William Fraser

William Fraser was a Tacksman of Wester Downie. The only information about his family comes from letters written mostly by his son, Rev. William Fraser (1753-1829) to his brother-in-law, John Forbes. The letters indicate that besides Rev. William, there were six other children in the family. Murdo, who was probably unmarried and died at the beginning of 1798; Simon who was probably unmarried; Alexander, married, a gardener in Quebec ; Penuel, married to Hugh Fraser at Essich; Margaret, unmarried and Christian who was married to John Forbes, schoolmaster, Culloden.

The following letter dated 24 October 1782, was written by Alexander Fraser, gardener of Quebec and brother of Rev. William Fraser, to his parents.

Addressee: Mr. William Fraser, Tacksman of Wester Downie near Castledownie by Inverness, North Britain, pr Friend.

My Dear Father and Mother,

I hope this will find you and my Dear Brothers and Sisters in good health as I am, at present, thanks be to God for it. I received your letter dated 26 January 1780, came to my hand the 6th August 1780 with much joy and pleasure to which I made answer dated 23 October 1780. I received no accounts from home since, but I expect that the bearer hereof will deliver this letter safe if God spares him and gets a safe passage. His name is Mr Roderick Fraser; he was for some time clerk to my old master Mr William Grant of St Rocks Quebec.

The 13th of August last, I had the pleasure to converse with Capt. Alex. Fraser, Bruiach's son, who was so kind as to come to the garden that I work in at present to enquire for me. I made offer of your compliments to him and accepted of it kindly and he desired me to make his compliments to you. I intended to go home some time ago, but as time is at present, I'll defer it for a while, until it is God's will that times would be more settled.

I left Governor Haldiman November 1779 and live at present two miles from Quebec with a gentleman by the name of Stewart, a brother to a James Stewart that lived with Capt. Forbes when I was in the Aird. He has a fine estate here. I intend to stay with him until I get a very good opportunity of going home.

Pray my Dear Father and Mother, be pleased to let me know about my Dear Brother and Sister and where they are settled. I had no account of my Dear Brother Simon, this 5 years. I would be glad to hear what became of him. If you know where my Cousin Alex. Campbell, Peter Gow's son is, I would be glad to know.

I am sorry to hear of the death of General Fraser. I need not expect much encouragement as Gardener as he is dead if I do go home, which I hope, to end my days in my Native Country if it is God's pleasure.

I make offer of my love to you and to my Dear Brothers and Sisters and to my Uncle David, his wife and children and to Mr George Dinoon and to all my Dear Friends.

My Dear Father you'll be pleased to direct to me, Gardener to Peter Stewart Esq, of Cenerderi, near Quebec.

I conclude and remain, my Dear Father and Mother, your ever affct Son until death
Alexander Fraser.
Cenerderi, Quebec Oct 24th 1782.