Payroll Account of Private William Rose, 1758

Much like today, accounting books were used in the eighteenth century for documenting military pay and other related expenses accrued over periods of time. The payroll account of Private William Rose 78th Regiment, covers the period of July 5, 1757, through April 24, 1758.

Note: Category headers and bracketed script have been added for clarification and do not appear in the original document. Additionally, it would not be uncommon to discover accounting errors as these were gentlemen who created inaccuracies the same as you and I.

[Page 1]

Income

To 2 Weeks arrears due in Ireland : £0. 0. 10

     

To 9 Weeks Pay & arrears Due in y'e passage from y'e 5th July 1757 to y'e 5th Sept. 1757 : £1. 10. 9

     

To 5 Weeks arrears of Pay due from y'e 5th Sept. to y'e 10th Oct. D'o. : £0. 8. 4

To 1 Weeks arrears from 10th Oct. to the 17th. : £0. 0. 5

    

To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e 17th Oct. to the 28th Novr. 1757 : £1. 0. 6

To 21 Weeks arrears Due from y'e 28th Novr. 1757 to y'e 24th Aprl. 1758 : £1. 15. 0 

[Total]  £4. 15. 10

[Page 2]

Expenses

To 1 Pair Shoes & 1 Napsack : £0. 6. 6

    

To 2 Haversacks & 1 Cocade : £0. 2. 0

To 1 Pair garters & 1 Sett buckles : £0. 1. 4

    

To 1 Turn Key 1 Screw 1 Kilt Belt : £0. 1. 4

     

To Provisions at Glasgow &c. :  £0. 4. 8

   

To Spruce Beer at Halifax : £0. 2. 8

To 2 Cheq'd Shirts : £0. 7. 0

To 10 Months Stopp.s for y'e Paymsr. Serjt @ 1d p Month : £0. 0. 10

To 7 Months Stoppages for y'e barber @ 2p m : £0. 1. 2

To y'e Proportion of a Cook Frock : £0. 0. 8

To Cash giv.n at Fairf.d &p. Adve : £0. 10. 8

To 4 Weeks Pay Adve in the Hospl at Halifax : £0. 12. 0

[Total]  £2. 19. 9

To Cash Paid him as Ball.ce of ye. above acct. : £1. 16. 1

  [Total]  £4. 15. 10

Halifax 3d. May 1758. Recd the above ball'ce. in full of my Pay & arrears of Pay Due from y'e Date of my attestation to y'e 24th Apr. last last as witness of my hand.

        his

Wm. [?] Rose

        mark

Source:

Major James Clephane, "Payroll account of Private William Rose, 1758." Military Account Book at Halifax, NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 32-3.

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

Initial Outfitting of Kilts in 1757

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

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

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

Accounting Receipts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

List of Prisoners Victualled at the Main Guard

The following is a list of men who were held at the guard house on the North Shore of the Saint Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada, and received daily subsistence in the summer and fall seasons of 1761. This facility may have contained an orderly room, guard room, and detention cells, which could have been considered typical construction in the mid-eighteenth century.

The two columns represent the prisoner's name and the number of days victualled.

1 Augt. 1761:

William Thomas - 25 days [47th Regiment]

Patrick McGuire - 8 days [2d Battalion, 60th Royal American Regiment]

Miles Carmichael - 4 days [78th Regiment]

4 Augt. 1761:

Paul Wood - 3 days [2d Battalion, 60th Royal American Regiment]

19 Augt. 1761:

Willm. Powell - 5 days

Willm. Cooper - 4 days

Jos. Howe - 4 days

Fras. Coffield - 4 days

29 Augt 1761:  

Thos. Lee - 4 days

5 Sepr. 1761:

Robt. McGregor - 5 days

25 Sepr. 1761:

Angus McDonald [78th Regiment]

Jos. Dusel

27 Sepr. 1761:

John Browne

30 Sepr. 1761:

Nicholas Tryer [Tyer; Fryer; Fyer?]

16 Oct. 1761:

Francis Warren

Source: List of Prisoners Victualed at the Main Guard [1761]. Treasury: papers. TNA, T 1/406, n.p.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Prisoners of War

Two separate lists of the English prisoners of war dating to June 14th, 1760, were located among the War Office records of Jeffrey Amherst, former Commander in Chief of British forces in North America during the Seven Years' War. Although this first list remains unauthored, it may have been generated by Governor James Murray or his staff.

