James Scott Born at Sea, 1750
James Scott is said to have been born at sea in the year 1750. This is a claim largely accepted and often repeated in all genealogical references, most particularly Oren F. Morton's History of Monroe County West Virginia. The first edition of this book was published in 1916 and even then the account of James's life was largely from secondary sources passed down through local accounts by family and newspaper. The good news for anyone seeking information about this pioneer is that his life within then newly created Monroe County is well documented for the time period. Luckily, the Monroe County Court records were never destroyed in a court house fire. The bad news is that James's life before coming to Monroe is murky. Morton also reports that James's parents came to settle in Rockbridge, and that's where James is said to have moved from. Rockbridge County exists today, and encompasses the unique geographical feature Natural Bridge from which