"In The Long Ago," is based on my Great-Great-Grandfather William Fraser's diaries. Assembled and originally published in 1911 by William's son, Thomas H. Fraser, "In The Long Ago" offers a glimpse of life in northwestern lllinois, spanning the Pre-Civil War, Civil War, and Reconstruction eras. Beginning in 1851, while living in Carroll County, lllinois with his wife Christina McLeod Fraser, William Fraser recorded facts and provided insight on subjects of enduring interest: Taxes, education, commodities prices, and local crimes. Threaded through these descriptions of timeless concerns are heartwarming stories of patriotism, family, and community. His entries end in 1870, when William, Christina, and their daughter Elizabeth Alice Fraser, relocated to Mt. Pleasant Township, Whiteside County, lllinois. They later settled in Morrison, Whiteside County, lllinois in 1885.
William Fraser was born in Kirkhill, Invereshire, Scotland in 1816. In 1842, he and Christina, while living in Pictou, Nova Scotia, became parents of my Great Grandmother, Elizabeth Alice Fraser. Elizabeth married Peter R. Boyd of Morrison, lllinois in 1872.
While I was tracing the Fraser and Boyd family histories, Morrison photographer Alastair Muir referred me to Marilyn Moczek of Kirkwood, Missouri who might have helpful information. Ms. Moczek indeed provided much helpful Boyd family information and in turn referred me to Jim Fraser of Carlisle, Cumberland, England, who told me of the existence of "In The Long Ago." lllinois State Historical Library staff in Springfield located a single copy in their collection and provided me with a photocopy. My research was further rewarded when I discovered, at page 64, a photograph of my Mother, Pauline Boyd (Baily), at age 4, posed with her Grandmother Elizabeth Alice Fraser Boyd.
Now, in 2005, I have undertaken the reproduction and distribution of "In The Long Ago" to share the historical information William Fraser scribed so long ago. I am grateful to everyone who assisted in my discovery of "In the Long Ago," and hope these pages will inspire and generate further information and additional history of the Fraser and Boyd families.
Douglas Boyd Baily
Post Office Box 22869
Juneau, Alaska, USA 99802-2869
Telephone: 1 9075862266
Email: bailylaw@g:ci.net
Touching the History of Mount Carroll, Oakville and the Region Roundabout; Elaborated from the Diary of the late William Fraser, of MOrrison, formerly of Oakville, Carroll County, by Thos. H. Fraser, and recently published as a series of Newspaper Articles in the Mount Carroll Democrat. C.M. Feezer Publisher "1911".
William Fraser born 1816 in Kirkhill, Invernesshire Scotland - died 1902 in Morrison, Whiteside County IL. He married about 1840 to Mary Robinson who was born February 1800 in Scotlandand and died October 20, 1872 in Morrison IL. William Fraser lived in CarrolL County from 1850 to 1870 before moving to Morrison.
Theodore Fraser, son of Wm. and Mary Robinson Fraser
Elizabeth Alice Fraser, daughter of Wm. & Mary Robinson Fraser, born November 26, 1842 in Nova Scotia married Peter R. Boyd May 29, 1872. Peter was born 7 February 1844 in Scotland, he died January 20, 1902 in Morrison.
Paul Fraser Boyd, son of Peter & Elizabeth (Fraser) Boyd, born 8 November 1874 in Morrison - died February 1, 1962 in Jo Davies County. He married Gertrude Louise Bull in 1904. Gertrude was born 20 June 1884 in Morrison, she die din 1954 Evanston, Cook Co IL.
Pauline Gertrude Boyd, daughter of Paul Fraser & Gerrude Louise (Bull) Boyd was born October 27, 1908 in Morrison, she died 18 March 2000 in Island Co WA.
Pauline Gertrude Boyd is the Great Grandmother of the contributer Doug Baily.
We are very thankful to Doug Baily for allowing Genealogy Genealogy Trails to present
this little booklet on these pages. The photographs and illustrations are
not given here as they don't copy well. You may purchase this book for a minimal fee, directly
from Doug, whose address and email is given above.
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