Loyalists in the Revolutionary War

**Sir William** · 10th February 12, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by hkjrb623

The history records show that most Scottish immigrants of that era fought on the side of the British Empire. Scots were brought here prior and during the war as prisoners for various reasons, but mostly as debtors. I don't know anything about a tartan, just the usual British issue for that period. Good luck with your search.

There were also a number of Highlanders in the Carolinas who were sent there after the '45. When the Revolution began they usually sided with the British. One theory is that having been defeated in the '15 and the '45, they decided to be on the winning side for once.

Lowlanders, most of whom came to the colonies as merchants, seemed to have been more split, with many on both sides of the argument.

On the other hand, most of the Ulster Scots, joined the rebels. They didn't like or use the more modern day term of Scots-Irish as the Irish were looked down upon even in the colonies.

**macwilkin** · 10th February 12, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by Sir William

There were also a number of Highlanders in the Carolinas who were sent there after the '45. When the Revolution began they usually sided with the British. One theory is that having been defeated in the '15 and the '45, they decided to be on the winning side for once.

Lowlanders, most of whom came to the colonies as merchants, seemed to have been more split, with many on both sides of the argument.

On the other hand, most of the Ulster Scots, joined the rebels. They didn't like or use the more modern day term of Scots-Irish as the Irish were looked down upon even in the colonies.

Also, religious and political differences; Highlanders were largely Episcopalian and Roman Catholic, which put them at odds against their Ulster-Scottish Protestant neighbors. Duane Meyer, in his Highland Scots of North Carolina, also notes that ex-Jacobites tended to be monarchists in their leanings, and the ideas put forth by their Ulster-Scots neighbors didn't tend to hold water with them -- any king, even one of the Georges, was better than none at all.

Spot on, Sir William, in both your posts.

T.

**macwilkin** · 10th February 12, 07:00 AM

Note that the Queen's York Rangers (1st Americans), a Canadian reserve unit, traces their lineage to exiled Loyalists during the Revolution:

http://qyrang.ca/about/history/

Robert Rogers, of "Roger's Rangers", remained loyal to the crown and raised the Queen's Rangers from exiled Loyalists.

T.

**creagdhubh** · 10th February 12, 07:15 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

Also, religious and political differences; Highlanders were largely Episcopalian and Roman Catholic, which put them at odds against their Ulster-Scottish Protestant neighbors. Duane Meyer, in his Highland Scots of North Carolina, also notes that ex-Jacobites tended to be monarchists in their leanings, and the ideas put forth by their Ulster-Scots neighbors didn't tend to hold water with them -- any king, even one of the Georges, was better than none at all.

Spot on, Sir William, in both your posts.

T.

Very interesting indeed. Both of you are spot on! Everyone who has responded to the OP thus far, as been 'quicker on the trigger' than I, and I am a highly-trained Marine rifleman!

Fantastic thread...

**hkjrb623** · 10th February 12, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by creagdhubh

Very interesting indeed. Both of you are spot on! Everyone who has responded to the OP thus far, as been 'quicker on the trigger' than I, and I am a highly-trained Marine rifleman!

Fantastic thread...

Every Marine rifleman is highly trained!

**Singlemalt** · 10th February 12, 12:45 PM

This is a story which virtually shaped Southern Ontario as we know it today and is very close to my wife's family. This part of the world was virtual wilderness before the American revolution. However, tens of thousands of refugee's from the fighting ended up settling here during and after the Revolution. In Canadian terms they were United Empire Loyalists (UEL's) and they were the first large wave of English speaking immigrants to central Canada.

My wife's g-g-g-grandfather was granted land in Prince Edward County Ontario in return for military service to the Crown. He lost all the land and livestock he owned in Long Island NY for his political convictions.

It even shaped language, I watched a fascinating BBC documentary on the evolution of English and this early and large influx of UEL's is the reason most English speaking Canadian's sound more American than British in our accents.

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 10th February 12, 04:41 PM

Originally Posted by Singlemalt

This is a story which virtually shaped Southern Ontario as we know it today and is very close to my wife's family. This part of the world was virtual wilderness before the American revolution. However, tens of thousands of refugee's from the fighting ended up settling here during and after the Revolution. In Canadian terms they were United Empire Loyalists (UEL's) and they were the first large wave of English speaking immigrants to central Canada.

My wife's g-g-g-grandfather was granted land in Prince Edward County Ontario in return for military service to the Crown. He lost all the land and livestock he owned in Long Island NY for his political convictions.

It even shaped language, I watched a fascinating BBC documentary on the evolution of English and this early and large influx of UEL's is the reason most English speaking Canadian's sound more American than British in our accents.

It's very fashionable in my neck of the woods, to use the post-nominal letters "UE" after ones name if they happen Loyalist descendant. There's many of them around here along the St. Lawrence River!

Ron, you might be interested in the UEL website:http://www.uelac.org/

Sara

**Singlemalt** · 10th February 12, 05:21 PM

I have not run into anyone yet who uses the title UE but here in Brant County they started putting a little plaque outside cemetaries which contained the remains of original UE Loyalists. I was quite surprised to find the very small old rural cemetary at the end of my road is the resting place of several.

Of course Joseph Brant the Mohawk chief for whom our county is named was himself a loyalist during the revolution.

**Sir William** · 10th February 12, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Sheep In Wolf's Clothing

It's very fashionable in my neck of the woods, to use the post-nominal letters "UE" after ones name if they happen Loyalist descendant. There's many of them around here along the St. Lawrence River!

Sara

I have a fascination with the American Loyalists but have not found any family connection, though I did find a possible relative, but not in direct line, who was a Loyalist. Hopefully, I can confirm it some day.