Taking Sides
What's it going to be? The noose or the tar and feathers?
LOYALISTS/TORIES/ROYALISTS. The term Loyalist refers to the idea that they remain faithful to their king and country. The derogatory terms "Torie", "Royalist", or "King's Men" (often employed by the considerably less faithful [Rebel] sort), make reference to the political party in England that supports the King or just plain backing of the King. Recent immigrants to the Americans and wealthy citizens (mainly merchants whose livelihoods are tied to trade with Britain) are usually loyalists.
Many Loyalists fled to New York after enduring the suppression of their rights and risk of injury [including being tarred and feathered]/loss of property in other states. The major influx of Loyalists into NYC did not begin until the 1777s. 1/5 of the population of the colonies are active Loyalists. Most Loyalists are concentrated in the South and in New York. New York has always had a higher ratio of Loyalists within the province that other surrounding colonies. 2/3 of Manhattan's wealthy citizens were loyalists.
PATRIOTS/REBELS/YANKEES. Patriots refer to themselves as such because they are being "patriotic" to "their" country [state] in any case, they want independence from Britain; to everyone else, they are rebels. Some patriots are motivated out of personal greed, others out of a sense that Britain has done her colonies great injustice, others to defend their homes... There is a great variety of reasons why. Not all patriots support democracy however; some are in favor of a king in America.
Patriots tend to come from the artisan/middle and lower classes. Although some members of the gentry support the patriot cause. The rebel organization The Sons of Liberty is usually led by more upper [middle] class members of society while the bulk is made up of lower class artisans and members of the "mob". The Daughters of Liberty help nurse American troops and make home-spun cloth and find other ways to do without British help; they are far from being "liberated, Rosie the Riveter"-types though. About 2/5 of the population consider themselves Patriots. Despite their small lead in numbers throughout the colonies, their numbers are lower in New York compared to Loyalists.
NEUTRALS. Risking being bullied by both sides, they make up about 2/5 of the population and take no decided stance on independence or loyalty. It is unlikely that they "do not care" about the outcome of the revolution (because their fate will be decided by it) but because they are unsure, like so many, what will happen. They hope to ride out this storm as best they can.
