Kentucky but we have no solid information on what happened to the family of Lee Scalf and some assumption has been interjected in these writings concerning this family.

In our search for Lee Scalf, a couple of families appear to fit the criteria to have been the family of Lee Scalf; however, upon reviewing the marriage bond and certificate of William Scaff of Greenup County, Kentucky, (courtesy of Virgil Scalf) the author is convinced that William Littleton Scaff of Greenup County was in fact the son of Lee Scalf. 

A clue to the family of Lee Scalf came several years ago when Patsy Abel, a Sexton family descendent, emailed the author about the possibility of some family members in the home of her Sexton ancestors that might belong to our Scalf family. The name had been spelled SCAFF. This family was found living with the John Sexton family in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1850.

WILLIAM LITTLETON SCAFF
(SCALF)
Son of
Lee Scalf
William L. Scaff<Lee Scalf<John Scalf, Sr.<Lewis Scalf  

Link to photograph of William Littleton Scaff (Courtesy of Herschel Skaggs)

We are deeply indebted to Virgil Scalf for his research at the Kentucky Archives in July 2006, where a marriage bond and license for William L. Scaff of Greenup County, Kentucky was found. This marriage record lends support to the theory of both the author and Virgil that this William Littleton SCAFF was in fact, William Littleton SCALF, son of Lee Scalf and grandson of John Scalf, Sr. and Edeah Carlisle Scalf.

Although we have no documentation specifically stating that William Littleton Scaff was the son of Lee Scalf of Russell County, Virginia, we believe that the following information strongly suggests that he was.

On the 1850 census of Greenup County, Kentucky is listed a John Sexton and wife Barbary. In the home are listed three SCAFF children. Information obtained on this family suggests there is a possibility that Barbary Sexton could have been the widow of Lee Scalf. However, it is just as possible that both Lee and his wife died and the Sexton family was simply caring for the children.

Reviewing the 1830 and 1840 census of Russell County, Virginia, we find there were several Sexton families living near the Lee Scalf family in Russell County, Virginia in 1830 and one family in 1840. Two Sexton families were living next door to John Scalf Sr. and John Scalf Jr. in 1830. These families were Charles and James Sexton.

At the enumeration of the 1840 census James Sexton had left Russell County and a Charles Sexton was found living near Lee and Brittan Scalf. The Russell County, Virginia census of 1820 reveals there was a Charles Sexton Sr. and a Charles Sexton Jr. There were also more Sexton families in 1820 than 1830 and 1840 suggesting this family had begun to move from the Russell County area 1830-1840.

The census of 1850 Greenup County, Kentucky states that John Sexton was born in Kentucky around 1813. His wife Barbary was born in Virginia around 1808. The last child in the home (Barbary A Sexton) was also born in Kentucky but the other family members were born in Virginia. It was not uncommon for the families to move back and forth from Virginia to Kentucky. It appears from this information that the family had moved from Virginia to Kentucky where Barbary A. Sexton the last child in the family was born.

One of the Scaff children in the home of John Sexton and his wife Barbary is William L. SCAFF, age 11, born about 1839 by census estimation. Recall that the male child in the home of Lee Scalf in 1840 has an estimated birth date of 1835-1840.

William L. SCAFF had two sisters listed on this census as well. Aggy N. SCAFF age 18, born about 1832 and Patsy SCAFF age 16, born about 1834 by estimation.  Aggy appears to fit the age of the female on the 1840 Russell County census of Lee Scalf born 1830 -1835. Patsy could have been the female born 1835 – 1840 considering that the census records could sometimes be off several years.  Also, Patsy might have been named for her aunt Martha “Patsy” Counts Scalf. William Littleton Scaff later named a daughter Agnes as well, which may or may not be of significance.

It is possible that John Sexton was married prior to his marriage to Barbary and the two Sexton children could have belonged to a first marriage. Levi was born around 1842 if his age is correct on the census record and his sister Barbary A. was born about 1844 by estimation. Levi was also born in Virginia but Barbary A. was born in Kentucky. These two children were listed under the Sexton name. However, it should be remembered that the census enumerators did make mistakes in household names.

