James Fraser (1788 - 1865)

Born 23 Dec 1788 in St Andrews, Fife, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Christian Gray — married 5 Jul 1822 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Descendants

Died 13 Aug 1865 at age 76 in Hobart, Colony of Tasmania

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Biography

James Fraser was born on December 23, 1788 and baptised 8 March 1789, son of James Fraser (1766–1813) and Christian Law (d1790).^[1][2]

Christian Law died 16 months later on 16 April 1790.^[3]

James entered the Army in 1803 at the age of 14, joining as an ensign. He entered the 78th Foot. He became an ensign in the 78th Foot on 6 April 1803, lieutenant on 1 May 1810, and adjutant on 15 June 1810. He was later promoted captain on 8 September 1814.^[4] In 1838 he decided to sell his commission and emigrate to Australia.

He arrived in Victoria in 1839. He was then appointed Sergeant-at-Arms in the Legislative Council in Hobart in 1853 and was later appointed Usher of the Black Rod, a position he filled until death in 1865. ^[5]

James (33) married Christian Gray (21) (born on October 3, 1800 in Barony, Lanark, Scotland; daughter of Robert Gray and Martha (Glover) Gray) on July 5, 1822 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.^[6]

Their children were:

• Jane McGregor Fraser (1823–1884)
• James Lloyd Fraser (1825–1843)
• Louisa Mary Fraser (1827–1868)
• Robina Gray Fraser (1836–1897)
• Charles Forbes Fraser (1841–1913)

James died on August 13, 1865 in Hobart, Colony of Tasmania, aged 76.^[7][8] Probate granted 1867.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ St Andrews Kirk Session Minutes, 15 November 1789
2. ↑ "Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBJB-BPT : 11 February 2020), James Fraser, 1789.
3. ↑ Notice from office of public records: Christian law in dweller here died 16 April 1790 (pauper)
4. ↑ Davidson, History and Services of the 78th Highlanders, Vol. 2, p. 83
5. ↑ Parliament Tasmania, Members of Parliament from 1856, https://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/resources/about-parliament/historyindex/members/fraser126
6. ↑ Marriage: "Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910"
   Original data: Scotland, Marriages, 1561-1910. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013
   Ancestry au Record 60144 #1566016 (accessed 6 November 2023)
   James Fraser marriage to Christina Gray on 5 Jul 1822 in Saint Cuthberts, Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland.
7. ↑ Death: "Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985"
   Tasmanian Pioneer Index 1803-1899; Registration Number: 5471
   Ancestry au Record 1779 #5440386 (accessed 6 November 2023)
   James Fraser death 13 Aug 1865 (age 76) in Hobart, Tasmania.
8. ↑ Headstone of James FRASER Major: Description: Headstone of James FRASER Major. Born in 1788, died in 1865. Source: Hobart St Andrews Presbyterian
9. ↑ Probate: "England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995"
   Original data: Principal Probate Registry. Calendar of the Grants of Probate and Letters of Administration made in the Probate Registries of the High Court of Justice in England
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry au Record 1904 #5232019 (accessed 6 November 2023)
   James Fraser probate on 26 Feb 1867 in Principal Registry. Died 13 Aug 1867 in Hobart, Australia.