Introduction
Recruiting the Second Highland Battalion: Origins of the 78th Fraser Highlanders
In the spring of 1757, the Scottish Highlands became a competitive recruiting ground for British military authorities. The effort to raise multiple Highland regiments—including the soon-to-be 78th Fraser’s Highlanders—made recruiting a high-stakes endeavor across the region. With war spreading across Europe and North America, the British Army looked to the Highlands for seasoned fighters, but the land had already been stripped of able-bodied men. What remained was a landscape of hardship, with families strained by rent hikes, failed harvests, and the lingering effects of the 1745 Jacobite rising.
The sum itself—three pounds sterling per man—was not insignificant. For many Highlanders, especially those living in the economically fragile aftermath of the Jacobite rising, such an offer could represent several months’ worth of livelihood. Levy money functioned both as a personal incentive and a broader tool of statecraft: a means of recruiting Highland men into imperial service while soothing the wounds of rebellion with coin rather than punishment.
In the case of Fraser’s Regiment, recruiting efforts benefited from clan networks already familiar with Simon Fraser of Lovat’s leadership. The process helped the British Army frame Highland enlistment as voluntary, even aspirational. While some recruits may have been drawn by loyalty, patriotism, or the promise of adventure, many others responded to the more tangible appeal of hard currency paid upfront. For the Crown, the expense was justified. The Highland battalions brought not only combat prowess but also a symbolic unity between former rebels and their former enemies. In effect, recruiting transformed political risk into military utility—one soldier at a time.
Recruiting
One of the most common questions we receive from genealogists is this: Where can I find a roster of soldiers recruited in Scotland who served with Fraser’s Highlanders (originally known as the 2nd Highland Battalion) during the Seven Years’ War, 1757–1763?
To be upfront, identifying your ancestor as a soldier in the regiment is challenging—but not impossible. Officer biographies are more commonly preserved and often contain genealogical details we can connect with. In contrast, records for non-commissioned officers and enlisted men—serjeants, corporals, and privates—are much scarcer. As a result, we often need to dig deeper and consult a wider range of documents to uncover meaningful clues.
In our own family’s case, the breakthrough came with Alexander William Campbell (spouse of Marie Josephte Chartier). The key piece of evidence was a notarized bill of sale filed by William in Saint Vallier, Quebec, in 1793—more than 30 years after the war had ended. Tucked inside this 1761 document was an official endorsement from Major Jacques [James] Abercrombie of the 78th Regiment. For more than a century, researchers had speculated that Campbell had served as a private in the regiment, based solely on oral family history. It wasn’t until early 2017 that we finally uncovered definitive proof—buried in old notarial records now held at Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.
This example highlights why it’s so important to look beyond standard military or regimental archives when searching for ancestral connections. It also emphasizes the value of patient, thorough research—especially when tracing ancestors who may have been recruited in Scotland and later settled in Canada following the disbandment of the 78th Regiment in 1763.
A Word of Caution
There is some evidence suggesting that a very small number of North American recruits may have been added to the regiment as losses mounted during the war. However, these instances were likely minimal. That’s why careful research and due diligence are essential—especially when determining whether your ancestor was of Scottish or American origin.
Finally, it’s worth noting that we’ve compiled a list of approximately 370 original soldiers from Colonel Fraser’s Second Highland Battalion, including several civilian recruiters. Where possible, we’ve documented their birthplaces and likely recruiting locations based on surviving records. If you have questions or are researching a possible connection, we’re always happy to help—please feel free to reach out.
Enlistment Requirements
Specific requirements for enlistment were laid out by the British Government in the official Recruiting Act, 1756-57 as follows:
Provided always, that no person shall be inlisted by the said Commissioners by virtue of the Act, who is not such Able-bodied Man as is fit to serve his Majesty, and is free from Ruptures and every other Distemper, or bodily Weakness or Infirmity, which may render him unfit to perform the Duty of a Soldier;
and that no Man be inlisted for his Majesty’s Service by virtue of this Act, who shall appear in the Opinion of the Commissioners, or Officer or Officers appointed to receive the impressed Men, to be under the Age of Seventeen years, or above the Age of forty five years, or a known Papist, or who shall be under the Size of five feet four inches without Shoes.
While no evidence has been found suggesting that Scottish Highlanders were required to declare their religious affiliation upon enlistment, there is documentation supporting the use of religious certificates among some British and Irish troops during the same period.
