Return of 200 Acres of Land for Evan Cameron, 1765

An 18th-century landscape painting, masterfully capturing the tranquil beauty of the Hudson River as it meanders through Albany County, New York. The sun, a fiery orb of gold and crimson, is dipping below the distant horizon, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the serene waters. The riverbanks are adorned with lush, verdant foliage, a testament to the fertility of the region. A few wooden sailboats, with their sails furled for the evening, glide gracefully along the river, their reflections mirrored on the calm surface. In the foreground, a small group of Native Americans and early European settlers are engaged in trade, their vibrant attire standing out against the backdrop of the wilderness. (Jeffrey Campbell, Hudson River, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Return of 200 Acres of Land for Evan Cameron, 1765

Pursuant to an order in Council from the Honble Cadwallader Colden Esquire Lieutenant Governor and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York and the Territories Depending theron in America bearing Date the 8th Day of May last Past ~

Survey'd for Evan Cameron late a Corporal in his Majesty's Seventy Eigth Regiment of Foot. All That Certain Tract of Land Situate lying and being on the East Side of Hudson's River in the County of Albany. Beginning at the Southwest corner of a Tract of Land Survey'd for Roderick Fraser and runs thence East Sixty Chains and Sixteen links Then South thirty five Chains Then West Sixty Chains and Sixteen links. Then North Thirty five Chains to the place where this Tract first began Containing Two Hundred Acres of Land and the usual allowance for Highways.

Given under my hand this twenty third Day of July 1765

Alexr. Cowell [?] Survey GL

Cover sheet:
July 23 1765

Return 200 Acres of Land on the East Side

of Hudson's River in the County of Albany

for Evan Cameron late Corporal in the 78th Regt.

Source:
New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XIX, p. 113. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

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

Land Petition of Serjeant Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment

An 18th-century panoramic view of Albany, New York, nestled on the west side of the Hudson River as the first light of dawn kisses the horizon. The sunrise casts a soft, warm glow across the quaint town, with its wooden buildings and cobblestone streets still shrouded in the early morning mist. The majestic river, a vital trade route of the era, is bustling with activity as ships with billowing sails and horse-drawn carriages line the docks, hinting at the city's thriving economy and its significance as a colonial hub. (Jeffrey Campbell, Albany, New York, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Land Petition of Serjeant Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment

Pursuant to an Order in Counsil from the Honourable Cadwallader Colden Esqr. Lieutenant Governor and Commanded in Chief of the province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Bearing Date the twentyfirst day of March Last past.

Surveyed for Alexander Fraser Late a Serjeant in his Majestys Seventy Eight Regiment of Foot and in Collonel Fraser's Company all that Certain tract or Parcell of Land situate Lying and being in County of Albany on the East side of Hudsons River  Beginning at the Southwest Corner of a tract of Land Surveyed for Dugal McFarland Late a Corporal and runs thence East Sixty Chains and Seventeen Links then South Thrity five Chains Then Sixty Chains and Seventeen Links Then North Thirty vive Chains to the Place where this Tract first began Containing two hundred acres of Land and the usual allowance for highways.

Given under my hand this sixth day of November one Thousand seven hundred and sixty four

[signed]

Alexr. Colden Surveyor Genl.

Cover sheet:

6th No. 41

[one word illegible] 200 acres of Land on the East Side of Hudsons River for Alexr. Fraser late a Serjt in the 78th Regt & in Coll Frasers Compy

made out

Top row:

Dugald McFarland

Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Colonel Fraser's Company [north/south 35 chains, east/west 60 chains, 17 links].

Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Captain Hugh Fraser's Company

*Alexander Fraser, Serjeant, 78th Regt., Captain [Alexander] Wood's Company

Allen Cameron, Serjeant

Bottom row:

John McIntire, Corporal, 77th Regt.

John Gibson. Serjeant, 77th Regt.