We also cannot confirm that John Sexton and the older female in the household (Barbary K. Sexton) were actually husband and wife. They may very well have been relatives; however, Patsy Abel believes that her ancestor (Barbary A. Sexton) the youngest child in the home was the daughter of John Sexton and probably named for Barbary K. Sexton who appears to have been John’s wife.

Recalling the statement of Patsy Counts Scalf in July of 1845 in Hawkins County, Tennessee where she named the children of John Scalf Sr., we are left to believe that Lee Scalf was still living in 1845 and was living when John Sexton’s children, Levi and Barbary A. Sexton were born if their ages are correct on the census of 1850.

John Sexton’s wife from the 1850 census was Barbary K. Sexton. The fact that John Sexton had a daughter named Barbary suggests his wife Barbary was her mother; however, it was also common for family members to name children after relatives, neighbors and special friends so it would be difficult to determine if Barbary A. Sexton was the daughter of John and Barbary Sexton, or John Sexton and a prior marriage. Taking assumption a bit further, it is even possible that Barbary K. Sexton was the widow of Lee Scalf and married John Sexton and they were the parents of Barbary A. Sexton.

It is also possible that Lee Scalf and his wife divorced but if so, it would seem logical that Lee would appear somewhere in the records afterwards. The fact that Lee Scalf has not been found in the research of the past thirty to forty years strongly indicates that Lee Scalf died 1845-1850.

It cannot be determined with certainty that Barbary Sexton was the widow of Lee Scalf or that any of the children in 1850 belonged to her. The cholera/typhoid epidemic that hit the Hancock/Hawkins County, Tennessee area also hit Russell County, Virginia. It would be a very logical assumption that both Lee Scalf and his wife died in this epidemic and the Sexton family simply took the children in and moved to Kentucky. It is a matter of record that many families of Russell County, Virginia lost complete families to this epidemic. There might have been children of Lee that died in the epidemic as well if any were born 1840-1850. A number of theories could be produced here. However, theories will not serve as evidence of family relationship.

It is also a matter of record that a typhoid epidemic hit Greenup County, Kentucky 1850 – 1860 and we believe that John and Barbary Sexton from the 1850 census of Greenup County died in this epidemic. Neither John nor Barbary has been found after the1850 census. Two of the children from the 1850 census (William Scaff and Levi Sexton) were found living in the homes of other families in 1860 supporting the assumption that both John and Barbary Sexton had died. Patsy and Aggy Scaff also have not been found or at least not recognized as the same children from the Sexton home in 1850 and may have died as well.

The family of William Littleton Scaff was followed on census records as well as military, marriage and death records, and the information obtained is presented here. It is the opinion of the author that William Littleton Scaff of Greenup County, Kentucky was the son of Lee Scalf and grandson of John Scalf, Sr.

NOTE: Lines following the names from the 1850 census indicate the surname listed above them. These lines were listed on the 1850 census.

1850 Greenup County, Kentucky            5 September 1850            District #2

By 1860 the Sexton family above is missing from the census records but a William Sexton is found in the home of Jesse Kidde listed as “domestic.” It is believed that William Sexton was actually William SCAFF from the Sexton home in 1850. Our reasoning for this belief is due to the fact that there was no William SCAFF listed in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1860 but appears again in 1870.

It is very possible that Jesse Kidde/Kidd was a relative to Barbary K. Sexton and may or may not have been an uncle to William Scaff. The Kidde/Kidd surname was found in the Scott County, Virginia area as well. Scott County is a neighboring county of Russell.

It should also be noted that there were a large number of the Kizer/Kiser family living in Russell County, Virginia when Lee Scalf lived there and Barbary K. Sexton could also have been Barbary Kizer/Kiser Sexton if the middle initial represented her maiden name.

Barbary, wife of John Sexton, is listed on the 1850 census as Barbary K Sexton. The K could suggest an initial for her maiden name or a middle name.  Very often an initial for the wife’s maiden name is listed on the censuses but we have no way of knowing for certain at this time if this might have been the case.

The child Barbary A. Sexton is a direct ancestor of Patsy Abel who corresponded with the author several years ago. Patsy states Barbary A. Sexton’s full name was Barbary Allen Sexton with Allen being a middle name used often in this family, and further suggesting that Allen might have originated from a surname connected to the family.