Colonel Fraser’s Regiment operated under a “raise for rank” system—meaning that officers could only secure their commissions by successfully recruiting a set number of men. As a result, each officer was expected to contribute to the regimental goal of raising 100 able-bodied men per company, using whatever legal and practical means were available to them.
Colonel Fraser's Instructions to Major Clephane
Recruiting instructions provided to Major James Clephane, the colonel's second-in-command, read as follows:
COLONEL SIMON FRASER TO MAJOR JAMES CLEPHANE
You are hearby directed by virtue of a Beating Order herewith transmitted to you, to raise One Hundred able bodied Men, with the Assistance of the three Officers appointed to your Company. You are to take Men of any Size who are fit for Service and of any Age from Eighteen to Forty.
When you have Twenty Men or upwards raised for your Company you are directed to send them to either Inverness, Maryburgh, Dunkeld, or other hidden Lores or Distempers; You are to report once a Week to Colonel Fraser or the Commanding Officer of Inverness what success you and your Officers have in the recruiting Service.
You are to give the Subaltern Officers appointed to your Company what money you think proper to carry on the Service; and you are to be accountable to the Regiment for the different sums which will be drawn for upon account of your Company when it is completed for each man sent and approved of at head Quarters. You shall receive three pounds sterling with parss from the date of his attestation."
Given At London the 13th of January 1757
[signed] Simon Fraser
This letter reflects the practical demands placed on officers under the "raise for rank" system, where commissions were tied directly to recruiting performance. While Major Clephane received these instructions in his role as second-in-command, it is almost certain that each of the ten company commanders received similar—if not identical—orders. Every officer in the regiment was expected to raise approximately 100 able-bodied men, often relying on subaltern officers, personal networks, and hired recruiters to meet their quotas. In this context, recruiting was not just a logistical duty but a direct path to career advancement, and it placed immense pressure on officers to deliver results in a highly competitive environment.
Enlistment Contracts
Among the papers of Major James Clephane, housed at the National Records of Scotland in Edinburgh, are two original enlistment contracts. While the handwriting differs between the documents, the text itself remains consistent. Each form includes four blank fields used to record the recruit’s name, parish and county of birth, and age.
These do certify that [ ] Born in the Parish of [ ] County of [ ] Aged [ ] Years came before me and declar'd that he had Voluntarly and of his own free will enlisted himself to serve his Majesty King George as a Soldier in Major James Clephane's Company of Lieut Colonel Fraser's Second Battalion of Highlanders: that he had received the enlisting Money agreed on, and had no impediment to Render him unfit for the Service. Accordingly, he had the Articles of War Read to him, and took the Oath to Majesty as by Law directed.
Interestingly Betty Clephane, the major's sister and wife of the chief of clan Rose, who was instrumental in the recruiting process, explained in a letter written to her other sibling Doctor John Clephane the filling out of attestation papers for the new recruits. Speaking about her husband she wrote:
"...I see Mr. Rose writes you that he has left me his peaper [sic, paper] to fill, but least I shoud [sic] have subject for more than he gives..." And in a separate letter, she mentions her daughter Betty, who is also contributing to the cause. "...For I declare we work wonders Mr. Roses Brother Lewis is our first clerk: and my babes is not idle [...] brings in Recruits and Betty is a writer of atestations [sic]." [NRS, GD125/22/2/00063-66 & GD125/22/2/00054-57].
Clearly, this was an 'all hands on deck' approach by the major, with the assistance of his family and friends throughout the recruiting process, as the regiment was on a stringent timeline to set sail for North America.
Recruits at Dundee in Major Clephane's Company
If your ancestor was recruited to the company commanded by Major Clephane, who hired a crimp (professional recruiter) named John Strachan to recruit near Dundee, Scotland, some of these papers have been preserved and show the names of recruits, age, birthplace, occupation.
1. Alexander Bell, 19 years, 5'3" enlisted in Dundee 18 February 1757, born in Kirriemuir, Angus, a laborer, fresh complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, round visage.
2. Alexander Findlay, 17 years, 5'3" enlisted in Dundee 19 February 1757, born in Monifieth, Angus, a laborer, swarthy complexion, black eyes, black hair, round visage.
3. Peter Moody, 17 years, 5'1" enlisted in Dundee 20 February 1757, born in Glamis, Angus, a laborer, fresh complexion, black hair, hazel eyes, long visage.
