Ford Evening Book Talk: Scotland and Revolutionary America

About the Books

A Scottish Migration to Alexandria

At least five years in the making, and intended as a film, this new book tells the story of Scottish migration to America. This book explains why the Scottish Lowlands became so crowded, and the reasons that caused people to leave everything they knew, climb aboard a crowded ship, and sail in unspeakable squalor for many weeks to start a new life, penniless, in an unforgiving land. It is told primarily through the story of William Gregory, who migrated from Kilmarnock, Scotland to Alexandria, Virginia in 1807.  Gregory left his family's carpet factory and found work and a home in Alexandria. Letters written home to his family and letters to America tell the story of this migration.

The Armstrong Brothers

This is the story of James, John, and Hamilton Armstrong, three sons of a yeoman farmer living on the Pennsylvania frontier at the outset of the American Revolution. James and John joined the Continental Army in 1776, rose from the ranks to become officers, and served until the army was disbanded in 1783. Hamilton remained home to work the farm, protect the family, and serve in militia and "ranger" units to defend the frontier from repeated attacks from hostile Indian tribes. Their combined wartime experiences encompassed almost the totality of the American Revolution, from Canada in the north to South Carolina in the south and along the western frontier.

James and John fought in most of the major battles of the revolution, including Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Guilford Courthouse, Eutaw Springs, and Yorktown, where they distinguished themselves in the eyes of generals like the Marquis de Lafayette, Mad Anthony Wayne, Light-Horse Harry Lee, Nathanael Greene, and George Washington.

 

About the Authors

Ellen Hamilton is a writer, book designer and illustrator. She became interested in the Scottish Lowlands after visits to the Inverclyde region with her Scottish husband. Coming from a family of writers, Hamilton embarked on a multi-year book and film project. In addition she runs a design studio and an online shop for books and gifts in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

 

 

 

 

David O. Smith is a distinguished fellow with the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center, a nonprofit policy research center in Washington, D.C. He retired from government service in 2012 after serving in a senior position in the Defense Intelligence Agency. During thirty-one years of service in the U.S. Army, he served in a wide variety of field artillery assignments and spent twenty-two years dealing with politico-military issues in the Near east and South Asia. He is the author of The Quetta Experience: A Study of Attitudes and Values within the Pakistan Army, and The Wellington Experience: A Study of Attitudes and Values within the Indian Army.