Information on the Kidd/Kidde family is listed here in the event that this family might have had connections to the Sexton/Scaff family. It is reported by Kidd descendents that George and Lydia Kidd had a son named Jesse. This appears to be the same Jesse living in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1860. His parents George and Lydia are in the home as well.

The Kidd family came from the Kanawha Valley area of West Virginia, which was also near Russell County, Virginia and was once part of Virginia before West Virginia was created in 1863. Their ancestor, William Kidd (Revolutionary Solider) received a land grant in Montgomery County, Virginia.  Some members of the Kidd family were living in Tazewell County, Virginia at the time Lee Scalf was living in Russell County. According to descendents there were several members of this family in the horse business as well. 

Levi Sexton, son of John Sexton was also living with another family in 1860 further suggesting that John and Barbary Sexton both had died. Levi was living in the home of William Swearingin. It appears that William Swearingin was likely the son of Clem Swearingin who was superintendent of a poorhouse in Greenup County in 1870 where we find the Thomas Jefferson family living in 1870 as well. Thomas Jefferson married Jerushia (Rushia) Lewis and they were the parents of Melsena/Melsena Jefferson Scaff.

The 1860 census of Greenup County suggests that Jesse Kidd/Kidde and his wife moved to Kentucky from Virginia and may have married in Kentucky. Jesse Kidde may have come to the area with his parents; however, he and his wife were both born in Virginia but the children were all born in Kentucky according to census records. Jesse’s parents were also living in the home and their birthplace is listed as Virginia.

Although William is listed as William Sexton on this census, we feel very strongly this should have been William SCAFF.

 1860 Greenup Co. KY            22 June 1860                   Hoods Run

HH# 318

HH # 452

Jesse Kidd was still living in Greenup County in 1870; however, neither William Sexton nor a William Scalf is listed in the home. William Scaff had married and was found as head of house in this year.

1870 Greenup             4 July 1870                Precinct #4

William Scaff was not found in 1860 and should have been with the Sexton family if they were living in 1860. The John Sexton family was not found in any state after 1850. This also suggests that the William Sexton in the home of Jesse Kidde in 1860 was most likely William Scaff.

Another reason we believe William Sexton in 1860 was actually William Scaff is the fact that Levi Sexton was found in another home in 1860 without a William Scaff being found in the area at all. The two men would later work together at the Iron Ore Mines in Greenup County. William Littleton Scaff enlisted in Co. C of the 20^th Kentucky Infantry in 1861.

Although John Sexton could have died and Barbary remarried, no records were found of a Barbary Sexton or Scaff in the area.

The next record we find of William Scaff is a military record. This record has been transcribed here: (Courtesy of Virgil Scalf)

 Name:  William Scoff
Enlistment Date:  25 September 1861
Distinguished Service:  Distinguished Service
Side Served:  Union
State Served:  Kentucky
Unit Numbers:  774   774
Service Record:  Enlisted as a Private on 25 September 1861  

Enlisted in Company C, 20th Infantry Regiment Kentucky on 12 January 1882.
Received a disability discharge Company C, 20th Infantry Regiment Kentucky on 21 November 1862 in Jeffersonville, IN

William is listed twice on the rolls, once as William Scaff and once as William Scoff

ADJUTANT GENERAL ROLL

Roll of Co. C – 20^th KY Infantry

DISCHARGED

The military file of William Scaff was requested from the Archives and received during the writing of this chapter. The military file of William Scaff of Company C, 20^th Kentucky Infantry is believed to have been William Littleton Scaff. This belief is based on the age of William Scaff listed in the military file, which correlates with the age of William Littleton Scaff from census records of Greenup County, Kentucky. William was listed as William L. Scaff Co. C, 20, Regt. KY Inf.

William had been shot in several places, through the wrist and hand, the neck and leg on the left side. We originally assumed this was during battle; however, the pension file of Melsena Jefferson Scaff gives complete detail of what happened to William.

The call had come to fight and William was taking his gun from the stock as was the custom when the bugle blew.

A brief transcribed copy of some of the information in the military file is listed here, and links are also provided to the complete military file.

