During the first hundred years of Scottish immigration to the Americas, Philadelphia was the largest city in the British colonies, and the second largest city in the British empire. As such, its booming port was a natural destination for emigrant Scots. Many of those arriving in Philadelphia were poor or sick and in need of money, work, and friends. In 1747, a group of Scots immigrants who were already established in Philadelphia founded the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia to assist their indigent countrymen. The first meetings of the Society were held at Tun Tavern, which was located near this site. The early members of the Society included prominent Scottish immigrants — physicians, educators, engineers, and military leaders, businessmen, clergymen, farmers, and lawyers — all of whom contributed their money and skill to assist less fortunate Scots.
This Monument depicts a Scottish family, newly arrived in Philadelphia, walking up from the river ready to face the challenges of their new country with determination and courage. The group includes a young man dressed in frontier garb who has come ahead of his family to find a place for them to settle. Perhaps he has already met and received help from the members of the St. Andrew's Society; perhaps he has joined the Society himself. Having found a suitable location in Pennsylvania