Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL THOMAS PETER OF CROSSBASKET

Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket is the son of Thomas Peter of Crossbasket and Cardarroch. He was born before 10 January 1757, the date upon which his baptism was registered at Cadder. His place of birth is not known but it seems quite likely, probable even, that he was born at Cardarroch House in Cadder parish, Lanarkshire, Scotland, for his baptism was registered at Cadder. [National Records of Scotland, Cadder Baptisms, 1743-1819, reference OPR.626/2] Image of Baptismal Record

His Mother

The mother of Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket is not mentioned in his baptismal record but there seems hardly any doubt that he was one of the children of Marion Bogle. She married his father on or before 30 September 1750 [National Records of Scotland,Glasgow Marriages, 1729-65, reference OPR.644/25] and continued to be his wife until she died of consumption on 2 June 1763 [National Records of Scotland,Glasgow Deaths, 1757-68, reference OPR.644/48 item 3]

Baptismal Record

The baptismal record of lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket reads as follows: "Thos L. S. to Thos Peter of Corsbasket was baptised 10 of Janry (1757)" [National Records of Scotland, Cadder Baptisms, 1743-1819, reference OPR.626/2] Image of Baptismal Record

A Career in the British Army

Thomas Peter of Crossbasket was probably serving with the British Army on 9 June 1776, the date upon which he signed a wadsett deed which transferred control of his lands of Crossbaket, Auchentibber, and Drumlochernoch, to his uncle, David Peter, for the deed was signed at Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, and his signature was witnessed by two army men, Wynne Stapleton, surgeon's mate in the 22nd Regiment of Foot, and Andrew Currie, an Ensign in the same Regiment [National Archives of Scotland, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, Register of Sasines for the Sherifdom of Lanark, reference RS42/20/393v]. It is possible that Thomas Peter of Crossbasket was serving in the army led by General William Howe at this time, for he is reported to have arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on 30 March 1776: "having been driven from Boston by rebel forces. He brought with him 200 officers, 3000 men, and over 4,000 loyalist refugees, and demanded housing and provisions for all.The 22nd Regiment of Foot was certainly evacuated from Boston to Halifax. Wikipedia: Halifax

The Surrender at Yorktown

While serving as an ensign with the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket saw considerable service in the southern campaigns of the American Revolution, and he was present when Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown on 19 October 1781. Determined not to allow one of his regiment's colours fall into the hands of the enemy, Ensign Thomas Peter removed the King's Colour from its staff and wrapped it around himself under his uniform. After safely smuggling the colour past the eyes of the Franco-American army, and then back to England. For his ingenuity Ensign Thomas Peter received an audience with the king who rewarded him with a lieutenant's commission in his regiment. Wikipedia: Royal Welch Fusiliers

The Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry

In 1803 Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, at this time a half-pay Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment, was granted permission by the War Office to raise the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry [Robert Henderson, Field Officers of the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry in 1812] The regiment was originally raised in Scotland amongst highlanders keen on emigrating to Canada and it was intended that the unit should see service in British North America only. However, misunderstandings regarding the terms of enlistment and rumours that the regiment would be sent to India caused the recruits to mutiny at Glasgow. In response, the men were all discharged in the autumn of 1804. Subsequently, the commissioned officers and non-commissioned officers were sent to re-raise the regiment in the Canadas Wikipedia: Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry Thomas Peter of Crossbasket took little part in the regiment's rebirth in the Canadas, remaining instead as a brigadier general on staff in Ireland. Peter showed considerable reluctance in supplying the required implements for his regiment, for which he was criticized for by general officers preparing inspection reports on the regiment to the War Office in London. Surprisingly, considering his concern at Yorktown for preserving one of his regiment's colours, Peter was censured for not providing the Canadian Fencibles with its own set of colours. This was rectified in 1811. [Robert Henderson, Field Officers of the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry in 1812]

In 1808 Thomas Peter of Crossbasket advanced first to the rank of major general, and then in 1813 he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general; a rank he held into the 1820s. The absence of the regiment's colonel was typical for the majority of the regiments serving in Canada at the opening of the War of 1812. Likewise it was normal for a regiment's colonel to hold the rank of either major or lieutenant general or a similar staff position. [Robert Henderson, Field Officers of the Canadian Regiment of Fencible Infantry in 1812]

Military Rank

Thomas Peter of Crossbasket served as an Ensign during part of the American Revolutionary War of 1775-83, at least up until the Brittish Surrender at Yorktown on 19 October 1781. Thereafter, having successfully prevented his regiments colours from being taken at Yorktown, he was rewarded with a Lieutenant's Commission by King George III on his return to the United Kingdom. He was a Major in 93rd Foot on 15 January 1794; Lieutenant-Colonel in 93rd Foot on 1 September 1794; Lieutenant-Colonel in 2nd Foot on 25 February 1795; Lieutenant-Colonel in 23rd Foot on 1 September 1795; exchanged to half-pay of 118th Foot in March 1798; brevet Colonel on 1 January 1800; Colonel of Canadian Fencibles in 1803; subsequently Major-General on 25 April 1808; Lieutenant-General on 4 June 1813 British Regiments and the Men Who Led Them 1793-1815: 23rd Regiment of Foot

