Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Halifax Pay Records of May 1758

An accountant at the War Office in Westminster, London, meticulously reviewing the financial records of Major James Clephane of the 78th Regiment of Foot. The Scottish regiment, raised in 1757, was stationed for service in North America in support of the Seven Years' War. (Jeffrey Campbell, A Numbers Game, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Halifax Pay Records of May 1758

A collection of pay records from Major James Clephane's Company of the 78th Regiment of Foot dated May 1758 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Although 111 names appear on the original records cover sheet, only the following 90 archival records were made available. It is presumed the remaining 21 records did not survive. 

Please note soldiers' numbering is for our internal records and should be referenced for identification when contacting us. Additional links to transcriptions will be made available as time permits, so please check back.

Major James Clephane's Company
Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 1758
9. Private John Anderson
10. Private Roderick Bain
11. Private John Buchanan
12. Private Evan Cameron
13. Private John Cameron [1]
14. Private John Cameron [2]
15. Private John Cameron [3]
16. Private John Cameron [4]
17. Private Angus Campbell
18. Private Donald Campbell
19. Private Hugh Campbell
20. Private James Campbell
21. Private John Campbell [1]
22. Private John Campbell [2]
23. Private John Chisholm
24. Private William Conison
25. Private Donald Culbert
26. Private Duncan Duff
27. Private Charles Falconer
28. Private Angus Fletcher
29. Private Alexander Fraser
31. Private John Fraser [2]
32. Private John Fraser [3]
33. Private Petter Halden
34. Private John Innes
35. Private Alexander Johnston
36. Private James Knight
37. Private Donald Livingston
38. Private Alexander McArthur
39. Private John McArthur
40. Private John McAllum
41. Private Donald McColl
42. Private Alexander McDonald
43. Private Donald McDonald
44. Private Evan McDonald
45. Private John McDonald
46. Private John McDougall
47. Private David McDugall
48. Private Donald McGibban
50. Private Petter McGrigor [1]
51. Private Petter McGrigor [2]
52. Private Donald McIntosh
53. Private John McIntosh [1]
54. Private John McIntosh [2]
55. Private Lachlan McIntosh
56. Private David McKinzie
58. Private John McKinzie [1]
59. Private John McKinzie [2]
60. Private Rodrick McKinzie
61. Private Duncan McLean
62. Private Donald McLeod
63. Private John McLeod
64. Private William McNabb
65. Private Archibald McNaughton
66. Private Duncan McNickell
67. Private John McPherson
68. Private John McVain
69. Private Hugh Miller
70. Private Roderick Morison
71. Private Hugh Munro
72. Private George Noble
73. Private John Robertson
74. Private Thomas Robertson
75. Private Alexander Rose
76. Private Arthur Rose
78. Private David Rose
80. Private Donald Ross
81. Private John Ross
82. Private Malcolm Ross
84. Private John Sherrar
85. Private Alexander Smith
86. Private Angus Stewart
87. Private John Sutherland
88. Private William Sutherland
89. Private James Tolmie
90. Private James Tolnie

Records presumed not to have survived.
91. Private Murdoch Cameron
92. Private Donald Campbell
93. Private Duncan Campbell
94. Private William Campbell
95. Private William Copelan
96. Private James Forbes
97. Private James Fraser
98. Private John Fraser
99. Private John Gordon
100. Private Duncan McDugall
101. Private Alexander McKay
102. Private Murdoch McKenzie
103. Private Duncan McNickle
104. Private Robert McPharlin
105. Private Alexander McPherson
106. Private Duncan McPherson
107. Private Hugh McRae
108. Private Donald Morrison
109. Private Finlay Munro
110. Private William Ross
111. Private James Wright

Source
Military account book at Halifax [Clephane], 1758. NAS GD125/Box 34.

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

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Sunday, May 1, 2022

Captain Hugh Montomerie's Music Book of 1763

An antique travel chest, adorned with ornate brass fittings and aged with the patina of centuries, stands tall in a cozy, dimly lit room. The chest sits adjacent to a wall with peeling wallpaper, hinting at the passage of time and the storied journeys it has witnessed. Upon its sturdy lid, a well-worn 18th-century sheet music book lies open, its pages yellowed and brittle with age, revealing a complex musical score that whispers of bygone eras. 
 
Throughout history, British Army officers often traveled with personal violins and cellos and passed the time with evenings of treating their fellow battalion-mates to their favorite musically delightful scores. (Jeffrey Campbell, Scores, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Captain Hugh Montomerie's Music Book of 1763

Captain Hugh Montgomerie (1739-1819), later 12th Earl of Eglington - s/o Alexander Montgomerie 4th of Coilsfield & Lillias Montgomery of Skelmorlie, was initially gazetted a lieutenant on July 21, 1757, in one of the three Additional Companies of the 77th Foot, the sister battalion of Fraser's Highlanders. Hugh fought at Fort Duquesne [Pittsburgh] in 1758, participated in the capture of Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1759, and distinguished himself as a light infantry officer during the 1760 Cherokee campaign in South Carolina.  

