Profile Text
Date of Birth: June 13, 1786
Place of Birth: Dinwiddie County, Virginia, U.S.
Date of Death: May 29, 1866
Place of Death: West Point, New York, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, Scottish
Winfield Scott was an American military commander, politician, and attorney. He was Commanding General of the U.S. Army, from July 5, 1841 to November 1, 1861. He served in the Militia in 1807, and in the U.S. Army from 1808 to 1861, fighting in the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the American Civil War, and conflicts with Native Americans. He was nicknamed “Old Fuss and Feathers” and the “Grand Old Man of the Army.” He was 6′5″.
He was the Whig Party’s nominee for President of the United States in 1852 . He was also a candidate for the Whig Party’s 1840 , 1844 , and 1848 presidential nominations.
Winfield was the son of Ann (Mason) and Capt. William Scott, a planter, Dinwiddie County militia officer, and American Revolutionary War veteran. He was partly raised on Laurel Hill, a plantation near Petersburg, Virginia; he later inherited the plantation. Winfield was married to Maria DeHart Mayo, until her death, with whom he had seven children. Maria was the daughter of Colonel John Mayo, a wealthy businessperson and engineer. One of his daughters became a nun, Sister Mary Emanuel of the Georgetown convent of Visitation nuns. Among his sons-in-law were career army officer Henry Lee Scott, New York City businessperson Goold Hoyt, and landowner and politician Charles MacTavish.
Winfield’s paternal grandfather was James Scott (the son of Walter Scott and Janet Alexander, or of Margaret Campbell). James was born in Scotland, or in Virginia, to Scottish parents. Walter was born in Abbottsford, Roxburghshire, the son of John Scott and Helen Cuthell, or of Walter Scott and Anne Isabell Makdougall.
Winfield’s paternal grandmother was Sarah Elizabeth Pegram (the daughter of Daniel Pegram and Sarah Foese/Baker). Winfield’s grandmother Sarah was born in Virginia. Daniel was the son of English parents, George Pegram, from Essex, and Sarah Hunt, from Gloucester, Gloucestershire.
Winfield’s maternal grandfather was Daniel Mason (the son of Capt. John Mason and Elizabeth Harrison). Daniel was born in Virginia. John was the son of John Mason, who was English, or of James Mason and Elizabeth Duke. Winfield’s great-grandmother Elizabeth was the daughter of Benjamin Harrison, whose father was English, and of Hannah.
Winfield’s maternal grandmother was Elizabeth Winfield (the daughter of John Wingfield and Anne Buckner). Elizabeth was born in Virginia. John was the son of Jarvis Wingfield/Winfield, whose father was English, and of Hannah/Mary Wynne. Anne was the daughter of Lawrence Buckner.
Sources: Genealogies of Winfield Scott – https://www.geni.com https://www.wikitree.com