Portland in Sumner County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Scattersville Community
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
1. Scattersville Community Marker
Located .7 mile north of here is the Scattersville community. It developed from a portion of the John Buntin plantation, dating from the 1830s. Among the early families of African descent were Buntin, Bell, Brewer, Duncan, Greene, and Gilbert. The church began in a brush arbor. About 1880, under Rev. West Crocker's ministry, New Hope Baptist Church moved to its first permanent edifice. Before 1900 traveler George German noted how scattered the homes were and suggested the name Scattersville.
Built ca. 1890, the first school was a log structure at Corntown off Buntin Road. Mary Wallace served as the first teacher. Around 1908 the county built Scattersville Public School on land deeded by Henry S. and Sarah Bell between Mitchellville, Scattersville, and Corntown. By the early 1900s, Scattersville had three lodges, two grocery stores, a baseball team, and a 15-member band. About 1928 a new Scattersville school facility was built. The school closed in 1962. Farming provided the primary source of livelihood for the community.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3B 58.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers
this page online
Location. 36° 34.976′ N, 86° 34.134′ W. Marker is in Portland, Tennessee, in Sumner County. Marker is on State Highway 52, 0.1 miles west of New Deal Potts Road, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1011 TN 52, Portland TN 37148, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Tennessee Maneuvers World War II (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cold Spring School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Duval-Groves House (approx. 2˝ miles away); Camp Trousdale (approx. 2˝ miles away); Zollicoffer's Headquarters (approx. 2.7 miles away); Captain Ellis Harper (approx. 2.8 miles away); Richland (approx. 3 miles away); Invasion of Kentucky (approx. 3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Portland.
Also see . . . History of Scattersville Community. By Wava (Bratton) Young. From RootsWeb. (Submitted on June 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
2. Scattersville Community Marker (reverse)
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2020
3. Scattersville Community Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 24, 2020. It was originally submitted on June 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 769 times since then and 216 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 24, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
