Bon Voyage: Libera nos Domine!

The ancient city of Cork, Ireland, emerging from the tender embrace of dawn during the 18th century. The sun, a fiery globe of burgeoning light, peeks over the distant horizon, casting a soft golden hue across the cobblestone streets and historic buildings. The cityscape is a tapestry of red-brick structures, with their tall, narrow windows and pointed roofs, many adorned with ivy that seems to have frozen in the early morning light. The iconic St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, with its intricate Gothic architecture, stands tall as a sentinel in the background, its spires reaching for the heavens. (Jeffrey Campbell, Cork, Ireland, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Bon Voyage: Libera nos Domine!

Colonel Simon Fraser, writing to his closest Inverness confidante and dear friend, Baillie James Fraser; completing the letter 25 December 1757, from New York.

My Dear Sir,

     After a halt of Five Days at Cork to recover the fatigues of a march of 400 miles the Battalion Embark'd consisting of 1000 fine fellows besides the 170 Supernumerarys being 40 more than the Secretary at War desired me to bring, those 40 men were intended to answer any deficiency that might arise by death or Desertion, but I did not lose a man by either from the day we left Glasgow and but 7 before. We had even the good luck to seize two Deserters from Montgomery's in the March thro' Ireland. And here I cant help mentioning that in the whole of this March, Man and Woman gave us the preference over the other Battalion even beyond comparison, particularly at Dublin; I shoud not have mentioned this but that I know that pains has been taken to give merit to the other Battalion.

     My conduct towards them has been of that honourable kind which a conscious advantage makes it easy to hold, but what I tell you is so sure that you may aver it. Being obliged to leave about 17 men sick at Cork you will not blame my attachment to them in leaving directions to have them sent after us at my private expense, in case the publick shoud grudge it, and think of incorporating them to other Regiments to save expence.

     As I think no voyage can be agreeable, I must only say of ours that it was as tolerable as any for without it being tedious we have extremely fine weather which gave us opportunity of changing the scene a little by visiting from ship to ship; In one of these excursions I surprised a fine Turtle and had him in the boat before he was well awake. In short the last day of eight very ill spent weeks we anchored in Halifax harbour leaving in the whole 17 men sick.

     We remained 7 days aboard while the General deliberated about out destination, at length we were ordered to disembark and to encamp a quarter of a mile out of Town where the Second Battalion of the Royal was already encamped. In this Camp in less than a fortnight the 2 Field Officers 6 Captains seventeen subalterns and above 300 men were down with the Flux whither occasioned by the sudden encamping after so long a March and voyage, or by the climate I cannot say: most of the Officers are now recovered, but I have lost 20 men and there are about 200 still ill. As you have heard so much about this place I must endeavour to describe it to you, but remember whatever I attempt of this kind is upon condition that you do not expect descriptive precision from so rambling a pen as mine.

     Halifax extends itself about a mile in length along the declivity of a rising ground, and about a quarter of a mile in breadth from the sea to the height of a rising ground, the streets run parallel the length of the town, houses are of wood and in general but indifferent tho' the Church the Governor's house and some of the publick offices are neat enough buildings. Towards the sea there are large batteries of 24 pounders, one of the same weight of metal on the opposite shore, and several on a small Island about half way between the two shores, which is so happily situated as to form already the chief security of the Harbour and might at little expense be made of much greater consequence. Towards the Land the Town is surrounded with a line of picquets or tall strong palisades and along this line at certain distances there are five stockaded Forts. When I say it is necessary to observe to you that a stockaded Fort is nothing more than such picquets as I have just mentioned stuck into the ground so as to form the Figure of a Fort of course there is no wall to mount artillery upon so that a few swivel gunns [are] stuck here on a angle. Picquet is all the artillery of Halifax toward the land. There cannot be a more advantageous spot that the rising ground above the Town, it commands the Town and the whole extent of the line round it. Without being fully commanded by any ground within reach, and uncommon circumstance in this country & withal includes so proper an extent of ground as would neither require a very great expense to Fortify not a very great garrison to defend. This place has another great natural advantage from its being situated in a small peninsula the Isthmus of which is not above a mile across and might with little expense be made a very strong pass.

     The country round the Town affords as Disagreeable a prospect to an English eye as any part of old Scotland. There is little more than a mile even along the shore clear'd and above half a mile in breadth into the Country, the rest is impenetrable wood, the worst kind even of American, the closets; the fulest of rough underwood & swamps or morasses, in short it gave me a better idea than ever I had chaos. On the opposite shore where the battery I mentioned is raised there is only about a mile in circumference cleard opposite to the Western end of Halifax at a place called Dartmouth, there are on this ground a good number of houses which have been deserted for some time the Indians having on one or two occasions broke in and scalped several of the inhabitants. After what I have said you will not be sorry to hear that since I began my letter I have received orders to embark in three days for New York. Congratulate me on being in the middle of the army, and of course in the way of the first of next year's operations, perhaps of something this winter tho you must allow if we were dispos'd to desire it we are entitled to some rest for by the time we reach New York, out of seven months three will have been employed in voyaging and two in Marching. . . . .  American news are stale now, besides what this year affords may as well be pass'd over, pray what you will in Brittain of your Louisbourg Expedition being given up and of the surrender of Fort William Henry? If you should be so impertinent as to say our sailors were too nice calculators of pounds and ounces to find out a superiority in the French, fled when the number of line of Battle ships were equal of that Fort William Henry might have held out longer or might have been relieved, we will in return throw all upon you by saying if you had sent the Fleet out sooner there woud have been no room for calculation of Metal, or if you had sent a sufficient Land force My Lord Loudoun woud not have been put to the necessity of Draining the continent & exposing its Frontier in order to form any army for the Expedition.