The Hodge Podge Club

General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket joined Glasgow's Hodge Podge Club in 1803. T. F. Donald, The Hodge Podge Club, 1752-1900 (James MacLehose and Sons, Glasgow, 1900), page 60

Armorial Ensigns

On 18 November 1806, the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland permitted Brigadier General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket to matriculate a version of the Arms of Peter of Chapell. His Arms were differenced with a crescent, as if he was a second son of this family. The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland describes his arms thus: "Vert, a crescent betwixt six keys in Saltyr two, two and two, Or" His Crest is identified as: "Out of a mural crown argent masoned sable a dexter arm in armour vambraced, grasping a scymiter proper". His Motto is: "Pour mon Dieu" [Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, volume II, page 33]

1. Image of Grant

Cardarroch

It seems quite likely, probable even, that Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket inherited Cardarroch from his grandfather. Acting as his attorney, his uncle, David Peter, shipmaster in Glasgow, had taken formal possession of Crossbasket for him on 6 February 1775 and it is likely that Thomas's representative would have been infeft in Cardarroch at about the same time.

Sale of Cardarroch

It cannot be regarded as certain but it seems quite likely, probable even, that it was Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket who sold the Cardarroch estate, although it is not yet clear when he actually sold it, or to whom. In any event it must have passed out of his hands before, or soon after 15 August 1793, when the intention to sell, by private bargain, or public roup, was advertised in the Edinburgh Evening Courant. LCTR Last Chance to Read

What his reason for selling Cardarroch was is not known but it is possible that he planned to use part or all of the proceeds for the improvement of his Crossbasket estate. It must have been at about this time that the Kilbride historian, Daivid Ure, visited Crossbasket and it is possible that it was the General himself who influenced Ure's opinion on the state of the gardens and the prospects for improvement: "Considerable attention had once been paid to the gardens and inclosure; but they have, for some time past, been greatly neglected. Soon, however, will they put on a quite different appearance, when the Captiain shall have finished the improvements he has begun to make on the estate". [David Ure, AM., The History of Rutherglen and East Kilbride (David Niven, Glasgow, 1793), page 153]

Crossbasket

Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket inherited Crossbasket from his grandfather. He had a precept of clare constat, otherwise known as a charter of confirmation, from the feudal superiors of Crossbasket, that is from the Reverend James Meek, minister of Cambuslang parish, who held a liferent over the superiority at this time, and the Commissioners appointed by the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon, which was issued at Edinburgh on 6 February 1775. His precept of clare constat confirmed that the deceased Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, grandfather of Thomas Peter: "died last vest & seised as of fee and at the faith & peace of our Sov Lord the King in all & Haill the lands of Corsebasket & Miln throf" and that the said Thomas Peter is the eldest son of the also now deceased Thomas Peter, merchant in Glasgow, who was the eldest son of the deceased Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, and so is nearest lawful heir to the said Thomas Peter, his grandfather, and that he was of lawful age". His uncle David acted as procurator and took sasine on behalf of his nephew, by taking delivery of earth and stone upon the ground of Crossbasket, on 6 February 1775. [National Records of Scotland, Register of Sasines for the Sherifdom of Lanark, reference RS42/20/393-94]This lasted until David Peter died in 1778.

At this point Crossbasket may have been rented to a James Stewart. On 29 August 1785 it was recorded for the first Carriage Tax that "Mr. James Stewart at Crossbasket" owned one carriage with two wheels.This Mr. Stewart may have been a relative of "Alexander Stewart Esqr of Torrance," who was also listed in "Killbryde Parish" as owning a more expensive carriage. The following year there is no listing for James Stewart, nor are there any carriage tax listings at Crossbasket through the last recorded tax in 1797. Alexander Stewart at Crossbasket is also noticed in the female servant tax roll of 27 August 1785 ScotlandsPlaces: Female Servant Tax Rolls, 1785-92

According to the historian David Ure, AM., "Captain Thomas Peter of Crossbasket" was in possession of the lands of Basket and the castle of Crossbasket in 1789. Lietenant- General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket was in possession of Crossbasket at this time and it is supposed that Ure was speaking of him when he says: "a commodious dwelling-house, of a modern construction, is built close to the east end of the tower.....Considerable attention had once been paid to the gardens and inclosure; but they have, for some time past, been greatly neglected. Soon, however, will they put on a quite different appearance, when the Captain shall have finished the improvements he has begun to make on the estate" [David Ure, AM., The History of Rutherglen and East Kilbride (David Niven, Glasgow, 1793), page 153]. In the Dog Tax of 1797 "Coll Peters Crossbasket" was recorded as owning four expensive non-farm dogs. It cannot be regarded as certain but it is likely, probable even, that the General was in residence at Crossbasket at the time of his second marriage to Barbara Cunninghame in 1803, for his request for proclamation was booked at East Kilbride on 28 August 1803 [NRS: Glasgow Marriages, 1786-1804, reference OPR.644/27]

