First Sinclair to America
In the Livingston Lineage
Facts Known:
1) Found on several documents: my 2nd great-grandfather, James Blair Sinclair, parents were born in Scotland.
2) James was born 15-Mar-1797 in Allegheny County, Pennslyvania.
| Conclusions | Assumptions |
|---|---|
| My direct-ancestor Scotland Sinclair had to arrive in America either already married or married after he arrived. | Given that large-scale immigration began from Scotland to America began after the Jacobite rising in 1745, it’s a fairly good assumption that the arrival of my 3rd great-grandfather was after that year. If the father was born in 1745, he would have been 52 at James’ birth. If he arrived 30 years later, he would have been 22. |
| My 3rd grandfather had to be born in Scotland but could have arrived as a child. However, if that is true, then I would find both father and son. | My 3rd great-grandfather and grandmother arrived with no money. Reading reasons why people were leaving Scotland for America listed things like “no bread”, “cannot feed my family”, “must find a better life. |
| “The migration of Scotch-Irish settlers to America began in the 1680s but did not occur in large numbers until the 1720s. Pennsylvania was the most popular destination…” Source: https://www.ncpedia.org/scottish-settlers | Question: With no money, what is the simplest and most likely way he would have come to Allegheny County? Answer: By ship to Philadelphia. Conclusion: Begin research with ships coming from Scotland to Philadelphia. |
| “1775: The outbreak of hostilities in American colonies caused the British government to suspend emigration.” At this time the British ruled over Scotland. Source: Migration to America in the 1700s | Assumption that it took awhile to implement the closure of immigration. Those who had been thinking about moving to America took steps to leave as soon as they could. |
Coming soon:
List of all Sinclairs arriving from Scotland to Philadelphia in 1775.