Initial Outfitting of Kilts in 1757

Found among the archival paperwork belonging to Major Clephane of Colonel Fraser's 78th Regiment are 90 payroll accounting receipts for men serving under the major. Each accounting receipt contains two pages, one denoting income and one for expenditures, with the majority of the receipts covering the period of initial attestation through April 24, 1758 (about one year), closing out the first known payroll reporting period. This was an opportunity for paymasters to consolidate all expenses and bring their accounts up-to-date. The receipts consulted include those of the NCOs and private soldiers; unfortunately, we did not locate receipts for officers' accounts. 

The purpose of this analysis is to determine the number of soldiers in Major Clephane's Company who were charged for and received kilts and belts during their initial outfitting and the cost of each item. While a replacement plaid of 12 yards of cloth was valued at 12–18 shillings [John Calcraft, Regulation of Cloathing for a Highland Regt. of Foot (c. 1757)], depending on rank, one might conclude a kilt of about 4 yards of cloth would be valued at 4–6 shillings. However, our results indicate the men paid approximately one shilling for a kilt. And while the reason for the disparity in pricing is not fully understood, perhaps this cloth was previously paid for and on loan until a newer government supply became available. Of course, it might simply be a bulk government discount, too.

British monetary system:
Pound (£) - From the Latin word 'libra', meaning 'pound.'
Shillings (s) - 20 shillings in one pound.
Pence (d) - 12 pennies or 'pence' in one shilling; 240 pence in one pound.

Accounting Receipts

Item: 1 Kilt Belt
Issued: Date of attestation – Apr. 24, 1758
Cost: 10d
Total accounts: 6

Item: 1 Kilt & Small Belt
Issued: Date of attestation – Apr. 24, 1758
Cost: 1s 4d
Total accounts: 60 + 1 (This one acct. is dated Dec. 25, 1757 – Apr. 24, 1758).

Item: 1 Kilt & 1 Kilt Belt
Issued: Date of attestation – Apr. 24, 1758
Cost: 1s 4d
Total accounts: 1

Item: 1 Kilt & Pistle Belt
Issued: Date of attestation – Apr. 24, 1758
Cost: 1s 4d
Total accounts: 13

The pistle [sic] belt and small/kilt belt were probably one in the same item.

Item: 1 Kilt, Turn Key & Screw, 1 Brush & Wire
Issued: Dec. 24, 1757 – Apr. 24, 1758
Cost: 1s 7d. 
Total accounts: 1

This account also received leg hose from the Compy Store (presumably at Halifax) at 3d. The turn key, screw, brush, and wire were used to clean the arms and were separately valued in other accounts at 7d.

No kilt or belt issued:
Issued: Dec. 24, 1757 – Apr. 24, 1758: 4 accounts
Issued: Dec. 25, 1757 – Apr. 24, 1758: 1 account
Issued: Attestation – Apr. 24, 1758: 3 accounts

Source:
Account for the wages of Clephane’s company, detailing the number of troops of each rank, 16-23 May 1757. TNA, GD125/Box 22/9 (35).

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2024.

Major Clephane’s Company Expenses Through Ireland, 1757

About 3 May 1757, newspaper editorials announced the departure of Colonel Fraser's Battalion from Glasgow en route southwest to Portpatrick, an approximate 95-mile trek over relatively undeveloped terrain. Marching an average distance of about 25 miles each day, a short 3-day journey would not be out of the question for the colonel's men, having just completed their 180-mile trek through Scotland. Albeit illness would eventually affect some of the soldiers (in a letter to his friend Baillie James Fraser, Colonel Fraser reported 17 men left sick at Cork, Ireland), 10 men were reported left behind at Belfast, Ireland, later to join the regiment after securing passage under escort. Val Jones, father to Ensign Edward Jones of General Kennedy's Regiment, in a letter to Major Clephane dated at Belfast, 8 June 1757, writes: "...This will be delivered you by Corporal Fraser, who takes the opportunity of going to Dublin with 10 private men in a vessel that will be clear to sail hence tomorrow." [NAS, GD125/22/16/3/1-2].

Following an uneventful northern channel crossing from Portpatrick, Scotland, west to Donaghadee, Ireland, Major Clephane's Company, as documented in the following pay records, would march to Belfast, then on to Cork via the cities of Drogheda, Dublin, Kilcullen and Clonmel, finally departing for North America on 30 June 1757.