John Grant, Corporal

David McHo[?]key

Description: A Plot or Description of a Tract of Land Survey'd for Alexander Fraser Late a Serjeant in the 78th Regiment and in Coll Frasers Company Plotted from a Scale of twenty Chains in an Inch.   [illegible] Alexr Colden Surveyor Genl.

18 : 94 [volume/page]

Notes:
1. Serjeant Alexander Fraser's name appears in Captain Alexander Wood's Company as one of the 170 discharged soldiers in America; however, his name does not appear on the company subsistence rolls produced at the end of the war.

2. "The Calendar of N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers; in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York, 1643-1803" (Albany: 1864) lists all documents on the first series of "Land Papers" as they were rearranged in 1819. There is an index to the personal names and to land tract names or geographical locations at the back of the volume. The series consists of applications for grants of unappropriated land by letters patent from New York Colony and State.

Sources:
New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XVIII, p. 94. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

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

Land Petition in Behalf of Lieutenant John McTavish, 78th Regiment

A tranquil 18th century countryside near Schoharie Kill, New York, as the first light of dawn breaks over the horizon. The scene is bathed in a soft, golden hue as the sun rises behind distant rolling hills, casting long shadows across the verdant landscape. A winding stream path leads the eye to a picturesque farmstead, nestled among the emerald-green fields and flanked by stately trees dressed in the vibrant oranges and reds of early autumn foliage. (Jeffrey Campbell, Schoharie Kill, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Land Petition in Behalf of Lieutenant John McTavish, 78th Regiment

To His Excellency, The Right Honble. John Earl of Dunmore Captain General & Governor in Chief in & over the Colony of New York and the Territorys thereon in America, Chancellor & Vice Admiral of the Same

The Petition of Simon McTavish in behalf of His Father John McTavish Lieut. in the late 78th Regiment Commanded by Colo. Simon Fraser.

Humbly Shewith that your Petitioners father served His Majesty in North America during the late War there as a Lieut. in the late 78th Regiment Commanded by the Honble. Colo. Simon Fraser, and as such is entitled (by His Majestys Royal Proclamation given at St. Jamess the 7th day of October 1763, in favour of reduced Officers & Soldiers of the Army) to a grant of the quantity of Two thousand acres of Land in some of His Majestys unapropriated Lands in North America.

That your petitioners father some time in the year 1766 prefer'd a petition to His late Excellency Sir Henry Moore Baronet for His Majestys letters Patent for the said lands, but nothing has ever been done as yet towards issuing such letters Patent.

That your petitioner has discovered a Tract of vacant Land lying in this Province in the County of Albany near a Settlement called Schoharry Kill, and East of the Schoharry Kill, or Creek, and South of the Schoharry Settlements. He therefore prays that your Excellency will be favourbly pleased to Issue a Warrant to survey the said Quantity of Two thousand acres, at that place above described; in order that His Majestys Letters Patent may be granted for the same to the said John McTavish, his Heirs & assigns, on such terms and Conditions, as other Lands are granted in this Province in like Circumstances; & your petitioner as in Duty bound shall ever pray ~

New York
February 2d. 1771
[signed]
Simon McTavish
28 : 45

Cover sheet:
To his Excellency, The Right Honble. John Earl of Dunmore &c.
The Petition of Simon McTavish for two thousand Acres of Land in the County of Albany~~

Presented Feby. 2d, 1771
1771 Feby. 8: Rec'd and referred to a Comm
1771 April 1st: Certificate wanting
1771 May 31: Rec'd in Council and granted [four words illegible]

28 : 45
No. 5

Notes:

1. "The Calendar of N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers; in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York, 1643-1803" (Albany: 1864) lists all documents on the first series of "Land Papers" as they were rearranged in 1819. There is an index to the personal names and to land tract names or geographical locations at the back of the volume. The series consists of applications for grants of unappropriated land by letters patent from New York Colony and State.

