Fourth Great Grandfather Mitchell Fraser was born in the Shetland Islands of Scotland in 1780. He came to America in 1805 and married Rebecca Smith of Smithtown, Long Island. Their daughter, Catharine, would marry John George Bolen, the son of John Bolen.
According to Bolen Family History:
But later investigation by Nancy Wicks Bemis along with new information available online reveals the true story...
According to Bolen Family History:
...He sailed on the ship named Prize and was thought to have drowned on February 2, 1805 after it was sunk
by the French ship, Ruby-Man-of War as England and France were at war at
that time. He was found alive in Smithtown, Long Island...
But later investigation by Nancy Wicks Bemis along with new information available online reveals the true story...
A number of letters sent to Mitchell in the early 1800's were found by
Helen Bolen Wicks and painstakingly transcribed
by her brother Wilbur Fraser Bolen. Later, Helen's daughter Nancy Wicks Bemis visited the Shetland Islands in an attempt to learn more about Mitchell and his family.
I scanned Great Uncle Wilbur's transcriptions to text and carefully reviewed and gently edited the most interesting ones for easier reading, then correlated the contents with the information gathered by Nancy Bemis. Along the way, I was able to learn quite a bit about Mitchell and his remarkable adventure.
Mitchell Fraser was born in 1780. We know nothing about his father, who presumably died when Mitchell was young. His mother, Catharine, remarried in 1789 to Walter Reid and the pair had four additional children. We also know that the family raised sheep and grain crops.
In the early 1800's, the United Kingdom and France were immersed in a series of conflicts known as the Napoleonic Wars. Although military service in the United Kingdom was voluntary at that time, the Royal Navy employed a process known as "The Impress Service" to "recruit" young men. Gangs of thugs were hired to coerce men into service. Targeted men could either join the navy, join the gang or pay for their freedom.
We now know that Mitchell was "pressed" into service as an Able Seaman on July 25, 1804 and appeared on the muster for HMS Polyphemus. Mitchell's brother, Peter, was also "pressed" into service on the same ship three days earlier.
According to historical records, HMS Polyphemus was recommissioned in July 1804 after a "fitting out" at Chatham, England. This may explain the "recruitment" push that brought aboard Mitchell and Peter. Polyphemus joined the Cadiz squadron later that year, patrolling the Spanish coast where she captured several enemy vessels.
A captured vessel was referred to as a "Prize". After capture, the navy would put on board a skeleton crew to sail the vessel to the nearest friendly port where she would be auctioned and the proceeds divided among the crew.
And so it seems that Mitchell was put on board a captured vessel. As luck would have it, that ship was subsequently captured by the French. With the fate of the crew unknown, the navy considered them "discharged" and returned the sailors' belongings to their families.
But Mitchell was quite alive and somehow made his way to Long Island, New York.
After being notified by the Royal Navy that Mitchell's ship had been captured, his family assumed the worst. Imagine their surprise when, perhaps years later, they received a letter from him.
Mitchell's half brother James Reid wrote this in response.
It is, unfortunately, not dated.
W.F. Bolen Transcription
Mitchell's half brother James Reid wrote this in response.
It is, unfortunately, not dated.
W.F. Bolen Transcription
Dear Brother,
I have received your very welcome letter of the 25th June which you may be sure gave us great happiness to know that you are still in the land of the living, which was more than we had any reason to expect as Peter Fraser wrote to me that you were lost on the Prize on the 1st February 1805 and we have never received a letter from you until now nor can we conceive how since you got to America.
We are however very thankful to God that you are alive and that we have the hopes of hearing from and seeing you again.
When you write to us again you will let us know how you got to America, and also if you know anything about Robert Gray who was supposed to be lost with you. This was generally believed by every one, for after Lawford granted a certificate stating that you died on the 1st Feb 1805 the Prize having been run down by the Ruby Man Of War.
Your friend John Read died on board soon after you left the ship. Peter Fraser is still alive by last accounts was on the Polyphemus.
Your mother, brothers, sisters have removed to a lack in West Skeld, but your brother is in very bad health and can do little or nothing for himself.
I still stay in the old house at Cullswick and have three sons the youngest of which is your namesake.
William Reid is in the Navy on the Puissant.
All your other friends and acquaintances are in their ordinary state and all of them very happy to hear of your life and we think you were very right to stay on shore during the war but hope you will pick homewards when peace returns.
We sincerely wish this letter may find you and beg that in your answer you will give us a particular account of yourself and your escape and adventures.
