This depends upon specifics, particularly family individuals, since we are generations from your crown realm and, aside from most of our revolutionary founders, the greater number were not the more educated; the native population and, particularly, non-Anglo immigrants (still swarming in, legally or not) have/are affecting the linguistic mix. For a long while, Bostonians were considered, pronunciation-wise, closer to the original homeland. Personally, I pronounce "half" or "halve" as if I'm going to pronounce the "l" but do not; my cousins, and most others now, not only don't pronounce the "l" but pronunce with a short "a" (as in cat).

A Southern Yank would be a misplaced Northerner, technically from the northeastern US (as I once was while near the Mississippi coast). The term "Southerner" would be a better term since many don't associate with "Confederate" -- and it's best not to call Southerners "Southern Yanks" -- you may get a change of accent you, in no way, want.

After a year at Biloxi, although rarely venturing off base, I took leave time back to New Hampshire and my sister commented on my southern accent...