Great kilts in the American colonies

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hi Iain--
Judging by the photo, it would appear that these colonial period reenactors have put a lot of time (and money!) into creating the look of post-1750 colonial America. That being the case, you would probably do well to follow their advice on what was, or was not, worn in the colonies at that time.

You have said that your persona is that of a Scottish blacksmith. I think you may have your character definition back-to-front. Your character, in colonial America, is a blacksmith. He came from Scotland. About the only thing that would mark him out from any other blacksmith in the colonies would be his accent. In all likelihood he would dress exactly like every other person in the village, bartering his skills for those things he couldn't make himself-- like mending an iron pot in exchange for a pair of knit stockings.

I think it would be reasonable for your character to have a Scottish sword, and perhaps a steel pistol as well. I doubt very much that he would have had a targe, as these were rarely encountered, even in the '45 rising. (When organizing the Highland army in 1745, Lord George Murray had to have targes made in Perth and Edinburgh to issue to the troops due to their scarcity in the Highlands at that time.)

Something else to consider is that the colonial way of life was different than life in the rugged Highlands of Scotland. To begin with the colonies are much farther south (New York being in line with Madrid, in Spain) and the climate was much more temperate, obviating the need to wrap oneself in a blanket on most days. The topography is also different-- it's pretty much flat compared to the Highlands, and that would suggest that clothing would be more in line with Lowand Scotland, rather than the Highlands.

One question, if I may? Are you really going to lug a forge and anvil, plus all those tools, to their events? Phew! You're a better man than I am, Gunga McDin, if you do!

[Woodsheal]

Colonial America bottom line:

British soldiers in (military) highland dress - YES!

Civilians in traditional highland dress, especially post-1746 - NO!

Exception: Oglethorpe's highland immigrants in Georgia, 1730s-40s.

Of course, one can never say "never." You might, PERHAPS, have seen some civilians wearing highland garb in large Scots immigrant enclaves such as that in N. Carolina, though there are no period descriptions supporting this. But, since highland dress was not very adaptable to N. American conditions, the Scots - not being idiots! - would wear clothing that made sense. Even highland soldiers donned britches and leggings in huge numbers. Besides, the fact of the Proscription in the home country would preclude travelling to the New World in traditional dress. Maybe the odd tartan plaid or arisaid functioning as a blanket.

What WOULD be seen amongst New World highlanders: knit bonnets, dirks, perhaps the odd basket-hilt sword. I don't believe any tartan was being woven in the Colonies (except in Nova Scotia), so not many tartan plaids would be in use, except a small surviving number brought from the homeland, which would be used until worn out....

[macwilkin]

Colonial America bottom line:

British soldiers in (military) highland dress - YES!

Civilians in traditional highland dress, especially post-1746 - NO!

Exception: Oglethorpe's highland immigrants in Georgia, 1730s-40s.

Of course, one can never say "never." You might, PERHAPS, have seen some civilians wearing highland garb in large Scots immigrant enclaves such as that in N. Carolina, though there are no period descriptions supporting this. But, since highland dress was not very adaptable to N. American conditions, the Scots - not being idiots! - would wear clothing that made sense. Even highland soldiers donned britches and leggings in huge numbers. Besides, the fact of the Proscription in the home country would preclude travelling to the New World in traditional dress. Maybe the odd tartan plaid or arisaid functioning as a blanket.

What WOULD be seen amongst New World highlanders: knit bonnets, dirks, perhaps the odd basket-hilt sword. I don't believe any tartan was being woven in the Colonies (except in Nova Scotia), so not many tartan plaids would be in use, except a small surviving number brought from the homeland, which would be used until worn out....

Brian -- are you familiar with Duane Meyer's The Highland Scots of North Carolina? If anyone would have mention of contemporary sources mentioning Highland dress in the Cape Fear River settlements, it would be him. Dr. Meyer taught history for many years at my alma mater, although he retired my freshman year, more's the pity.

There were some loyalist regiments in the Revolution, such as the NC Highlanders, that wore the plaid, according to Stuart Reid's 18th Century Highlanders Plate F-3, pg. 42.

T.

[Woodsheal]

There were some loyalist regiments in the Revolution, such as the NC Highlanders, that wore the plaid, according to Stuart Reid's 18th Century Highlanders Plate F-3, pg. 42.

T.

True, but they weren't wearing their own (civilian) plaids, but were issued plaids, from royal storage, belonging to highland regiments such as the 71st, whose men were wearing philabegs on campaign.