 LINKS TO MILITARY FILES

Card Numbers - Page 1

Casualty Sheet - 1

Casualty Sheet - 2    

Casualty Sheet - 3

Muster Roll - Card 1

Muster Roll - Card 2 

Muster Roll - Card 3

Certificate of Discharge for Disability

Enclosure Sheet (with middle initial "L")

Medical Statement of Disability - 1891

Order of Discharge for Disability

CERTIFICATE OF DISABILITY FOR DISCHARGE FOR WILLIAM L. SCALF

Private William Scaff of Captain John Love/Lowe?  Company C of the Twentieth Ky Regiment of United States Volunteers was enlisted by Capt. Love/Lowe? On the Twenty fifth day of September 1861, to serve Three years; he was born in Greenup County in the State of Kentucky is Twenty Three years of age, five feet 9 ½ inches high, Dark complexion, Brown eyes, Brown hair and by occupation when enlisted a Farmer During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days.

Signature appears to be A. or F. Johnson, Capt.

I certify that I have carefully examined the said William Scaff of Captain Jno Love/Lowes? Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of gun shot wound received at Battle of Corinth in left hand ball passing in about the center of the palmer surface passing through and coming out between the rows of carpal bones leaving his hand in a perfectly useless condition degree of disability one half – Genl Hospital No. 2 Evansville, Ind. November 17, 1862

Appears to be signed by Charles K. Maine, Surgeon

Discharged this 21^st day of September 1862 at Evansville, Ind.
J. K. Ekerman, Capt. Commanding the Post

Casualty sheet No. 2

Wm. Scaff, Pri. Company ___, Regiment 20, Arm, Inf., State, Kentucky

Nature of casualty, Wounded Slightly in the neck. Date of casualty, May 21^st

Report of Killed, Wounded, and Missing of the 20 Ky Regiment 22 Brigade 4, Division, Army of the Ohio – dated May 22, 1862 (signed W. Nelson, Brig. Gen.)

Signed by S. F. Brooks, Clerk

End file

Review of the military file of William Scaff confirms that the William Scaff found on the 1890 Veteran’s Census of Greenup County, Kentucky was the same William Scaff listed above. The Veteran’s Census record states that William was shot in the hand and this correlates with the military file of William L. Scaff whom we believe to have been William Littleton Scaff.

William’s death and burial record was also found which listed his full name.  His birth date correlates with the statement he made about being born in “Eastern” Virginia as well as the time of birth. Although William is listed in the military file as being born in Greenup County, Kentucky, we believe this was an error made by the clerk. William stated on one census record that he was born in “Eastern Virginia.”

Recall that Lee Scalf (believed to be the father of William Littleton Scaff) was living in the Western District of Russell County, Virginia in 1834 with no sons old enough to be taxed. The record below states that William Littleton Scaff was born December 15, 1835. We can assume by this record that his father Lee Scalf had moved to the “Eastern” District of Russell County, Virginia between February of 1834 and December of 1835. The area of Russell County was divided into Eastern and Western Districts. Natives living in the area simply called it Eastern or Western Virginia during that time.

Although property records would certainly be beneficial in determining the exact location where John Sr., Brittan and Lee Scalf lived the author has been able to determine the general vicinity where the Scalf family lived, which was located near Lebanon (Russell County) Virginia.

Transcribed copy of death record of William Littleton Scaff: (Link to copy of death record)

Pvt William Littleton Scaff
Birth:  Dec. 15, 1835 – Virginia, USA
Death:  August 27, 1913 at Seaman -Adams Co-Ohio, USA (Vol#1138-Cert#43715-Ohio Co. C 20 KY INF.)
BURIAL:  Locust Grove Cemetery
Peebles, Adams County, Ohio, USA - (Courtesy of Ohio Historical Society)

William Littleton Scaff was listed with “Distinguished Service.” He received his discharge in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

William Littleton Scaff then appears on the 1870 Greenup County, Kentucky census as head of house. Note that William’s birth date is listed as December 15, 1835 on the military record. It is then stated on the 1900 census of Scioto County, Ohio that he was born in February of 1840. His calculated birth from the census is 1839.

In 1870, his birth calculates to 1844 and in1880 it calculates to 1835. This is a common finding on census records.

