Highlanders in the French and Indian Wars

[csbdr]

Well, sounds like we had kilts being worn over here from early on. Just taking note.

Exactly right, Ted. the Highland regiments were an integral part of the British efforts against the French during the French and Indian Wars. They played a legendary part in the (unsuccessful) British assault on Ft. Ticonderoga (very near me..) although it was not named that at the time. I think it was Ft. Carillon at the time, but don't quote me.... The fort did eventually fall, and the British took posession, changing the name to Ticonderoga.

[Bugbear]

Exactly right, Ted. the Highland regiments were an integral part of the British efforts against the French during the French and Indian Wars. They played a legendary part in the (unsuccessful) British assault on Ft. Ticonderoga (very near me..) although it was not named that at the time. I think it was Ft. Carillon at the time, but don't quote me.... The fort did eventually fall, and the British took posession, changing the name to Ticonderoga.

Going by other posts, kilts were also being worn by civilians in this time period. Not large numbers of people, but enough that it was recorded.

I feel somehow... influenced.

[macwilkin]

Going by other posts, kilts were also being worn by civilians in this time period. Not large numbers of people, but enough that it was recorded.

I feel somehow... influenced.

Perhaps...there might be some evidence of civilians wearing kilts in Georgia, but overall, the majority of kilts in North America in the 18th century would have been worn by soldiers.

T.

[Bugbear]

Perhaps...there might be some evidence of civilians wearing kilts in Georgia, but overall, the majority of kilts in North America in the 18th century would have been worn by soldiers.

T.

I was thinking of MacBean's post back there. I guess even if it was mostly soldiers wearing kilts, it was still over here.

[macwilkin]

I was thinking of MacBean's post back there. I guess even if it was mostly soldiers wearing kilts, it was still over here.

Yes, they were, But as uniforms Ted. MacBean's post was referring to the recruitment of Highlanders for the military colony of Georgia, established in 1732 as a "buffer zone" between the Carolinas and Spanish Florida (It is more well known as a debtor colony) -- The Highlanders were supposed to be "settler-soldiers" with a dual purpose of colonizing and protecting from Spanish and Indian incursions.

Somewhere I have a plate from the Company of Military Historians which depicts a member of the Georgia colonial miltia wearing Highland kit.

Also, remember that Highlanders in general were not popular with their Scots-Irish neighbours due to religious (Episcopalian and RC v. Protestant) and political differences.

T.

[Bugbear]

Oh! I misunderstood the quote. Thanks for pointing that out.

[MacBubba45]

Archibald MacBean returned from the Scottish settlement in Darien, Georgia to Inverness in 1736 .

I believe Darien was originally called "New Inverness".

[Bigkahuna]

Exactly right, Ted. the Highland regiments were an integral part of the British efforts against the French during the French and Indian Wars. They played a legendary part in the (unsuccessful) British assault on Ft. Ticonderoga (very near me..) although it was not named that at the time. I think it was Ft. Carillon at the time, but don't quote me.... The fort did eventually fall, and the British took posession, changing the name to Ticonderoga.

Ticonderoga is an Iroquois word meaning "Meeting of the Waters". In this case it is the site where Lake George and Lake Champlain are closest together. There is a very interesting story about a Black Watch Officer named Campbell who had a premonision of his death related to the name Ticonderoga.

[Bugbear]

Archibald MacBean returned from the Scottish settlement in Darien, Georgia to Inverness in 1736 in order to recruit more settlers for the colony. His list of supplies was long but included instructions to Mr. Hossack to "buy ... for the Highlanders...300 yards of Tartan at 12d sterling a yard for short Coats & short Hose & 1200 yards of Tartan at 14d sterling ayard for Plaids..." The settlement failed, but it does indicate the custom clothing of Highlanders at the time. Although this may have been the first Scottish colony, there were certainly Scots in the Americas at least 100 years before this.

Anthony W. Parker, "Scottish Highlanders in Colonial Georgia, The Recruitment, Emigration, and Settlement at Darien, 1735-1748". U. Georgia Press 2002.

Ok, now that I understand this quote was refering to uniforms and soldiers, I was mostly pondering whether some colonial Americans would have had the opportunity to see the kilt being worn, whether by civilians or soldiers, in America going back to this time period. The same might not be true of some other type of ethnic clothing from a different culture, for example, Middle Eastern clothing.

[puddlemuddle]

I believe Darien was originally called "New Inverness".

Correct,
however it was quickly changed to Darien as a memorial to the Darien settlement in central america where the Spanish massacred all the scots inhabitants.

Also, Cajunscot is correct. You have to remember that Southeast Ga is a bit more hot and humid than Scotland, and from experience, I know wearing the Great Kilt or Belted Plaid, in that area (Darien) in the dead of summer is not very pleasant. The Highland Independent Company of Darien would have only worn their great kilts as uniforms while on duty, most after that would have been wearing regular civi clothing of the time.
A little side note: General Oglethorpe had such respect for the Highlanders that he himself had a great kilt, waistcoat, jacket and hose made up for him to waer at the arrival of the Highlanders in Darien from Scotland. Also (and please note that I have not found SOLID evidence of this) but the reason why Oglethorpes was never allowed to return to Georgia after his regiment (The original 42nd of foot (non highland)) was disbanded, was because he took part reluctantly in the Highland clearances, and was always thought upon as not pursuing the Jacobites as hard as he should have, so the British military refused to let him go back, and upon meeting Benjamin Franklin some many years later, was reported to ask "How is my little colony"...
Cheers,
Chad