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. 

Embarkation of Troops to the St. Lawrence River, 1759

Letter from General Jeffrey Amherst to Brigadier General Robert Monckton dated New York, April 5th, 1759, and enclosed in a letter from General Amherst to the Right Honorable William Pitt, April 16th, 1759. The bulk of the letter discusses the embarkation of troops destined for the St. Lawrence River, including Colonel Fraser's Regiment to sail from New York to Louisbourg under convoy of the Nightengale. General Amherst is best known as the architect of Britain's successful campaign to conquer the territory of New France during the Seven Years' War. Under his command, British forces captured the cities of Louisbourg, Quebec City, and Montreal, as well as several major fortresses.

New York, April 5th, 1759

Dear Sir

          Enclosed are copies of orders sent to Brig. Genl. Lawrence for the embarcation of His Majestys forces in the Province of Nova Scotia alloted for the expedition up the River St. Lawrence against Quebec, in which expedition His Majesty has been graciously pleased to order you should as Brig. Genl.

          As the embarcation of the train of artillery and of Webb's Regiment at Boston is under direction of Colonel Burton and that I have an account from thence that everything is in great forwardness and no difficulties attending the executing the service there, and that the two regiments Viz Lascelle's and Fraser's to be embarked from hence to sail under convoy of the Nightengale for Louisbourg will not require your presence here, I think it will be for the good of His Majesty's Service that you do repair to Halifax to forward the embarcation of the troops there according to the direction I have sent to Brig. Genl. Lawrence, and that you sail to Louisbourg with the said troops so as to be there as near as may be to the time prescribed by the above orders, where you will put yourself under the command of Major Genl. Wolfe.

          You will please to acquaint major Genl. Wolfe that I have on your application to me ordered that Major of Brigade Spittal should serve as Major of Brigade on the above expedition. As the enclosed papers will thoroughly inform you of all steps taken in regard to the embarcation of the troops destined for the River St. Lawrence I have nothing further to add than my warmest wishes for the success of this expedition in which you will have so great a shave & to take this occasion [as I always most gladly seize every one that may offer to me] to assure you that I am etc. Jeff Amherst.

Source:

Amherst, Jeffrey. Letter from General Jeffrey Amherst to Brigadier General Robert Monckton dated New York, April 5th, 1759, and enclosed in a letter from General Amherst to the Right Honorable William Pitt, April 16th, 1759. Northcliffe Collection Series 1: Robert Monckton Papers : C-369. Public Archives Canada.

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

Orders Providing Camp Necessaries, 1757

War Office 14th January 1757

My Lord & Sir,

Having Signified His Majesty's Pleasure to George Ross Esqr. to provide forthwith Camp Necessaries for the Second Highland Battallion of Foot to be forthwith raised under the Command of Lieut. Colonel Simon Fraser, and Employed in the defence of His Majesty's Colonies in North America, for which £548.12.9 is to be allowed to the said Battallion, agreeable to the allowances made to the Regiments of 100 Men a Company; (excepting Copper Kettles for the use of the said Battallion instead of Tin ones) I am to acquaint you, it is His Majesty's Pleasure, that you do advance Two Thirds of the above sum of £548.1.9 for the said Battallion, to Geo. Ross Esqr., to provide the Camp Necessaries accordingly; and as soon as a proper Return shall be made to me, that the Camp Necessaries are all provided, I will send you the proper Warrant to vouch payment of the whole.

My Lord & Sir

Your most obedt.humble Servt.

Barrington

Rt. Honble Lord Viscount

Dupplin and Thos. Potter Esqr.

Paymaster General./

Note: George Ross, who represented a number British regiments, was the hired agent to Colonel Fraser's Battalion for the duration of the war in North America. 

Source:

War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756-Apr. 1757. LAC, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections).

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

Orders Providing Arms to the Highland Regiments, 1757

War Office 13th 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 therewith that you may be pleased to receive His Majesty's Commands thereupon and Signify the same to the Master Genl. 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.

I am 

Sir &c

Barrington

Copy

Rt. Honble Wm. Pitt His Maty's

Principal Secry of State

	Iron Ramrods	Firelocks & Bayonets	Side Pistols	Cartouch Boxes and Straps	Halberts	Drums
First Battalion	1040	1040	1080	1040	40	20
Second Battalion	1040	1040	1080	1040	40	20
Total	2080	2080	2160	2080	80	40

First Highland Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. Montgomery, later renumbered the 62nd Regiment of Foot, and finally the 77th Regiment of Foot.

