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Settlements of Scotch Highlanders in America
Prior to the  Peace of 1783 together with notices of Highland Regiments and Biographical Sketches (Published 1900)
By J. P. MacLean, Ph. D.


To
Colonel SIR FITZROY DONALD MACLEAN, Bart., C.
B.,
President of The Highland Society of London,

An hereditary Chief, honored by his Clansmen at home and abroad, on account of the kindly interest he takes in their welfare, as well as everything that relates to the Highlands, and though deprived of an ancient patrimony, his virtues and patriotism have done honor to the Gael, this Volume is

Respectfully dedicated by the

AUTHOR.

 

 

 

 

 

"There’s sighing and sobbing in yon Highland forest;
There’s weeping and walling in yon Highland vale,
And fitfully flashes a gleam from the ashes
Of the tenantless hearth in the home of the Gael.
There’s a ship on the sea, and her white sails she’s spreadin’,
A’ ready to speed to a far distant shore;
She may rome hame again wi’ the yellow gowd laden,
But the sons of Glendarra shall come back no more.

The gowan may spring by the clear-rinnin’ burnie,
The cushat may coo in the green woods again.
The deer o’ the mountain may drink at the fountuin,
Unfettered and free as the wave on the main;
But the pibroch they played o’er the sweet blooming heather
Is hushed in the sound of the ocean’s wild roar;
The song and the dance they hae vanish’d thegither,
For the maids o’ Glendarra shall come back no more."

Preface

An attempt is here made to present a field that has not been preoccupied. The student of American history has noticed allusions to certain Scotch Highland settlements prior to the Revolution, without any attempt at either an account or origin of the same. In a measure the publication of certain state papers and colonial records, as well as an occasional memoir by an historical society have revived what had been overlooked. These settlements form a very important and interesting place in the early history of our country. While they may not have occupied a very prominent or pronounced position, yet their exertions in subduing the wilderness, their activity in the Revolution, and the wide influence exercised by the descendants of these hardy pioneers, should, long since, have brought their history and achievements into notice.

The settlement in North Carolina, embracing a wide extent of territory, and the people numbered by the thousands, should, ere this, have found a competent exponent. But it exists more as a tradition than an actual colony. The Highlanders in Georgia more than acted their part against Spanish encroachments, yet survived all the vicissitudes of their exposed position. The stay of the Highlanders on the Mohawk was very brief, yet their flight into Canada and final settlement at Glengarry forms a very strange episode in the history of New York. The heartless treatment of the colony of Lachlan Campbell by the governor of the province of New York, and their long delayed recompense stands without a parallel, and is so strange and fanciful, that long since it should have excited the poet or novelist. The settlements in Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island, although scarcely commenced at the breaking out of the Revolution, are more important in later events than those chronicled in this volume.

The chapters on the Highlands, the Scotch-Irish, and the Darien scheme, have sufficient connection to warrant their insertion.

It is a noticeable fact that notwithstanding the valuable services rendered hy the Highland regiments in the French and Indian war, but little account has been taken by writers, except in Scotland, although General David Stewart of Garth, as early as 1822, clearly paved the way. Unfortunately, his works, as well as those who have followed him, are comparatively unknown on this side the Atlantic,

I was led to the searching out of this phase of our history, not only by the occasional allusions, but specially from reading works devoted to other nationalities engaged in the Revolution. Their achievements were fully set forth and their praises sung. Why should not the oppressed Gael, who sought the forests of the New World, struggled in the wilderness, and battled against foes, also be placed in his true light If properly known, the artist would have a subject for his pencil, the poet a picture for his praises and the novelist a strong background for his romance.

Cleveland, O., October, 1898

Table of Contents

Chapter 1
The Highlanders of Scotland

Chapter 2
The Scotch-Irish in America

Chapter 3
Causes that led to Emigration

Chapter 4
Darien Scheme

Chapter 5
Highlanders in North Carolina

Chapter 6
Highlanders in Georgia

Chapter 7
Captain Lachlan Campbell's New York Colony

Chapter 8
Highland Settlement on the Mohawk

Chapter 9
Glenaladale Highlanders of Prince Edward Island

Chapter 10
Highland Settlement in Pictou, Nova Scotia

Chapter 11
First Highland Regiments in America

Chapter 12
Scotch Hostility towards America

Chapter 13
Highland Regiments in American Revolution

Chapter 14
Distinguished Highlanders who served in America in the interest of Great Britain

Chapter 15
Distinguished Highlanders in American Interests

Appendix



 


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