4. William McKenzie, 17 years, 5'2", enlisted in Dundee 20 February 1757, born in Kingoldrum, Angus, a weaver, fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, long visage.
5. William Fife, 18 years, 5'2" enlisted in Dundee 21 February 1757, born in Kirriemuir, Angus, a weaver, fresh complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, long visage.
6. George Wright, 21 years, 5'5" enlisted in Forfar 24 February 1757, born in Ruthven, Angus, a laborer, florid complexion, brown hair, hazel eyes, round visage.
7. David Morris, 24 years, 5'3" enlisted in Perth 4 March 1757, born in Drone, Perth, a laborer, fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, long visage.
8. Peter Robb, 17 years, 5'3", enlisted in Careston 8 March 1757, born in Glamis, Angus, a laborer, fresh complexion, black hair, hazel eyes, long visage.
9. Angus Laird, 17 years, 5'3", enlisted in Dundee 10 March 1757, born in Clunie, Perth, a laborer, fresh complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, long visage.
10. John Molyson, 18 years, 5'4", enlisted in Dundee 15 March 1757, born in Fethers, Mearns, a laborer, pale complexion, brown hair, grey eyes, long visage.
11. George Gordon, ........, 5'2", enlisted in Dundee 17 March 1757, born in Kintore, Aberdeen, a laborer, pale complexion, flaxen hair, .........
Note: A recruit named David Ross (not listed) was discharged at Dundee on 1 March 1757 for "having fitts." Unfortunately, there are no further details available for this soldier.
Final Thoughts on Recruiting the 78th Fraser’s Highlanders
The recruiting of the 78th Fraser’s Highlanders in 1757 was far more than a matter of filling military ranks—it was a complex, deeply human process shaped by urgency, economic hardship, family networks, and the ambitions of officers striving to earn their commissions. From official enlistment orders and handwritten attestation papers to civilian involvement and localized efforts across the Highlands, each layer of the recruiting campaign tells a story that blends personal sacrifice with imperial purpose.
For genealogists and historians alike, tracing a connection to the 78th Regiment requires patience, creativity, and an understanding that traditional military records may only tell part of the story. The scattered but surviving documentation—like Major Clephane’s enlistment papers or later-discovered financial accounts from Captain John Campbell—offer rare glimpses into how this regiment came into being.
Whether your ancestor joined through a beating order, was recruited by a hired crimp in Dundee, or left behind a notarial trace in Canada decades later, the recruiting story of the 78th Fraser’s Highlanders recruiting effort remains a remarkable chapter in Highland military history—and one worth revisiting with care.
The United Kingdom war documents are primarily kept at the National Archives in London; however, very few original recruiting records for Colonel Fraser's Regiment are in existence. The National Archives has acquired transcript extract of warrants relating to the formation of the 2nd Highland Battalion in 1757, and this material is available on microfilm reel C-10866.
Additionally, the National Army Museum may be able to provide information about obtaining records, if available.
Works Consulted
- Clephane, James. Size Roll of Clephane’s Recruits. 1757. Elizabeth Rose Family Papers, GD125/22/16(15), National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- Clephane, James. Second Highland Battalion Enlistment Contract, 1757. GD125/22/16/14/1, National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- Fraser, Simon. Letter to Major James Clephane, 13 Jan. 1757. Papers of the Rose Family of Kilravock, GD125/22/16/6, National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- Fraser, Marie. Fraser’s Highlanders (the 78th), 1763. Clan Fraser Society, 2001, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Library and Archives Canada. Quebec Notarial Records: William Campbell’s Bill of Sale. Fonds Cour Supérieure, District judiciaire de Montmagny, Cote CN302, Greffes de notaires, 1709–1953, Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, Montréal.
- National Archives (UK). War Office Records and Recruiting Warrants, 1757. Microfilm reel C-10866, The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey.
- National Army Museum (UK). British Army Recruitment and Enlistment Practices.
- Strachan, John. Descriptive Roll of Men Raised for Clephane at Dundee. 1757. GD125/22/16/18, National Records of Scotland, Edinburgh.
- United Kingdom. Recruiting Act, 1756–57. 30 Geo. 2, cap. 8, 1757.
- Wilmot, John Eardley. Letter from William Congreve to Wilmot. 10 Mar. 1757. PRO Ireland, T3019/3122.