15th Regiment
Lieutenant Henry Hamilton

Serjeant Bryan Fortune

Serjeant John Lackey

Private Andrew Boitler

Private Edward Warren

N.B. John Fernall of the 15th Regiment & Richd. Jones Servants and not prisoners.

27th Regiment

Lieutenant John Fortiscue

Ensign Daniel Stuart

Private John Morison

Private Wm. Hempfield

Servant John McDuff

35th Regiment

Private Samuel Degrode

Private Thos. Dawson

Private Jas. Jemmison

Private Duncan Black

Private Edward Barrey

Private Philip McElroy

Private Daniel McFarling

Private John Greame

43d. Regiment

Lieutenant Nicholas Lysaght

Ensign Crank Maw

Private Hugh Smith

47th Regiment

Lieutenant William Sherriff

Lieutenant Henry Goddard

Sergeant Edmond Sikes

Private Peter Douglas

Private McAdow

Private Richd. Greenash

Private Wm. Swails

48th Regiment

Serjt. Major Wm. Scott

Private Alexr. Youell

Private Wm. McGaughey

Private George Aberdeen

Private Wm. Orr

Private Daniel Orr

Private John Cooper

Private Robert Cooper

Private Wm. Lenard

Private Francis Mortan

Private Balagh Rupple

Private John Baillie

Private Peter McKenny

58th Regiment

Serjeant Richard Murray

Private Ledwick Robinson

Private Jonathan Sedwell

Private Dennis Daugherty

Private Robert Piles

Private John Porter

2d. B.R.A. [2nd Battalion, 60th Royal Americans]

Serjeant Charles McDonnell

Corporal Henry Cunningham

Private Thomas McMurray

Private David Holstead

Private Daniel Pearson

Private Richd. Strough

3d. B.R.A. [3rd Battalion, 60th Royal Americans]

Voluntier William Bayard

Serjeant Christopher Pauley

Private Justich Heyman

Private Andrew Over

4th. B.R.A. [4th Battalion, 60th Royal Americans]

Private James Bryan

Private George Taylor

63d. Regiment [78th Regiment]

Private Andrew Rose

Private John Chisam

Private Wm. Brown

Proventials

Jervle De'ball

Emmanuel Grey

Josiah Molone

Rangers

Captain [blank] Jacobs

Captain James Lute

Serjeant Saml. Reynolds

Lewis Denny

Saml. Hall

Issey Traverese

Wm. Hardy

Thos. Cleesh

Thos. Bignall

Frederick Courtis

Abel Davis

Hight Young

Royal Artillery

Lieutenant William Cock

Royal Train

Mattross Wm. Bond

Pepperell's and Shirley's taken at Oswego in 1756

Private Valantine Earnest

Private Dennis Jordan

Private John Snell

Private Patt. McCallum

Private John Fahie

Private Daniel Loughray

Private Patt. Castaquin

Private Norman Ash

Private Morgan Kinney

Private Saml. Bennet

Private John Barton

Private Mathew Dunn

Private Thomas Wade

Private Joseph Pike

Belonging to His Majesty's Ships of War

Gunner John Sherman

Gunner's Mate Thos. Burgery

Joseph Campage, Carpenter

Sailors:

Thomas Jowle [Jervle?]

Mathew Dyer

Wm. Isles

Thos. Caulvin

Robert Hamman

Thomas Todd

John Walker

Wm. Owens

Inhabitants

Thos. Cowan

John Smith

Robert Mason

George Cost

Nathl. Smith

Suttlers

Daniel Pacault

George Hipps

Willm. Jaunt

John Whelan

Women

Sarah Garwin

Bridget Dunn

Sarah McCallum

Eliza. Halmer

Mary Ann Crisk

List of Officers Sent in Govr. Murray's Return not Included in the foregoing List, as L. Goddard Accounts for them.

Prisoners on Parole at Quebec:

Kennedy's Regiment

Capt. Maitland

Webb's Regiment

Lt. Davers

Lawrence's Regiment

Capt. Charteris

Lt. Campbell

Lt. Forbes mentioned missing in Govr. Murray's is dead.

