Maryville in Blount County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
William Bennett Scott, Sr.
ca. 1821 - 1885
Photographed By Judith Barber, August 16, 2012
1. William Bennett Scott, Sr. Marker
William B. Scott, Sr., a free Black, migrated to East Tennessee in 1847 after increased racial tension in North Carolina. He made harnesses and saddles in Blount County’s Quaker community of Friendsville until the Civil War. In Knoxville, during the War, Scott learned the trade of printing. Later moving to Nashville, in April 1865 he founded The Colored Tennessean, the first newspaper for African Americans in Tennessee. In 1867, he moved his press to Maryville.
For ten years, Scott published the Maryville Republican, Blount County's only newspaper, which was later re-named the Maryville Democrat. Scott co-founded Maryville's Freedman's Normal Institute, one of the first schools for African Americans in East Tennessee. In 1879 he was elected mayor of Maryville. In 1997, William Bennett Scott, Sr. was inducted into the Tennessee Newspaper Hall of Fame.
Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1E 109.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Churches & Religion • Communications • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1865.
Location.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. New Providence Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Montvale Springs (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pride Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Relief of Knoxville (approx. 0.2 miles away); Maryville During the Civil War (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sam Houston Statue (approx. 0.2 miles away); Where Houston Enlisted (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis Philippe's Visit (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Maryville.
Also see . . . William Bennett Scott Sr. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 3, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 7, 2010
2. William Bennett Scott, Sr. Marker (Side 2)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, March 7, 2010
3. William Bennett Scott, Sr. Marker (side 1)
Photographed By Tom Bosse, August 27, 2017
4. William Bennett Scott, Sr. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,228 times since then and 64 times this year. Last updated on August 28, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on August 27, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. 2, 3. submitted on September 4, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 4. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
