Scots-Irish in the Hills of Tennessee

by Billy Kennedy

This is the absorbing story about a race of people who created a civilization in a wilderness and helped lay the solid foundations for what is today the greatest nation on earth. The Scots-Irish Presbyterians who settled in the American frontier lands during the 18th century were a unique breed of people with an independent spirit which boldly challenged the arbitrary powers of monarchs and established church prelates. After making the hazardous journey across the Atlantic in simple wooden ships, these brave emigrant families landed at ports in Pennsylvania, Delaware, South Carolina, and New York, and were in the forefront of the push west to territories that hitherto had been inhabited by the native Indian tribes. A determination to carve out for themselves a lifestyle which would take into account their dissenting Calvinistic faith and the desire to break completely from the shackles of autocracy experienced in Ireland and Scotland kept these families going. The battles with British forces, the native Indian tribes, and the elements in a harsher climate took a terrible toll on men, women, and children, but with a doggedness and a steely character inherent in their culture, the brave Scots-Irish pioneers won through, initially to the Appalachian states of Virginia, Tennessee, the Carolinas, Kentucky, and Georgia, and eventually to points west and south, like Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, Texas, and Ohio. This book records for posterity the daring exploits of a people who tamed the frontier. It is a story that deserves retelling so that the light of democracy and freedom can shine brightly in the complex world in which we live. These were indeed a people undeterred--the Ulster-Scots who moved to America in the 18th century. Their exploits deserve our recognition.

Genres: History, Ireland, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1971

About the author

Billy Kennedy is assistant editor of the Ulster/Belfast News Letter, Northern Ireland's leading morning newspaper and the oldest English language newspaper, having been founded in 1737. Although born in Belfast in 1943, he has spent almost his entire life living in Co. Armagh. He comes of Scots-Irish Presbyterian roots and has a deep fascination for his forebears of that tradition who moved to America in such large numbers during the 18th century.

He is an authority on American country music and culture and has interviewed for the News Letter Nashville personalities such as Garth Brooks, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, and Reba McEntire.

He has edited and compiled books on cultural traditions in Ireland, including two on the history of Orangeism in Ireland. -- paraphrased from The Scots-Irish in the Hills of Tennessee

Reviews

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title did give me a greater understanding of the impact of the Scots Irish on both Tennessee history, but the history of our nation's creation and exploration. Unfortunately, I was looking for more on my various ancestors that were part of that era, especially in East Tennessee. I found a few vague possible connections, although I did recognize the names of many of the individuals highlighted here. The main contribution to my own genealogical research is that I discovered that clues I have already point to some of the principal migration routes, especially from Maryland to Tennessee.

I quick intro to the history of those frontiersmen/women who were brave enough to cross the Alleghenies. Some will be concerned by the language about native Americans and the Indian wars. The book was written in 1995, published/written by Ulstermen, and does reflect language often used then and in earlier accounts. But the fact that the Europeans (and decendants) and the native Americans both were fighting over this land is shown and atrocities occurred to, and by, both sides.

[Brett Armstrong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Painstakingly researched and chock full of truly fascinating anecdotes, Kennedy’s book tells the important and engaging story of the early Scots-Irish migration and their influence in 18th and early 19th c western NC/Tennessee. In short, distinct chapters Kennedy covers everything from politics to conflicts with native Americans and the British to religion to music, dance, and moonshine. He focuses on the contributions of key individuals and traces the rise of prominent early Scots-Irish Americans like Andrew Jackson, Davy Crockett and a host of others. It’s an important story and for Kennedy it’s obviously a labor of love. Well worth reading if you are interested in an understanding of southern Appalachian culture and how that culture developed and then shaped this great American experiment.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

A history of the Scots-Irish in Tennessee as seen by a Ulster Scots-Irishman. Including much good information about where those folks came from, as well as other places where they ended up. If you're not a Tennessee Scott-Irish descendant then my rating of 4 stars is fair. If you are a descendant or cousin (like my in-laws) then this is probably a 5 to you. I spotted almost no errors, except for a tiny one on the religious affiliation of the McMichens (and I'm sure that what's written is what people told the author). I probably would have asked for more clarity on the various group, and how their presbyterianism differ from the others, but that would be a totally different book.
Summary: if these are your people, get this book. If they are your in-laws, then read this book.

[James McMILLAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an absorbing story about the battles with the British forces and the native Indian tribes. Their dissenting calvinistic faith and the shackles of autocracy experienced in Scotland and Ireland, kept these families going in the Appalachian states of the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia and (eventually) points west. The book records for posterity, the daring exploits of people who tamed the frontier including Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier. There is also a chapter on the 11 Presidents of Scots/Irish descent. These were indeed a people undeterred – the Ulster-Scots who moved to America in the 18th century. Their exploits deserve our recognition.