Sources:
New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XXVIII, p. 45. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

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

Land Petition of Corporal Alexander Gray, 78th Regiment

A breathtaking 18th-century panorama from Crown Point, revealing the tranquil beauty of Lake Champlain at sunrise. The horizon is a canvas of soft, pastel hues, with the sun peeking over the distant Adirondack Mountains, casting a warm, golden light that reflects brilliantly on the lake's calm surface. The fortifications at Crown Point stand as stoic sentinels, a testament to the strategic importance of the area during the colonial period. (Jeffrey Campbell, Crown Point, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Land Petition of Corporal Alexander Gray, 78th Regiment

To his Excellency William Tryon Esqr. governor of the Province of New York and the Territories depending thereon in America Captain General Vice Admiral and Chancellor of the same &c: &c: &c: in Council

The Petition of Alexander Gray Late Corporal of his Majestys 78th Regiment of Foot whereof the Honorable Colonel Simon Fraser was Colonel

Humbly Shewith your petitioner having apply'd to His Excellency Cadwaller Colden Esqr. Lieut. Governor for his Quantity of Land allowed to Non Commission'd officers and Private who Serv'd his Majesty during the Late War in America by his Majestys Royal proclamation of Octr. 3d 1763 his Excellency was pleas'd to order your Excellency's Petitioner to [illegible] to [illegible]: Coldin Esqr. purveyor general who told your Excellency's Petitioner that he knew of no Vacant Land at that time which occasions your Excellencys Petitioner to make this his Humble Request to your [illegible] Earnstly desiring of your Excellency on Council to grant to your Excellencys Petitioner his Quantity of Land which is 200 acres adjoining to Major Campbells Land on Lake Champlain and Nigh Crown Point as your Excellencys Petitioner is informed that their is Vacant Land there and hopes your Excellency will order the said grant to be given to your Excellencys Petitioner as soon as possible as your Excellencys Petitioner is but a poor man and having a family wants to Settle upon it as soon as possible if your Excellency should want a person who understands Farming your Excellencys Petitioner would be very glad to engage as he is thoroughly acquainted with that Branch of Business

May it please your Excellency to take the above consideration and do for your Excellencys Petitioner as [next three words illegible] to your Excellency and your Excellencys Petitioner is [illegible] in duty Bound to pray ~

New York
April 16th, 1771

Cover sheet:
The petition of Alexr. Gray Corpl. for 200 acres of Land Rec'd. 18th Septr. 1771. [initials] "W.G"
1771 Sepr. 18. Rec'd in Council
1771 Novr. 13th Rec'd again in Council and granted not interfering with any [next two words illegible]

28 : 148 [volume/page]

Notes:
1. Corporal Alexander Gray's name does not appear in the surviving muster rolls of 1763, indicating he most likely discharged beforehand.

2. "The Calendar of N.Y. Colonial Manuscripts Indorsed Land Papers; in the Office of the Secretary of State of New York, 1643-1803" (Albany: 1864) lists all documents on the first series of "Land Papers" as they were rearranged in 1819. There is an index to the personal names and to land tract names or geographical locations at the back of the volume. The series consists of applications for grants of unappropriated land by letters patent from New York Colony and State.

Sources:
New York State Department of State Applications for Land Grants, 1643-1803. Series A0272, volume XXVIII, p. 148. New York State Archives, Albany, New York.

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

Return of Bedding in Fort Stanwix, 1759

Albany, Nov. 22d 1759

Sir, 

I beg leave to inclose your Excellency a Return from Fort Stanwix, sent by Lieut. Col. Massey, of the Bedding there and to acquaint you that Last Fall Beding for 400 men was sent tho' not quite new still good and that upon a representation of Col. Frazier [78th Foot] to Brigr. Genl. Stanwix of its not being fit for his People he order'd that we should send up a New set which was accordingly done wherefore I beg to know your commands upon this head whether the demand must be comply'd with or not in the best manner we can not being provided for such after claps.