Second Highland Battalion was commanded by Lt.-Col. Fraser, later renumbered the 63rd Regiment of Foot, and finally the 78th Regiment of Foot.

Source:

War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756-Apr. 1757. LAC, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections).

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

Land Petition of Serjeant Alexander Fraser, 78th Regiment

Serjeant Alexander Fraser

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.

John Robb, Glasgow City Quartermaster, 1757

29 June 1757

Petition of John Robb, quartermaster

There was a petition given in by John Robb, stationer in Glasgow and quartermaster of the said city, representing that for upwards of these eight months by past he had been put to a considerable trouble and expence by not only billeting the two battalions of Young Buffs when quartered in the city, the two battalions of Highland regiments, three other regiments passing through the city, besides transient military and recruits, which rendered him unable all that time to prosecute and follow further his own private business, he having been constantly employed in billeting the said soldiers both upon public and private houses, but also by paying two men for writing billets clossly, and for furnishing pens, paper, ink and wax extraordinary, besides employing a man for working his own private work, which he could have done himself had he not been so much fatigued in the foresaid billeting, which was nottour, and as the yearly salary for acting as quartermaster was but small in comparison of the great fatigue and expence he hath undergone as before mentioned, craving therefore the council would in respect thereof allow a reasonable gratification to him for the foresaid trouble over and above his present salary as they should think proper. Which petition being read in presence of and considered by the magistrates and council they ordained [the treasurer to pay the quartermaster £15 sterling] over and beside his present years salary.

Note: Glasgow City Quartermaster John Robb was responsible for billeting Colonels Montgomery and Fraser's 1st & 2nd Highland Highland Battalions in both public and private houses at Glasgow in the spring of 1757. Both were separately en route to Cork, Ireland for their departure to North America.

Source:
Renwick, Robert. 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.

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

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

Lieutenant John McTavish

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

Corporal Alexander Gray
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.

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.

Colonel Fraser's Request for Levying Assistance, 1757

Letters from the Treasury Board concerning the raising of troops in the Scottish Highlands, and those estates fortified in 1747 as well as those relating to fortified estates that were annexed to the Crown in 1752 and managed by the Board of Commissioners for the Fortified Estates, at the request of Lieutenant-Colonel Simon Fraser and a copy letter to the factors ordering their assistance.

Commissioners Office for the Annexed Estates

Edinr. 7th January 1757

Sir,

By a minute of the Board of this date I am ordered to acquaint you; That His Majesty having directed a Body of Forces to be raised in the Highlands of Scotland; And Application having been made by Lieut Colonel Fraser To The Lords Commissioners of his Majestys Treasury, That the Factors & other officers upon the Annexed Estates might have orders from this Board, for each of them to give their utmost aid & assistance to the military officers who shall be employed in raising the said Troops. The Commissioners therefore, In pursuance of Instructions from the Lords of the Treasury for that effect, Have ordered that you do give your utmost aid and assistance towards the raising of the said troops; But that this is not to be understood to Supercede the orders you formerly had from this board for giving your Assistance in Levying the Quotas to be furnished by each County for Compleating the additional Battalions.

I am 

Sir

your most Humble Servt.

Cover sheet:

Copy Letter to the 

Factors on the Annexed Estates

Directing them to give their

assistance for raising the Highland Battalions

Letter of Samuel Martin

My Lords and Gentlemen,

His Majesty having directed a Body of Forces to be raised in the Highlands of Scotland; And application having been made by Lieutenant Colonel Fraser, to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury that the Factors and other officers on the Annexed Estates under your management may have directions for each of them to give their utmost aid and assistance to the Military Officers who shall be employed in raising the said Troops; And My Lords thinking the same may be for his Majesty's Service, They desire you will imediately transmit to your officers the necessary orders for that purpose.  I am

My Lords and Gentlemen

your most obedient Servt.

Saml: Martin

Treasury Chambers

26 January 1757

Cover sheet:

Letter from the Treasury

To The Commissioners for

managing the Annexed Estates

in Scotland.

26th Janry. 1757

Letter from the Treasury directing orders to be given for assisting Lieut Coll. Fraser in Levying Forces for his Majesty on the Annexed Estates.

Read 7th Febry. 1757.

Members of the Board for the Fortified Annexed Estates

Year of Appointment: 1755

Commissioners

Archibald, 3rd Duke of Argyll, 1682-1761.

