Although originally Scottish, the family were Presbyterians who had been forced to leave Ayrshire in the 1640s during the struggle between the episcopacy of Charles I and the Covenanters.
Kahit na orihinal na Scottish, ang pamilya ay Presbyterians na ay sapilitang umalis sa Ayrshire sa 1640s sa panahon ng pakikibaka sa pagitan ng mga episcopacy ng Charles I at ang Covenanters.