A little factoid on the term 'Tories'. The English parliament at the time was ruled by two major parties, the Whig's and the Tories. When the Revolutionary War began the Tories were the majority in Parliament. The American's used the term 'Torie' to designate those supporting the British government, and those against the government Whig's. The term Whig quickly was replaced with 'Patriot', but 'Torie' was continued to be used for those loyal to the British government. Loyalist is another term used for those supporting the British government, and is really a more accurate term (since there were Whig's who also were loyal to the King). Bill Thomas