I am with with great respect

Your Excellencys

Most obedient

humble servant

Jno. Bradstreet

His Ex. Genl. Amherst

Return of the Bedding in Fort Stanwix

Nov. 14th 1759

Double Beds: 40

Single Beds: 12

Number of men will serve: 92

Double Ruggs: 89

Single Ruggs: 107

Number of men will serve: 285

Blankets good: 6

D'o bad: 40

Number of men will serve: 46

Bolsters Bad: 67

No. of men will serve: 67

Numr. of men wanting Beds: 301

D'o wanting Ruggs: 108

D'o wanting Blankets: 347

D'o wanting Bolsters: 326

Num'r of persons in the Garrison to be compleated in Bedding: 383

[signed]

J. Rogers

Lt. 46th Regt.

acting Qr. Master

In short all the Beding so bad, it is hard to expect Soldiers can lie on them, so that a new set is Wanting for the Provencials did everything nasty in them and on them.

Endorsed - Return of Bedding

Source: 

War Office Records: Amherst Papers. Letters from Colonel John Bradstreet, Deputy Quartermaster-General to the Commander-in-Chief, 1758-1763. LAC, WO 34, vol. 57.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.

Lieutenant John Murray's Letter Home, Oct. 1757

My Dearest Sir,

About six weeks ago I wrote from Boston By Capt. Noble bound for Clyde, I was sent from Halifax to boston To provide Quarters for Coll: Frasers Regt. who I believe my Lord Loudon intended should winter there, but he has since ordered them Here where I expect them Dayly & I believe they will winter either at Philadelphia or this place I long vastly to to see Coll: Fraser both to thank him for his kindness in appointing me one of his officers and in hopes of receiving letters from you by him, as I have not had one single line from any of my friends since I arrived on this Continent which I assure you my Dr. papa has given me very great uneasiness often, I hope I shall not for the future for the same Cause. 

In my last by Capt. Noble I gave you my journal since my arrival in this Country since which letter nothing remarkable has happened me My uncle is very well & writes you by this Packet, But of an older date than Mine, he is about Forty miles Above this, on his way to Albany where I believe the Regt. will Quarter this winter, As will likewise Lord John Murray’s who are all well, And at present between Albany & Fort Edward In short every body that I recollect & that you are Acquainted with are in perfect good health, As for me I never was better in my life than since I came to this Country(Except one touch of the Bloody Flux), Altho I have gone thro’ some very Quick Transitions of climate first from heat to coald & then from cold to heat And indeed every body that I know are in the same way, for there never was such a Number of troops together with so few deaths Amongst them, As there is here As for News, I entirely refer you to the Publick Papers, indeed there is none for every thing is in the greatest Tranquillity here At present except now & then a back settler scalped by the Indians which we are so familiarized as to think nothing of it, I dare say not near so much as most people at home do. 

It is very usuall for people who come to a strange Country to make some remarks upon it The inhabitants their Manners Customs &Trade &c &c But as You have seen many much more distinct Accounts of all these Things Than I could pretend to give As my unsettled way of life And the Company I mostly keept have prevented my coming to the thorough knowledge of them. However that I may not seem entirely Ignorant of the People Amongst whom I have lived above a Twelvemonth, I will sett down a few things that must appear Obvious to every person who comes here. The lay of the Country In generall is woody but very Fertile when Clear’d, which is but every small proportion of the whole, Yet is for the most part very pleasing to the Eye The produce I dare say you are thoroughly well Acquainted with Therefore will not detain you on that head. The Inhabitants (I mean of the Country only) are A Vulgar, Ignorant, Rich, Independent, People And mostly all upon the same footing, Owing I believe to their wealth & the too great lenity of the Government to them which indeed they seem to be very Insensible of, But I hope will soon. To say any thing of their Towns (that at present seem to be flourishing very fast wou’d lead me entirely out of my design of Brevity Therefore I shall not touch on that subject. As for the Inhabitants of them. I believe they may make a very good figure in the Trading world, but I think never will in either the Polite or Political (altho they all pretend to be Great statesmen) for their heads are so crammed with Profit & Lose, That they have left no Room for any thing else, The more refin’d sentiments of friendship & honour seldom enter their Brains I believe I might have even added honesty however I wou’d not Mean from this that the whole are so, As there are some extreame Good People amongst them, Altho there is too many of them in the Above style. As I dare say you are very much Tired with this long Narration I will conclude it with giving you a hint that I don’t intend to Publish my remarks at present I mean to put them in the press, Therefore beg that you may not expose me by shewing this Nonsense to any body, I hope you’l forgive this freedom 

