Honorable Decisions: Clerical Loyalty During the American Revolution

<p>The American Revolution forced colonists to make important decisions about their political loyalties that influenced every aspect of their lives. This was especially true for the clergy, who often struggled to both protect their flocks from the ravages of war while upholding their religious beliefs. This thesis traces the political and religious decisions of three such clergymen--Samuel Seabury, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, and Robert Smith--from the 1760's through the close of the war and uncovers the role "honor" played in these men's decision-making process. Honor was a constantly evolving, but also a constantly important virtue, whose increasingly political nature challenged these religious men as the war approached. Unlike historical arguments which emphasize that denomination determined political loyalty, this study seeks to show how varying perceptions of honor could create a patriotic Anglican, a hesitant Lutheran and a Loyalist Anglican from three devout colonists.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Campus Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Year

2010

Author dc:creator

• Strauch, Tara E.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Daniel C Littlefield
• Lacy K Ford

• Arts and Humanities
• History
• American Revolution
• Henry Melchior Muhlenburg
• Honor
• Samuel Seabury

Statement dc:rights

• © 2010, Tara E. Strauch

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/1482

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarcommons.sc.edu:etd-2483