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From:
Subject: FER-GOLD Reiver cousins
Date: Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:53:10 EST


Hi All
I noticed this post....you got my attention lol

First because I read "Steel Bonnets" and loved it. It helped me to
understand WHY my border riever Armstrongs were the way they were. YES...it is
only one point of view but it still gave me an insight to realize...back
then..the "LARGE" picture was SURVIVAL....whether right or wrong...people did
what they did many times because of tradition (or it was all they knew how to
do for years) and Survival!

Second...amazingly awhile back my son did a report on "Scot-Irish" for his
American History class. I won't go into details now...but one thing I
learned from his report (taken from a few sources) was....that many Scot-Irish
came to the US from the early to late 1700s.....they tended to settle in
isolated areas (mountains etc). When war hit....they were the FIRST to defend,
the first to declare themselves Americans and not just residents of the
states they lived in, and the first to fight intensely. They were some of the
first to risk their lives and travel into the new territories of America.
I also learned that though much of America was basically influenced by
"British" and many History books concentrated on their influence on
America...it was the Scot-Irish who had an even bigger effect on who we became and who
we are today. For instance......in 1738 they were the ones who pushed
religious freedom in Virginia. They also helped bring a "commitment to general
education" to America. And there was more...but I'll cut this short for
now.

I thought you all might find this interesting. I did.

Another fact was....when they first came here they were persecuted or
looked "down on" by a majority British population but that changed after ALL
they did and their patriotism for their new country. They gained extreme
respect. And many became great Generals and leaders of this country. So...after
reading Steel Bonnets I may have found understanding "with" pride.... BUT
I was never more proud then when I read and talked with my son about his
report.

Again...only "one" mans view! lol


Sue in NY

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