Frasor, Jane

JANE [FRASOR] /
Wife of /
John Frasor died /
Feb. 4 1850. /
Aged 92 yrs. /
R.I.P. /
The deceased was the Mother /
Of the late Rt. Rev. William /
Fraser, Bishop of Arichat /

Though an upper portion of this stone is missing; enough clues remain to identify to whom the marker is dedicated – Jane Frasor. Based on the stone’s inscription, we believe Jane’s date of birth to be approximately 1758. Most of the information gleaned on the life of Jane Frasor is from biographical information compiled on her son, Bishop William Frasor. We learn that Jane’s maiden name was Chisholm and that she was married to John Frasor in Scotland. According to tradition, she was Presbyterian prior to her marriage, but converted to Catholicism.[1] It is understood that this couple’s oldest child was William born c.1778, one of twelve siblings. This Frasor family lived at Glenn Cannich, Scotland.[2] At this time, we have been unable to locate early land records, deeds, petitions which identify where specifically the Frasor family lived. A later 1848 deed indicates that Jane Frasor is a resident of Ohio, Sydney County.[3] One might surmise that upon arrival in NS, that the family may have resided in that district.

We identify the following children born to Jane Chisholm and husband John Frasor and the approximate dates of birth and death if there is some evidence.

• William born c.1778 – 1851 Antigonish [4]
• Thomas c.1789 – 1865 [5]
• David born c.1801 [6]
• Angus born c.1806 [7]
• Jean c.1795 – Nov 7th, 1871 [8]

Remaining offspring of the couple include Austin and an unidentified son, both of whom die young. There were also sons Colin, John, Simon, and a second son named Austin.[9]

Remarkable in so many ways was Jane’s life, to have born so many children and to have emigrated with them to face the challenges of settlement in Nova Scotia. To have lived to age 92 was quite an accomplishment.

Additional info – Jane’s transcription deed (pdf).

[1] A History of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nova Scotia Vol.1 by A.A. Johnston; Page 437.

[2] Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. 8 – Fraser, William; by David B Fleming; 1985; University of Toronto, Universite Laval.

[3] Property Online – Deed; Book: 12; Page: 124. Jane Fraser & Angus Fraser to John Fraser.

[4] Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. 8 – Fraser, William; by David B Flemming; 1985; University of Toronto, Universite Laval.

[5] NS Vitals – Year: 1865; Book; 1802; Page: 4; No: 2.

[6] 1871 Census – Nova Scotia; Antigonish County; Lochaber District; Household # 40

[7] 1871 Census – Nova Scotia, Antigonish County; Lochaber District 2; Household # 125

[8] NS Vitals – Year: 1871; Book; 1801; Page: 54; Page: 132.

[9] A History of the County of Antigonish by D J Rankin; Page 133