Frederick Diener (known as John Robert) FRATER
email from Charles Frater 2.4.2005
brought up in his early years by Margaret Turnbull and "Aunt Alison"
went to South Africa in 1879email from Charles Frater 9.3.2008
My Grandfather who went by the name and always signed himself John Robert Frater was registered on his birth certificate as Frederick Diener Frater presumably in the trauma that followed the death of his mother.
email from Charles Frater 9.3.2008
The same journal [(THE LANGHOLM ARCHIVE CENTRE - Eskdale and Liddesdale Advertiser Index 1848 to 1867)] reports that on 27th July 1852 Helen Frater (daughter of John Frater and Margaret Turnbull b. 4 Mar 1832) married James Herbertson of Galashiels. This fascinates me because my Father wrote to his mother from the Front in France 6th April 1918 "I had two letters from persons quite unknown to me kindly asking me if I should like to spend my leave with them. One was Miss Rice Aunt Effie’s friend & the other Miss Agnes Herbertson some distant cousin. I thanked them both cordially & said if the opportunity arose I should make use of their hospitality." and later on 28th October 1918 "I got a parcel from Cousin Agnes Herbertson. Scones, pancakes, shortbread choc & cigs. All so welcome & nice. I really enjoyed it so"
1851 Langholm Census
FRATER, John John Street(839): Langholm head of household married MANUFACTURER woollen 42 Ayr Ayrshire 5/71
FRATER, Margaret John Street(839): Langholm wife of John Frater married43 Hawick Roxburgh 5/71
FRATER, Margaret John Street(839): Langholm daughter of John Frater unmarried AT HOME 21 Langholm Dms 5/71
FRATER, Helen John Street(839): Langholm daughter of John Frater unmarried AT HOME 19 Langholm Dms 5/71
FRATER, Anne John Street(839): Langholm daughter of John Frater unmarried AT HOME 17 Langholm Dms 5/71
FRATER, James John Street(839): Langholm son of John Frater WEAVER handloom (woollen) 14 Langholm Dms 5/71
FRATER, Robert John Street(839): Langholm son of John Frater WEAVER handloom (woollen) 11 Hawick Roxburgh 5/71
FRATER, Alison John Street(839): Langholm daughter of John Frater 3 Galashiels Roxburgh 5/71
FRATER, William John Street(839): Langholm son of John Frater 3 months Langholm Dms 5/71
email from Charles Frater 2.4.2005
emigrated to South Africa in 1869
Ran a woollen mill in Langholm. This burnt down some time before 1869. Charles believed Robert was one of 4 brothers that had the mill. 2 emigrated to the States, 1 to Australia and 1 to South Africa.Been in contact with Shirley BOWLES (widow of Roy BOWLES) who is descended from Isabella FRATER of Langholm and linked to a Woolen Mill burnt down. There may be a family link of 4 who had the mill but may be also be one or more cousins rather than brothers.
Is this his death certificate?
1865 FRATER ROBERT M - LANGHOLM DUMFRIES 839/00 0008email from Charles Frater 9.3.2008
It turns out that Robert Frater emigrated in late 1870 and arrived in Cape Town in January 1871 so the information that I gave you was wrong.. I have found an incomplete transcript of the letter he wrote to his mother and Alison on 17th January 1871.
My brother says that Robert Frater, a brother and 2 cousins ran the woollen mill in Langholm which burnt down. LANG SYNE IN ESKDALE David J Beattie 1950 says in Ch 4 - Pioneers of the Tweed Trade - Page 20 - "Thus, at the period of which we write, other mills in the town were Frater's (a building of three storeys and attic flat), near the foot of L'aird’s Entry, built in 1869 and destroyed by fire two years later . . . " so maybe you are looking at the wrong dates for a newspaper entry.
email from Charles Frater 2.4.2005
Was injured in "The Battle of the Pyenees" in 1813 and walked with a stick for the rest of his life. Charles has some photos of him.
The Battle is a collective name given to 3 main actions that took place between Jult 25th and August 1st 1813. The western Pyrenees were passable in numerous places although it was only possible to feed artillery and waggons through the main passes at Roncesvalles, Maya and along the coast at Irun.
Search shows 4 Scottish regiments with honours at the Battle. They are
THE BLACK WATCH (ROYAL HIGHLAND REGIMENT)
1st Battalion - late 42nd RegimentTHE HIGHLAND LIGHT INFANTRY
1st Battalion - late 71st Regiment
2nd Battalion - late 74th RegimentTHE QUEEN'S OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS
1st Battalion - late 79th Regiment
2nd Battalion - late 92nd RegimentTHE ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND HIGHLANDERS (Princess Louise's)
1st Battalion - late 91st Regiment
Robert may have been a member of one of these Regiments.
email from Shirley BOWLES
This is a supposition at the moment that the Robert in Langholm for Shirley is the same as the Langholm Robert for Charles.Is this Helen Fletcher in 1851?
FRATER, Helen John Street(839): Langholm head of household married GARDENER (wife of) 64 Langholm Dms 5/62
FRATER, Helen John Street(839): Langholm daughter of Helen Frater unmarried SERVANT house 23 Langholm Dms 5/62
LATIMER, William John Street(839): Langholm grandson of Helen Frater2 m Langholm Dms 5/62