“All grand tories:” Loyalism in the trans-Appalachian west during the revolutionary war

Matthew C. Ward (Lead / Corresponding author)

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Abstract

Loyalism was a potent force in the Trans-Appalachian West during the American Revolution. However, the experiences of western Loyalists differed from those elsewhere and provide a broader understanding of the forces affecting Loyalism in the British Empire. There were few reasons for western Loyalists to declare their sympathies and even fewer opportunities to seek assistance from the British. Geography meant that western Loyalists were isolated and could not cooperate effectively with the British government and army, while the threat of Indian attack also gave Loyalists and Whigs a common cause. Consequently, they lacked a clear identity, especially as most westerners were, to some degree, disaffected. Indeed, many frontier “patriots,” from George Rogers Clark to Daniel Boone, were associated with disaffection, if not outright Loyalism. Finally, the reintegration of Loyalists into western society after the Revolution meant that memories of Loyalism were written out of family and local histories.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)206-227
Number of pages22
JournalAtlantic Studies: Literary, Historical and Cultural Perspectives (Atlantic Studies)
Volume21
Issue number2
Early online date11 Sept 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • American Revolution
  • Backcountry
  • Loyalism
  • trans-Appalachian West
  • Kentucky
  • frontier
  • warfare

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • History

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