From the Kentucky Marriages online we find that William Scaff married Nancy Jane Antis 22 January 1863 in Greenup County, Kentucky. On a trip to the Kentucky Archives, Virgil Scalf found the marriage record along with the surety bond for William and Nancy. The marriage license reveals that William Scaff was born in Russell County, Virginia.

We know of no other William Scalf/Scaff in the family of John Scalf, Sr. that might have been born in Russell County, Virginia or at least none that have not been accounted for: therefore, it is the opinion of the author that the marriage record of William Scaff and Nancy Jane Antis confirms that this William Scaff was the son of Lee Scalf.

Transcribed version of Marriage Bond for William Littleton Scaff (Courtesy of Virgil Scalf)  (Original marriage bond at the following links) Part 1 & Part 2

State of Kentucky
Greenup County

William Scaff hereby certifies the Marriage solemnized between himself and Nancy Jane Antis on the ___ day of January 1863 at the house of Hiram Antis in Greenup in said County.

 He is single aged 23 years, born in the County of Russell, State of VA; his father was born in VA, and his mother was born in VA.

She is single aged 18 years, was born in the County of Grant, state of Ohio. Her father was born New York, and her mother was born in KY.

Dated at Greenupsburg, Greenup County this 20^th day of January.

                                                                                           His
Attest: Wm. Cruin (?)  Clk                                       William  x  Scaff
By S. Reed DC                                                                  mark

The date above is faded on the marriage bond but due to the date it was signed we believe it should be 20 January 1863.

This family was found on the 1870 and 1880 Greenup County, Kentucky census. William and Nancy were the parents of five children in 1870.

Evidence for assumption that William Scaff was the son of Lee Scalf:

      1)      William stated he was born in the County of Russell, state of VA” on his marriage license.
2)      William stated he was born in “Eastern Virginia” on the 1870 census. The eastern district of Russell County, Virginia was known to natives as “Eastern Virginia.”
3)      William Scaff was found in the home of John Sexton in 1850 listed as born in Virginia. The fact he was living with the Sexton family indicates that at least one parent was deceased.
4)      No other William Scaff/Scalf in the family of John Scalf Sr. has been found to meet the criteria to fit with the Lee Scalf family.

We have followed the family of William Littleton Scaff from census, death, military, and cemetery records of Greenup County, Kentucky and Adams County, Ohio.

We first find William Littleton Scalf on the 1850 census of Greenup County, Kentucky in the home of John and Barbary Sexton. He is then missing in 1860 as William Scaff but believed to have been the William Sexton listed in the home of Jesse Kidd/Kidde. William appears to have two sisters in the home, Aggy N. Scaff and Patsy Scaff. 

1850 Greenup County, Kentucky            5 September 1850            District #2

1860 Greenup Co. KY            22 June 1860                   Hoods Run

HH# 318

William then joined the 20^th Regiment Kentucky Infantry in 1861 and was wounded and discharged.  He married Nancy Jane Antis in 1863 and was found as head of house in 1870 in Greenup County, Kentucky.

1870 Greenup County, KY                 30 June 1870                   Lynn P.O.             Precinct #3

Levi Sexton, son of John Sexton was also living in Greenup County in 1870. Levi Sexton and William Scaff were both employed at the Iron Ore Mines at this time.  

1870 Greenup County, KY                 30 June 1870                   Lynn P.O.             Precinct #3

By 1880, William and Nancy had nine children in the home and one of the children was also married. David Lewis is listed as William’s son-in-law.

David Lewis was the husband of Lillian Scaff, daughter of William and Nancy.  (Greenup County, KY Marriages)

David L. Scaff was the only child of William and Nancy we have been unable to find a marriage record for and we cannot determine at this time if David ever married.

 From the pension file of Melsena Jefferson Scaff, we find that William Scaff and Nancy Jane Antis Scaff divorced in 1877 in Greenup County, Kentucky. (Courtesy of Washington D. C. Archives) 
  (Link to divorce decree)

William then married Melsena Jefferson in Scioto County, Ohio in 1878. (Marriage License Courtesy of Herschel Skaggs, g-grandson) (Link to Marriage License)

A copy of the marriage license for William and Melsena was also found in the pension file of Melsena Jefferson Scaff.

