What became of the old 'DeSoto stone' at the Old Scotland Presbyterian Church?

Old Scotland Presbyterian Church

I got the itch to get out and do a little exploring the other day and eventually found myself in the Old Scotland community. Located 12 road miles from downtown Monroeville, the most prominent landmark there is the Old Scotland Presbyterian Church. This church is nearly 200 years old and is one of the oldest churches in Alabama.

A sign on the front wall of the church indicates that the church was founded in 1823. Sources say that the church’s original name was Euphronia and that it was originally located somewhere else along the old road between Camden and Monroeville. Around 1835, the church moved to its present site on the Old Scotland Road.

As I stood there on the old wooden porch, looking out across the nearby graveyard, I thought about the Spanish explorer, Hernando DeSoto. While I’ve never seen it with my own eyes, I’ve been told that at one time, there was a stone block at the church that said, “Built on the route of DeSoto.” DeSoto did travel through what is now Alabama in 1540, but his exact route is widely debated.

I’ve also heard tales about how the Old Scotland community traces its roots back to an old Army scout named McCorvey. Supposedly when Andrew Jackson moved through Alabama during the War of 1812, McCorvey signed on as a scout. Jackson’s army eventually traveled through what is now Old Scotland, and McCorvey liked the looks of the area so much that he vowed to return after the war.

Fulfilling is promise, McCorvey later returned, but he didn’t come alone. He brought his family and friends, and some in the pioneer group said that the area reminded them of their old homes in Scotland. The rest, as they say, is history.

As the years moved on, the community grew in size and at one time had its own school and stores. Old Scotland at one time even had enough people to support its own post office from 1898 and 1915. Some say that the rise of modern industry and the railroad led to the community’s decline.

If you ever get the chance to visit the church at Old Scotland, take a few minutes to walk around the graveyard. I’d estimate that there are about 150 graves there, and some of them are very unique. The oldest marked grave that I saw there belongs to a Sarah McMillan, who was about 10 years old when she died in 1844.

And, while I don’t know if there’s any truth to it, I’ve also been told that outside the graveyard’s fence, if you know where to look, you’ll find a dim trail that leads off into the woods. If you follow this hidden trail, it will take you to a solitary grave where someone was inexplicably buried well away from the graveyard. Like the church’s storied “DeSoto stone,” I have never personally seen this trail or grave, but that is not to say that there isn’t some nugget of truth to the story.

In the end, let me hear from you if you know anything more about the history of the Old Scotland community. I’m especially interested in any old ghost stories, local legends or Indian lore from this part of the county. If you know of anything along these lines, please let me know.

(Got a comment or question? E-mail Lee Peacock at leepeacock2002@hotmail.com.)