FAQ

Introduction to Our Website

As Colonel Fraser's 78th website continues to grow, we want you to be as successful as possible with your research. On the outside, British Army records can appear to be a complex maze of never-ending paperwork that is daunting and difficult to properly navigate. It's because of this that we offer the following instructional video to familiarize you with the different categories available, as it is our goal that navigating the available records here is productive and beneficial to your research. 

We encourage you to spend a little time reviewing the following video, as well as the answers below to some of the more common questions we receive from our viewers around the world! And if you are a YouTube member, feel free to subscribe to our channel and receive automatic notifications for future videos.

Video Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

03:47 - Administrative Links

05:15 - Surname Variations

06:16 - Research

07:44 - Store

11:22 - Main Menu Bar Links

12:42 - Post War Discussions

14:26 - Land Records

17:54 - Payroll Records (Major Clephane's Company)

18:54 - Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, Pensioners

22:08 - Vital Records

25:06 - Recruitment

35:00 - Editorials (newspaper extracts) 

Common Questions

To further assist in your research, we've provided answers to some of the more common questions submitted by our readers.  Please understand that the British armies of the eighteenth century were more interested in winning wars than leaving us a paper trail to uncover hundreds of years later. Through our research, we have discovered that personal documents for these soldiers from the Seven Years' War are at a great premium.

In researching your ancestor's name, we recommend using the Search box located in the upper right column of each page for more precise results. Additionally, be sure to consult our consolidated list of surname spellings, as we've discovered many different variations recorded throughout the collection of documents. For example, Kerr may be recorded as Carr, Forbes documented as Forbis, and Campbell might also be found as Campbele or Campble. It's also worth mentioning the following names were often used interchangeably, which is something to consider in your research.

Forenames

Daniel & Donald are sometimes, but not always, interchangeable in Scotland, because Domhnall, the Gaelic version of Donald, may be Anglicised as Daniel. Thus, the Scottish name of Daniel discovered among Colonel Fraser's records may actually be Donald.

One case in point: In the Congressional Church records at Stratford, Connecticut, January 29, 1758, Reverend Izahiah Wetmore recorded a baptism of "bettee daughter of Daniel Gunn Drum major in Colonel Fraziers Regiment." Daniel was most likely Private Donald Gun [sic], recorded as a drummer in Captain Hugh Cameron's Company, and listed as an "invalid" soldier in 1762. Donald is carried on the final subsistence rolls taken in Aug. 1763.

Surnames

Both McDonald/McDonell and Robertson/Robinson surnames were used interchangeably.

Personnel Records

I think my ancestor was in the 78th Regiment. Where do I begin to look for documents here?

By 1759, the regiment consisted of 14 individual companies, each commanded by a commissioned officer. Be sure to check the company rosters on the surviving subsistence rolls compiled during the summer of 1763 to see if your ancestor is listed.
 
I've located my ancestor's name on a company roster. Where do I go from here?

At the conclusion of the war, the disposition of each soldier was dependent on one of the following categories. 

• Returned home and discharged in Scotland, Dec. 1763. An official list has not been discovered.
• Recommended to Royal Chelsea Hospital, London throughout the war.
• Discharged and remained in North America, Aug. 1763.
• Joined the 15th Regiment at Quebec, Aug. 1763.
• Joined the 27th Regiment at Quebec, Aug. 1763.
• Joined the 2d Battalion, 60th R.A. Regiment at Quebec, Aug. 1763.  

Please remember a great number of men also discharged before 1763, as their enlistment contracts were fulfilled. If your ancestor remained in North America, be sure to check both the Canadian and Colonial Land Petitions records we've compiled from known sources.

What if I did not locate my ancestor's name on a roster?
Here are a few possibilities to consider.

• Your ancestor did not serve in the 78th Regiment.
• He became an invalid soldier or pensioner due to injuries and discharged before Aug. 1763.
• Perhaps he transferred to another regiment in the area. 
• Although few 78th soldiers deserted the army, it's something to consider.
• He may have been a casualty of war.

Note: In early 1758, about 90 supernumerary men transferred to the 35th Regiment due to their sustained losses at Fort William Henry. Although we have muster rolls for the 35th Foot covering the year 1759 (the earliest available), unfortunately, the names of those transferees are not delineated as such.

Are any original enlistment or discharge papers for the soldiers available?

Only a small number of personal documents belonging to the soldiers have ever been discovered. We've uncovered one set of attestation papers listing 12 original recruits and only about one percent (14-17) of the original discharge certificates. Additionally, we have a roster of 42 recruits (with birthplaces), which was compiled from a list of men that fell ill at Cork, Ireland. Finally, we have available original North American land records, both in Canada and New York, as well as official pay records of 90 soldiers from Major Clephane's Company in May 1758.

