Scottish colonization of the Americas
On 29 September 1621, the charter for the foundation of a colony was granted by James VI of Scotland to Sir William Alexander.
The colony's charter, in law, made Nova Scotia (defined as all land between Newfoundland and New England; i.e., The Maritimes) a part of mainland Scotland; this was later used to get around the English navigation acts.
Due to difficulties in obtaining a sufficient number of skilled emigrants, in 1624, James VI created a new order of baronets; admission to this order was obtained by sending six labourers or artisans, sufficiently armed, dressed and supplied for two years, to Nova Scotia, or by paying 3,000 merks to William Alexander.
During the Anglo-French War, David Kirke took Quebec City in 1629, and Sir James Stewart of Killeith, Lord Ochiltree planted a colony on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia at Baleine, and Alexander's son, William Alexander, 1st Earl of Stirling established the first incarnation of "New Scotland" at Port Royal, Nova Scotia.
This set of British triumphs which left Cape Sable as the only major French holding on mainland Nova Scotia was not destined to last.
In 1629 James Stewart, 4th Lord Ochiltree attempted to found a settlement called "Rosemar" but was captured by French soldiers and taken to France.
[5] In 1627 while accompanying England to the battle of Biscay against France, The acting Admiral High Admiral John Gordon of Lochinvar sailed to the West Indies, And founded the Scottish colony of Charles island, Now known as Floreana, One of the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador[6] in addition of founding this colony the Scot’s also seized and privateered french prizes.
The driving force among the Scots was Robert Barclay of Urie,[7] a prominent Quaker and the first Governor of East Jersey.
Scots began arriving in East Jersey in 1683 at Perth Amboy and spread south to Monmouth County.
These were intended, with the support of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the leader of the Carolina Proprietors, to provide a haven for Covenanters, as they negotiated a guarantee of freedom of conscience and autonomous control of their colony,[9]: 31–32 which extended from Charles Town towards Spanish territory.
These settlers were made up of ex-soldiers, ministers of religion, merchants, sailors and the younger sons of the gentry, to receive 50 to 150 acres (0.61 km2) each.
[citation needed] The company also took control of Crab Island in 1698 (modern day Vieques, Puerto Rico), yet sovereignty was short-lived.
