Alexander Fraser, 11th Lord Saltoun
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Sir Alexander Fraser (1604-1693), 11th Lord Saltoun of Abernethy and 10th Laird of Philorth.
Early years
Fraser was born in 1604 in the young town of Fraserburgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father was Sir Alexander Fraser (1570-1636) and his mother was Lady Margaret Abernethy, daughter of Sir John Abernethy, 8th Lord Saltoun of Abernethy. Upon the death of his father in 1636, he inherited the lands of Philorth as its 10th Laird.
Battle of Worcester
During the 'Wars of the Three Kingdoms' like most Buchan Lairds, Fraser supported the Royalist Armies first against the Scottish Prebyterian Forces, and then against Oliver Cromwell. After King Charles I was executed, Alexander Fraser took to battle with the aim of restoring the King's son to the throne. Unfortunately, his cause struck a fatal blow at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. Alexander Fraser was badly wounded at the battle and would most likely have been slain or died of his wounds were it not for his manservant, James Cardno.
It is written that the Laird's loyal servant saved him from the battlefield on horseback and nursed him back to health. He then returned the Laird to the safety of the Castle of Kinnairds Head on the outskirts of Fraserburgh.
Family, Succession, Death
Fraser married multiple times in his life. His first wife was Isobel Forbes of Tolquhorn, who bore him one daughter and died within a year of the child's birth. His second wife was Elizabeth Seton (or Seaton) of Meldrum, who eventually produced his heir, named Alexander, who predeceased him in 1682 with issue.
In 1669 Fraser inherited the title Lord Saltoun of Abernethy through the line of his mother. This gave the Fraser family great influence in Scotland. At the time of succession, it was thought that he succeeded his cousin Alexander, 9th Lord Saltoun of Abernethy. Instead, he succeeded Margaret, the sister of the 9th Lord, who outlived her brother only by six weeks. It was recently determined that Margaret inherited the lordship from her brother by Scottish law, making her the 10th Lady — and thus Fraser was the 11th Lord. It must be noted that in old literature, Fraser is still titled as the 10th Lord, which has caused much confusion over the years.
Alexander Fraser, the 11th Lord Saltoun of Abernethy, died on August 11, 1693 in his 89th year. His grandson Sir William Fraser succeeded him as the 12th Lord Saltoun of Abernethy.
References
- thePeerage.com Darryl Lundy, compiler http://www.thepeerage.com
- Frasierchief, the website of Lady Saltoun http://www.fraserchief.co.uk/index.html