Just now I rece’d a letter from my Uncle he is Extreamly Well In the list of Captains for Lord John Murray’s Additional Company’s there is one James Murray which I think is very Probably my Uncle as there is not a James Murray in the Army, Some think it is Lord John’s Nephew, But a little Time will soon determine us. It is reported here that there is another Highland Regt. to be raised And the Command to be given to Lochiel who I’me told is at London. If so I should Imagine it was possible to procure me a Company in it, But of this And the method how to apply for it, you are best Judge Believe me my Dr. Sir the greatest pleasure it would give me, wou’d be that I should be enabled to Assist you in your Difficulties, I pray God you may have no need of it, But I beg you may do me the Justice to believe that if it shall be ever in my power I will perform with a greatefull and Dutifull heart. I hope this will find you reconciled to Mr Drummond & Sir John Miln’s as I dare say it would extricate you out of some of your Difficulties, I beg you will write me by every Packet and let me hear how your affairs are & how you and Mama keep your health, with every thing else concerning You And my other Relations, As I assure you your long Silence has given me great uneasiness, I always, until I met my Uncle flatored myself with the hopes of your letters having been miscarried But he Informed neither you nor he had ever wrote any. If it were convenient for you to get a letter of Recommendation for me from Mr Hugh Forbes to his Brother the Coll: who is adjutant Generall here I should be greatly Obliged to you And I believe it might be of Service to me, Not that I think I could procure me a step But it might be of use in severall other cases, I am pretty well Acquainted with him & go pretty often to see him, he is at present very well. I have not heard one word from Mrs Brand since I came here yet & very seldom of her – I beg you may remember me to all my Relations, friends, and cquaintances in the proper Manner, And with my Duty to Mama Grandmama, Aunts and Uncles, and love to my sister &a her Children, her husband And Brother in law are both well & I am My Drlay yrs most affect & loving Son 

John Murray

New York Octr 18 1757

P.S. always send your letters by the Packet and direct for Me To lieut John Murray of Collonal Frasers Ret at New York North America, If they are so directed they must come to hand, Provided you pay the postage to Falmouth & the freight from there Here. This is my fourth letter – Since I wrote the rest of my Letter, I’me ordered by Lord Loudon to go to Connecticut Collony & take up Quarters for Col: Frasers Regt as they are To be Cantoned in several different Villages in that Government This winter, adieu once more my Drllays 

John Murray

Octr 20

Note: John Murray, the son of Glencarnock, was gazetted a lieutenant on 6 February 1757, and killed at Louisbourg. Glencarnock did not survive his son - he died in Edinburgh in October 1758. This letter is printed in A. G. M. Macgregor's, History of the Clan Gregor.

Sources:

Lt. John Murray, "Letter from New York to his father in Scotland, 18 October 1757." Stirling Archives, Scotland.  http://www.stirlingarchives.scot/2016/10/28/vulgar-rich-independent-people-letter-lieutenant-john-murray-new-york-father-18th-october-1757. Accessed 15 June 2018.

Macgregor, Amelia G. M. History of Clan Gregor [Edinburgh, 1901], p. 390-2.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2019.