Private Donald Gunn, 78th Regiment, 1757-1763

The quaint town of Stratford, Connecticut, nestled along the banks of the Housatonic River during the 18th century, as the sun descends beneath the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the tranquil scene. The river reflects the fiery oranges and deep purples of the sunset, while a handful of wooden sailboats are moored at the docks. The town itself is a charming assortment of colonial-style buildings, with their shingled roofs and white-washed clapboard facades, many of which are adorned with candlelit windows, hinting at the lives unfolding within. (Jeffrey Campbell, Stratford Sunset, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator.)

Private Donald Gunn, 78th Regiment, 1757-1763

Donald Gunn was originally a soldier in Colonel Simon Fraser's Second Highland Battalion (of Scotland), later renumbered the 63rd Regiment of Foot, and finally the 78th Regiment of Foot. His regiment embarked at Cork, Ireland, in June 1757 for passage to North America to participate in the Seven Years' War in Quebec, Canada.

30 November 1757. The regiment arrived in Connecticut, and the ten companies were quickly divided into two companies per city, garrisoned in civilian homes at Stratford, Fairfield, Norwalk, Milford, and Stanford.

29 January 1758. In the Congressional Church records at Stratford, Connecticut, Reverend Izahiah Wetmore recorded a baptism of "bettee daughter of Daniel Gunn Drum major in Colonel Fraziers Regiment." [1] Unfortunately, the name of the mother is not recorded in the document, and she is not listed on the final muster roll taken in the summer of 1763. 

Daniel Gunn may have been assigned to Captain Baillie's Grenadier company at Stratford when his daughter was born. [2]

1762-63. Private Donald Gun,  a drummer in Captain Hugh Cameron's Company, is listed as an "invalid" soldier in 1762, and is also carried on the final subsistence rolls taken in September 1763. Invalids were typically soldiers no longer able to enter the battlefield for any number of reasons, but more often than not it was due to sickness or disability. They were then considered unfit for duty. [3, 4, 5]

6 January 1764. Daniel Gunn, aged 50, 24 years of service, from Caithness, Scotland, is recorded as admitted to Royal Chelsea Hospital, London, and listed as "worn out." Considering the 78th Regiment returned to Scotland in December 1763, his admittance to the hospital one month later is consistent with being an invalid soldier returning home. [6, 7]

Donald & Daniel are sometimes, but not always, interchangeable in Scotland, because Domhnall, the Gaelic version of Donald, may be Anglicized as Daniel.

Sources:

1. Wilcoxson, Wm. Howard, "History of Stratford, Connecticut, 1639-1939", Connecticut, 1939, p. 310; First Congressional Church Records, Stratford Connecticut, 1688-1927. FHL, Microfilm 7883792.

2. "Report of the Quarters of His Majesty’s 63d or Second Highland Battalion as Cantoned in the Government of Connecticut in New England, 1758." NAS, GD42/2/41/1-7.

3. Captain Cameron may have assumed command of the Grenadier Company upon the death of Captain Baillie, at Louisbourg.

4. LAC, W.O. 34, vol. 2.

5. Although Donald Gunn appears in Captain Cameron's Company on the final subsistence rolls (soldier #65), his spouse is not listed with him. As only a certain number of women per company were permitted to be carried on the regimental establishment, she could have returned home to Scotland with her husband, but not "on the list." Or, she may have died in childbirth.  

6. While no actual evidence has surfaced, with 24 years of military experience he was a prime candidate for potential service in the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) or the Battle of Culloden, 1746.

7. TNA, W.O. 116/5-3. 

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2021.

Highland Soldiers Arrive at Stamford, Connecticut, 1757

An 18th-century downtown Stamford, Connecticut, emerging from the embrace of early morning shadows as the sunrise casts a warm, golden hue across the landscape. The cobblestone streets, lined with meticulously crafted colonial-era buildings, lie quiet and still, their red brick facades and white wooden trim glowing softly. 