Fraser's Regiment

Ens. Alexr. Gregorson (dead)

Ens. Malcolm Fraser (dead)

Otway's Regiment

Capt. Ince (dead)

Lascelle's Regiment

Capt. Archbold (dead)

Amherst's Regiment

Ensn. Montgomery (dead)

Endorsed - Copy  

List of the English Prisoners 

returned from Canada - 

14th June 1760

transmitted by Capt. Bonneau

in his of the 18th.

Source:

War Office Records: Amherst Papers. Correspondence between French Officers in North America and the Commander-in-Chief, 1757-1761. W.O. 34, vol. 10, pp. 234-238.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Payroll Account of Private John Fraser [1st], 1758

Much like today, accounting books were used in the eighteenth century for documenting military pay and other related expenses accrued over periods of time. The payroll account of Private John Fraser [1st; multiple men with the same name in this company], 78th Regiment, covers the period of July 5, 1757, through April 24, 1758.

Note: Category headers and bracketed script have been added for clarification and do not appear in the original document. Additionally, it would not be uncommon to discover accounting errors as these were gentlemen who created inaccuracies the same as you and I.

[Page 1]

Income

To 2 Weeks arrears Due in Ireland : £0. 0. 10

     

To 9 Weeks Pay & arrears Due in y'e passage from y'e 5th July 1757 to y'e 5th Sept. 1757 : £1. 10. 9

     

To 5 Weeks arrears of Pay due from y'e 5th Sept. to y'e 10th Oct. D'o. : £0. 8. 4

To 1 Weeks arrears from 10th Oct. to the 17th. : £0. 0. 5

    

To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e 17th Oct. to the 28th Novr. 1757 : £1. 0. 6

To 21 Weeks arrears Due from y'e 28th Novr. 1757 to y'e 24th Aprl. 1758 : £1. 15. 0 

[Total]  £4. 15. 10

[Page 2]

Expenses

To 1 Pair Shoes & 1 Napsack : £0. 6. 6

    

To 2 Haversacks at Kilraick & Glasgow : £0. 2. 0

To 1 Cocade 1 pair garters & 1 sett buckles : £0. 2. 0

    

To 1 Pistle & 1 Kilt belt : £0. 1. 4

     

To 1 Turn Key 1 Screw 1 Brush & Wire : £0. 0. 9                                                

     

To Provisions furnished at Glasgow &c. :  £0. 4. 8

   

To Spruce Beer at Halifax : £0. 2. 8

To 2 Cheq'd Shirts furnish'd by y'e Maj.r : £0. 7. 0

To 10 Months Stopp.s for y'e Paymsr. Serjt @ 1p : £0. 0. 10

To 7 Months Stoppages for y'e barber @ 2p m : £0. 1. 2

To y'e Proportion of a Cook Frock : £0. 0. 8

To Cash giv.n at Fairf.d & Boston p. Ad.ve : £1. 17. 4

To 4 Weeks Pay Ad.ve the Hosp.l at Halifax : £0. 12. 0

To 2 White Shirts from the Com [sic, Comisary? ] Store : £0. 7. 0

To Cash Paid him as Ball.ce of ye. above acct. : £0. 9. 11

  [Total]  £4. 15. 10

Halifax 3d. May 1758. Received the above Ball'ce. in full of my Pay & arrears of Pay Due from y'e Date my attestation to y'e 24th Apr. 1758 last as witness of my hand.

        his

John JF Fraser

        mark

Source:

Major James Clephane, "Payroll account of Private John Fraser, 1758." Military Account Book at Halifax, NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 30-1.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023. 

Requesting Levy Money and Tents for Two Highland Battalions

In November 1756, at the request of Lord Loudoun to raise additional men for service in North America, the War Office, led by Secretary at War William Barrington, in January 1757, began issuing a series of beating orders, which were instrumental in not only recruiting men for the then-Second Highland Battalion (quickly renumbered 63rd Regiment of Foot, then 78th Regiment of Foot) but also, to begin issuing camp necessaries such as tents, kettles, and other implements to be utilized.