     I got this far at Halifax, I now write from New York 25th December having got here about eight days ago, after the most tedious and disagreeable voyage that has been known, in the course of which we had six very hard gales that your fresh water sailors woud call storms. In one of these we were all separated, one ship drove upon the Nantucket Shoal, another lost her Masts, a third her sails, and we who got off as well as any you may believe were not entirely at our ease during 36 hours that we drove with our helm lash'd under a balance mizen, however we thank God we have all got in one after another without any material loss, but from the Atlantic Ocean in the Month of November Libera nos Domine.

     We dont after all remain here this winter but go to Cantonments in Connecticut from 40 to 90 miles from hence among a set of Cromwelians imported about the year 1640. . . . . . I wish you woud send me 2 hogshead of your best vintage to the care of Mr Hugh Wallace at New York to Mr Abthorp & Compy at Boston. Farewell my Dr Alderman Remember me most affectionately to the wifie and to all my friends & if you dont write me often may you be 7 years longer a getting to heaven.

In all times & places yrs

S. Fraser

Source:
MacDonald, Archibald, Rev. The Old Lords of Lovat and Beaufort. Inverness, 1943, p. 135-7.

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

Petitions of Lieutenant John Fraser, 78th Regiment

Petition of John Fraser, tenant in Easter Bunchegavie, and John Fraser, his eldest son, joint possessors of said farm. The Petitioner, now in his 76^th year, has possessed the lands on a Tack of the late Lord Lovat for a yearly rent of £5, 17s, 11d. for 46 years, and continued loyal to his sovereign notwithstanding the temptation he was under of joining in the rebellion of 1745. John, the son, had served seven years in his Majesty’s 78^th Regt. of Foot, Simon Fraser, Colonel, when, on account of the Regiment being reduced, he obtained his discharge, which is enclosed, of date at Glasgow 14 Decr. 1763. Also a certificate in favour of the old man John, from the Kirk session of Boleskin. Fear that they were to be dispossessed to let in Donald Fraser in Easter Borlum, brother-in-law of Mr. Fraser of Gortuleg, had brought them to Edinr. At that severe season to lay their case before the Board. Read Feb. 1769.

Petition of Lieut. John Fraser, late of the 78^th Regt., praying to be put in possession of Bunchegavie and for a lease. William Fraser of Belloan is dead, and is succeeded by his brother Donald, late in Borlum, whom the Board ordered formerly to be put in possession of Bunchegavie. The Petitioner is a nephew of Donald, who is willing to cede possession of the farm to the Lieut. Read 26 June 1769

Petition of Lieut. John Fraser, late of Col. Fraser’s Regt. Late Wm. Fraser of Balloan, was the Petitioner’s uncle, relative to a competition as to parties who should get possession of a farm. Read 3 July 1769, - Memorial for Elizabeth Fraser, widow of deceased Wm. Fraser of Balloan, and others, read 3 July 1769. Memorial of Lieut. Alexr. Fraser of Col. Fraser’s Regt. who was preferred to the farm (Ruthven). Read 3 July 1769.

Source:

Millar, A. H. A Selection of Scottish Fortified Estate Papers, 1715; 1745. Edinburgh, Scottish Historical Society, 1909, p. 130; 142. Print.

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

Taking Title of Mount Murray

Title.-- "Grant of the 27th of April, 1762, by the Honourable James Murray, Esq. Governor of Quebec, to Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser, of His Majesty's 78th Regiment of Foot, of all that extent of land lying on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence, from the North side of the River of Malbay to the River Noire, and for three leagues back, to be known hereafter, at the special request of the said Lieutenant Malcolm Fraser, by the name of Mount Murray, together with the woods and rivers or other appurtenances within the said extent, right of fishing or fowling, within the same, included. All kinds of traffic with the Indians of the back country hereby specially excepted."

History of Mount Murray
MOUNT MURRAY, is a British grant en fief et seigneurie, in the co. of Saguenay; it reaches from the north side of the R. Malbay, along the bank of the St. Lawrence, as far as the River Noire or Black River, and is three leagues in depth. Granted Apr. 27, 1762, to Lieut. Malcolm Fraser, Esq, this seigniory is separated from Murray Bay by Malbay River, and contains only a small proportion of cultivated land in comparison to its size. The general surface is mountainous, but in some places the soil is moderately good: timber of all kinds is plentiful and very fine, particularly pine. The lands under the best state of improvement are those along R. Malbay for about six miles. A tolerable good road passes through these settlements, on which are many farm houses and dwellings. The manor-house, belonging to Colonel Fraser, called Mount Murray, is well situated at the entrance of the bay on the east side, and is surrounded by a large tract of well-cultivated lands. This grant is watered by several streams, whose waters are not more than sufficient to work the mills. From the River Noire, along the borders of the St. Lawrence, and as far into the interior as the country has been explored, are only mountains of stone almost without the slightest vegetation. Limestone is abundant in this S. The chief articles of trade are deals, boards, fire-wood and some wheat: the salmon caught between the River Noire and Malbay are sold at Quebec.

