John "Cuffy" FRASER family information

All information is taken from gathered information by family members an old letter that was written by Granville FRASER (nephew of Thomas) of Knoxville, Tennessee to Mrs. Isla SINCLAIR of Winter Haven, Florida in the year 1896. This letter is now in the possession of Mrs. Sinclair (daughter of Henry Fraser) and great grand daughter of Thomas Fraser.

The FRASER family of French origin started migrating from France to Scotland about the 1200 and 1300’s. By the 1400’s had acquired lands and formed a Highland Scotch Clan. They settled around Aberdeen, Scotland, and by 1511 had obtained Beaufort. Today Beaufort Castle stands as a monument to all Fraser’s.

The FRASER’s are a very fine, very religious people, very straight forward in their dealing with their fellow man. There are a great many ministers in the family and usually of Presbyterian faith. Family names like John, William, and Thomas have been handed down in each generation.

It was in the 1750’s that a young aspiring John FRASER (nick name "Cuffy") left Scotland and came to America seeking his fame and fortune and landed in Virginia. A record of immigrants arriving in America in the Richmond, Virginia Archives list his description as sturdy build, sandy hair, and ruddy complexion. He was born in Scotland about 1732 and died in Montgomery County, North Carolina August 8, 1816. He met and married Rebecca Story. He served seven years in the War of 1812 with the 4^th Virginia Regiment and came out without a scratch. Family traditions recall him to be a great friend of General George Washington. Commencing November 16, 1814, Under Act of May 3, 1815 he received a annual allowance of $45.00 for his war services. After the war he left Petersburg, Virginia by covered wagon and braved the hazards of the wild reaching Montgomery County about 1800. Here he established his farm and homestead on the 400 acre and Grant (#2069) issued him by the State of North Carolina and signed Nathaniel Alexander Esq., Governor, Captain, and Commander in Chief at Raleigh, dated 30^th of December in the year of our Independence and in the year of our Lord 1805. Will White, Sec.

John and Rebecca had two sons, William and Thomas. Before his death he willed his entire estate, including slaves to his sons.

William, (son of John) married Martha "Patsy" FERRELL. Their children were: Warren, Granville (lived in Knoxville, TN), John A., Wilron, Edmond, Eli F., and Emeline. William with his family moved from Montgomery County to TN around 1843. He would eventually end up in Maury County, TN (Santa Fe area.) according to the 1850 census. He and three of his sons would stay in this area where they farmed. The FRASER’s are well known in the Santa Fe area to this day. The burial place of William and Patsy is not known. John A. Fraser is buried in Godwin Chapel Cemetery.

Thomas, (son of John) born 1788 and died 1850 married Elizabeth SEDBERRY born 1790 and died 1876. Their children were: Pleasant, William, John, Lucy, and Merret. He lived and raised his family in the old family home left by his father. Tradition deems him a superstitious person, so afraid of a cow he would not even pass by one. After the Civil War and the slaves were freed Uncle Dave and his wife refused to leave "Mr. Tommy and Miss Liza" remaining with them as long as they lived. Their graves are in the slave cemetery of the DeBerry Family. By request Thomas FRASER was buried near the old home. A flint stone marks his grave. Elizabeth his wife went to live with their eldest son and is buried in the Fraser cemetery on the Pleasant FRASER plantation.