He served in one of the 77th composite companies at the recapture of St John's, Newfoundland, under Colonel William Amherst in August 1762.  He appears to have been promoted captain in the 78th Foot retroactive to June 2, 1762 [Army lists], for he was still listed as a lieutenant in the 77th Foot on William Amherst's list of officers who participated in the recapture of St John's two months later.  

Hugh was in command of a company when the regiment was disbanded in 1763; went on half-pay as Captain in the 78th until 1767, when he returned to active service as a captain in the 2nd/1st Foot (Royal Scots), his new commission dated February 3, 1767 [NAS GD3/9/111].  He retired on January 27, 1776.  

During the American Revolution, he returned to military service on the home front as first major to the Argyll (Western) Fencibles and was painted in that regiment's uniform in 1780 by John Singleton Copley.  Hugh was MP for Ayrshire from 1784 to 1789 and again in 1795.  In 1796, at the age of 57, he succeeded his cousin Archie to become the 12th Earl of Eglinton and moved from the House of Commons to the House of Lords.  He died in 1819. [Clan Fraser Society, Toronto].

Eglington had cultivated tastes, being specifically fond of music, and, as an amateur cellist performing on the violoncello, he was the composer of several popular airs, including 'Lady Montgomerie's Lament' and 'Ayrshire Lasses,' both likely tributes to his mother. [Dictionary of National Biography, Volumes 1-20, 22 for Hugh Montgomerie, pp. 754-55].

Music Book Description
Purchased in 1978 by the National Library of Scotland, the book contains mid-eighteenth century handwritten airs on sheet music, with the cover page dated Quebec, 26 March 1763. Original cover and binding; oblong [12" x 9"?]; contains 24 + 44 inverted folios. Leaves have been torn out after folios 21, 22, 23, 28 (inverted), 37 (inverted), and 41 (inverted). 

Some of the book's airs appear in A Collection of Airs and Marches for Two Violins and German Flutes, Some Which Have Basses [London: Printed for and sold by R. Bremner, 1765?], which is part of the Glen Collection, a special collection at the National Library of Scotland containing over 400 volumes of printed music of the 18th and early 19th centuries.

The cover page contains random jottings, both legible and illegible, in various places across the sheet. While some were written in period ink, others appear to be pencil. Coilsfield, a reference to the birthplace of the author's father, is legible in period ink, while faintly jotted adjacent reads, Capt Hugh Montgomerie, and Capt Reed. Penciled and stricken-through is ACC. 5441, probably representing an outdated archival reference, and Mauchline, a reference to a town and civil parish in East Ayrshire, Scotland, is also inscribed.

[Cover page]
Captain Hugh Montgumries
of the 78th Regt. 
his Book of Music

Collection of Scots Tunes
wt. Varriations the Slowest & Best Setts by AMar

Quebec the 26 March 
1763
 
Due to inaccurate spellings of many titles throughout the music book, the following corrected titles are provided. While some tunes are composed utilizing only the treble clef, others are composed with the treble and bass clefs, with specific notations for the piano and violin spread throughout various airs.

We wish to extend our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to Mr. Munro Gauld for his contributions to deciphering the handwriting in some of these early Scottish titles. His assistance has proven most valuable.

