Liberty's Exiles: American Loyalists in the Revolutionary World

“During the war, tens of thousands of loyalists had moved for safety into New York and other British-held cities. The British withdrawal raised urgent questions about their future.”

Jasanoff sets up the main point of conflict for loyalists: As British forces left New York, those Americans who opposed the revolution, protagonists in this book, feared retribution from their patriot counterparts. This uncertainty was the main motivation for the loyalist exodus.

“Perhaps the most surprising truth about loyalist refugees was how varied a role ideology might play in their decision-making.” 

Loyalists had diverse motivations for leaving the new United States. Some were committed to the monarchy due to developed political philosophy, but others decided to remain British subjects based on personal allegiances or practical considerations. Black loyalists, for instance, chose the loyalist side because of Dunmore’s Proclamation of 1775, which promised freedom for enslaved people who fought for the British.

“A handful of studies have looked at specific figures and sites within this migration. But the loyalists’ worldwide dispersal has never been completely reconstructed.”

Jasanoff contextualizes her book within the broader body of historical research. While other investigations have dealt with topics she seeks to address, they have not presented a full picture of the loyalist diaspora, the aim of this book. This contextual frame characterizes both the author’s scholarly motivation and her work’s significance.