In the golden hush of twilight, two war widows walk arm in arm through the cobbled streets of Edinburgh. Their bond is woven from shared loss—husbands taken on the distant battlefield of Quebec during the Seven Years’ War. The elder, dressed in mourning black, bears the weight of years and sorrow, while the younger, in muted red, offers a hopeful smile. Market stalls bustle in the background, but their world is hushed, intimate. As light glows warmly on stone and skin, their quiet conversation reveals resilience, memory, and the unspoken strength that comes from grief shared between generations. (Jeffrey Campbell, Time Heals, 2025)
Pensions to Widows
The following warrant established widows from the two Highland battalions raised in January 1757 for service in North America, to receive a pension from the British Government for their spouse's dedicated commitment to the country. Together, they are listed with their name, and husband's rank.
George R
Our Will and Pleasure is, that this List and Establishment of the Widows of Officers who have been Killed of have Died in our Service, amounting to the Sum of Thirteen Thousand One Hundred and Nonety two Pounds p annum for Five Hundred and Forty Seven Widows, do commence and take place from the Twenty fifth day of December last inclusive, from which Time, all former Establishments relating to the said Widows are to cease and Determine; and that no new charge be added thereunto without a particular Warrant in that behalf. Our further Will and Pleasure is, that the List following the above said Establishment of the Widows of Officers who have Died on the British Establishment of Half Pay, amounting to the Sum of Six Hundred and Sixty four Pounds, for Thirty three Widows, do commence and take place from the said Twenty fifth of December last Enclusive, which sum was granted by our Parliament of Great Britain in their present session, to be distributed to the said Widows of Half Pay Officers whose Husbands served and were married to them before the Twenty fifth Day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixteen. Given at our Court at St. James's this 27th day of April 1770, In the Tenth Year of Our Reign.
By His Majesty's Command
Barrington
First Highland Battalion
[Lt. Col. Archibald Montgomery: renumbered 62nd Regiment; 77th Regiment]
Catherine Mirrie
Rank: Major
Hellen Grant
Rank: Lieutenant
Isabella MacKenzie
Rank: Lieutenant
Hester Stuart
Rank: Lieutenant
Second Highland Battalion
[Lt. Col. Simon Fraser: renumbered 63rd Regiment; 78th Regiment]
Lillieas Fraser
Rank: Captain
Jane Fraser
Rank: Lieutenant
Catherine McDonald
Rank: Lieutenant
Works Cited:
[Pensions to Widows]. TNA, WO 24/821, pp.18-20.
© Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.
