Scotia Farm

Scotia was built by James Jeffries, whose wife was a Hinson. Mr. Jeffries sold it in 1908 to Keith Riley, the father of Katherine Riley's husband, Sam. Keith Riley sold it to a Townsend, who sold it to Mrs. Clover, the mother of one of Noel Laing's aunts (Noel Laing owns Locust Grove). Later owners were Captain Caperton, Dr. Leddendecker, and Eileen Shanahan. A Mr. Sheirmeier owned the field, but not the house. In addition to being a residence, it was a hospital during the Civil War, and a school in the early 20th century, called the Camilla School. It is being restored by its current owners, Damon and Lori Hertig.

The adjoining property to the south is owned by Dr. George Ficklin Keyser, retired Professor of Engineering at Howard University. The property was originally purchased by Dr. Keyser’s grandfather, Strother Ficklin, from W.I. Silvey in 1901 and has remained in the family since that time. Several generations of the Ficklin family are buried on the property. Dr. Keyser also researched and documented the plots in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in 1997.