Duncan Fraser (abt. 1795 - 1879)

Born about 1795 in Abertaff, Scotland

Husband of Margery Fraser — married 24 Nov 1821 in Fort Augustus, Inverness

Descendants

Died 6 Aug 1879 at about age 84 in Parewanui, Bulls, New Zealand

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Biography

Born in 1795 in Abertaff, Scotland
Married Marjory Fraser on 24 Nov 1821 in Fort Augustus, Inverness
Emigrated to New Zealand in 1840 with 9 children.
Died on 6 Aug 1879 in Parewanui, Bulls, New Zealand

Notes

They lived in wellington for some years before buying land in Bulls and moving there in 1852 ^[1]

From Blenheim175 Centenary

The initial passenger list for the Blenheim included the family of Duncan Fraser, his wife and nine children, with the note from Donald McDonald, “Has been long known to me and has excellent certificates.”

The initial list included entries for Simon and John Fraser from Kumachroch which were crossed out, as was a Francis Fraser, 22, a housemaid from Fort William, noted as “Niece to D Fraser Smith Corran and will be a member of his family.” The embarkation list also included a Jane Fraser, 20, housemaid, along with this family, but the next lists including the arrival list had Jane Fraser located separately from the family. Her age indicates that she was not a daughter of Duncan and Margaret.

The Fraser family on the Blenheim included:

Duncan Fraser, 40, Corran, blacksmith

Margaret Fraser, his wife, 36

John Fraser, his son, 17, blacksmith

Catherine Fraser, his daughter, 16, sempstress

Isabella Fraser, his daughter, 15, housemaid

Margaret Fraser, his daughter, 14, housemaid

Elizabeth Fraser, his daughter, 13, housemaid

Ann Fraser, his daughter, 12

Alexander Fraser, his son, 8

Donald Fraser, his son, 7

Duncan Fraser, his son, 4

Thomas Fraser, born at sea.

Spelling: The embarkation passenger list for the Blenheim used “Frazer” but the initial list, other documents and subsequent usage have “Fraser”.

Duncan Fraser was born around 1795 in Dalcataig, near Invermoriston in Invernesshire to Donald Fraser and Katherine McDonell, and at a young age moved to Fort Augustus where he worked as a blacksmith. Apparently his father was 107 years 7 months and 7 days old when he died.

Marjory Fraser was from the Lovat family of Frasers, her grandfather being a Captain in the 42nd Highlanders (the Black Watch). Her father was Alexander Fraser and her mother was Elizabeth McDonell. Marjory’s younger sister, Jane Fraser, also emigrated on the Blenheim.

Duncan Fraser and Margaret (Marjory) Fraser were married on 24 November 1821 at Fort Augustus, Inverness. After five years they moved to Corran, on Loch Linnhe, where they managed a small trading store and post office.

Duncan and Margaret had one child who died in Scotland in infancy. The Old Parish Register for Ballachulish and Corran of Ardgour, recorded that Thomas, son of Duncan Fraser and Marjory Fraser, Corran, was born on 12 October 1839. This Thomas died 26 days after his birth.

In 1840 the Fraser family sold up their business and emigrated to New Zealand on the Blenheim.

In Wellington, Duncan Fraser established a farm at Wadestown on his country section, and on his town section built the Highlander Inn, a smithy and related buildings. His home was built at the top of what is now Hanover Street towards Wadestown Road.

The Highland Inn was one of Duncan Fraser’s commercial activities, and in 1849 the Wellington Independent of 23 June reported that he was fined 40 shillings for “having supplied liquors and suffered the same to be drunk on the premises, between the hours of 10 o’clock of the night of the 13th, and 6 o’clock of the morning of the 14th instant, contrary to the provisions of the Licensing Ordinance.”

In 1849 Duncan Fraser had purchased land in Rangitikei which formed the basis for the property called “Pukehou”. Initially John and Alexander Fraser settled the property in 1851, then Duncan and Marjory followed later. Sir James Wilson, in Early Rangitikei, wrote,”The family which, undoubtedly, had the greatest effect upon the settlement in Rangitikei was that of Duncan Fraser and his wife Marjorie.”

Duncan and Marjory had more children after they arrived in New Zealand:

Hugh Fraser, born in 1843 (twin), died in 1934, married Christina Ann McDonell (descendant of a Blenheim passenger) in 1874. Margery Fraser, born in 1843 (twin), died in 1868, married Francis Morris Deighton in 1868. Catherine (Kate) Fraser, born in 1846, died in 1935. Jane Crosby Fraser, born in 1848, died in 1886, married James Richardson (younger brother of Thomas Furner Richardson) in 1871. Duncan Fraser died on 6 August 1879, aged 84, at Parewanui. ^[2]

Obituary

The Wanganui Chronicle, 11th August 1879:

Death of an old Settler – Referring to the death of Mr Duncan Fraser, of Lower Rangitikei, who died on Tuesday and was buried on Saturday last, the Advocate says: We are not aware of his exact age, but should say his years must have numbered considerably over four score. He was one of the first settlers in the lower district, which is now to a great extent peopled by his decendants. The old gentleman lived to see his grand-children and great-grand-children, many of the latter being well-grown young men and women. It is doubtful if there is another settler in the North Island whose direct decendants are so numerous – not to speak of the connections by marriage which altogether represent almost a young colony. The late Mr Fraser was one of the hardy type of colonists, who settled down in the unknown country, and made his home in his adopted land. Courageous, persevering and industrious, reclamation of wilderness was to him the daily work of his life as a colonist. That he and his prospered, and spread themselves over the land, is not matter for surprise, when the stern stuff of which they were composed is remembered. Till comparatively recently, the late Mr Fraser was a vigorous, hale, hearty, old man; but a long life brought with it declining health and strength, and finally dissolution. It makes one melancholy to have to pen these notices on the passing away of one and another of the old colonists – the men and women who had resided for forty years and upwards in the district, and who had been associated with it from the first days of settlement. Soon none, of the sterling old colonists of half a century ago will be held in reverence by the succeeding generations. The funeral, which, we expect, will compose a very numerous assemblage of mourners, will leave Parawanui at 1 o’clock on Saturday.^[3]

Duncan Fraser. ^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Ian Clapham author of' Pukehou - The Frasers of Lower Rangitikei.
2. ↑ Worpress Blog, Blenheim175 DUNCAN AND MARJORY FRASER [1]
3. ↑ Wanganui Chronicle,Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXI, Issue 4112, 11 August 1879 [2]
4. ↑ Source: #S113580131

• Source: S113580131 Repository: #R100556542 Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Repository: R100556542 Ancestry.com