Scattersville developed from a portion of the John Buntin plantation dating from the 1830s, and among its early families of African descent were Buntin, Bell, Brewer, Duncan, Greene, and Gilbert. The church began in a brush arbor, and about 1880, under Rev. West Crocker's ministry, New Hope Baptist Church moved to its first permanent edifice. Before 1900, traveler George German observed how scattered the homes were and suggested the name Scattersville. Built about 1890, the first school was a log structure at Corntown off Buntin Road, where Mary Wallace served as the first teacher. Around 1908, the county built Scattersville Public School on land deeded by Henry S. and Sarah Bell between Mitchellville, Scattersville, and Corntown. By the early 1900s, the community had three lodges, two grocery stores, a baseball team, and a 15-member band. About 1928 a new Scattersville school facility was built, and the school closed in 1962. Farming provided the community's primary livelihood.