On the horizon, the sun peeks above the distant church steeples, painting the sky with a palette of oranges and pinks that reflect on the calm waters of the harbor. The masts of a few ships and the silhouettes of fishermen preparing for the day's catch can be seen in the distance. The scene is imbued with a timeless charm, as the modern world seems to hold its breath, allowing the beauty of this bygone era to be fully appreciated. (Jeffrey Campbell, Stamford, Connecticut, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Highland Soldiers Arrive at Stamford, Connecticut, 1757

To the Honorable the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut to be holden at Hartford on the Second Thursday of May A.D. 1758. These may Certify you Honours that the Highland Soldiers Ordered to be Quartered in the Town of Stamford arrived at said Town on Novr. 30 A.D. 1757 and were Quartered there until March 30th A.D. 1758 the number of soldiers officers included was two Hundred and fifty. there were also belonging to them & in Company with them seventeen women and nine children were at the cost of sd. [said] Town Provided with Houseroom, bedding, firewood, candles, cyder, the necessary utensils for Cooking & Eating their victuals, &c…we have not yet been able to compute the Cost the Town were at on their account so as to lay it upon your Honours. Their officers Insisted on being kept within a small compass which exposed us to much more Cost & otherwise than would have been necessary. So that we conclude the Expense of said Town on their account is full equal to that of any other Town in Proportion to the number there Quartered. we were also at the Cost of £36.10.6-3/4 Lawful money for a guard house & Hospital for them & In behalf of said Town we do Humbly Request your Honours to order such an allowance to said Town for their Expense on account of said Soldiers &c as your Honours shall in your wisdom think proper & as in Duty bound ever pray &c.

Dated at Stamford April 28th A.D. 1758

Comtee for said Town to take care of said Highlanders

[illegible] Hait

Abram. Davenport

Jno. Holly

250 soldiers including officers 17 weeks @ 1/6 p… 318.15.0

6 officers @ 4/ p week 17 weeks in addition… 20.8.0

the Cost of Hospital & Guard House… 36.10.6-3/4     

[Total expenses] - £375.13.6-3/4

This accot. allowed by ye Comitee

Pr. [per] order Thomas Weller

Source:
Judd, Sylvester. Connecticut archives: selected papers of colonial wars. FHL, Microfilm 8199492, vol. 7, p. 278.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2021. 

Weekly Army Returns of Four Companies at Connecticut, 1757

A serene 18th-century view of the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, bathed in the soft, warm light of dusk. The cityscape is composed of quaint, colonial-style buildings with their wooden facades and shingled roofs, standing tall against the backdrop of the horizon, where a mellow orange sky meets the emerging twilight. The cobblestone streets are lined with gas lamps, flickering to life as the day gives way to evening. A gentle breeze rustles through the mature trees, their leaves casting dappled shadows on the ground. (Jeffrey Campbell, Norwalk, Connecticut, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Weekly Army Returns of Four Companies at Connecticut, 1757

The army returns reported on the strength of each company or regiment, depending on reporting requirements, including total numbers of men present, absent, sick, or on extra daily duty, as well as giving a report of officers and some categories of enlisted men. They were a very useful and effective planning tool in eighteenth-century combat operations and are still in practical use throughout today's armed forces.

While garrisoned at Connecticut for 17 weeks, from 30 November 1757 to 30 March 1758, Colonel Fraser's Regiment was billeted in civilian homes across five towns, with the colonel and some of his officers occupying The Wetmore House, built by Reverend Izrahiah Wetmore, during his stay at Stratford.

Town expenses incurred for hosting the Regiment included house hire; hospital rent; supplying wood to the guardhouse; the making of some small cabins; and other incidentals such as candles, blankets, cider, and utensils. Approval for appropriations by the General Assembly occurred the following spring, in 1759. 

Stratford (head quarters):
Colonel Simon Fraser's Company; Captain Charles Baillie's Grenadier Company. 
Expenses: £472-5s-11d.

Fairfield: 
Major James Clephane's Company; Captain Simon Fraser's Company. 
Expenses: £491-15s-7d.

Norwalk: 
Major John Campbell's Company; Captain John Campbell's Company. 
Expenses: £487-5s-6d.

Milford: 
Captain John Macpherson's Company; Captain Donald McDonald's Company. 
Expenses: £491-10s-9d.

Stanford: 
Captain John McDonell's Company; Captain Thomas Fraser's Company. 
Expenses: £433-13s-11d.

Connecticut Army Returns: 

Captain John Macpherson; Captain Donald McDonald's Company

Cover sheet:

A Weekly Return of Capt. Macphersons & Capt. Donald McDonald Companys 

Milfort 12 Decemr. 1757. [NAS, GD125-22-17-00032].

