In 1540, Tam Blake, mercenary and adventurer, became the first Scot in the New World. Since then, American-Scots have played central roles in all areas of America's history. Three became Indian chiefs, presidents of Scottish descent include Jackson, Grant, Roosevelt and Reagan. Western legends such as Kit Carson and Daniel Boone were joined by thousands of unknown fellow Scottish men and women in the opening up of the West. Scots had key roles in the American Revolution (on both sides) and in the American Civil War. This book documents the lives of settlers and their descendants, transported prisoners, refugees from clearances, poverty and repression, emigrants in search of land, fame or fortune, or those just trying to avoid having to milk the cows.