Major Clephane's Company Expenses [1757]

Pay acct. of Major Clephans Companie from Monday the 16th May to Monday the twentie third Dto

1. Paid 84 privat at Belfast one week at 3/5d each… £14:12:0

2. Paid 2 Serjeants at 6/10d each one week subsistance cash… £0:13.8

3. Paid 4 Corporals at 4/6½d each one week subsistance… £0:18:2

4. Paid 2 Drums at 3/5d each one weeks subsistance… £0:6:10

Pay all the above Companie from Monday the 23rd May to Monday 30th Dto

5. Paid 77 Private at Belfast one weeks subsistance at 3/ each… £11:11:0

6. Paid 2 Serjeants at Dto one weeks subsistance at 6/3 each… £0:12:0

7. Paid 3 Corporals at Dto one weeks Dto at 4/ each… £0:12:0

8. Paid 2 Drums at Dto one weeks Dto at 3/ each… £0:6:0

Pay all the above Companie from Monday the 30th May to Monday June the 6th

9. Paid 77 private at Droheda one weeks subsistance at 3/ each… £11:11:0

10. Paid 3 Serjeants at Dto one weeks Dto at 6/ each… £0:18:0

11. Paid 2 Corporals at Dto one weeks Dto at 4/ each… £0:8:0

12. Paid 2 Drums at Dto one weeks Dto at 3/ each… £0:6:0

June 13th - - -

13. Paid 77 Privat at Killculen bridge at 3/ each one weeks subsistance… £11:11:0

14. Paid 4 Serjts at Dto 6/ each one weeks Dto… £1:4:0

15. Paid 2 Corporals & 2 Drums one weeks subsistance… £0:14:0

Pay all of the above Companie from Monday 13th to Dto June the 20th

16. Paid 77 privat at Clonmell one weeks subsistance… £11:11:0

17. Paid 4 Serjts 2 Corporals & 2 Drums one weeks Dto… £1:18:0

18. Paid Cadet Mak Kinzie at Doublin 9 shillings…£0:9:0

19. Advanced two men in Glasgow 4 weeks pay which brought them to Killkennie bridge… £1:4:0

20. Advanced the three men that went on Command to Stirling two weeks pay each… £0:18:0

21. Advanced Serjt Alexr Rose at Dallie… £3:17:0

22. Paid Rodrick McKenzie one Weeks pay… £0:3:0

23. Paid Thomas Robertson… £0:1:0

24. Paid Alexr Dunbar… £0:0:6

25. Total Laid out by Lieut. Campbell On acct of Major Clephans Companie… £76:5:2

26. Advanced Serjt Rose at Belfast… £5:5:0

27. Advanced the Supernumeraries at Belfast… £1:6:0

28. Advanced for Shoes to Dto… £1:4:0

[Total] £83:15:0

Notes:

1. 84 private soldiers were paid at Belfast; however, one week later, that number was reduced by seven soldiers.

3. Four corporals were paid at Belfast; however, one week later, that number was reduced by one corporal.

4. Payroll indicates drummers were paid at the rate of private soldiers.
10. Gained one serjeant this week over previous numbers.

11. Down two corporals since week one.

14. Gained one serjeant this week over previous numbers.

18. It was reported by The Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper dated 11 August 1757, that 360 men in Colonel Montgomery's First Division marched to Royal Square Barracks, Dublin, 16 May 1757, where they were reviewed by the Earl of Rothes, who expressed "intire [sic] satisfaction at the military and handsome appearance they made." Formerly the "Royal Barracks," the facility is today named "Collins Barracks."

21. Possibly Dailly, South Ayrshire, Scotland, located between Glasgow and Portpatrick.

25. Lieutenant Archibald Campbell, originally commissioned to Capt. John MacDonnell's Company.

27. Approximately 15 supernumeraries. Colonel Fraser reported 150 "supers" across 10 companies in October 1757. [NAS, GD125/22/18/18].

28. In 1757, one pair of serjeant's shoes were authorized replacement every six months at a cost of £0.3.4, or money (in lieu of). [Calcraft, John. Regulation of Cloathing for a Highland Regt. of Foot, c.1757. James Grant of Ballindalloch papers, 1740-1819, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.].

Source:
Clephane, James. "Pay accounts of Clephane's Company from Monday 16 May to twentie third Dto." [1757]. NAS, GD125/22/9/35/1.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2022.

This article last updated 5 March 2022.

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. 

Generosity

Generosity increasingly came in the 17th century to signify a variety of traits of character and action historically associated [whether accurately or not] with the ideals of actual nobility: gallantry, courage, strength, richness, gentleness, and fairness.

Writing in his journal late in the month of November 1759, General Townshend unknowingly documented the empathy and personal character of each and every man of Fraser's Highlanders, regarding their collective generosity and monetary contributions to the British government.

