How important is the Declaration of Arbroath..

[macwilkin]

Yes, I've read this too, but remain somewhat unconvinced, in part, because not all Highlanders were Catholic. Clan Chattan (MacKintosh, MacPherson, MacBean, MacQueen, Farquarson, and some of Davidson, Shaw, MacLean) were Highlanders but are recorded as being Episcopalean (Protestant with bishops, but not Presbyterian or Anglican). I am aware of several branches of the MacBean group who fought in the Revolution, and nearly all on the side of the Patriots. Some were Ulster Scots for sure, meaning that living near Ft.George after the Jacobite rebellions was uncomfortable, so they left for the Plantations (or perhaps there were other reasons, but there are precious few left in Scotland and an abundance of Beans in the USA).

Episcopalians are Anglicans -- Believe me, I know, because I am one. The Scottish & American Episcopal Churches are part of the Anglican Communion, and it was three Scottish "non-juroring" Bishops -- Petrie, Skinner and Kilgour -- that consecrated the first American Bishop -- Seabury -- after the Revolution in Aberdeen in 1784. Besides, it's a bit of a simplification to say Episcopalians are simply "Protestants with Bishops" -- however, I can address that inaccuracy in a PM, as it might violate forum rules.

Were there exceptions? Sure -- Hugh Mercer being the most famous example of a pro-Patriot Jacobite -- but he was an exception. David's comments are correct from a historian's POV. Remember that Episcopalians and Presbyterians did not get along just because they were Protestant; for many years, the Episcopalians in Scotland were persecuted along with their RC neighbours because the Episcopal Church was not the established church, as was the C. of E. -- the Kirk was Presbyterian. As a result, many Episcopalians openly sided with the Jacobites.

I would recommend Dr. Duane Meyer's The Highland Scots of North Carolina for an excellent study of why the majority of Highlanders sided with the Loyalists or tried to remain neutral. Fernec Szasz's Scots in the North American West 1790-1917, Colin Calloway's White People, Highlanders and Indians and James Leyburn's The Scotch-Irish: a Social History are also highly recommended reading for this subject.

T.