James Fraser

Who was James Fraser?

James Fraser was a Scottish-born businessman, judge and political figure in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1795 to 1818.

He was born in Farraline, Dores, the son of Alexander Fraser. Fraser was educated in Aberdeen and came to Nova Scotia in 1780. He helped establish a business catching and exporting salmon in the Miramichi region of New Brunswick in 1785 and also supplied goods to people who had settled in that area. He and his partners also became involved in the timber trade and shipbuilding. Fraser also served Northumberland County as justice of the peace and justice in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas. He ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the New Brunswick assembly in 1791 before being elected four years later. In 1802, he married Rachel Otis, the daughter of Benjamin DeWolf. Around 1810, although still operating in the Miramichi area, he moved his residence to Halifax. In 1818, he was named to Nova Scotia's Council. He died in Windsor, Nova Scotia.