A Weekly Return of Captain John Macpherson & Capt. Do. MacDonald Companys of the Honble. Coll. Fraser Highland Battalion. Milfort 12 Decemr. 1757. [NAS, GD125-22-17-00031].

Capt. Mcpherson's Company

Captains: Present: 1; Absent: 0

Lieuts.: Present: 2; Absent: 0

Ensigns: Present: 1; Absent: 0

Serjeants: Present: 4; Absent 0

Drummers: Present: 2; Absent: 0

Sick: In Quarters: 4; Hospital at Cork [Ireland]: 4; Hospital at Fairfield [Connecticut]: 3

In Rank & File: 98

Wanting to Compleat: 2

Supernumeraries: 8

Capt. Do. McDonald's Company

Captains: Present: 0; Absent: 1

Lieuts.: Present: 2; Absent: 0

Ensigns: Present: 1; Absent: 0

Serjeants: Present: 3; Absent 1

Drummers: Present: 2; Absent: 0

Sick: In Quarters: 5; Hospital at Cork [Ireland]: 1; Hospital at Fairfield [Connecticut]: 3

In Rank & File: 99

Wanting to Compleat: 1

Supernumeraries: 15

[signed] John Macpherson

Captain Charles Baillie's Company

Cover sheet:

Sir,

Inclosed are the Returns of Collos. Frasers Compy and mine, according to the note you sent by Doctor McLane; I beg your favour you would let me know if you had any further notice of our Marching from here; and in what manner the men are to be exercised; I beg you make my Compls. to your Gentlemen and I am your [very humble servant - abbreviated]. [NAS, GD125-22-17-00035].

[signed] Chars: Baillie

Return of the Present Strength of Captn. Baillies Companey of Granadiers Stratford December 14, 1757. [NAS, GD 12-remainder cropped off].

The Present Strength of the Companey:

Captn.: 1; Lieuts.: 2; Serjts.: 4; Drums: 2; Rank & File: 95

Supernumeraries present: 12

Women Victual with the Companey: 7

Lieut. Cuthbarts Servant belonging to Captn. Campbells Compy: 1

Alexr. McCertar Musishener: 1

Total:

Captns.: 1

Lieuts.: 2

Serjts.: 4

Drums: 2

Rank & File: 116

Sick in Ospitell [not included in the rank/file]

John Fraser

Doncom Comern

Allexr. Gray

[signed] Chars: Baillie Captn.

Notes: 

1. Ensigns not present 

2. Supernumeraries, women, servant, and musician were counted towards rank/file strength. 

3. While unconfirmed, the "musishener" may have been Alexander McEntyre or McArthur, the Company piper. By March 1761, pipers were no longer authorized to be carried on the Regiment's establishment by order of the King's Instructions dated 2 December 1760. [Amherst Papers: W.O. 34, vol. 4, p. 148].

Colonel Simon Fraser's Company

Return of the Present Strength of Colonel Fraser's Companey Stratford December 14th 1757. [NAS, GD125-22-17-00038].

The Present Strength of the Companey:

Captn.: 1; Lieuts.: 1; Ensigns: 1; Serjts.: 4; Drums: 3; Rank & File: 104

Supernumeraries present: 15

Women Victual: 6

Total:

Captns.: 1

Lieuts.: 1

Ensigns: 1

Serjts.: 4

Drums: 3

Rank & File: 125

[signed] Jn. Fraser Sjt.

Note: 

1. Supernumeraries and women were counted towards rank/file strength.
2. Colonel Fraser's piper may have counted as "drummer," but no firm evidence to corroborate. Typically two drummers per company were carried on the establishment.

It is said that it was Colonel Fraser's men who amused themselves at times in shooting at the old weathercock at the top of the Episcopal Church spire, piercing it several times. A letter from Captain Charles Baillie to Major Clephane might help explain away some of the jovial fracas among the troops. Baillie wrote to the major, at Fairfield: "Sir, enclosed are the returns of Colonel Fraser's Compy and mine, according to the note you sent by Doctor McLean, I beg the favour you would let me know if you had any further notice of our marching from here; and in what Manner the men are to be exercised..." [NAS, GD125-22-17-00035].