John Hay, 4th Marquis of Tweedale, 1695-1762.

James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton, c.1702-1768.

James Olgivie, 5th Earl of Findlaster and 2nd Earl of Seafield, c.1689-1764.

Hugh Hume, 3rd Earl of Marchmont, 1708-1781.

John Hope, 2nd Earl of Hopetoun, 1704-1781.

James Olgivie, Lord Deskford, 1714?-1770.

Charles Shaw, 9th Lord Cathcart, 1721-1776.

James, 12th Lord Somerville, 1697/8-1765.

Charles Hope Weir of Craigiehall, 1710-1791.

Andrew Fletcher, Lord Milton, 1692-1766.

Edward Edlin, d.1760.

John Maule of Inverkeillor, 1706-1781.

William Grant, Lord Prestongrange, 1701-1764.

Robert Dundas of Arniston, 1713-1787.

James Oswald of Dunnikier, 1715-1769.

Andrew Mitchell of Thainston, 1708-1771.

Gilbert Elliot of Minto, 1722-1777.

William Alexander, 1690-1761.

George Drummond, 1687-1766.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Watson, c.1713-1761.

Mansfeldt Cardonnel, 1697-1780.

Alexander Le Grand, 1682-1766.

Joseph Tudor, d.1774.

Sources:

"Commissioners for the Annexed Estates: Miscellaneous Letters." 1757-1782. NRS, E727/61.

Smith, Annette M. The Fortified Estate Papers, 1745: a study of the work of the Commissioners for the Fortified Annexed Estates, 1755-1784, with particular reference to their contribution to the development of communications in Scotland in the eighteenth century. Thesis, PhD, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. 1975. http://hdl.handle.net/10023/2923. [Accessed 13 August 2019].

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

Four Soldiers Named William Ross

Of the original 1600 soldiers that served with Colonel Fraser during the Seven Years' War in North America, we have identified birth locales for about 250 of the nearly 900 men that officially discharged from the Regiment in the fall of 1763. William Ross was a common name found among the troops, and four men from the Regiment found on the surviving muster rolls at the conclusion of the war shared that same name. Albeit there is a limited amount of surviving paperwork available for the soldiers, the birthplace of Corporal William Ross has been positively identified. Further known details and the post-war disposition of each of these soldiers bearing the same name are as follows.

Corporal William Ross
Discharged from Captain John Nairn's Company on 23 August 1763, he was part of a larger group of 170 soldiers that discharged from the Regiment at the conclusion of the war and remained in Canada. He had follow-on service and bore arms in the late rebellion and was wounded in 1779 in Nova Scotia on an expedition with Lord Harvey. He had a wife by the name of Mary, and six sons, to wit: Alexander, William, John, Donald, Hector, and Lauchlan. He and his family settled in the Parish of Rimouskie, he was a merchant by trade, and was originally from the city of Tane [sic, Tain], in the shire of Ross, North Britain (Scotland). [LAC, Lower Canada Land Papers, RG1 L3, vol. 157].

Private William Ross
Discharged from the 78th Regiment in August of 1763, he re-entered service that same month with the 2d Bn, 60th Regiment of Foot, where he continued to provide guard over Quebec for a number of years.  He is located on the following muster roll with the 60th Regiment.

Captain Samuel Holland's Company

Reporting at Fort William Augustus, 25 July 1765 

His disposition beyond 1765 remains unknown. [TNA, W.O. 12/6935].

Private William Ross
Discharged from the 78th Regiment in August of 1763, he reentered service that same month with the 15th Regiment of Foot, where he continued to provide guard over Quebec for a number of years.  He is located on the following muster rolls with the 15th Regiment.

Captain James Cuthbert's Company 

Reporting at Quebec, 24 October 1763

Reporting at Quebec, 24 August 1764

Captain Andrew Cathcart's Company

Reporting at La Prairie, 8 August 1765

Reporting at St. John's, 9 October 1766

Reporting at Quebec, 18 July 1767

As the 15th Regiment returned to England in August 1768, his disposition beyond 1767 remains unknown. [LAC, W.O. 12, vol. 3228; film C-9202].

Private William Ross
Returned home to Scotland at the conclusion of the war in the fall of 1763, and his further disposition is currently unknown.

It's worth mentioning, as with all Colonel Fraser's soldiers, considering less than 900 men of the original Regiment remained at the conclusion of the war, we must be observant of the other approximately 700 men who share the same names. There is a distinct possibility other William Ross' were once present at some point during the conflict.

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