Is there a list of birthplaces for any of the soldiers?
We have cataloged known birthplaces (or residence at the time of enlistment) for 333 soldiers from a variety of sources. You're welcome to contact us with your enquiry.
     
Did soldiers of the 78th get married during the war and are any records available?
A military order was issued by General James Murray on 6 October 1759 prohibiting soldiers from marrying the local French women. Although we have discovered a handful of Scottish marriage records, we have not located any marriage records for British soldiers in North America during the war. The order was rescinded by King George R. III in the summer of August 1763. 

An undated document signed by Major John Campbell, 78th Regiment, requesting permission for Private Donald Wilkinson, 78th Regiment, to marry was discovered in the summer of 2019. Wilkinson was discharged from the army c.1760-1763, and it is thought that permission was required to prove the legality of such a union. Since the King did not officially recognize the Roman Catholic religion until August 1763 in preparation for a newly formed Canadian government, considering his troops were primarily Protestants (according to both the Recruiting Act, 1757-57, and 1755 Scottish Census report), marriages with Roman Catholics were previously forbidden. In fact, Article 39 of the instructions to Governor Murray, dated 7 December 1763 and outlined in Documents of the Canadian Constitution, 1759-1915 (W. P. M. Kennedy, p. 33), specifically states: "And You are to take special care, that a Table of Marriages, established by the Canons of the Church of England, be hung up in all Places of publick [sic] Worship, according to the Rites of the Church of England." This strongly suggests marriages in the newly formed government after 1763 required a vetting process.

To date, no evidence has been uncovered supporting Robert Macpherson, Colonel Fraser's chaplain, performing any marriages within the ranks.

In September 1762, there is one documented case concerning Major John Campbell of the 78th Foot making a donation (or payment) to Catherine Voyer, a local Québécoise. The following "loose" translation of this "old French" document is provided by Mr. Earl Chapman and reads as follows.

"The donation to Catherine Voyer was performed in the presence of Monsieur Jean [John] Campbell...and he was to pay 400 piastres for five years.  The first year was to commence 'at the court' as they were not sure if Campbell would remain in the colony or if he would return home.  It seems that Major Campbell had entered into a marriage contract with Catherine, however, there was some sort of 'bad behaviour' on his part and that she would be free of him, and the agreement recognized by the Quebec court, upon his donation.  The letter was entered into the court by Notary Panet on 3 September 1762." [Bibliotheque Et Archives Nationales Du Quebec; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Collection: Fonds Cour Superieure. District Judiciarie De Quebec. Cote Cn301. Greffes De Notaires, 1626-1962.; District: Quebec City, Title: Panet, Jean-Claude (1745-1775)].

Uniforms
What tartan was worn by the men?

Please see our article entitled, In Favor of the Government Sett, where we discuss findings related to the Highland regiment. Also, see Clothing for the Highland Regiments, 1757, for a discussion on regimental clothing, including the 42d, 77th, and 78th Regiment of Foot.

Is there a list available of any accoutrements for the regiment?

You'll find a small list of accoutrements here.

Were cap badges part of the headdress in the 78th Regiment?

Cap badges, as we know them today, did not exist in the 18th century. 

General Research
Do you know the percentage of Lowlanders that served in the regiment?

An analysis of 298 soldiers (officers included) known to have serve with Colonel Fraser indicates 66 were either born or held residence in the lowlands at the time of joining, for a total of 22.83 percent. Since the colonel was once staffed with approximately 1450 men at full strength (that number will vary depending on which muster roll is consulted), 298 soldiers represents about 20.55 percent of the entire regiment.

Do you know the age limits [to enlist] when the two Highland battalions were raised in 1757? 

Public Act 30 George II c. 8 Recruiting of Land Forces and Marines Act, 1756-57 states: "...none under 17, nor above 45 Years of Age." Although this Act seems to have an upper age limit, the available evidence supports soldiers of the 78th Foot who were in their 50s & 60s at discharge in 1763. It is well known that Ensign Malcolm Macpherson, a volunteer in Colonel Fraser's Regiment, accepted his commission at the age of 70 years.

It's worth mentioning in a letter dated 20 October 1757 at Halifax, Major Murray of the 45th Foot discussed recruiting instructions with Captain Cosnan, who was commanding a recruiting party at the time. One particular order among his numerous instructions to the captain was: "...no one [to be enlisted] under the age of 16 or above 35," which slightly deviates from the original age limits published in 1756-57. Murray even goes as far as to write: "...Any Recruits not approved of by the Commanding Officer as unfit for service, or not agreeable to the above instructions will be discharged at the expense of the Recruiting Officer." 

So, clearly, there was some leeway in age restrictions, as officers determined the ground conditions warranted such changes.

Will you perform research from your documents on my behalf?
Yes. Please see our Research page for full details.

Last updated 4 June 2022.