Scott Bond began life as a slave. He was born in Mississippi to Ann, who married his stepfather William when Scott was eighteen months old.
Immediately before the Civil War, the white slave owners moved themselves and their slaves first to Tennessee, then to Cross County, Arkansas. Bond’s mother passed away during the Civil War. He lived on with his stepfather until 1875, when he moved away, taking a quilt his mother had left him. Bond and his stepfather maintained a good relationship, eventually holding property together.
While in his early twenties, Bond became a tenant farmer on the Allen farm. Frugal and wise, Bond bought no more than necessary on credit, and as such, was able to expand his acreage the following year and hire one man. In 1877, he married Magnolia Nash, who bore him eleven sons.
Around 1889, Bond purchased 300-acres in Madison, Arkansas, and wanted to leave the Allen farm to manage his own property.