The following two orders address the allotment of three British pounds in currency to each new recruit as levy money for their enlistment, also, that the tents may be issued out of His Majesty's Stores for the use of the newly raised First and Second Highland Battalions, led by Lieutenant-Colonels Archibald Montgomery and Simon Fraser.

Recruit Levy Money

War Office 13 January 1757

My Lord & Sir,
His Majesty having been pleased to order two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised & sent to North America each Battalion to consist of 40 Serjeants 40 Corporals 20 Drummers and 1000 Private Men besides Commission Officers (their Establishment to commence from the 23 Decr. Last incl and to allow three pounds per Man Levy Money I have the Honour to acquaint you therewith, that you may be pleased to lay a Memorial before the Rt. Honble the Lords Commissioners of his Maty’s Treasury for the Money wanting for this Service.

    I am
    My Lord & Sir
    Barrington

Lord Visct. Dupplin
& Thos. Potter Esqr. Paymaster Genl.

Copy

Requesting Tents

War Office 13 Janry 1757

Sir

His Majesty Having ordered two Highland Battalions of Foot to be forthwith raised each Battalion to consist of 40 Serjeants, 40 Corporals, 20 Drummers & 1000 Private men besides Commission Officers under the Command of Lieut Colonel Archibald Montgomery and Lieut Colonel Simon Fraser, and be employed for the defense of His Majesty’s Colonies in North America, I am to desire you will be pleased to receive His Majesty’s Command thereupon and signify the same to the Master Genl. of the Ordnance, that Tents may be delivered out of His Majesty’s Stores with all possible Expedition to each of the said Battalions Accordingly to the above mentioned Numbers.

    I am

    sir &c

    Barrington

Rt. Hon'ble Mr. Pitt His Majesty’s

Principal Secry of State

Source:

War Office Records: Out Letters: Secretary at War. General Letters, Dec. 1756 - Apr. 1757, LAC, W.O. 4, vol. 53 (Selections), p. 60.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Memorial of Roderick McCloud, 78th Regiment

Memorials are written as a statement of facts, events, and important information that summarizes tragic events, or key points in a case (when submitted by a lawyer to a court), or to honor soldiers who fought in battles of war. In the following case of Private Roderick McLeod, a Private soldier in Colonel Simon Fraser's 78th Foot, a memorial was presented as a legal document to outline specific details related to the petitioner's personal endeavors, and reads as follows:

MEMORIAL

To His Excellency Friderick Haldimand Esquire, Captain General, Governor, and Commander in Chief of the Province of Quebec, General & Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Forces in said Province and Territorys depending thereon &c. &c. &c.

The most humble Petition of Rodrique McClaud, formerly belonging to his Majesty's 78th or Colonel Frazer's Hig[h]land Regt.

    Shew'd

            That in 1759 at the Battle before Quebec the 13th of September he receiv'd such a terrible wound on the forehead, that eighteen pieces of bone we[re] taken out of his skull. That after the Reduction of said Regiment he obtain[e]d his lawful Discharge, besides a recommendation for Chelsea. But thinking himself than young and apt, he thought it better to stay in Canada, where he Married, and has at present a Wife and four Children; which he brought up with pains and labour, Industry and fatigue, to this Day. But comming now to a certain Age, where by every change of weather, his Wound causes him the most Languishing and Inexprimable pains, which hinders him very often to provide the Necessary for his poor Fameily.
            For which most humbly besuch's your Excellency, who is a real father to Veterans, a support of the Afflicted, and whose charity extens to all persons, which implore his Bounty, to grant to most humble Petitioner, a little Provision and wood for the support of his poor fameily; for which they shall ever pray -/

No.4
Memorial From
Roderick McCloud.
formerly of the 78th Regimt.
a Private Soldier
March 1782.

Note: In 1762, two men by the name of Roderick McLeod are recorded as serving in Captain Simon Fraser's Company (later to become Captain Hugh Montgomeries Company) of the 78th Foot.