Source:
Wilcoxson, History of Stratford, Connecticut, 1639-1939.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2020.

Last updated 21 September 2021.

Letter from Colonel Simon Fraser to General Forbes, Feb. 1758

The following letter, dated 10 February 1758, is from Lt.-Col. Simon Fraser, Second Highland Battalion [78th Regiment], to Colonel John Forbes, Adjutant General. The main body of the letter focuses on the pending litigation against Serjeant Fraser for his involvement in the death of Corporal Mackay [an indictment laid for murder] in Connecticut, both men of the regiment. The colonel appears to be wrestling with the idea of having to turn the serjeant over for civil trial.

Dear Sir

Capt. Crauford Surprized me greatly yesterday by saying you wanted the Monthly Return of our Regiment for the 24th January, that Return I sent as I did the one for the former Month in a sealed Cover to General Webb, & my Servant deliver'd it Sunday was tonight the 29th at the Genl's house to an Elderly Man who seem'd to be a Servant out of livery.

From what you wrote me some weeks ago I was in hopes to have had Orders for Serjeant Fraser's tryal here by a Court Martial or for sending him to New York for that purpose. I have had great difficulty to prevent him being claim'd hitherto, not that they are desirous of trying him, on the contrary they had rather avoid it but they are afraid if they don't claim him he will not be tryed at all & that his guilt will fall upon the land; they declare all they desire is that he shou'd have a fair tryal, & that they woud chuse it shoud be a Military rather than a Civil one, but unleſs some directions are given imediatly about his tryal by a Court Martial, it will be impossible for me to persuade them that it is intended to be done at all; they consider it as a great compliment taking my word for it for some weeks past, during which time they say they have avoided interfering in order to see if My Lord intended a Military trial, for God's sake My Dear Sir, put My Lord in mind to do something about this poor unhappy Man, whose 'twere pity shoud be in the hand of uncultivated creatures, for the King has not a better Soldier.

I find you heard of a Soldiers being given up for a peccadillo at Stanford, it was done without my knowledge & I have since got him released, I don't know how far My Lord will chuse to have Men given up for triffling Offences when the people are capricious enough to desire it, especialy as our united experience thro all the Cantonments proves, that the people of the Country are apt to grow rather insolent upon great indulgence, & that a mixture of the Soure with the Sweet if necessary to keep upon good terms with them.

                                I am with great regard
                                 
                                                               Dear Sir

                                                                        Your most Obedient & most humble
                                                                            Servant S. Fraser

Stratford Febry 10th 1758

Source:

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Letter of Col. Simon Fraser to Colonel Forbes, Adjutant General, at His House in the Broadway or at the Fort, New York." NAS, GD45-2-29, pp. 15-16. 

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2018.

Court of Inquiry Regarding the Death of Corporal James Macky, 63rd Regiment, Jan. 1758

Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry held by Order of Lieut. Colonel Simon Fraser of his Majesty's 63d or Second Highland Battalion concerning the Manner of the Death of Corporal James Macky of the above regiment.

Members: 

Captain Charles Baillie, President

Lieut. John Cuthbert

Lieut. Charles McDonnell

Lieut. John Fraser

Ensign Simon Fraser

The Evidence of William McKardy then acting as Corporal.

William McKardy declares that about 11 o'clock Tuesday night the 27th Serjt. Alexander Fraser came to the gaurd and inquir'd if they were all present & if they had their Arms, they reply'd they had, upon this Corporal Macky who acted as Serjt. of the gaurd & was lying asleep in Bed, got up, & how soon he saw Serjt. Fraser he damn'd him for disturbing his gaurd, & said he woud confine him, for he knew what for a fellow he was, Serjt. Fraser gave up his sword & sat down, after a few minutes he got up & went to the door, Macky immediately follow'd him, & getting before him gave him a desperate cut with his sword upon the Temple, and seiz'd him by the hair, the men of the gaurd disengaged them & laid hold on Fraser, disengaged his righthand, and getting hold of his durk, struck a Blow at hazard over his shoulder, for he was almost blinded with the Blood that guſh'd from his Wound, Macky received the Blow in the Neck & immediately drop't down.~

William McPherson Granadier & Robert Robertson Soldier in the Colonels Company concur in everything with the preceeding Evidence.

