This was recently posted on the Ross Gen list and I thought it may interest some of those on this list: 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..." Fascinating stuff! Christine Northamptonshire, England www.highlandhearts.com www.sutherlandheritage.com --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 25/11/2002