Source:

British Library, Haldimand Papers, Memorials from the Provincial Corps and Loyalists, n.d,. 1777-1782, MG 21, ADD. Mss. 21874, (B-214). LAC, Microfilm H-1743, images 1203-1204.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Disbanded Soldiers on the Lovat Estates, 1764

Listed as 'King's Cottagers,' the following men who served in Colonel Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot in North America, 1757-1763, returned home at the end of the war and settled on the fortified Lovat Estates. Typically, their post-military roles included the occupations of  tradesmen and day laborers who worked on the local farms and in the small villages nearby.

There were 58 houses built upon this Estate, of which 54 were occupied by men from both Colonel Fraser's Regiment, and other various military regiments, including Campbell's, Johnston's, Sutherlands, McLean's, Petitot's, Leighton's, Oughton's, Carr's, Murray's, Brudnell's, and Keith's Regiment. The local Factor found it necessary to give two of the houses built at Chrochell's as a school and schoolhouse for the accommodation of a schoolmaster settled there, and was also been obliged to give two houses built at Castle Dunie [Dounie or Downie - presently Beaufort Castle] to a flax dresser and spinning mistriss.

Total expenses included:

Erect buildings: £10.12.2

Money loaned for aids to prosecute men's trades: £5.0.0

Travel charges; purchasing household furniture: £3.8.0

Cover sheet:

List of disbanded Soldiers settled on the annext Estate of Lovat as Tradesmen and Day Labourers under the denomination of King's Cottagers, 1764

Donald Fraser

Regiment: Frasers

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 30

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Barnyards

When settled: April 28th, 1764

Findlay McKearick

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 40

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Ardnacrask

When settled: Sepr. 28, 1764

Thomas Campbell

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 31

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Relig

When settled: Aprl. 28th, 1764

Dougall McDonald

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 50

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Chrochell

When settled: July 7th, 1764

Alexander Macra

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 29

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Chrochell

When settled: Sepr. 5th, 1764

Donald Kennedy Junr.

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 40

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Chrochell

When settled: Augt. 28th, 1764

Unmarried Men

John Chisholm

Regiment: Fraser's

Time of Service yrs.: 7

Place of Birth: Kilmorack Parish, County Inverness

Years of age: 27

Profession: Day Labourer

Village or Farm where settled: Lovat Estate

When settled: July 7th, 1764

Beaufort 10th Novr. 1764 [signed] John Forbes

Notes: It is presumed initial building and living expenses were laid of by the local Factor, then reimbursed by the Scottish Government.

While the list does not constitute an official roster of men who returned to Scotland, it can be consulted in concert with the men admitted to Royal Chelsea Hospital as pensioners as an unofficial list.

Source:

NRS, E787/28, p.1-4.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Memorial For The 63d. Regiment

A series of letters from Colonel Simon Fraser, 63rd Regiment of Foot, to Jeffrey Amherst, Commander-in-Chief of the British army in North America and Colonel of the 60th (Royal American) Regiment, providing a memorial on the status of the regiment in October 1759.

Sir

    The affairs of this army have taken a happy turn since I had the honor of writing you by Capt. Strobo, and General Monckton's thinking that in the present situation my being here might be of some use. I resolved to stay altho' he was at the same time so good as to give me leave to go to the Continent upon the Surgeons giving it as their advice; I am far from claiming any merit from doing my duty, but as you was pleased to promise me leave to go to England, I hope you will not think me less entitled to it when next Campaign is over As not having my leave in writing woud tho' Quebec had not been have prevented my going this winter, I shall take it as a very great favor if you will be so good as to send me your leave to go when next Campaign is over by some of those who come to join this Army in case they shoud act Seperately if it was not of the last consequence to me I do assure your Sir I woud give you no trouble.

    I take liberty to enclose a Memorial with regard to the affairs of the Regiment, if you shoud think any part of it unreasonable, the only apology I have is a common & in this instance a very true one, that it is owing to your extraordinary goodness to us. It is necessary to mention that Alexander Fraser proposed to purchase an Ensigncy is in Scotland, my reason for Refrencing you woud consent to his purchaseing & being sent for imediatly is his being eldest son to Capt. Fraser of this Regiment, who died in the Service. 

    I have the honor to be with the greatest respect,

                       

                                            Sir

                                                           

                                                Your obliged & obedient

                                                                Servt. S. Fraser

Quebec Octr. 25th. 1759.