Source:

Bouchette, Joseph. "A Topographical Dictionary of the Province of Lower Canada." Longman & Company, Quebec, 1832.

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

Arms Issued to the Highland Regiments, 1757

War Office, 13 January 1757

Sir,

His Majesty having thought fit to order two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised each Battalion to consist of Forty Serjeants Forty Corporals Twenty Drummers and One thousand Effective Private Men besides Commission Officers, I have the Honour to acquaint you herewith that you may be pleased to receive His Majesty's Commands thereupon and Signify the same to the Master Gen'l of the Ordnance that the Arms &c mentioned in the Annexed List for the said two Battalions may be delivered out of His Majesty's Stores & the Expence thereof charged to the Estimate of Ordnance for Parliament.

Iron Ramrods:

First Battalion: 1040

Second Battalion: 1040
Total: 2080

Firelocks & Bayonets:

First Battalion: 1040

Second Battalion: 1040
Total: 2080

Side Pistols:

First Battalion: 1080

Second Battalion: 1080
Total: 2160

Halberts:

First Battalion: 40

Second Battalion: 40
Total: 80

Drums:

First Battalion: 40

Second Battalion: 40
Total: 80

I am

Sir &c

Barrington

Rt. Honble Wm. Pitt His Majesty's

Principal Secry of State

Note: A list of accoutrements issued to soldiers of the 78th Regiment can be found here.

Source:

Lord Barrington, "Letter to William Pitt requesting arms." War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756-Apr. 1757. TNA, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections).

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

Major Clephane's Uniform Tailoring, Sep. 1757

Shortly after the regiment arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Major Clephane placed an order for the making of, what appears to be a regimental jacket. Eighteenth-century regimental clothing Tailor Henry Cooke described, that two and one-half yards of cloth would fit a man with a 42-inch chest, indicating the major was probably small in his bodily frame and overall stature. 

It would appear that Andrew Butler was Major Clephane’s personal tailor; perhaps even a local merchant. Additionally, it was quite common each company would also have a trained tailor to make and repair uniforms for the sergeants and other ranks in the field as required.  We discovered, from occupations listed while at Chelsea Hospital, the 78th Regiment had a number of men who were tailors in the civilian sector.

Halifax, 22d. Sep't. 1757

Major Clephanes

B.o.S of Alexander Mackenzie

2 ½ yards Superfine scarlet Cloth	@ 23	£2        17        6
3/16 yard Superfine white Cloth	@ 24	-           3          6
4 yards best white shalloon	@ 3/	-           12        -
¾ yard Buckram	@ 14	-           0          10 ½
3 skeins Twist, 4 ditto Silk	@ 6d each	-           3          6
3 ½ oz. Thread	@ 5d	-           1          5 ½
2 ½ yards Dimity	@ ¼	-           3          5 ¼
¾ linen	@ ⅛	-           1          3
del’d his own Taylor:	[Total]	£4        4          6 ¼
26th,     2 ½ yards Scarlet shag	@ 10	£1        5          -
¾ yard Superfine scarlet cloth	@ 23	-           17        6
3 yards Dimity	@ ¼	-           4          1 ½
4 Skeins Silk & Twist	@ 6d each	-           2          0
2 oz. Th’d, del’d And’w Butler	@ 5d	-           0          10
	[Total]	£2        9          5 ½
Oct 1st, 1 yard white shalloon, del’d his own Taylor		-           3          -
Oct 3d, 1 yard Dimity, del’d  And’w Butler		-           1          4 ½
½ yard Linen, del’d his own Taylor	@ ¼	-           0          8
	[Total]	£6        19        0 ¼

Fabric Notes:

- Superfine scarlet cloth:  a superior, finer cloth, used to make officers uniform jackets.

- Superfine white cloth:  used for the jacket’s facings (cuffs, lapels, etc).

- Shalloon:  a lightweight twilled fabric of wool or worsted used chiefly for coat linings.  

- Buckram:  a coarse material, linen or cotton, used for stiffening clothes. 

- Skein:  a unit of yarn.

- Silk:  used for sewing.  The “twist” was possibly the lace or piping used around buttonholes, cuffs, collars, lapels, etc.

- Dimity:  a strong cotton corded fabric.

Sources:

Major Clephane's Bill of Sale of Alexander Mackenzie, Sep. 1757. Elizabeth Rose Family Papers. NRS, GD125-22-17, p. 1.

Chapman, Earl J. "Bill of Sale." E-Mail letter to Jeffrey Campbell dated 26 July 2017. 

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