James (Fraser) Fraser of Brae (abt. 1610 - 1649)

Born about 1610 in Inverness-shire, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 12 Jun 1649 at about age 39 in Kirkhill, Inverness-shire, Scotland

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Bobby Frazier [send private message]

Hon Sir James Fraser was a member of the aristocracy in British Isles.

Biography

Sir James Fraser of Brae (b. 1610 - d. 6 Dec 1649) was the son of Simon Fraser, 6th Lord (Fraser of) Lovat and Jean Stewart. He married Beatrice Wemyss.^[1]

FAMILY OF FRASER. 171 It now remains to trace the male descendants of the youngest son of the 8th Lord, viz. of Sir James Fraser of Brea. He was born in the year 1610, and married Beatrix Wemyss, daughter of the Laird of Wemyss, in Fife.1 Dame Beatrix Wemyss, Lady Brea, discharges Alexander Fraser, servitor to the tutor of Strichen, of custom wedders of Moniack,, l647.u Sir James is represented as a man well qualified for business, by a liberal education, both at home and abroad, but inordinately ambitious. During the civil commotions of the period, he acted a keen part against tlie Royalists ; and, by his influence and authority, was of eminent sendee to the Parliamentary interest. He was Governor of Inverness when besieged by Montrose, and obtained a grant of £10,000 for the losses sustained by the Lovat tenantry from the inroads of that nobleman’s forces. He died at Lovat, upon the 6th of December, 1649, when entering his 40th year.v Great military honours were paid to his remains. He left but one son, * 'Son'Fraser-10602, minister of Culross,'and subsequently of Inverness, who died before his induction to the latter place. The lands of Brea, which had been apprised from Sir James Fraser, became the property of Hector Monro of Obsdale, who conveyed them to James Fraser, “son and heir” of the said Sir James, by disposition, dated 29th March, 1671.x He married_________ Gray, by whom he had two daughters

Sir James Fraser of Brae, Tutor of Lovat, was the son of Simon Fraser, 6th Lord Lovat (or 8th, depending on the source), and Jean Stewart, daughter of James, Lord Doune. In 1616, at the age of six, he was knighted by King James VI. He was Governor of the Castle of Inverness. He held the rank of Colonel. He fought for the Covenanters against James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Sir James married Beatrice Wemyss, daughter of Wemyss of Fairkley, in Fife. Sir James and Beatrice Fraser had the following known children: a son, the Rev. James Fraser of Brea (1639-1699), Minister of Culross, a famous Covenanter, who was persecuted and imprisoned for his beliefs; a son, David Fraser of Mayne (b. circa 1646), aka David Fraser of Brea; a daughter, Jean, who later married Maj. George Bateman; a daughter, Ann, who later married Hector Munro of Drummond; a daughter who later married a Mackey; a daughter, Magdalen, who later married George Cuthbert of Castlehill; and a daughter who later married David Cuthbert, the brother of George Cuthbert of Castlehill. Sir James died at Lovat, aged 40. His body was taken to Kirkhill “in great state and magnificence, no less than thirteen trumpets sounding at his funeral.” He was buried with military honors. Sources: ^[2], and contributions by LilyPondLane (47023500)

Sources

1. ↑ Scots Peerage p. 531
2. ↑ History of the Frasers of Lovat by Alexander Mackenzie, pp. 181-86

• http://thepeerage.com/p50045.htm#i500444
• https://archive.org/stream/bookofmackay00mack#page/318/mode/2up/search/kirtomy
• https://archive.org/details/historicalaccoun1825ande
• Historical account of the family of Frisel or Fraser, particularly Fraser of Lovat; embracing various notices, illustrative of national customs and manners, with original correspondence of Simon, Lord Lovat, &c

by Anderson, John, Writer to the Signet

Publication date 1825 Usage Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 UK: ScotlandCreative Commons Licensebyncsa