1.  The Duke of Holstein's March  
2.  Miss Hays Minuet  
3.  Britons, Strike Home  
4.  Felton Minuet with Variations  
5.  The Shetchers March  
6.  Prince Eugene's March  
7.  Miss Munro's Minuet  
8.  March  
9.  The Duchess of Hamilton's Minuet  
10. The Horse Grenadier's March  
11.  A Minuet  
12.  Lord Loudoun's March  
13.  The Swabb Minuet  
14.  The King of Prussia's March  
15.  Miss Gunning's Minuet  
16.  General Keith's March  
17.  Strasbourg Minuet  
18.  Balance of Straus a March  
19.  A March in Rinaldo, by Mr. Handel  
20.  A Minuet  
21.  General George Otway's March  
22.  Colonel Reid's Minuet  
23.  Admiral Vernon's March  
24.  Miss Bowls' Minuet  
25.  Hessian March  
26.  Colonel Reid's Minuet  
27.  Capt. Inches March  
28.  Lady McIntosh's Minuet  
29.  A March  
30.  Minuet  
31.  March  
32.  Minuet  
33.  The Royals March  
34.  Minuet  
35.  Thomas Falconner’s Rant  
36.  Jackson's Mistake  
37.  Follow Her Over the Border  
38.  Red James  
39.  Red James  
40.  Thou art gone away  
41.  Duchess of Devonshire's March  
42.  Canzonell  
43.  How Sweet in the Woodlands  
44.  Pastorale Andantino  
45.  Right Honorable Lord Torphichen's March  
46.  Miss Lillas Montgomerie Skelmories Strathspey, by Capt. Logan  
47.  Allegro Maestroso  
48.  Capt. Baillie's Quick March  
49.  Capt. Baillie's March, South Fencibles  
50.  Lord Banff’s Strathopy  
51.  Miss Montgomerie of Skelmorlies Strathspey, by Niel Gow  
52.  The [illegible]  
53.  Lumps of Puddings  
54.  Cabber Fea  
55.  Barick Jonie 
56.  Illegible  
57.  Captain Montgomerie's Call  
58.  Atholl Braes  
59.  Up in the air
60.  Cammeroning's Rant  
61.  Cameron's Strathspey  
62.  Sir John Cathcart's Reel
63.  Aaron’s Gigg  
64.  Linock love to blanter
65.  Jockey Has Gotten a Wife
66.  If ever I marry I'll marry alright
67.  Miss Christie's Reel
68.  Happy Pair. Sett by W. Handel
69.  Will Come Back Again
70.  Miss Carmichael's Reel
71.  Miss Carmichael's Minuet
72.  The Three Merry Dancers
73.  Lady Nelly Weems Reel
74.  The Crickets
75.  Portobello
76.  Lucy's Delight
77.  The Highlandman Kiss'd his Mother
78.  A Bonney Lass to Merry One 
78.  Sweet Molly
80.  The -orchts Reel
81.  Willie was a Wanton Wag 
82.  Duncan Gray 
83.  The East Nooke O' Fife with Variations 
84.  Doun the burn Davie 
85.  There's Three Good Fellows ayont yon Glen 
86.  Aloway House, by AM Arthur / A. McArthur?
87.  I Love my love in Secret with Variations
88.  Up in the Morning Early
89.  When She Came, ben She bobbed 
90.  The Soldier's Lady

Notes:
Cover page: AMar is possibly an abbreviation for A. McArthur. See tune #86.
39.  Perhaps a continuation of #38.
44.  Probably Andantino Pastorale.
46.  Lillas Montgomerie, the captain's mother.
47.  Probably not the title, but rather a direction of movement within the piece.
52.  Illegible
54.  Caber Fea (Caber Feidh).
55.  Berwick Johnnie.
56.  Illegible
64.  Lennox love to Blantyre.
80.  First letter illegible.
86.  Alloway House; possibly A. McArthur (Allen or Alexander), a soldier in the 78th Foot.


Sources:
Music book, dated Quebec 26 March 1763, of Captain Hugh Montgomerie of the 78th Foot (later 12th Earl of Eglinten), containing various Scottish dance tunes and marches. National Library of Scotland, Library Archives and Manuscripts collection, MS.21750.

Alex. Whitelaw, The Book of Scottish Song; Collected and Illustrated with Historical and Critical Notices. (London, 1843.)

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

Last updated 26 May 2022.

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Friday, April 1, 2022

Petition of Mary Cameron, 1779

An 18th-century destitute woman, clad in tattered garments that are the testament to her dire circumstances, standing at the foot of an imposing stone staircase. The staircase leads to a grand, intricately-carved archway, which is adorned with the emblem of the British-ruled Quebec Government. Her eyes are cast downward, filled with a mix of desperation and hope, as she clutches a crumpled letter to her chest. (Jeffrey Campbell, Destitute, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Petition of Mary Cameron, 1779

To His Excellency, Frederick Haldimand Esqr. Captain General and former in Chief in and over the Province of Quebec and the Territories depending thereon in America, Vice Admiral of the same, General and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in the said Province and the Frontiers thereof &c., &c.

The Petitions of Mary Cameron, Wife of Murdoch Cameron late of Quebec

Most Humbly Shewith that your Petitioner's Husband served His Majesty seven years in the Seventy Eighth Regiment commanded by the Hon[oura]ble Simon Fraser, and five years in the Royal Americans, also entered himself a Voluntier on Board one of His Majesty's Amer. Vessels that went up the country in the summer of one thousand seven hundred and seventy five, when he had the misfortune he [was] taken a prisoner by the Rebels, with whom he remained till the summer following. About twelve months ago he enlisted in the [84th] Emigrants and left her with two small helpless children without any other support than what her own Industry could produce for them; she has been in great deal of trouble ever since, but what adds still more to her distress in that a small house in St. Rochs upon Mr. Marselths ground as she was informed, which she bought some years ago, and for repairing the same purchased boards &c. and in summer seventy price to the amount of about Ten pounds all afterwards destroyed by the Rebels is now demanding of her for the use of the government which is the only favourable plan she has to go to after the first day of May next, the house she occupies at present being let to another.

