Divided Loyalties: Jonathan Boucher and the Pre-revolutionary Crisis
Overview: During the turbulent years preceding American independence, many Americans opposed the Revolutionary movement. Some were attached to Britain by political, cultural, economic, and religious ties; others feared that independence would produce chaos or oppression. By presenting a picture of one of the most articulate Loyalists, Jonathan Boucher, this essay encourages us to consider both sides of the Revolution. We begin with Boucher’s early life in England, follow his career as a minister in Virginia and Maryland, and study his growing hostility to the American Revolution -- to the point where he and his wife are forced into exile. We then explore more deeply the reasons that led to his becoming a loyalist.
1. Tories and Patriots: George Washington, Continental Congress, Alexandria, Tories, Loyalists, John Adams, patriots, colonial elite, Church of England, royal governor.
2. Jonathan Boucher life from England to British North America: Scotland, Rebellion of 1745, Blencogo, John James, Rappahannock River, Chesapeake Bay, Port Royal, minister of Hanover, Saint Mary's Parish, Presbyterian, Baptist, orthodox, rival preachers, Anglicanism, John Parke ("Jackie") Custis, Mount Vernon.
3. Imperial Conflicts and Boucher’s Exile: Stamp Act, Parliament, Kamchatka, Thomas Hutchinson, consideration for slaves, Saint Anne's Parish, The Homony Club, Eleanor Addison, Nelly, Stamp Act crisis, Anglican bishops, bishoprics, salaries to Anglican clergymen, Robert Eden, fight with a blacksmith, General Gage, Provincial Committee, fast day, Sprigg, Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill.
4. Why Boucher became an Exile: "shipwreck of my conscience," James Boucher, "a state of penury and hardship," Mrs. Tomlinson, polite society, libertarian philosophy, John Locke, individual liberty, John Trenchard, Thomas Gordon, Christianization of the slaves, "perturbed spirits," "obedience for conscience," desire to be associated with an elite.
Overview: During the turbulent years preceding American independence, many Americans opposed the Revolutionary movement. Some were attached to Britain by political, cultural, economic, and religious ties; others feared that independence would produce chaos or oppression. By presenting a picture of one of the most articulate Loyalists, Jonathan Boucher, this essay encourages us to consider both sides of the Revolution. We begin with Boucher’s early life in England, follow his career as a minister in Virginia and Maryland, and study his growing hostility to the American Revolution -- to the point where he and his wife are forced into exile. We then explore more deeply the reasons that led to his becoming a loyalist.
1. Tories and Patriots: George Washington, Continental Congress, Alexandria, Tories, Loyalists, John Adams, patriots, colonial elite, Church of England, royal governor.
2. Jonathan Boucher life from England to British North America: Scotland, Rebellion of 1745, Blencogo, John James, Rappahannock River, Chesapeake Bay, Port Royal, minister of Hanover, Saint Mary's Parish, Presbyterian, Baptist, orthodox, rival preachers, Anglicanism, John Parke ("Jackie") Custis, Mount Vernon.
3. Imperial Conflicts and Boucher’s Exile: Stamp Act, Parliament, Kamchatka, Thomas Hutchinson, consideration for slaves, Saint Anne's Parish, The Homony Club, Eleanor Addison, Nelly, Stamp Act crisis, Anglican bishops, bishoprics, salaries to Anglican clergymen, Robert Eden, fight with a blacksmith, General Gage, Provincial Committee, fast day, Sprigg, Lexington, Concord, Bunker Hill.
4. Why Boucher became an Exile: "shipwreck of my conscience," James Boucher, "a state of penury and hardship," Mrs. Tomlinson, polite society, libertarian philosophy, John Locke, individual liberty, John Trenchard, Thomas Gordon, Christianization of the slaves, "perturbed spirits," "obedience for conscience," desire to be associated with an elite.