ROSSGEN-L Archives

From: Lilian Campbell <>
Subject: [RossGen] Fraser of Brea
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 2002 12:37:00 -0500

Came across the "Memoirs of the Rev James Fraser, of Brea" (1639 - 1689)
written by himself. The edition I have was published in 1889.

The following is a short sketch of James Fraser written by the Free
Church minister of Creich, Rev Gustavus Aird, for this 1889 edition.

"Mr James Fraser was born at Brea, parish of Resolis, Black Isle,
Ross-shire, 29th July, 1639.

His father was proprietor of Brea, a Knight, and brother of Lord Lovat
of that time, who was a Covenanter. James succeeded to the estate, was
possessed of good talents, well educated, became the subject of a
gracious change; his Memoirs are a proof of its genuiness.

Although at first he intended studying law, he eventually gave himself
up to the study of Divinity, was licensed and ordained, apparently about
1672, by the Field Presbytery of Moray (that is, the outed ministers in
that district who had constituted themselves into a Presbytery). (See
Macdonald's, of Nairn, "Covenanters.") He was strongly opposed to
Prelacy, and was a thorough Presbyterian and Covenanter; suffered much
and long for the faithful testimony to the rights of the Redeemer's
Crown.

In August, 1673, he was intercommuned along with several eminent
ministers and also gentlemen and ladies. Although exposed to all the
difficulties connected with the intercommuning, yet he had the testimony
of his conscience that he was following his Master, and had the
privilege of being in the company of Hog of Kiltearn, McKillegan of
Fodderty, and Donald Cargill, with many others of a kindred spirit.

In 1677 he was imprisoned in Edinburgh, brought before a Committee of
Council, and sent to the Bass, where he suffered severely, but enjoyed
much of the Lord's presence.

In 1679, with others, he was taken from the Bass and imprisoned in
Edinburgh, but liberated and enjoyed freedom until 1681, during which
time he continued wandering, but preaching every Lord's Day.

In 1681 he was sent by the Council to Blackness Prison, was at length
liberated upon bond to leave Scotland for London.

The ministers of Inverness after the Revolution kept their charges and
livings by qualifying to Government. Although one of the Episcopal
ministers who had qualified died in 1691, yet the magistrates would not
suffer the charge to be declared vacant, and on the 21st June of that
year all the avenues of the church were beset with armed men, so that no
minister might enter; and when Duncan Forbes of Culloden, father of the
Lord President, sought to open the doors, he was thrust back and struck.
He and others on this account represented the case to the Council, and
in August 1691, Leven's Regiment was sent north to protect the
well-affected in obeying the law; but for ten years thereafter no
Presbyterian minister could be settled there (see Shaw's "Province of
Moray," page 379). Mr McKillegan, Fodderty, because of his ailments, was
obliged to reside in Inverness, to be near a physician, and preached
there until his death, June 8th, 1689.

Mr Fraser of Brea also preached there for some time, but was not
admitted minister (see Shaw, page 359). He was eventually admitted
minister of Culross, where he finished his course about 1698 or 1699.

He was assisted at a Communion in Culross in 1698, very shortly before
his death, by the celebrated Boston of Ettrick, then a young man.

Fraser and his associates suffered, laboured, and bore testimony for
truth and religious liberty. May we, their descendants, be kept from
provoking the Lord to withdraw them. 'Stand ye in the ways and see and
ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.'

Gustavus Aird

Free Church Manse, Creich, July, 1889. "

Fraser's 'Memoirs' begin:

"I was born in the North of Scotland, in 1639, July 29th, and was not
like to live, but the Lord healed me; for the evil humours broke out in
boils great and numerous, so that I was very wholesome thereafter; my
disposition was sullen, and I loved not to be dawted, nor to wear gaudy
clothes; nor had I any wise tales like other children, so that I gave no
occasion to my parents to repeat them, as parents usually do with
fondness: for though my parents were fond enough of their children, yet
my temper was so peevish, that I was no dawtie; only at school I learned
well, though now and then I stayed away ......I was very unruly, and
therefore kept under some awe and restraint from wandering abroad when I
pleased; but this increased my desire to ramble the more. At a time I
slipped out, unknown to any, to a garden where was a steep well; when
once I got out of doors, I ran as hard as ever I could, and, not taking
heed where I went, I fell in a by-path which carried me directly to the
well before spoken of, open above, and overgrown with grass, which did
hide the water from me; so that ere I knew, I fell over head in the
well, the water being very deep; only my hands laid hold on the grass
that did grow on the sides of the well. Here I coninued for a good
space, and would, no doubt, have drowned, if God had not sent some to my
relief; for he that was appointed to wait on me, not knowing whither I
went, the mere providence of God led him out to seek me in the garden;
and when coming to the further end of it , and despairing to find me,
went back with intention to seek me in the town, which if he had done, I
had perished for ever; but the Lord directing him in his back-coming to
the well, he cast his eyes and perceived a hand lying on the grass,
which extremity had caused me to do, and looking more narrowly, found it
was I ; and so addressing himself to my relief, with much ado pulled me
out of the water, even ready to expire, and unable to help myself: and
after the water was poured out of my mouth, and I had slept a while, I
was as well as ever, through the wonderful goodness of God..."

Lilian

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