The History of Highland Settlements of the Cape Fear in the Carolinas

The establishment of the Argyll Colony in the Cape Fear valley of the Carolinas in 1739 was an important event in the history of Scotland and America. It was for some time the largest settlement of Scottish Highlanders anywhere outside of Scotland. Why did people leave their native homes in Scotland for an unknown land?Continue reading “The History of Highland Settlements of the Cape Fear in the Carolinas”

Scottish influence in American Culture: Enlightened Education and Democracy

In the history of America’s birth, the names of James Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, Honorable William Findley, along with other founding fathers, are shining stars. Nonetheless, few Americans today would recognize the extraordinary influence on those “fathers” by such men as Adam Smith, Thomas Reid (one of the founders of Common Sense Philosophy),Continue reading “Scottish influence in American Culture: Enlightened Education and Democracy”

The Highlander immigrants who helped build America

The Highlands of Scotland proved to be a natural recruiting ground for emigrants that were to help build North America during the 18th and 19th centuries. The breakdown of Highland society and culture created bleak prospects on home soil for ordinary folk while the revered fighting powers of the clans made their men sought afterContinue reading “The Highlander immigrants who helped build America”

HOW I CAME TO BE SCOTS-IRISH

As the war went on and they faced the British at Cowpens, Kings Mountain and a generation later in New Orleans, these mountain men with their precision rifles gave fearful account of their fighting prowess. They made up a good part of the Pennsylvania Line on whom Washington could rely more than on any otherContinue reading “HOW I CAME TO BE SCOTS-IRISH”

Border-Reivers-Their-Part-in-the-Northern-Rebellion-of-1569

In the autumn of 1569 Thomas Percy, 7th Earl of Northumberland and Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland, rose in rebellion against the English queen, Elizabeth 1 and her government. Ostensibly the rebellion, to which thousands of men from the north of England flocked in sympathy, was to smash the stranglehold that the Protestant religion,Continue reading “Border-Reivers-Their-Part-in-the-Northern-Rebellion-of-1569”

Border-Reivers-the-Fray-of-Haltwhistle-and-the-Raid-of-Robert-Carey

‘The first thing they did was the taking of Hartwessel, and carrying away prisoners and all their goods. I sent to seek justice for so great a wrong. The opposite officer sent me word it was not in his power, for that they were all fugitives, and not answerable to king’s laws. I acquainted theContinue reading “Border-Reivers-the-Fray-of-Haltwhistle-and-the-Raid-of-Robert-Carey”