Hector St John de Creve'Coeur an observer of revolutionary America referred to the "back settlers"(Pioneers) among them the "Scotch Hebrideans" about whom he wrote, "He who would wish to see America in its proper light...must visit our extended line of frontiers...where men are wholly left dependent on their native tempers and on the spur of uncertain industry....There, remote from the power of example and check of shame, many families exhibit the most hideous parts of our society....prosperity will polish some, vice and the law will drive off the rest, who, uniting again with others like themselves, will recede still further, making room for more industrious people, who will finish their improvements....Such is our progress; such is the march of the Europeans toward the interior parts of this continent. In all societies there are offcasts; this impure part serves as our precursors or pioneers; (Letters from an American Farmer: Letter 3: What is an American?)
Sounds like one of our family reunions! ;-)