Memorial For the 63d. Regiment

To His Excellency General Amherst,

Lieut. William McDonald being in such a state of health as to be incapable or serving, and at the same time unfit to apply to any other Business, the eldest Ensign and a Volunteer having advanced mony to pay his Debts, General Monckton has given him leave to go to England, and it is humbly proposed to General Amherst that he shou'd go out upon half pay, and that the succession should be the following gentlemen, who advanced money to pay his debts.

Eldest Ensign Harry Munro

Volunteer Archibald Fraser

Major Clephane finding himself unfit and unable to join the Regiment last Campaign gave power to Colo. Young to sell his majority with consent of the Commander in Chief, and it was agreed with Colo. Young if consent shou'd be obtain'd, that Capt. McPherson eldest Capt. shou'd give Major Clephane £1100 Str. and five shillings a day, while the Regt. stands, or two shillings and five pence a day in case of it's Reduction for life for his majority; as this is the only way Capt. McPherson can purchase, it is hoped in consideration of his long and aproved service & the Esteem he is in with the Regt. that the General will be pleased to consent to it, in that case the following succession is humbly proposed.

Capt. Lieut. Charles McDonell for the Compy [wounded this Campaign]

Eldest Lieut. Archibald Campbell for the Capt. Lieut'cy [wounded this Campaign]

Alexander Fraser for the Ensigncy

Capt. James Fraser having had weak eyes for some time was reduced almost to blindness, by being several hours exposed to a very hot sun, & afterwards to the waist in water in the attack on Momerency the 31st. July since which time he has been constantly confined, & Mr. Adair giving him no hopes of Recovery, he finds himself obliged to desire the General's leave to sell, which he hopes he will be pleased to grant to 26 years service of which there was Seven Campaigns of War. If the General is so good as to allow the purchase to go on in the Regiment, the following succession is humbly proposed.

For the Company, the eldest Lieut. & Qr. Mr. John Fraser

For the Lieutenancy

For the Ensigncy

For the Quarter Mastership George Gordon

The Gentlemen proposed of all the above Purchases have lodged Credit for the Money at York.

If the General is pleased to grant leave for the above purchases as the persons recommended except Ensign John Campbell are the eldest of their several Ranks, tis hoped the General will make their Commissions of this date, as otherwise they wou'd lose Rank in case of any promotion here during the Winter.

Several Invalids disabled in the Campaign, not being out of the Surgeon's hands were obliged to be sent with the hospital to York. Lieut. John Fraser Qr. Mr. has recommend a long discharges to be given to them, when the General thinks it proper to order them to England. There are also gone to the Continent a number of Scorbutic men, many of whom are totally unfit for Service by age and Infirmity, if the General wou'd be pleased to order them to be inspected by the Director of the Hospital Lieut. John Fraser has discharges for whatever number he is pleased to order to be discharged.

Quebec Octr. 25th 1759

S. Fraser. Colo. 63d Regt.

Note: Captain James Fraser eventually resigned his commission effective 13 December 1759, and was succeeded by Captain Charles McDonell [TNA, W.O. 25/27, p.70].

John Adair was a assigned surgeon on 24 September 1754 to the hospital in North America, and in 1759 served as Deputy Director of the hospital at New York [TNA, W.O. 25/23, p.180; W.O. 34/17, p.333].

Source:

TNA, W.O. 34/78, p.39-40;103-104.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.

Payroll Account of Private Charles Rose, 1758

Much like today, accounting books were used in the eighteenth century for documenting military pay and other related expenses accrued over periods of time. The payroll account of Private Charles Rose, 78th Regiment, covers the period of July 5, 1757, through April 24, 1758.

Note: Category headers and bracketed script have been added for clarification and do not appear in the original document. Additionally, it would not be uncommon to discover accounting errors as these were gentlemen who created inaccuracies the same as you and I.

[Page 1]

Income

To 2 Weeks arrears Due in Ireland

     £0. 0. 10

To 9 Weeks pay & arrears of Pay Due on y'e Passage from y'e 5th July 1757 to y'e

5th Sept. D'o.

     £1. 10. 9

To 5 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e 5th Sept. 1757 to y'e 10th Oct. D'o.

