Highland Scots in GA

Darien, Georgia

Extra

Before we came to Georgia, we were share-croppers. This means we lived, farmed, and tended land that belonged to a Lord. We never owned a bit of land.

Women had monthly musket firing practice because when the men were out in battle, the ladies needed to know how to defend themselves. We weren't fragile in the least bit. We could hold our own in a short battle.

The men were fierce in battle, and they were great in hand-to-hand combat. Without them, Georgia would have surely fallen under French rule.

Church

When we, the Scottish Highlanders, first came to Darien, a small kirk was built as a church. We brought our own minister, Reverand John McLeod of the Isle of Skye, from Scotland. Reverand John McLeod was ordained by the Presbyterian congregation in Georgia. Later on, a larger sized church was built when the District of Darien was laid out.

Government

For our government, James Oglethorpe and eleven other Trustees ruled. There were many restrictions against what we could or could not do, but there were far fewer than what we had back in Scotland. The King of England had a large amount of say in what happened in Georgia. James Oglethorpe was probably the head of the Trustees because he founded the colony of Georgia. The government in Georgia was not very bad at all.

Industries/Work

Highland Scots in GA

The industries in Georgia were mainly cotton, rice, lumber, and commercial fishing. We prided ourselves on the fact that some Scottish Highlander people decided to write a petition to the Trustees saying why slavery shouldn't be allowed in Georgia. So, we harvested or cotton, rice, and lumber all by ourselves. No slaves needed! The men also fought in battles, as you probably know, and while they were gone, we women did all the work ourselves. We cooked, cleaned, and so much more. There was a lot of work to be done and not too many people to do it.

Transportation

On the way over from Scotland, we sailed in a pretty large boat from Inverness straight to Savannah. Many Highlanders were aquired to cut a new road, King's Road, from Darien to Savannah. The people who took part in cutting the road were very proud because this was one of the first overland transportation routes in Georgia! Mostly we just walked around or rode horseback. If it was necessary, we would ride in ships.

Home Life Continued

We still wore the same clothing that we wore back in Scotland. No changing that attire! We believe we can work better in our own clothing. The men usually wore plaid kilts and soft shoes like Indian moccosains. The Indians and we, the Scottish Highlanders, wore pretty similar clothing. There was more to the men's outfits than kilts and shoes, believe me. They wore kilt hose, a special shirt, and much more. The women, on the other hand, usually wore a white long sleeve blouse with a plaid overall dress. Sometimes there was a matching bonnet as well.

Home Life

Gracie Jean Joiner

Our new home in Georgia was a medium sized hut. When we came over, we were given fifty acres of land to live on and to herd cattle. Back in Scotland, we never really owned our land. A lord always owned the land and we would live on it, so it was a great feeling to own our own. We still ate most of our food staples such as oatmeal, barley, and potatoes when we came over to the New World. There were other things added to our diet along the way. During some of the most devastating times in Darien, we had to slaughter our cows to keep from starving.

Date

The time frame I am going to be talking about today is from 1736-1742. Oh my! I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Giorsal, but you can call me Grace. I have a husband named Aiden and a son named Cailean or Caelin if it's easier to pronounce. We came over before Caelin was born so he wouldn't get sick on the way over.