William Scott's first offical record in Newfoundland is his marriage to Providence Roberts in 1827. He was a fisherman and then a planter which is a plantation owner or the owner of a fish room. This involved a fish storehouse called a flake and a pier or dock for the fishermen to bring their catch to William. William's was on the South shore of Conception Bay at Upper Gully. Additional Scott name spellings are Cawte(1871 Directory of Newfoundland), Cot, Cott and Skott. William Scott's parentage is not proven, but Benjamin and Mary(White) Scott seem the most likely parents.

The house was located between the railroad track and the water; the cellar hole and foundations were observed by Hazel Dunbrack Wilkins on a visit in 1978. He owned considerable land on the waterfront, which was later divided among his offspring, part of which Gertie Petten sold to pay for her divorce in 1969; and part of which was still owned by Mabel Petten in 1978.