Your mother, brothers and sisters join with me and my wife in best love to you and your friends also to be kindly remembered to you and I always am Dear Brother,
Yours sincerely,
James Reid
I have received your very welcome letter of the 25th June which you may be sure gave us great happiness to know that you are still in the land of the living, which was more than we had any reason to expect as Peter Fraser wrote to me that you were lost on the Prize on the 1st February 1805 and we have never received a letter from you until now nor can we conceive how since you got to America.
We are however very thankful to God that you are alive and that we have the hopes of hearing from and seeing you again.
When you write to us again you will let us know how you got to America, and also if you know anything about Robert Gray who was supposed to be lost with you. This was generally believed by every one, for after Lawford granted a certificate stating that you died on the 1st Feb 1805 the Prize having been run down by the Ruby Man Of War.
Your friend John Read died on board soon after you left the ship. Peter Fraser is still alive by last accounts was on the Polyphemus.
Your mother, brothers, sisters have removed to a lack in West Skeld, but your brother is in very bad health and can do little or nothing for himself.
I still stay in the old house at Cullswick and have three sons the youngest of which is your namesake.
William Reid is in the Navy on the Puissant.
All your other friends and acquaintances are in their ordinary state and all of them very happy to hear of your life and we think you were very right to stay on shore during the war but hope you will pick homewards when peace returns.
We sincerely wish this letter may find you and beg that in your answer you will give us a particular account of yourself and your escape and adventures.
Your mother, brothers and sisters join with me and my wife in best love to you and your friends also to be kindly remembered to you and I always am Dear Brother,
Yours sincerely,
James Reid
A letter to Mitchell from his mother Catharine in May, 1811.
She writes of receiving his belongings and an allotment from the Naval Office:
- "I got your chest from the Greenland ship"
- "I received an allotment from the Navy long after the shipwreck"
- "If your wages were paid, your brother James received them"
- ...the young men from Cullswick have gone to Greenland...to escape "The Impress".
- ...should Mitchell return to Scotland, he would not be able to avoid "The Impress".
My Dear Son,
I have the pleasure to receive your letter to your brother of 6th February last, by which I was happy to hear that you were then well and so comfortably appointed.
We are very thankful to the almighty who preserved you from the danger of shipwreck and has hitherto kept you in health and if I shall have the pleasure of seeing you once more, my happiness in this world would be complete.
I am very sorry to inform you of the death of your brother Scott, he had long been in bad health and died this spring. We hope he has made a happy change, but our loss is very heavy as I am much failed and have none but your sisters to support me.
You know that I now live in West Skeld and have a clear but poor Farm. Your brother James has a large family and is hardly able to support them. He has a son named after you.
I got your chest and clothes from the Greenland Ship. If your wages were paid your brother James received them, and I know nothing about that. I continued to receive the allotment from the Navy office long after the shipwreck which was a great help to me.
Almost all our sheep in Cullswick died in a bad season, but they are now beginning to recruit and multiply.
Robert Gray's friends have never heard from him since he left the Polyphemus and have no hopes that he is alive. Your Cousin James Fraser died the same day with your brother Scott.
All your other friends and acquaintances are in their ordinary state of health and happy to hear of your welfare.
As the times are so very precarious I really think you do wisely in continuing on shore for some time, although God knows that I would be happy to see you; but if you should attempt to come home at present, you would not expect to escape the Impress.
But I hope while you continue in America you will not fail to write to me frequently. I am truly happy that you received my last letter, and am sorry that the direction you have given for this is not so distinct.
All the young men from Cullswick have gone to Greenland this year and for several years they have escaped the Impress.
The Crop last year was tolerably good and meal is cheap but we never have enough on this town.
Your brothers and sisters join me in best love to you and earnestly wishing you health and happiness and hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you yet.
I ever am Dear Mitchell,
Your affectionate mother,
Catharine Fraser
Skeld, Sandsting, Shetland
May 16th 1811
I have the pleasure to receive your letter to your brother of 6th February last, by which I was happy to hear that you were then well and so comfortably appointed.
We are very thankful to the almighty who preserved you from the danger of shipwreck and has hitherto kept you in health and if I shall have the pleasure of seeing you once more, my happiness in this world would be complete.
I am very sorry to inform you of the death of your brother Scott, he had long been in bad health and died this spring. We hope he has made a happy change, but our loss is very heavy as I am much failed and have none but your sisters to support me.
You know that I now live in West Skeld and have a clear but poor Farm. Your brother James has a large family and is hardly able to support them. He has a son named after you.
I got your chest and clothes from the Greenland Ship. If your wages were paid your brother James received them, and I know nothing about that. I continued to receive the allotment from the Navy office long after the shipwreck which was a great help to me.
