The Clan Fraser in Canada: Souvenir of the First Annual Gathering — John Shaqi
The Clan Fraser in Canada: Souvenir of the First Annual GatheringFraser, Alexander
History
The Clan Fraser in Canada: Souvenir of the First Annual Gathering
Fraser, Alexander
Clans -- Canada; Fraser family
We have now traced the long line of chiefs from the beginning down to
the present day, and I must thank you for the wonderful patience with
which you have listened to the dry bones of genealogy; in what
remains[3] I hope I shall prove less tedious than in that which I have
concluded.
The speaker then referred briefly to the Aberdeenshire Frasers, and to
some of the principal Cadet families of the Clan. He gave an explanation
of the coat of arms, related a number of interesting Clan incidents,
including forays, Clan feuds, and anecdotes of a local character. At
some length he described the Home of the Clan, pointing out its extent
on a map of Inverness-shire, colored to show the gradual increase and
decrease of territory, which kept pace with the varying fortunes of the
Clan; expatiating on the great variety and beauty of its scenery,
tributes to which he quoted from Christopher North, David Macrae, Robert
Carruthers and Evan MacColl.
[Footnote 2: See account by Rev. Allan Sinclair, A. M., in Celtic
Magazine.]
[Footnote 3: This part of the speech, being of a general character, has
been omitted for consideration of space.]
* * * * *
[Illustration: MR. ROBERT LOVAT FRASER, 1st Vice-Chairman.]
MR. ROBERT LOVAT FRASER, Vice-chairman, replied to the toast. He said:
My duty, through the kindness of the committee, is certainly not so
arduous in replying to the toast of the evening, as that which has been
imposed upon the Chairman in proposing it. The length of his address,
the facts regarding the origin and the outlines of the history of the
Clan which he gave, make it unnecessary for me to dwell at length on
this interesting topic. Indeed, I found on listening to the Chairman,
that I had a great deal to learn about our Clan, and I am sure that I
express not only my own thanks, but yours to him, in placing before us,
so clearly and minutely, the leading facts regarding our ancestry and
kindred. All my life long I have been an ardent admirer of some of the
more prominent Frasers who have figured in our Clan history. My own
connection with the Clan in the Highlands is somewhat remote, the last
of my forefathers who resided there having had to leave his home and
friends, on account of the part which he took with his Clan in the
uprising of '45. But although we have been cut off from that close
connection which is thought necessary to keep alive a sentimental
interest in such things, I can assure you that no clansman born within
the shadow of Castle Downie can boast with greater truth of possessing
more enthusiasm and interest than I in all that pertains to the Clan
Fraser. The Clan has a history which we as clansmen should so study as
to become perfectly familiar with it. Its record has been written in the
events of the times as well as on the page of history, and no more
inspiring or patriotic duty lies to our hand than the study of that
record. I firmly believe that the influence of the clan feeling was a
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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