The Prisoner Serjt. Fraser being examin'd says, that being the Night of the 27th in Company with some of his Acquaintances at the Quarters of Alex'r McLeod Soldier, about half a Mile from the gaurd, he was surpris'd to see Corporal Macky, who acted as Serjt. of the gaurd come there about nine of the Clock, & advised him in a friendly manner to return to his gaurd as he might remember what happen'd others, for the like offence, about 11 o'Clock Serjt. Fraser was inform'd, that there was some shot fir'd about the gaurd, & that a party from the gaurd was inpursuit of some offenders, He then recollected that Macky was drunk, & perhaps not at his gaurd, & therefore he thought it his duty to repair there immediately, upon coming to the gaurd, found two firelocks at the door of the gaurd, on the outside, which made him conclude the gaurd was not alert, As to what happen'd from the time of his coming to the gaurd, till the blow was given, he gives the same Account as the preceeding Evidence and says that his Intention in coming to the door was to bring in the firelocks that were left out in the rain.

Sign'd Chas. Baille Captain

Source:

Captain Charles Baille, "Court of inquiry concerning the manner of death of Corporal James Mackay." NAS, GD 45-2-29-2B.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017.

Unlucky Accident in Connecticut Involving Soldiers of the 78th Regiment of Foot, Dec. 1757

Dr. Sir

       
I have just heard of an unlucky accident that happened today at Stratford, a Sergt. & Corporal of our grenadier Company having quarrel'd (both I'm afraid drunk) the Corporal was killed, the account I have had is very imperfect but from it the deceased seems to have been the Aggressor, how soon I can have it properly enquired into I take the Opportunity of the bearer who is just setting out to beg you will if you think it necessary mention it to My Lord Loudoun for his directions whether the Man should be try'd by civil or Military Law, Or if you don't think it necessary to trouble My Lord with it, Be so good to let me have your Advice how I am to proceed - If You happen not to be in a writing vein Make Maj. Halket write me a few lines by the first Opportunity to, Stratford ----- Examining the quarters, as far as I have got We seem pretty well off.

                                             
                                                                               I am
                                                                               Dr. Sir Your obedient & most

                                                                               humble Servt. S. Fraser

Fairfield Dec. 28th. 1757

Source:

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Letter of Colonel Simon Fraser to Colonel Forbes, Adjutant General, at His House in the Broadway or at the Fort, New York." NAS, GD 45-2-29-1.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017.

Connecticut Quarters for the 63rd Regiment, or Second Highland Battalion, 1758

The Fraser Highlanders spent their first North American winter, that of 1757-58, in Stratford, Connecticut, with the cantonment spread out as far as 30 miles from headquarters. In this undated letter, Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Fraser describes several of the Connecticut Controuts, followed by his Monthly Return from January 1758.

Billets are included in the Number of Officers, also two officers absent at New York. And in the several Controuts the sick in Hospital are included as their Billets are kept for them.

S. Fraser. Lt. Col. Commandt of 63d

Report of the Quarters of His Majesty's 63d or Second Highland Battalion as Canton'd in the Government of Connecticut in New England, January 1758.

Head Quarters At Stratford

• Grenadiers
• Colonels Company
• Officers: 10
• Men:  220

At Fairfield

• Major Clephanes Company
• Capt. Simon Frasers Company
• Officers:  9
• Men:  220
• Miles Distant From Head Quarters:  8

At Norwalk

• Major Campbells Company
• Capt. Campbells Company
• Officers:  7
• Men:  220
• Miles Distant From Head Quarters:  20

At Milford

• Capt. Macphersons Company
• Capt. Donald McDonalds Company
• Officers:  8
• Men:  220
• Miles Distant From Head Quarters:  4

At Stanford

• Capt. John MackDonnels Company
• Capt. Thomas Frasers Company
• Officers:  8
• Men:  220
• Miles Distant From Head Quarters:  30

Total Officers:  42

Total Men:  1100

Sources:

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Report of the Quarters of His Majesty's 63d or Second Highland Battalion as Canton'd in the Government of Connecticut in New England, January 1758."  NAS, GD45-2-41, pp. 1-5.

Colonel Simon Fraser, "Undated Letter from Lt. Col. Simon Fraser Describing Several Connecticut Controuts." NAS, GD45-2-41, p. 6.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2017.