Near Elk Garden in Russell County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015
1. Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson Marker
Inscription.
Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson. . Near this site is the grave of Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson (died 1796), sister of Henry Dickenson who was the first clerk of Russell County. In 1785, while living in Powell’s Valley in Scott County, her first husband, Archibald Scott, and their four children were murdered by Indians, and she was taken captive. She ultimately escaped, and after wandering in the rugged mountains of Kentucky for nearly a month, made her way back to Russell County. She later married Thomas Johnson.
Near this site is the grave of Frances Dickenson
Scott Johnson (died 1796), sister of Henry
Dickenson who was the first clerk of Russell
County. In 1785, while living in Powell’s Valley
in Scott County, her first husband, Archibald
Scott, and their four children were murdered
by Indians, and she was taken captive. She
ultimately escaped, and after wandering in
the rugged mountains of Kentucky for nearly
a month, made her way back to Russell County.
She later married Thomas Johnson.
Erected 1986 by Department of Conservation and Historic Resources. (Marker Number X-3.)
Location. 36° 53.438′ N, 81° 57.221′ W. Marker is near Elk Garden, Virginia, in Russell County. Marker is at the intersection of Haysters Gap Road (Virginia Route 80) and Corn Valley Road (County Route 619) on Haysters Gap Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Honaker VA 24260, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elk Garden Fort
Also see . . . The Tragedy of Wallen’s Creek. Article in Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers by Emory L. Hamilton. Excerpt: “The eleventh day after Mrs. Scott’s captivity, the four Indians that had her in charge, stopped at a place fixed upon for a rendezvous, and to hunt, being now in great want of provisions. Three went out, and the chief, being an old man, was left to take care of the prisoner, who, by this time, expressed a willingness to proceed to the Indian Towns, which seemed to have the desired effect of lessening her keeper’s vigilance. In the day time, as the old man was graining a deer skin, the captive pondering on her situation, and anxiously looking for an opportunity to make her escape, took the resolution and went
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 18, 2015
2. Frances Dickenson Scott Johnson Marker
to the Indian carelessly, asked liberty to go a small distance to a stream of water, to wash the blood off her apron, that had remained besmeared since the fatal night of the murder of her little daughter. He told her in the English tongue "go along"; she then passed by him, his face being in a contrary direction from that she was going, and he very busy. She, after getting to the water, proceeded on without delay, made to a high barren mountain, and traveled until late in the evening, when she came down into the valley, in search of the track she had been taken along; hoping thereby to find the way back, without the risk of being lost, and perishing with hunger in uninhabitated parts.” (Submitted on November 28, 2015.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on November 28, 2015, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
