Hello Christian, There are quite a few books out concerning the Ulster-Scots. My three top ones are 'God's Frontiersmen' 'Ulster Sails West' and one written by a fellow countryman of yours James Webb's 'Born Fighting'
Billy Kennedy has written a whole series of books on the Ulster-Scots in the different parts of America. Mostly in the Southern States I may add.
Sadly 'God's Frontiersmen' is out of print,but you still might be able to pick one up somewhere. There was also a documentry made with the same name and produced at the same time as the book. It is on the Streaming Video section here. The video covers the movement from Scotland to Ulster to America, wheras the book also takes in the Ulster-Scots in Canada,Australia and New Zealand. The video is about 3-1/2 hrs long,so best watched in stages I would say.
Yeah the relationship with England is a complex one. Maybe best summed up by a similar hypothetical situation in the USA.....if there was a demand by Mexico for the return of Texas, a murder and bombing campaign was started by Mexicans within Texas to back up this claim by Mexico,then I believe those Texans who may not have much time for the Federal goverment would rather throw their lot in with Washington,than face goverment by Mexico.
I agree though it was England's treatment of the Presbyterians that forced many of them to sail to the New World. Though have to say there were other reasons too.
Ps I have given a site (blog) on here, where another book dealing with the Ulster-Scots can be read. The book is 'To Ulster's Credit'