In my researches into the casualties from the First World War who originate in Harris, I came across Angus Fraser, who died in 1916, aged 24, after serving in the Royal Field Artillery. Angus was the son of Alexander and Marion Fraser. Alexander was a local missionary in Collam, near Stockinish, and Marion was a merchant. They were married on 5 August 1890 at Collam. Marion (nee Mackay), aged 34 at the time, was a widow but Alex (42) was yet a bachelor, living (up to then) at Geocrab. They were married according to the forms of the Free Church of Scotland. Alex was the son of Angus (slater, deceased) and Sarah (nee Livingston) and was born at Ballachulish; Marion was the daughter of John Maclean and Margaret (nee Macaskill) from Duirinish in Skye.
Eight months after the wedding, the couple live at 6 Collam with Marion's children from her previous marriage, two boys named Edward (10) and John (9).
Harris was home to four missionaries, according to the 1901 census. George Beaton, aged 54 (address unclear from the Ancestry transcript). He was born at Stornoway, and married to Mary ; Alexander Fraser (as above), Edward Mackay (49), who lived at 32 Scarp and who came from Easdale; and Norman Macdonald (69) who lived at Leac a Li.
In 1901, there are three missionaries:
Alexander Fraser as above
Donald Matheson (60) born in Harris, living at Strond with his wife Flora (50) and five sons.
Donald Macdonald (56), born in Harris, living at Little Borve as a Free Church Missionary, with his wife Catherine (57) and two daughters.
In 1891, there are 6 missionaries.
Ewen Mackenzie (57), born at Glenurquhart, married to Christina (59), living at 60 Scalpay
Donald Macleod (45), born at Stornoway, married to Catherine (42) with 4 children
Malcolm Macleod (37), born in Lewis, married to Isabella (60), living at 5 Maraig
Alexander Fraser (43) as above.
Donald Matheson (48), born in Skye, living at Strond with his wife Flora (40) and 8 children
Lachlan Munro (67), born in Harris, living at Big Borve with his wife Margaret (63).
In 1881, there are 4 missionaries:
Donald Matheson (38), born at Kilmuir in Skye, resident in Scalpay and married to Flora (31) with 3 sons
John Mcdearmid (80), born in Harris, married to Mary (75), living in Scalpay; he is retired
Donald Murray (34), born in Barvas, Lewis, married to Catherine (29), with two sons.
Donald Campbell (40), born in Islay, and living at Strond with his wife Isabella (45).
