Great kilts in the American colonies

[Dall_Piobaire]

Just a quck look found the 42nd and the Fraser's in the RevWar. I believe the Fraser's might have been in Wilmington as it was a major port of the time.

You might could claim your targe to be from Culloden, making kyou almost fifty, but chances are, if you were a blacksmith carrying your stuff at culloden, you were probably caught and killed. I don't know how many survived Culloden, but as I understand it, not many!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I agree with Woodsheal. I think even the Scots bonnet is far overdone in the reenactment community (and I'm one of those guilty of it at times).

Guilty or not, I think that's a very good point-- look at the numerous threads that have been posted about the inadequacy of the "Scotch" bonnet for wear today. Even at Highland games you see a lot of men eschewing the bonnet for something more practical. I'm sure 18th century Scots in the new world were not overly sentimental about Highland attire when it came to a choice of hats! ith:

[macwilkin]

Just a quck look found the 42nd and the Fraser's in the RevWar. I believe the Fraser's might have been in Wilmington as it was a major port of the time.

You might could claim your targe to be from Culloden, making kyou almost fifty, but chances are, if you were a blacksmith carrying your stuff at culloden, you were probably caught and killed. I don't know how many survived Culloden, but as I understand it, not many!

General Hugh Mercer reportedly did, only to be killed at Princeton in 1777.

T.

[Dall_Piobaire]

Wow good find, Todd. Survive that to die here!

I am sure people survived but it was generally pretty much a slaughter!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Just a quck look found the 42nd and the Fraser's in the RevWar. I believe the Fraser's might have been in Wilmington as it was a major port of the time.

You might could claim your targe to be from Culloden, making kyou almost fifty, but chances are, if you were a blacksmith carrying your stuff at culloden, you were probably caught and killed. I don't know how many survived Culloden, but as I understand it, not many!

Lots, and Lots, and Lots of "Loyal" Scots (on the Hannoverian side) survived...

Looking at the conduct of the war (1745-46) I wonder if Prince Charles would have had many "Mechanics" in his train. The Jacobite Army was largely composed of infantry, and on the march his men would have been able to attend to most "fix and mend" chores. If a blacksmith had been needed, it would have been a simple matter to force the local smith to attend to the repair. The same would have been true of the Jacobite cavalry-- simple ferriery-- like re-setting a cast shoe-- would have been carried out along the route of march, anything beyond that would be attended to at the next village or farm.

But then, I suppose, it's the research that separates "dressing up" from reenacting and living history displays, isn't it?

[Sir William]

Just a quck look found the 42nd and the Fraser's in the RevWar. I believe the Fraser's might have been in Wilmington as it was a major port of the time.

During the French and Indian War (ca. 1755-1763) there were three Highland regiments in the British North American colonies: the 42nd "Black Watch" Royal Highland Regiment, the 77th "Montgomeries Highlanders," and and 78th "Fraser's Highlanders." By 1763, all three regiments were badly depleted. Some men were allowed to take a discharge and many remained in the colonies, to include Canada, while others were drafted from the 77th and 78th into the 42nd.

During the American Revolution, the 42nd returned to North America in 1776 (a second battalion was formed but was sent to India and later became the 73rd), and two battalions of the 71st "Fraser's Highlanders" also arrived in 1776. The 1st battalion was in NY and NJ, while the 2nd was in Wilmington, and both fought in the southern campaigns. A 3rd battalion was also raised.

Other Highland regiments in NA included the 74th "Argyll Highlanders," the 78th "MacDonnell's Highlanders", 77th "Athol Highlanders" (though they mutined on arrival and were disbanded), and the 84th "Royal Highland Emmigrants" raised from former members of the 42nd, 77th and 78th in Canada.

Within the Loyalist forces were the North Carolina Highlanders (or Volunteers) who apparently wore the government tartan (from the stores of the 71st) and a short blue jacket, and the Highland Company of the Queen's Rangers, which also wore the government tartan but with a short green jacket.

[dfmacliam]

Thank You for the very educational thread... I am learning a lot..

[NorCalPiper]

I can say this about my home State, especially where john Mohr Mackintosh and his group settled. From late MAy to early september, it is a sea gnat/flea infested, humid, hot, grimy part of the world, and how ANY highlander would think to wear native dress there is unfathomable. Maybe around December, Jan, Feb...That be it!

[Dall_Piobaire]

Lots, and Lots, and Lots of "Loyal" Scots (on the Hannoverian side) survived...

Oh I am sure lots of the loyalists survived, after all they did outnumber the Jacobites almost six to one. Well trained, with artillary and a better position. Charles should have listened to Murray much earlier.

[puddlemuddle]

I'm glad to see the mentioning of Oglethorpe's Highland Independent Company of Darien....I used to be in reenacting unit that did this unit, as I lived only 15 min south of Darien Ga. The uniform was "a kilt of non discript tartan, with another non disticript tartan for matching hose and jacket" SO almost exactly as the wealthier Jacobite's of the time (1736-1746) would have been wearing...only here in the colonies!
As far as after that, I would say that it would have been more likely to have been saved for weddings and such.
Cheers,
Chad