Although William and Nancy divorced and William remarried, he continued to live with Nancy in Greenup County, Kentucky where they were listed on the 1880 census. The pension file states that William was “indicted for adultery” while living with his ex-wife in Greenup County. No details of the outcome of this charge were listed in the pension file. William was living with Nancy in 1880 in Greenup County, Kentucky.

William stated consistently when he applied for his pension that he had remained a widower since the death of his wife Nancy and had never remarried. William might have been afraid he would not receive the pension if he admitted he was remarried. We can only speculate as to why William would deny his second marriage but the records suggest there were problems between the two families concerning the marriage.

1880 Greenup Co. KY            7 June 1880                Precinct #3            Liberty

In 1890 a Veteran’s roll was taken that also serves as a census. The 1890 census records were burned and none exist, so we have relied on the Veteran’s Census to find William Scaff in 1890. The census roll of this William Scaff was taken at Liberty and Pine Grove Precinct in Greenup County, Kentucky. It is the opinion of the author that this was William Littleton Scaff and that he was most likely still living with Nancy at this time. On the 1880 census of Greenup County, William and Nancy were living at Liberty Precinct. The 1890 Veteran’s Roll was taken at Liberty and Pine Grove Precincts.

Veteran’s Census Roll of 1890 (Courtesy of Virgil Scalf)   (Link to Veteran’s Census Roll)

1890 Veteran’s Schedule (Served as a census) Greenup Co. KY – Liberty and Pine Grove Precinct

Nancy Jane Antis Scaff died 1892 in Greenup County, Kentucky. (Pension file of Melsena Jefferson Scaff, courtesy of Washington D. C. Archives)

We believe it was probably after Nancy died that William began living with his second wife, Melsena Jefferson Scaff. The pension file states that they lived on the Brushy Fork of Tygart Creek in Greenup County, Kentucky in 1896.

The pension file also reveals that William had “gotten into a fight with his sons” while at a family picnic on Tygart Creek. No details of the fight were given but apparently something happened that caused William to leave Greenup County. It was stated that he left in order to “evade the law.” 

The file states that Melsena remained in Greenup County. We find that Melsena did remain in Greenup County until 1900-1910. Melsena moved to Scioto County, Ohio and was found living in the same township as William’s son, George in 1910. 

By 1900, William was found in Adams County, Ohio living in the home of his daughter Anna and her husband Elmer Wickerham. SCAFF appears as SCOTT on this census due to the fading of the letters ff on this census. The author believes that this has caused the name to appear as Scott in a number of instances on the census records.

“Adams County was formed on July 12, 1797 from parts of Hamilton and Washington Counties, when the area was known as the Northwest Territory. Our county was named after John Adams, the second President of the United States. Portions of our county were used in forming Scioto County in 1803, Highland County in 1805, Pike County in 1815, and Brown County in 1818. Our neighbors to the south are Mason and Lewis Counties in Kentucky. The county seat is West Union, but other major towns include Manchester, Peebles, Seaman and Winchester.” (Ohio GenWeb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohadams/)

Adams County is located in southern Ohio, 45 miles east of Cincinnati and 90 miles south of Columbus. (http://www.alltheweb.com/search?query=Adams+County+Ohio)

1900 Adams Co. OH                       11 June 1900                   Franklin Township

William Scaff was still living in 1910 in the home of his daughter and son-in-law in Adams County, Ohio. Note the township has changed from Franklin to Wayne.

1910 Adams CO, OH                      27 & 28 April 1910              Wayne Township

William Littleton Scaff died August 27, 1913 in Adams County, Ohio and is buried at Locust Grove Cemetery in Adams County. (Death Record - Courtesy of Ohio Historical Society)

Locust Grove Cemetery is located North of Peebles on Locust Grove Road, St Rt. 41. (http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/adams/cemeteries/franklin.txt) 

George Scaff, son of William Littleton Scaff and Nancy Jane Antis was living in Scioto County, Ohio in the home of Ellie Scott as a boarder on this census. Ellie would become the wife of George before his death.

1910 Scioto Co. OH                       15-16^th April 1910                   Wayne Township

Living near Ellie Scott in Scioto County, Ohio was Melsena Jefferson Scaff.

1910 Scioto Co. OH                       16 – 18 April 1910                   Wayne Township