JOURNAL ENTRY

GENERAL JAMES TOWNSHEND

Novr. 25, 1759

"Having Intelligence that the Merchants every greedy of gain to purchase Furs, had Transmitted a good deal of Cash to Montreal, where they were much in want of the Commodity, the Paper Money by Reason of the Ficklish Situation of the Colony being in utter disrepute, and their being by no means in the military Chest a Sufficency to Defray the Contingent expenses of the garrison, to procure what was wanted and Effectually to prevent a Commerce so destructive to us, I this day Published a kind of Proclamation, to encourage the Friends and well wishers of His Majesty to lend what they could afford, for which Col. Burton, the next officer in Command to me and I gave our Bills to be Repaid in Six Months with Intrest at 5 Per Cent. This in a short time procured us so considerable a sum at £8000 which without having recount to further Expedient, will enable us to await the Arrival of the ships and be it Remembered to the Honour of the Highland or 78th Regiment Commanded by Colonel Fraser, that the Non Commission Officers and Private Men of that Single Regiment contributed of that sum £2000."

                                                                                                         [Gen. James Townshend]


Serjeant James Thompson of 78th Regiment further described the event of that cold winter day as follows:

"General Murray, being in want of funds to carry on his government during the winter, summoned all the officers and enquired if they had any money, and if their soldiers had any money that they could lend to the Governor until the supplies arrived from England in the spring. We were told of the wants of the Governor, and the next day we were paraded every man and told that we should receive our money back with interest, as soon as possible; and in order to prevent any mistake, every man received his receipt for his amount, and for fear he should lose it, the Adjutant went along the ranks, and entered in a book the name and sum opposite to every man; and, by the Lord Harry! When they came to count it up, they found that our regiment alone, Fraser’s Highlanders, had mustered six thousand guineas! It was not long after we had lent our money, that one morning a frigate was seen coming round Point Levi with supplies. We were soon afterwards mustered, and every man received back his money with twelve months interest, besides the thanks of the General.”

Source:

General James Townshend, "Journal Commencing From The Surrender Of Quebec, November 25, 1759." LAC, Northcliffe Collection: General Townshend Papers, vol. 15, Microfilm C-369.

Campbell, Jeffrey A. His Majesty's Courageous Highlanders [Createspace Publishing, 2014].

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

Monies paid to Captain Alexander Campbell, 78th Regiment

By the Honble James Murray Esqr.

Governor of Quebec

You are hereby required and directed out of such Monies as are or shall come into your hands for the Contingent Expenses of His Majesty’s Forces under my Command, to Pay or cause to be paid to Captain Alexander Campbell Paymaster of his Majesty’s 78^th Regiment of Foot or his assigns, the sum of Seven hundred Seventy one Pounds, three shillings and two pence Sterling, in Dollars at four shillings and eight pence each without Deduction, being for Subsistence of said Regiment, from the 25^th of August to the 24^th October 1763 both days inclusive as p the annexed amount, and for so doing this with the acquittance of the said Captain Alexr. Campbell or his assigns, Shall be your Sufficient Warrant and Discharge.

Given under my Hand at Quebec

This 15^th day of October 1763.

/Signed/ Ja: Murray

To John Powell Esqr.

Paymt. To His Majesty’s

Forces in Quebec

                          

/Counts of H.J. Cramahe

                 42 Serjeants @ 1/p diem.. £2  2  --

    42 Corpls………..8d………………. 1  8 –

    22 Drumr………..8d………………. --  14  8

    337 Private……..6d……………….. 8  8  6

                               Total for one day   £12  13  2

                               Total for 61 Days…………………£771  3  2

                                                /Signed/

                                                                Alexr. McLeod Captain

                                                                                78^th Regiment

                                                                Alexr. Campbell Paymaster

                                                                                78^th Regiment

Note: This muster of 443 soldiers accounts for 170 discharged soldiers that remained in North America at the conclusion of the war, and 273 soldiers [10 less than initially reported] that returned home in December 1763.

Source:

James Murray, “Monies paid to Captain Alexander Campbell, 78th Regiment.” Letterbook/Copie de lettres, 1763-1771. LAC, RG4, C2, vol. 1.

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

Major Clephane's Company Expenses, Kilravock to Glasgow, 1757

A detailed account of Major Clephane's company's expenses on their march from Kilravock to Glasgow, Scotland encompassing approximately 180 miles over a 10-day period, with layovers for entertainment, supplies, and fresh horses. The soldiers would stay in Glasgow for an additional 10 days or so, presumably waiting on the arrival of the remaining companies from the regiment.

Newspaper accounts depict the recruits' uniforms reviewed in Glasgow during this period, and about April 19th proceeding west to Portpatrick en route to Donaghadee, Ireland. From there, they would eventually march south to Cork, Ireland and depart for North America in 10 transport ships under cover of the Enterprize, a 40-gun man-of-war, on June 30, 1757.

In a letter to his brother, dated April 8, 1757 at Kilraick, Major Clephane discussed the first two companies departing together for Glasgow: "...I have at last sent off for Glasgow 124 recruits along with Colonel Fraser’s company (our two companies making the first division of the battalion)." Arthur Rose, Kilraick's uncle, would accompany Clephane's men on the march due to his pressing business around the country.

