Numbers of Loyalists Loyalist (American Revolution)

a jury finding kentucky county, virginia in july 1780, confiscating lands of 2 men adjudged british subject. daniel boone listed member of jury.

before calhoon s work, estimates of loyalist share of population higher, @ one-third, these estimates seen high scholars. adams did indeed estimate in letter of year in american revolution, patriots had struggle against approximately one-third of population, while constituted two-thirds of it; did not mention neutrals. in 1968 historian paul h. smith estimated there 400,000 loyalists, or 16% of white population 0f 2.25 million in 1780.

historian robert middlekauff summarized scholarly research on nature of loyalist support follows:

the largest number of loyalists found in middle colonies: many tenant farmers of new york supported king, example, did many of dutch in colony , in new jersey. germans in pennsylvania tried stay out of revolution, many quakers did, , when failed, clung familiar connection rather embrace new. highland scots in carolinas, fair number of anglican clergy , parishioners in connecticut , new york, few presbyterians in southern colonies, , large number of iroquois indians stayed loyal king.

johnson hall, seat of sir john johnson in mohawk valley

new york city , long island british military , political base of operations in north america 1776 1783 , had large concentration of loyalists, many of whom refugees other states.

according calhoon, loyalists tended older , wealthier, there many loyalists of humble means. many active church of england members became loyalists. recent arrivals britain, scotland, had high loyalist proportion. loyalists in southern colonies suppressed local patriots, controlled local , state government. many people—including former regulators in north carolina — refused join rebellion, had earlier protested against corruption local authorities later became revolutionary leaders. oppression local whigs during regulation led many of residents of backcountry north carolina sitting out revolution or siding loyalists.

in areas under patriot control, loyalists subject confiscation of property, , outspoken supporters of king threatened public humiliation such tarring , feathering, or physical attack. not known how many loyalist civilians harassed patriots, treatment warning other loyalists not take arms. in september 1775, william drayton , loyalist leader colonel thomas fletchall signed treaty of neutrality in interior community of ninety six, south carolina. actively aiding british army when occupied philadelphia, 2 residents of city tried treason, convicted, , executed returning patriot forces.