 £0. 8. 4

To 1 Weeks arrears from 10th Oct. to the 17th. Do. 1757

     £0. 0. 5

To 6 Weeks Pay & arrears Due from y'e 17th Oct. to the 28th Novr. 1757

 £1. 6. 6

To 21 Weeks arrears Due from y'e 28th Novr. 1757 to y'e 24th Aprl. 1758

 £1. 15. 0

[Total]  £4. 15. 10

[Page 2]

Expenses

To 1 pair of Shoes & 1 Napsack

     £0. 6. 6

To 2 Haversacks @ Kilraick & Glasgow

£0. 2. 0

To 1 Cocade 1 pair garters & 1 sett buckles

     £0. 2. 0

To 1 Pistle & Kilt belt

     £0. 1. 4

To 1 Turn Key 1 Screw 1 Brush & wire

     £0. 0. 9

To Provisions furnished at Glasgow

     £0. 4. 8

To Spruce Beer @ Halifax

     £0. 2. 8

To 2 Cheq'd Shirts furnished you

£0. 7. 0

To 10 months stoppages for the Pay Mr. Serjt. begin the 4th July 1757 & End the 4th May 

1758 @1d pr. month

     £0. 0. 10

To 7 months stoppages for y'e barber begin the 24th Sept. & End the 24th of Aprl. 1758

@ 2 pr. month

     £0. 1. 2

To yr. Propn. of a cooks frock

     £0. 0. 8

To Cash given at Fairf'd & Boston pr. Advnc.

     £1. 8. 0

To 2 Weeks Pay given in to the Hospital at Hallifax

     £0. 6. 0

  [Subtotal]   £3. 3. 7

To Cash Paid him as Ballce. of ye above Acct.

     £1. 12. 3

  [Total]  £4. 15. 10

Halifax 1758 3d. May Received ye Above Ballabce in full of my Pay and  arrears from ye Date my attestation to y'e 24th Apr. 1758 as witness of hand.

his

Charles CR Rose

mark

Source:

Major James Clephane, "Payroll account of Private Donald McKenzie, 1758." Military Account Book at Halifax, NAS GD125-34-5, pp. 28-9.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023. 

Pensions to Widows

The following warrant established widows from the two Highland battalions raised in January 1757 for service in North America, to receive a pension from the British Government for their spouse's dedicated commitment to the country. Together, they are listed with their name, and husband's rank.

George R

Our Will and Pleasure is, that this List and Establishment of the Widows of Officers who have been Killed of have Died in our Service, amounting to the Sum of Thirteen Thousand One Hundred and Nonety two Pounds p annum for Five Hundred and Forty Seven Widows, do commence and take place from the Twenty fifth day of December last inclusive, from which Time, all former Establishments relating to the said Widows are to cease and Determine; and that no new charge be added thereunto without a particular Warrant in that behalf. Our further Will and Pleasure is, that the List following the above said Establishment of the Widows of Officers who have Died on the British Establishment of Half Pay, amounting to the Sum of Six Hundred and Sixty four Pounds, for Thirty three Widows, do commence and take place from the said Twenty fifth of December last Enclusive, which sum was granted by our Parliament of Great Britain in their present session, to be distributed to the said Widows of Half Pay Officers whose Husbands served and were married to them before the Twenty fifth Day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixteen. Given at our Court at St. James's this 27th day of April 1770, In the Tenth Year of Our Reign.

                                                                                            By His Majesty's Command

                                                                                            Barrington

First Highland Battalion

[Lt. Col. Archibald Montgomery: renumbered 62nd Regiment; 77th Regiment]

Catherine Mirrie

Rank: Major

Hellen Grant

Rank: Lieutenant

Isabella MacKenzie

Rank: Lieutenant

Hester Stuart

Rank: Lieutenant

Second Highland Battalion

[Lt. Col. Simon Fraser: renumbered 63rd Regiment; 78th Regiment]

Lillieas Fraser

Rank: Captain

Jane Fraser

Rank: Lieutenant

Catherine McDonald

Rank: Lieutenant

Source:

Pensions to Widows. TNA, WO 24/821, pp.18-20.

©  Jeffrey Campbell, Fraser's 78th Regiment of Foot, 2023.