That houses are so scarce at present and Rents so extravagantly high that she was afraid to engage any tract she should not be able to pay her rent at the time appointed; therefore chose rather to live in her own small one which she might make shif & some maintenance for herself and children than take any risque, altho she could have let the above mentioned for nine pounds currency pr. annum.

Your Petitioner therefore most Humbly prays as the time has so nearly elapsed that your Excellency would be pleased & front her much compensation for it as may enable her to obtain another. And your Petitioner as is Duty bound shall ever pray.
Mary Cameron

Quebec 27th April 1779 / D.S.

[Endorsed 27 April 1779]

Memorial from Mrs. Cameron, relative

to the Bastian-Guard House

27 April

Note: It's worth noting that nine pounds sterling currency in 1780 is the equivalent to approximately £775 (or $1020) in 2017 purchasing power.

Source:

British Library, Haldimand Papers, Memorial from Civilians, n.d., 1777-1785, MG 21, Add. Mss. 21877, (B-217), Folios 57-58, pp. 68-70.

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



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Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Major Clephane’s Company Expenses Through Ireland, 1757

The quaint harbor town of the 18th-century Donaghadee, Ireland, nestled on the northeastern coast, unfolds with its cobblestone streets lined with charming, pastel-hued buildings that hug the shoreline. The cobalt blue sky is dotted with fluffy white clouds, casting a soft, diffused light over the red-tiled roofs and the masts of the sailboats docked in the harbor. The town's iconic lighthouse, a symbol of maritime guidance, stands tall on the distant headland, its beacon a testament to the area's rich seafaring history.
 
After landing in Donaghadee in mid-May 1757, Colonel Fraser's men were offered lodging by the locals for their stay. One night, however, it's purported that one of the regimental pipers sounded the alarm late in the evening to a dwelling fire about a local town structure. Unfortunately, while some of the Highlanders were instrumental in extinguishing the flames, a local woman lost her life. (Jeffrey Campbell, Donaghadee, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

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.

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Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Proposal to Transport Deserters to North America, 1757

A majestic 18th-century British transport ship cutting through tumultuous ocean waves under a brooding sky. The ship, with its towering masts and tattered sails, is heavily laden with a grim cargo—deserters of the British Army. These men were a motley crew, their uniforms in disarray, representing a spectrum of social classes and backgrounds united by their desperate decisions to flee. They are bound in iron shackles, their ankles and wrists raw from the unforgiving chains. (Jeffrey Campbell, Atlantic Crossing, 2024. Artist's rendition created with Perchance AI Image Generator)

Proposal to Transport Deserters to North America, 1757

To Their Excellencies The Lords Justices Generall and Generall Governours of Ireland

The Memoriall of John Earl of Rothes

Representeth,

That by the Returns of the Embarkation of His Majesties two Highland Battalions Commanded by Lieutenant Collonels Montgomery and Fraser dated the 27th of June last, it appears, that fifty six men belonging to these two Battalions are left behind sick at Corke or upon their march.

That Captain Donald Macdonald of Collo. Frasers Battalion is since the embarkation come from Scotland with one Subaltern and thirty one men belonging to that Battalion who are now upon their march to Corke.

That His Grace The Lord Lieutenant by his letter of the 14th of last month signified to you Execs His Majesties pleasure that as many of the Deserters as possible from those Regiments who have lately gone abroad shou'd be embarked with the Highland Battalions in order to be incorporated into His Majesties Regiments in North America, in consequence of which fourty five of these Deserters have already been sent off, and there are now at Corke and in the different goals [sic, gaols] of this Kingdom a considerable number of them ready for the same purposes.

Your Memorialist therefore Submits to your Excellencies whither it would not be for the good of His Majesties Service, that a Vessell be freighted for carrying the men abovementioned belonging to the two Highland Battalions to such place in North America as shall be thought proper and for carrying with them such Deserters from the Regiments abovementioned as now are in custody or may be apprehended before the embarkation.

[signed] 
Rothes

Cover sheet:
Memoriall The Earl of Rothes To Their Exes The Lords Justices, 11th July 1757;
Inclosed in the Lord Justices Letter of the 12 July 1757;
in the Lord Lieut of Ireland's of the 30th July 1757


Source:
Memorial of John, Earl of Rothes requesting provision of a vessel to carry the two Highland battalions commanded by Lieutenant Colonels Montgomery and Fraser and also all deserters caught in Ireland to North America. TNA, SP 63/415/3105.


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





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