U.s. Founding fathers

[MMI]

Roughly two thirds of the American colonials did not support the rebels - did not feel the King's oppression in the same way as Washington, Adams or Paine did; obeyed Parliament's laws and kept the King's peace. I like to think that, while the US owes much to its founders, it also owes a debt of gratitude to the Loyalists and the neutrals who endured oppression and deprivation by the American revolutionary forces and authorities, and by withstanding such persecution made their own contributions to the new nation's growth and character: to Loyalists such as Flora MacDonald. This is her story -

The most famous Loyalist was Flora MacDonald. She was known as a heroic woman in Scotland before she ever came to North Carolina. When in Scotland, she had saved the life of "Bonnie Prince Charlie"--Charles Stuart, whose grandfather had been king of England and Scotland. Charles had started a rebellion in Scotland in an effort to regain the throne. At the bloody Battle of Culloden in 1746, his army was defeated and he was almost captured by the enemy British soldiers. Flora MacDonald helped
him to escape.

In 1774, Flora MacDonald and her husband, Allan, came to North Carolina with their family. Before they were allowed to make the voyage from Scotland, they had to take an oath, along with all the other Highlanders from Scotland, that they would remain forever loyal to the British Crown.

The MacDonald family settled on a plantation called Killiegray in Anson County. In 1776, the royal governor, Josiah Martin, formed an army to fight the revolutionary movement. Allan MacDonald became a major in that army. Along with his son and son-in-law, he was part of 1,600 North Carolina troops who marched off to the coast to join British troops.

Before the army left, Flora MacDonald, riding a beautiful white horse, came to the camp to cheer the men on. She called to them to fight bravely and remain loyal to the king. She rode with them during their first day’s march and spent the night with them before returning home.

On February 27, 1776, the Loyalists were soundly defeated by the Patriot militia at Moore’s Creek Bridge near Wilmington. Major MacDonald, their son, and their son-in-law were taken captive. Courageously, Flora MacDonald visited and comforted the families of others whose men had been killed or captured.

The Revolutionary state government seized Killiegray, and Flora MacDonald was left homeless and nearly penniless. She eventually returned to Scotland, where she was reunited with her husband after a separation of nearly six years. When she died in 1790, nearly 4,000 friends and neighbors came to honor the courageous Scotswoman at her funeral.

http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentpr...list_Women.pdf

[Thorne]

Interesting post, MMI. It just goes to show that each side had their heroes, and heroines. But, like beauty, loyalty and heroism is in the eye of the beholder.

Roughly two thirds of the American colonials did not support the rebels

I haven't been able to verify this. As near as I can figure, a large part of the general populace were indifferent one way or the other. The wealthy land-owners (like Allan MacDonald) were more loyalist, perhaps, while the merchant classes favored the rebellion.

I like to think that, while the US owes much to its founders, it also owes a debt of gratitude to the Loyalists and the neutrals who endured oppression and deprivation by the American revolutionary forces and authorities, and by withstanding such persecution made their own contributions to the new nation's growth and character

Naturally, none of the rebels or neutrals (or even loyalists) suffered "oppression and deprivation" at the hands of the British forces and , or their Hessian mercenaries.

Flora MacDonald helped him (Bonnie Prince Charles) to escape.

By dressing him as a maid. Of course, she was a Jacobite, a rebel if you will, and was later imprisoned in the Tower of London for her actions.

In 1774, Flora MacDonald and her husband, Allan, came to North Carolina with their family. Before they were allowed to make the voyage from Scotland, they had to take an oath, along with all the other Highlanders from Scotland, that they would remain forever loyal to the British Crown.

Gee, I wonder why? Probably because they had already been in revolt once!

The MacDonald family settled on a plantation called Killiegray in Anson County. In 1776, the royal governor, Josiah Martin, formed an army to fight the revolutionary movement. Allan MacDonald became a major in that army.

"Although they tried to stay out of the trouble, eventually everyone had to choose a side. Since Allan MacDonald had signed an oath of loyalty to England in order to receive a military commission, the MacDonalds decided to remain loyal to the king."
Not quite as heroic as you put it, but understandable.

Before the army left, Flora MacDonald, riding a beautiful white horse, came to the camp to cheer the men on. She called to them to fight bravely and remain loyal to the king. She rode with them during their first day’s march and spent the night with them before returning home.

Apparently, this is a local legend, which may or may not be true. Makes for a good story, though.

The Revolutionary state government seized Killiegray, and Flora MacDonald was left homeless and nearly penniless.

Or, as I read it, their home was robbed by angry local Patriots, and she had to live with one of her daughters.

She eventually returned to Scotland, where she was reunited with her husband after a separation of nearly six years.

Not quite. Allan was released in 1777 as part of a prisoner exchange and took command of the 84th Regiment of Foot (Royal Highland Emigrants), Second Battalion in Nova Scotia, where Flora joined him in 1778. Then she returned to Scotland, in 1779.

As you can see, there are different ways to tell the story, depending on which facts you manage to dig up, and how they are presented. As near as I can tell, the only really memorable act she performed was in helping Prince Charles, which rightly gave her a lot of recognition among the North Carolina Scots community. She was, through her husband, a land-owner and had been in the Colonies for less than 2 years when the war reached her. For my money, if she is the most famous of the British loyalists during the Revolution, it's a sad commentary on those loyalists.

[DuncanONeil]

Thanks Thorne!