Almost all our sheep in Cullswick died in a bad season, but they are now beginning to recruit and multiply.
Robert Gray's friends have never heard from him since he left the Polyphemus and have no hopes that he is alive. Your Cousin James Fraser died the same day with your brother Scott.
All your other friends and acquaintances are in their ordinary state of health and happy to hear of your welfare.
As the times are so very precarious I really think you do wisely in continuing on shore for some time, although God knows that I would be happy to see you; but if you should attempt to come home at present, you would not expect to escape the Impress.
But I hope while you continue in America you will not fail to write to me frequently. I am truly happy that you received my last letter, and am sorry that the direction you have given for this is not so distinct.
All the young men from Cullswick have gone to Greenland this year and for several years they have escaped the Impress.
The Crop last year was tolerably good and meal is cheap but we never have enough on this town.
Your brothers and sisters join me in best love to you and earnestly wishing you health and happiness and hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you yet.
I ever am Dear Mitchell,
Your affectionate mother,
Catharine Fraser
Skeld, Sandsting, Shetland
May 16th 1811
Half brother James Reid writes of local news and the state of their mother.
Original and W.F. Bolen Transcription
Westskele
3d March 1816
Dear Brother,
If this comes to your hand it should let you know that we are all in an ordinary state of health.
We received your letter dated in May last and is happy to hear that you are well, as we have no other communication together but only by writing and therefore we hope that you will, as convenience offers, write us.
We have taken this opportunity of a ship that came in to Inverness and is going to the continent America but as we know not to what place we are doubtful whether it may find you or not, and if it does you will let us know in your next.
We have to inform you that Peter Fraser is married to a Brassby lass that was staying in Leith with her parents. She had gone there to visit. He has been home seeing his people and gone away again.
We have informed you already that Betty is married to Arthur Moor and has two children, a boy and a girl. Her husband is William Moor's Son in Westskeld.
Your mother is languishing much to see you and would have been glad that you could have come home and caused her to have the pleasure of seeing you but not to put yourself to unnecessary expenses.
We have nothing further to say but your brothers, sisters and all other relatives is well and wishes to be remembered to you and so I conclude with your mothers blessing and remain your affectionate brother,
James Reid
3d March 1816
Dear Brother,
If this comes to your hand it should let you know that we are all in an ordinary state of health.
We received your letter dated in May last and is happy to hear that you are well, as we have no other communication together but only by writing and therefore we hope that you will, as convenience offers, write us.
We have taken this opportunity of a ship that came in to Inverness and is going to the continent America but as we know not to what place we are doubtful whether it may find you or not, and if it does you will let us know in your next.
We have to inform you that Peter Fraser is married to a Brassby lass that was staying in Leith with her parents. She had gone there to visit. He has been home seeing his people and gone away again.
We have informed you already that Betty is married to Arthur Moor and has two children, a boy and a girl. Her husband is William Moor's Son in Westskeld.
Your mother is languishing much to see you and would have been glad that you could have come home and caused her to have the pleasure of seeing you but not to put yourself to unnecessary expenses.
We have nothing further to say but your brothers, sisters and all other relatives is well and wishes to be remembered to you and so I conclude with your mothers blessing and remain your affectionate brother,
James Reid
Half brother James writes again of local news and their mother. He also sends best wishes on the marriage of Mitchell and Rebecca which occurred two years earlier.
W.F. Bolen Transcription
Cullswick 25th March 1816
Dear Brother,
I have received your letter of the 15th June and am glad that you are alive and well, which I wish may long continue.
Nothing could give me more pleasure than seeing you, and I could travel many miles for that purpose, but you know that I can not have that opportunity which grieves me but I must submit to fate, having a charge that takes all my attention.
Peter Fraser has been at home this winter and is gone away again to Leith having been married there before he came home.
We wish you much Joy of your married state.
We have answered every letter that came from you, we have only received 2 before this and you say that you have got 2 which is all, except that you have wrote any that we have not received.
My family and all your old acquaintances sends their blessings to you and your partner, still hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you in Shetland once more.
This will let you know that your mother is still alive but much worn out with sorrow and the infirmities of age and wishes to be affectionately remembered to you.
You may wonder that we did not write you sooner but we wrote on receiving your letter and was advised to send it without paying the postage, which made that letter be returned here again from Edinburg.
All your friends and relations is well
and join their compts together with that of your Brother,
James Reid
Your Sister Betty is married to Arthur Moor in Westskeld and has a son and daughter.
Dear Brother,
I have received your letter of the 15th June and am glad that you are alive and well, which I wish may long continue.
