Chapter Two
American Frontier
Pioneers, soldiers, and the great dispersal across a new nation
The Progenitor: John Scrimshire
The American story of the Scrymgeour family begins with a single man who crossed the Atlantic in search of a new life: John Scrimshire (ca. 1700–1770).
Born around 1700 in England, John Scrimshire made the arduous voyage to the Virginia Colony around 1720 — part of the great wave of British migration that would shape the American character. He settled in what is now Hanover County, Virginia, where he established himself as a planter and built the foundation for what would become a sprawling American family.
In Virginia, John married Ann Lyon, and together they raised a family that would play a part in the birth of a nation. The name itself had shifted — from the Scottish "Scrymgeour" to the anglicized "Scrimshire" — a common transformation as immigrant families adapted to their new home.
The Revolutionary War
When the American colonies rose in rebellion against the British Crown, two of John Scrimshire's sons answered the call — marking the family's transformation from British subjects to American citizens.
John Scrimshire Jr.
John Jr. served in the Continental Army, fighting for American independence. Like his father, he bore a name that had once served Scottish kings — now he served a new republic. His service records place him among the patriots who secured the fledgling nation's freedom.
Robert Scrimshire
Robert, brother to John Jr., also served in the Revolutionary cause. The Scrimshire brothers, carrying the blood of Scottish standard-bearers into battle once more — this time not for a king, but for the idea of liberty.
"They carried no royal banner now — only the hope of freedom. But the blood of warriors ran just as true."
Regional Branches
Following the Revolutionary War, the Scrimshire family dispersed across the expanding American frontier, establishing three major regional lines.
Georgia → Texas → Mississippi
William B. Scrimshire (ca. 1800–1860) stands at the head of this branch. A man of the frontier, William's life reflected the restless movement characteristic of 19th-century America. He married three times — to Theresa Goza and later to Sarah Ann Duckworth — and his descendants spread across the Deep South.
This branch followed the classic Southern frontier pattern: from the older settled lands of Georgia to the new territories of Mississippi and ultimately to the vast expanse of Texas. Each generation pushed further west, seeking land and opportunity.
The Alabama Branch
Descended from William Schrimsher and Elizabeth Merritt, the Alabama branch established roots in the heart of the Deep South. The spelling "Schrimsher" reflects the fluid orthography of the era — names were often recorded phonetically by census takers and clerks, leading to variations that genealogists must navigate.
Alabama became home to a significant Scrimshire presence, with families spreading through the northern and central parts of the state.
The Kentucky-Missouri Branch
Tracing from John Schrimsher and Elizabeth Atten, this branch followed a different path — north and west through the Appalachian corridor into Kentucky, and then across the Mississippi into Missouri.
The Kentucky-Missouri line represents the northern dispersal of the family, moving through the border states and into the contested territories of the expanding American frontier.
Interactive Family Tree
Explore the three major American branches using the interactive tree below. Click on names to explore connections.