NCSCOTS-L Archives

From: "David L. Snow" <>
Subject: NC Highlander "Oath of Allegiance"
Date: Fri, 04 Feb 2000 09:52:21 -0700

A few years ago, while researching our immigrant McKenzie history and
studying the Loyalist idealogy of the North Carolina Highlander immigrants
and their reasons for supporting the English during the Revolutionary War,
a disagreement developed over whether or not the NC Highlanders were
required to 'take' a 'Blood Oath' .

It has always been understood that the Highlanders had taken an Oath in
support of the English after the Rebellion of 1745 in Scotland, but there
was disagreement about them having to do the same for the Americans after
their support of the English at Moore's Bridge [1775] in North Carolina,
and the like, because there appeared to be no PRIMARY DOCUMENTATION in
support of the Oath.

I knew I had seen the Oath somewhere.....so Sam, you know what you can do
with it......here is the reference.

HIGHLANDERS OATH:

In May of 1777 was passed by Act of Assembly in New Bern and Act know as
the Act for the Security of the State. It required the taking of the
Highlanders Oath. This is listed in the Cumberland County Court of Pleas
and Quarter Sessions.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY [NC] COURT OF PLEAS AND QUARTER SESSIONS *Oath prescribed
by Act of Assembly passed at Newbern, May 10th 1777, entitled an Act for
the Security of the State.

*The Highlander's Oath: I, do swear and as I shall answer to God at the
great day of Judgment, I have not, nor shall have in my possession any gun,
pistol or arm whatsoever, and never use tartan plaid of any other part of
the Highland garb; and if I do so may I be cursed in my undertakings,
family and property; may I never see my wife and children, father, mother,
or relation; may I be killed in battle as a coward and lie without
Christian burial, in a strange land, far from the graves of my forefathers
and kindred. May all this come across me if I break my oath.

Dave

This thread:

• NC Highlander "Oath of Allegiance" by "David L. Snow" <>