Scottish Origins
Andrew Hayward
My Scottish Heritage
• I’m a mix of several nationalities, but most of my ancestors came from Scotland.
• These ancestors started arriving in the early 17th
century but I don’t know if they came over for economic or religious reasons.file://localhost/Users/andrewhayward/Documents/Scottish Origins.pptx - Scottish Americans Today
Who were the early Scot Immigrants?
Early American
Scots
Religious Dissidents
Transported Criminals &
Rebels
Traders, Merchants &
Skilled Workers
Economically Disadvantaged
Religious Dissidents
• The King of Scotland demanded all Scots show loyalty by joining the Episcopal Church of Scotland.
• Many Catholics and Presbyterians didn’t want to do that so they sailed to the colonies where there was religious freedom.
Transported Criminals & Rebels• In the 1600 & 1700’s criminals in Scotland
prisons were transported to America where they were sold at auctions.
• Scottish soldiers that were captured in battles with the British were shipped and sold in settlements like the ones in East Jersey.
Traders, Merchants & Skilled Workers
• The first Scottish settlement in our area was near Perth Amboy in East Jersey.• The settlement was controlled by
proprietors.• Landlords, overseers and their families
ran things.• Skilled indentured servants worked off
their terms and became land owners.http://history.wgordon.com/gordon20.htm
Economically Disadvantaged
• Most of the 150,000 Scots that immigrated between 1612 and the American Revolution were not religious, criminals or store owners.• Most Scots were poor laborers that came to the colonies looking for a better life.
Scottish Americans Today• Today Scottish origins can be seen when
bagpipers perform at ceremonies, weddings, parades or athletic events.
• One Scottish dish still eaten today is Haggis.• On September 18, 2014 Scotland will vote to
decide if they want to be an independent country from England. file://localhost/Users/andrewhayward/Downloads/Scottish PPT Pics.docx