I just don't think Iain's Jacobite look, w/ belted plaid, tartan waistcoat, targe - even white cockade, foresooth! - is anything that would have appeared in colonial N. America - other than in 1730s-40's Georgia (w/ black cockades) as mentioned above. Sorry, Iain...!

[Brasilikilt]

Hey all

This painting is the original inspiration for my persona



My goal while I'm forging is to be dressed just as these guys are, which would likely be much more acceptable to the colonials, and then wear my traditional highland attire to get all gussied up for the nice sit-down dinners they have at these events.


Also, given my persona, it wouldn't be so unusual for me to have this targe, since I would have been one of the guys working in those shops in Perth or Edinburgh, only later to be called out on the march with a portable forge and set of tools so I could fix wagons, re-shoe horses and repair other equipment.
It was very common for any mounted army of the 18th century to take "mechanics" with them.

I hope I'm not straying too far off topic..........

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hey all

This painting is the original inspiration for my persona



My goal while I'm forging is to be dressed just as these guys are, which would likely be much more acceptable to the colonials, and then wear my traditional highland attire to get all gussied up for the nice sit-down dinners they have at these events.


Also, given my persona, it wouldn't be so unusual for me to have this targe, since I would have been one of the guys working in those shops in Perth or Edinburgh, only later to be called out on the march with a portable forge and set of tools so I could fix wagons, re-shoe horses and repair other equipment.
It was very common for any mounted army of the 18th century to take "mechanics" with them.

I hope I'm not straying too far off topic..........

All of which is true, except the folks you will be hanging out with are trying to recreate Colonial America... not the 1745-46 Jacobite rising in Scotland. Judging by the rifles, I'd guess the "colonials" are pretty much reenacting the 1770s.

[Brasilikilt]

Hi Iain--
Judging by the photo, it would appear that these colonial period reenactors have put a lot of time (and money!) into creating the look of post-1750 colonial America.

Ummmm, I didn't exactly find my kit while scrounging through a dumpster

Anyways, I'm very pleased with what this thread has become, even if I didn't get the answer I would have liked.
This is one of those valuable discussions that makes a guy like me a better reenactor, and it has helped me realize that it is your persona that should fit into history, not the other way around.

I'd like to write more now, but I gotta run to work

thanks again

Iain

[Dall_Piobaire]

I didn't mean to hijack, or take this in a direction it wasn't meant to go! Sometimes my fingers out type my brain.

My apologies, I will just sit quietly hear listen and learn

[Brasilikilt]

I didn't mean to hijack, or take this in a direction it wasn't meant to go! Sometimes my fingers out type my brain.

My apologies, I will just sit quietly hear listen and learn

No apologies needed

In my opinion, some of the best threads end up talking about something entirely different than what the initial post was asking.
Sometimes we end up learning a lot more when these things take on a life of their own.
I'm more than happy to plant a seed that has grown into what has become a very interesting and informative discussion.

[BoldHighlander]

Just to add briefly, one other battle that gets lost in the mix was the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge (Febuary 27, 1776 at Willmington, North Carolina).

This pitted the local rebel faction against the Highlanders of Cross Creek & other loyalists. Some of the Highlanders were carrying traditional weapons, including broadswords. I've also read some accounts (including the NPS) that have some of the Highlanders wearing tartan (kilts etc) & charging into battle to the sound of the bagpipes.

Interesting points:

Those Highlanders who pledged service to the Crown, the British government promised 200 acres of land, cancellation of land fees, and tax exemption for 20 years.

Major Donald McLeod (one of the leaders of the Highlanders) gave the battle cry "King George and Broadswords!" to rally his men when stalled at the bridge (they subsequently lost the battle). McLeod went on to help form the 84th RoF Royal Highland Emigrants.

Flora MacDonald (yes, that Flora MacDonald, of '45 fame) helped raise the Highlanders of Cross Creek for service. Her husband was one of the officers involved.

The Moore's Creek NPS site
look for a small photo of the diorama that shows Highlanders in kilts & bonnets...

Moores Creek National Battlefield: An Administrative History - By Michael A. Capps and Steven A. Davis
Includes an artist rendering of the failed assault upon the bridge, note some of the Highlanders are depicted in full Highland dress...

Additional links:
http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/760227.htm

http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/nc/ncsites/moores.htm

http://www.patriotresource.com/battles/moores.html