The Scotch-Irish in America tells the story of the Ulster Plantation and of the influences that formed the character of the Scotch-Irish people. The author commences with a detailed discussion of the events leading to the Scottish migration to Ulster in the seventeenth century, followed by an examination of the causes of the secondary exodus of these same "Scotch-Irish" to North America before the end of the century. Entire chapters are then devoted to the Scotch-Irish settlement in New England, New York, the Jerseys, Pennsylvania, and along the colonial frontier. Special chapters take up the role of the Scotch-Irish in the development of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S., the Scotch-Irish in the American Revolution, and the role of the Scotch-Irish in the spread of popular education in America.

Beginning with the origins of their population in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the author traces the Scotch-Irish development from Lowland Scotland to Northern Ireland to the American colonies. Arriving in the East, the Scotch-Irish were characterized by other colonists as being fiery tempered, stubborn, hard drinking, and very religious, and they quickly made lasting impressions. Though the Scotch-Irish were in the minority, they managed to impact history. Most notably, they introduced the appeals system and the checks and balances system.

This volume presents an address delivered before H. S. Greenleaf Post, No. 20, Grand Army of the Republic at Colrain on 30 May 1885 providing some account of the early settlement of Boston Township No. 2 (alias Colrain), adjoining on the north side of Deerfield. The author has "touched upon most of the important matters relating to the history of the town, down to nearly the close of the last century." Discussions include: the Scotch-Irish, the first town meeting, the French and Indian War, highways, schools, churches and religious societies, second division lots, incorporation, the Revolutionary War, Shay's Rebellion, and families. A full-name index completes this work.