Expenses from Kilravock to Glasgow

Marcht from Kilraick Thursday 31 March 1757

Dulcey, 31st

1. For Entertenment: £0-10-0

Avemore, April 1st

2. For horse hire: £0-3-6

3. For Entertenment: £0-5-6

4. To McCoulmore for horse hire: £0-6-0

Ruven, April 2d & 3d

5. For Drams to the men: £0-13-6

6. For Entetenment for 2 days: £0-15-6

Dalnacardigk, April 4th

7. For Entetenment: £0-6-6

8. To the Seven Nairn men accounted for: £0-7-0
9. To John Innes 6 mens pay for 2 days accounted for: £0-6-0
10. To John Fraser 8 mens pay for 2 days accounted for: £0-8-0
11. To Donald McIntosh the Cook accounted for: £0-1-6
12. To the seven men sent back to Inverness: £0-7-0
13. To John Robertson accounted for: £0-?-0
14. To Donald Cuthbert accounted for: £0-?-0
15. To McCoulmore for hors hire: £0-5-0
16. To John Watson and Gray: £0-10-6
17. To McCoul: £0-5-0
18. To Donald McDonald & Little Donald McDonald one sh each: £0-2-0

Note: Major Clephane's Company garrisoned April 5th at Aberfeldy. See Note 22 below.

Crief, April 6th
19. To John Watson at Crief April 6th for the men: £3-0-0
20. To McCoulmore for horsehire at Crief: £0-3-6
21. For Drams to the men at Rumelru: £0-10-6
22. For Entertenment at Tay Bridge: £0-6-0
25. To McCoul: £0-3-6

Sterling, April 7th
24. To John Watson more for the mens pay: £2-0-0
25. For Entertenment: £0-4-0
26. To the piper: £0-3-6

Kirkintullock, April the 8th
27. To Entertenment: £0-3-0
29. For Servants and horse: £0-3-0

Glasgow, April the 9th
20. To John Watson more money for the mens pay: £5-5-0

Glasgow, April 11th
30. To McCoule for carreing him home: £?-?-0
31. To old McKenzie accounted for: £0-0-6
32. To McCoule for horse hire at Glasgow: £0-3-6
33. Got back from John Watson of the 5 guineas: £0-18-0
34. Given to John Watson for the mens pay: £5-0-0
35. To James Geddes and his comerad Six pence each the same: £0-1-0

Glasgow, April 13th
36. To John Watson for the mens: £5-0-0
37. Recived Back for John Watson: £1-1-0
38. To Robertson from Holland: £0-3-0
39. To the Piper: £0-2-0

40. Saturday Aprile 16th paid all the men their pay & arrears from the time they left Kilraick till the above date

41. April 6 gave John Watson: £3-2-0

42. To Sandie Rose: £3-3-0

43. More to Sandie Rose: £2-2-0

44. More to Sandie Rose Sunday: £2-2-0

45. Gave more to the mens use: £5-5-0

46. 18 more to Sandie Rose: £1-1-0

Glasgow, April 18th
47. John Watson & Rose Debers
48. To Sandie Rose: £21-0-0

49. from 16th till 18th: £16-15-0

50. from 13th till 16th: £5-0-0

51. from 11th till 13th: £5-0-0

52. from 9th till 11th: £5-5-0

Stirling, April 7th

53. from 7th till 9th: £2-0-0

54. April 6th at Crief: £3-0-0

Glasgow, April 18

55. John Watson Credetor

56. Credetor: £1-1-0

57. Credetor: £0-18-0

Notes: 

16. Serjeant John Watson.
18. Most likely father/son.

21. Unable to locate.

22. Tay Bridge at Aberfeldy (Wade's Bridge), was built by General Wade in 1734 on a second road which ran from Crieff to Dalnacardoch. At the time of completion, this was the only bridge anywhere to cross the Tay River.

26. The piper paid.

39. The piper paid.

53-54. Both appear to be late entries.

While at Glasgow, City Quartermaster John Robb secured accommodations for Colonels Montgomery and Fraser's Highland Battalions in both public and private houses.

Sources:

Major James Clephane, "Account of the company's expenses on the march to embark at Greenock, 31 March - 18 April, 1757." NAS, GD125-22-16-16.

Rose, H., and Lachlan Shaw. A Genealogical Deduction of the Family of Rose of Kilravock: with Illustrative Documents from the Family Papers, and Notes. Edinburgh, 1848.

Renwick, Robert. "Glasgow City Quartermaster John Robb." Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow: with Charters and Other Documents. Vol. VI, A.D. 1739-59. Scottish Burgh Records Society, 1911.

"Bridges and Crossings of the River Tay at Dunkeld. "http://essonfamilyhistory.com/bridges-and-crossings-of-the-river-tay-at-dunkeld. [Accessed 23 May 2020].

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

Last updated 23 May 2020