Dissertation
Loyalist refugees in British-occupied Charlestown, 1775-1784
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Spring 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.007100
Abstract
This dissertation examines South Carolina Loyalist refugees who sheltered in British-occupied Charlestown during the Revolutionary War. The study builds on emerging scholarship arguing that practicality, not ideology, motivated Loyalists to choose sides to protect their person, family, and property from belligerents. From 1780 to 1782, the British occupation of Charlestown attracted some 10,000 colonists and escaped bondspeople eager to swear allegiance in exchange for paternalistic aid and security. Loyalist refugees and bondspeople placed unbearable pressure on the British occupiers to provide food, clothing, shelter, medicines, education, and employment. As a result, the British failed to balance civilian and military needs, pushing many colonists to withdraw loyalty to the Crown. When the British evacuated Charlestown, most Loyalist refugees remained in South Carolina to rebuild their lives in the new republic.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Loyalist refugees in British-occupied Charlestown, 1775-1784
- Creators
- Patrick E Brady
- Contributors
- Tom Arne Midtrod (Advisor)Leslie Schwalm (Committee Member)Nicholas Yablon (Committee Member)Matthew Brown (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- History
- Date degree season
- Spring 2023
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.007100
- Number of pages
- v, 208 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2022 Patrick E Brady
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 12/26/2022
- Date approved
- 01/05/2023
- Description illustrations
- tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 198-208).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- The Revolution in South Carolina was the first American civil war. Ordinary colonists strove to survive the turbulent era and keep their family, person, and livelihood intact. During the British occupation of Charlestown (1780-1782), refugee colonists and bondspeople aligned with British forces to receive aid and protection from belligerents. Refugees placed unbearable pressure on the British occupiers to provide food, clothing, shelter, medicines, education, and employment. Consequently, the British failed to meet civilian needs, pushing many colonists to withdraw their loyalty to the empire. Most Loyalist refugees remained in South Carolina after the British evacuation and reintegrated into postwar society.
- Academic Unit
- History
- Record Identifier
- 9984425200602771
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