James Madison Scarlett
(I have not researched the Scarlett family, but am sharing the information I have regarding this family.)
James Madison Scarlett was born July 15, 1813, in North Carolina. We have been told that James Madison Scarlett and Jacob E. Scarlett were brothers. They may have been the sons of John Scarlett, born April 9, 1791.
James and Jacob Scarlett migrated to Indiana sometime between about 1819 and 1834. They both married in Indiana, or moved to Indiana shortly after their marriage. They appear to have left Indiana at the same time and moved to Arkansas.
James Madison Scarlett married Abigail Chance about 1835. Abigail Chance was born about 1818, possibly in Indiana. She was the daughter of Jonathan Chance, who practiced medicine in Van Buren County, Arkansas, for a time. Jonathan Chance appears on the 1850 and 1860 Van Buren County census. Abigail's siblings included brothers Pernel Chance (born about 1820) and Tilman Chance (born about 1827).
The first four of James and Abigail's children were born in Indiana, according to census records. Between 1845 and 1848, James moved his family to Arkansas. Abigail Chance Scarlett died about 1848, in Arkansas.
James Scarlett was a farmer and a Methodist Protestant minister who performed many marriages in Conway and Van Buren Counties during the mid to late 1800's. James Scarlett performed the marriages of many of the McClure and Cargile family members.
James married Melinda N. Nichols about 1849, in Arkansas. Melinda Nichols was born April 1, 1824, in Illinois. (Note: Some research lists her as Melinda McClure.)
James Scarlett appears on the 1850 Conway County, Arkansas, census in Benton Township. He lived a short distance from the Stephen McClure family. The census shows James Scarlett, 37; Melvina, 25; Mary, 14; Nathan, 10; Lucindy, 8; and Marion, 5 years old. Melinda is listed as Melvina. He was living next door to the D. B. Cargile family.
The 1860 Van Buren County, Arkansas, Cadron Township census shows James and Melinda with seven children. James is listed as a farmer. His real property is valued at $1500 and his personal property at $220. James is family #227 on the census. The census shows James M. Scarlett, 47; Melinda, 34; Minor, 16; Anna, 12; Sarah, 8; William, 6; Emeline, 4; Naomi, 3; and James, 2 years old. Living next door to him is his son Nathan Scarlett, 20; Zilla, 22; and Mary Ann, 8 months old. Nathan is family #228 on the census. Living next door to Nathan is James' daughter, Mary and her husband (listed as family #229) Valentine McClure, 22; Mary E., 22; and Sarah E., 10 months old.
The 1870 Van Buren County census shows James Scarlett's family still living in Cadron Township. James is listed as a clergyman on this census. The census shows James M. Scarlett, 54; Melinda, 45; Sarah, 17; William, 15; Emeline, 13; Naomi, 11; James M., Jr., 10; Melinda, 10; and Leona, 7 years old. James' real property is valued at $1000 and his personal property at $500.
James Scarlett started the Scarlett Masonic Lodge #283. It was chartered at Shiloh in 1873 and merged with Sugar Loaf Lodge at Heber Springs, Arkansas in 1937. James Scarlett was a charter member.
James Madison Scarlett died October 22, 1875, in Cleburne County, Arkansas. We were told that he is buried in either the Oakland Cemetery near Holland, in Faulkner County, Arkansas, or the Holland Cemetery near Gravesville in Van Buren County, Arkansas.
The 1800 Faulkner County, Arkansas census, Benton Township, shows William L. Scarlett, 25; Melinda N., 54, mother; and Leona A., 17 years old. Living next door was Melinda's daughter and son-in-law, Ezekiel Ward, 29; Sarah, wife, 27; Washington, son, 9; John, son, 5; and Stellie, son, 3 years old. (The children were by Ezekiel's first wife.)
Melinda Nichols Scarlett died June 10, 1896. We have been told that Melinda is buried beside her husband.
Children of James M. Scarlett and Abigail Chance
1. Mary Elen Scarlett, b. 1837, IN; m. Valentine McClure, then James Shipley
2. Nathan Calvin Scarlett, b. about 1840, IN
3. Lucinda Scarlett, b. about 1842, IN
4. Minor Scarlett, b. May 10, 1844, IN
Children of James M. Scarlett and Melinda Nichols
1. Anna M. Scarlett, b. October 24, 1848, AR; m. _____ Barnes (We have been told that the fifth child, Anna, was the daughter of Abigail Chance. Anna does not appear on the 1850 census, so we have to assume that she is Melinda's daughter.)
2. Sarah Scarlett, b. about 1852, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR; d. bet 1885-1900; bur. Mt. Pleasant Cem, Quitman, AR; m. Ezekiel W. Ward in 1880, Van Buren Co, AR. Children: twins Ida Ward and Ada Ward, born Mar 1885, AR
2. William L. Scarlett, b. about 1854, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR; m. Sarah E. New, in 1880, in Van Buren Co., AR
3. Emeline Scarlett, b. about 1856, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR; m. John Ballard
4. Naomi Scarlett, b. about 1857, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR; m. Milton Williams
5. James Scarlett, b. about 1858, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR; d. young - after 1870
6. Melinda Scarlett, b. about 1860, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR
7. Leonia Alice Scarlett, b. 1863, Van Buren or Conway Co, AR
I am not a professional genealogist and although I have researched some of the information found at this site, much of it was given to me by other researchers and may not have been documented. Each bit of information found here should be carefully researched and proved or disproved by you, the researcher. Researchers may copy information found at this site for their own personal use and to share with other researchers or genealogical organizations. Any commercial use or distribution without the written consent of this author is prohibited.
Others researching the Scarlett family:
Laurie
Jones -- descendant of James Madison Scarlett and Melinda McClure
Raymond
Ballard -- descendant of John and Emeline Scarlett Ballard