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