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Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Fraser, Simon (1738-1813)

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1046076Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 20 — Fraser, Simon (1738-1813)1889Henry Manners Chichester

FRASER, SIMON (1738–1813), lieutenant-general, is described by Stewart as the son of a tacksman (Scottish Highlanders, ii. App. xxxi.). He was senior of the Simon Frasers serving as subalterns (not captain-lieutenant as stated by Stewart) in the 78th or Fraser highlanders, commanded by Simon Fraser (1726–1782), Master of Lovat [q. v.], in the campaigns in Canada under Wolfe, Murray, and Amherst in 1759–61. He was wounded at the battle of Sillery 28 April 1760. When the regiment was disbanded in 1763 he was placed on half-pay as a lieutenant. In 1775 he raised a company for the 71st or Fraser highlanders, then forming under the command of his old colonel, Fraser of Lovat. He became senior captain and afterwards major in this regiment, with which he served in America in the campaigns of 1778–1781. When the regiment was disbanded in 1783, he was again placed on half-pay. In 1793 he raised a highland regiment, which was numbered as 133rd foot, or Fraser highlanders, and which after a brief existence was broken up and drafted into other corps. He became a major-general in 1795, commanded a force of British troops stationed in Portugal in 1797–1800, became lieutenant-general in 1802, and was for some years lieutenant-general and second in command of the forces in North Britain. He died in Scotland 21 March 1813.

[Stewart's Sketches of Scottish Highlanders (Edinburgh, 1822), vol. ii.; Army Lists; London Gazettes; Gent. Mag. vol. lxxxiii. pt. i. p. 591.]