Frasers, Fursdons and Family BranchesUpdated October 27, 2006 |
On the 20 Feb 1850, Thomas Fraser was born in an isolated village high in the Stratherrick Glen on the south side of Loch Ness, Inverness-shire Scotland. At the time of his birth, his parents, Hugh Fraser and Ann Mackenzie lived at Leadclune. This was a large farm in Stratherrick. Leadclune comprised of the main house as well as several other cottages. It could be that young Thomas was born into one of these cottages as his father Hugh was a farmer at the time. In the 1841 & 1851 Census records, his grandfather, Alexander Fraser, lived at Leadclune too. As he is described as the head of house, a farmer of 40 acres, who also had servants living with him, we presume that he occupied the main house. We make the assumption that Thomas was an educated man. He was literate...he certainly had a good hand when signing the registry entries for the births and deaths of his family. As a working man, a lot of changes were taking place in the agricultural world, new methods and machinery, which he would have had to learn and master in order to reach the elevated position of Factor. His obituary states: "No man had a wider or more accurate knowledge of the history and traditions of the district than Mr. Fraser, and no one was more ready or more courteous in placing his information at the disposal of the enquirer". Thomas left Stratherrick in 1887 to go to to the Isle of Jura. He was given a gold watch "on his leaving Stratherrick" in recognition of his work in religion, temperance and agriculture. The inscription on the watch reads: “ Presented to Mr. Thomas Fraser, on the occasion of his leaving Stratherrick, where his valued services in the interests of Religion, Temperance and Agriculture, merited this token of public esteem. Stratherrick November 2 1887" He worked as the factor on Ardfin Estate, run by the Campbells. Four of his children were born on Jura one of who (an unnamed boy) died 30 minutes after his birth. He and the family left Jura in "the November term of 1892" to return to Stratherrick. Thomas returned to Errogie as resident factor of the Faralline Estate, owned by Capt. John Fraser of Balnain. He kept this position until his death and with the family lived at Errogie House, Errogie. This site is dedicated to his memory in celebration of his life and accomplishments. **************************************************************** We are researching not only the Scottish branches of our family but also the Welsh branches (Phillips) and the Devonshire branches (Fursdon; Davey; Ellis; Gibbings; Blackler; Sayer) and various other branches of Heard, Smale, Steer, Balson, Hayman, Farquhar). Any information would be gratefully received. **************************************************************** We are also trying to find the family of Hugh Fraser b. 5 August 1886, Farralline, Boleskine, Inverness-shire. Hugh (Thomas Fraser's son)emigrated to Australia in the 1900's and had a family out there. We have very little information about them. He had a son (we think called Hugh too), possibly a daughter called Betty and grandchildren in Australia. **************************************************************** Thank you so much for any help. Bruce & Rexie Fraser |
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