Author: Ethan L. MacDonald, FSA Scot
Highland Scots in North America
Scots were not an uncommon sight on the frontiers and battlefields of late 18th century North America. Many highland men enlisted with several regiments who came to the new world fighting for the crown, protecting its assets and trade from the Gulf of Mexico to Hudson’s Bay. Many Donalds served in His Majesty’s 42nd Regiment of Foot (the Black Watch), as well as other units such as the 78th and 71st (both raised by Frasier of Lovat for the Seven Years War and Revolution respectively); and, of course, the 76th (MacDonald’s Highlanders). These men and their followers often interacted with the various native peoples of the frontier, where they served as guides and allies to British forces.
Trade and Exchange on the Frontier
As they travelled alongside each other it was common to trade small items, from beads, to knives, to jewelry. There was a common exchange, and these small trades between the fighting men of the frontier brought them together. Now with all this intro you may be wondering what this has to do with heraldry; put plainly the arms of the King, as well as the arms of many officers were common symbols to have engraved onto items such as gorgets, powder horns, and snuff boxes. And as these items were traded, it was common to see these achievements of arms on many personal items being used as both trade items and status symbols for the native, settler, and adventure alike. Many examples of the royal arms can be found in collections all over the country, as are the arms of the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the individuals who explored the new world. These items tell a story of how people moved and interacted, bringing the customs of personal and national identification across the web of the many cultures of this new land.
Conclusion and Reflection
So, with that I leave you with some images of a gorget and a powder horn bearing the arms of King George II. With those words I leave you. Stay well kinsmen.