Nothing could give me more pleasure than seeing you, and I could travel many miles for that purpose, but you know that I can not have that opportunity which grieves me but I must submit to fate, having a charge that takes all my attention.
Peter Fraser has been at home this winter and is gone away again to Leith having been married there before he came home.
We wish you much Joy of your married state.
We have answered every letter that came from you, we have only received 2 before this and you say that you have got 2 which is all, except that you have wrote any that we have not received.
My family and all your old acquaintances sends their blessings to you and your partner, still hoping to have the pleasure of seeing you in Shetland once more.
This will let you know that your mother is still alive but much worn out with sorrow and the infirmities of age and wishes to be affectionately remembered to you.
You may wonder that we did not write you sooner but we wrote on receiving your letter and was advised to send it without paying the postage, which made that letter be returned here again from Edinburg.
All your friends and relations is well
and join their compts together with that of your Brother,
James Reid
Your Sister Betty is married to Arthur Moor in Westskeld and has a son and daughter.
A letter from James and mother Catharine.
W.F. Bolen Transcription
Mitchell Fraser
No 558 Pearle Street
Apr 5 A 1819
New York America
West Skeld 22 March 1819
Dear Son and Brother,
We are really very happy to hear again that you are still alive and well, as this leaves us all at present, thanks be to God. There is nothing remarkable to write you.
Your mother is become a poor creature incapable to do anything for herself.
Your Brother has four children, three boys and a girl. Mitchell is 13 years old last November.
All the estate of land is double rented now and every man freed from the sea but must pay his Debt on Demand.
Your sister sends her thanks to you but dreads the difficulties to be too many for her to think of getting to America.
Your mother desires to be remembered to you by letting you know how much she longs to see you and that there is no hopes of that desire being satisfied makes it still worse. She is still in West Skeld with your sister along with her, and the two eldest of your deceased sisters children the youngest being with her grandfather and mother, since she came from the nurse, and their father is making to Greenland and sends his kind love to you.
I have little more to write you but may the Allwise direct you and all that belong to you, which is the earnest prayer of us all and we all join our good wishes for your wife and childs well being.
We have to bless the Lord we have had no cause to complain for bread, as there has been no remarkable scarce years for some time past.
Every thing with your brother is going on much the same as when you went away only the sheep is not in so flourishing a state as then.
If you have made choice of God in Christ as your portion, it is such an inheritance as this world can neither give nor take away, for should a person be deprived of everything in natures way he knows that his portion is secured in that repository where it is safe from the assaults of all enemies either of visible or invisible nature, where God has begun may he carry on to perfection, and effectually work on others to the salvation of their immortal souls, that when Christ shall say "Behold I come quickly they may be ready to answer. Even so come Lord Jesus, Amen".
We now conclude with being ever your loving Mother and Brother,
James and Catharine Fraser
No 558 Pearle Street
Apr 5 A 1819
New York America
West Skeld 22 March 1819
Dear Son and Brother,
We are really very happy to hear again that you are still alive and well, as this leaves us all at present, thanks be to God. There is nothing remarkable to write you.
Your mother is become a poor creature incapable to do anything for herself.
Your Brother has four children, three boys and a girl. Mitchell is 13 years old last November.
All the estate of land is double rented now and every man freed from the sea but must pay his Debt on Demand.
Your sister sends her thanks to you but dreads the difficulties to be too many for her to think of getting to America.
Your mother desires to be remembered to you by letting you know how much she longs to see you and that there is no hopes of that desire being satisfied makes it still worse. She is still in West Skeld with your sister along with her, and the two eldest of your deceased sisters children the youngest being with her grandfather and mother, since she came from the nurse, and their father is making to Greenland and sends his kind love to you.
I have little more to write you but may the Allwise direct you and all that belong to you, which is the earnest prayer of us all and we all join our good wishes for your wife and childs well being.
We have to bless the Lord we have had no cause to complain for bread, as there has been no remarkable scarce years for some time past.
Every thing with your brother is going on much the same as when you went away only the sheep is not in so flourishing a state as then.
If you have made choice of God in Christ as your portion, it is such an inheritance as this world can neither give nor take away, for should a person be deprived of everything in natures way he knows that his portion is secured in that repository where it is safe from the assaults of all enemies either of visible or invisible nature, where God has begun may he carry on to perfection, and effectually work on others to the salvation of their immortal souls, that when Christ shall say "Behold I come quickly they may be ready to answer. Even so come Lord Jesus, Amen".
We now conclude with being ever your loving Mother and Brother,
James and Catharine Fraser