“L” is for Loyalists

“L” is for Loyalists. Perhaps twenty-five percent of White South Carolinians either actively opposed the movement for independence or supported British authority against the state government during the American Revolution. But a far greater number of people resisted the revolutionary government in subtle but no less debilitating ways, such as refusing to pay their wartime taxes, selling supplies to the army or avoiding conscription. Loyalists were disproportionately represented among non-English ethnic minorities. One common element among Loyalists in South Carolina was that nearly all immigrated to the province after 1765; only about one in six was native born. In short, Loyalists came from every sector of society, with approximately forty-five percent comprised of small farmers; thirty percent of merchants, artisans, and shopkeepers; fifteen percent of large farmers and planters; and ten percent of crown officials and professionals.