The General's Bridge

Some historians believe that it was Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket who was responsible for building of the General's Bridge over the Rotten Calder Water, on Stoneymeadow Road Historic Mills Survey

Sale of Crossbasket

Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, with the consent of his second wife, Barbara Cunningham, sold the lands and estate of Crossbasket, Auchentibber, and Drumlochernock, under burden of several heritable debts amounting to eleven thousand, one hundred and fifty pounds, to Charles MacIntosh, merchant in Glasgow. The General's disposition, made in favour of MacIntosh, is dated 21 August 1818. [National Records of Scotland, Lanarkshire Sasine Abridgements for 1818, abridgement number 8796, which cites G.R. 1105.245]

Auchentibber and Drumlochernoch

Lieutenant-General Peter of Crossbasket inherited the lands of Auchentibber and Drumlochernoch from his grandfather. On 29 May 1777 Alexander, Lord Blantyre, the feudal superior, gave him a precept of clare constat, otherwise known as a charter of confirmation, which recognised that: "the now deceast Thos Peter of Corsbasket, grandfather of my lovit Thos Peter now of Corsbasket, bearer hereof, died last vest & seised in the fee of all & whole the lands of Auchintibber and Drumlochernoch wt the whole parts pendicles & pertinents thrto belonging wtin the Barrony & parish of Blantyre & Sheriffdom of Lanark.....& that the sd Thos Peter now of Corsbasket, bearer hereof, is the eldest son of the deceast Thos Peter, merchant in Glasgow, who was the eldest son of the sd deceast Thos Peter of Corsbasket"/ [National Records of Scotland, Particular Register of Sasines for the Sheriffdome of Lanark, reference RS42/20/428]. It is thought that the rental of Auchentibber and Drumlochernoch was worth about sixty-five pounds per annum [Loretta R. Timperley, M.A., A Directory of Landownership in Scotland c 1770 (Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh 1976), page 208]

Craigmaddie

John Guthrie Smith and John Oswald Mitchel believed that Lieutenant-General Peter of Crossbasket was the proprietor of Craigmaddie in Baldernock parish, Stirlingshire, Scotland, but evidence of his ownership has not so far been found John Guthrie Smith and John Oswald Mitchell, The Old Country Houses of the Old Glasgow Gentry On 21 August 1826 Craigmaddie was purchased by his only child, Joanna Elizabeth Peter, and the title deeds confirm that he was residing there at the time of the purchase [National Archives of Scotland, H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire Sasine Abridgements for 1826, abridgements numbered 2054 and 2055]. He is reported to have died there on 21 December 1828 [Donald Whyte, Notes on the Peter Family of Crossbasket, Newsletter of the Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society, Issue Number 44, Autumn 1995, page 7]

Death

Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket and Craigmaddie is reported to have died at Craigmaddie in Baldernock parish, Stirlingshire, Scotland, on 21 December 1828, exactly three months after the death of his second wife, Barbara Cunningham [Donald Whyte, Notes on the Peter Family of Crossbasket, Newsletter of the Glasgow & West of Scotland Family History Society, Issue Number 44, Autumn 1995, page 7]

Burial

General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket was buried in the churchyard of the Ramshorn Church in Glasgow on 28 December 1828. The entry in the burial register reads as follows: "Lieut: Genl: Thomas Peters, 71 years, old age, Thomas Peters's Lair SS" [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Deaths, 1819-34, reference OPR.644/62] Image of Burial Record

First Marriage

The name of the General's first wife is not known but her obituary notice was published in The Monthly Magazine: "At Antigua, on the 31st December last (31 December 1801), the lady of Brigadier General Peter, of Crossbasket". [The Monthly Magazine or Register (Printed for Richard Phillips, London), Vol. XIII, Part I. for 1802. January to June inclusive, page 626]

Second Marriage

On 31 August 1803 Lieutent-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket married, as his second wife, Barbara Cunninghame, daughter of the deceased Alexander Cunninghame, Merchant in Glasgow. [National Records of Scotland, Glasgow Marriages, 1786-1804, reference OPR.644/27]. The request for marriage proclamation was booked at East Kilbride on 28 August 1803 [NRS: East Kilbride Marriages, 1750-1819, reference OPR.643/2] and at Glasgow on the same day. [Registrar General for Scotland, New Register House, Edinburgh, Glasgow Marriages, 1786-1804, reference OPR.644/27]

The marriage proclamation at East Kilbride reads as follows: "General Thos Peters of Cross Basket in this parish and Miss Barbara Cunningham in the P of St. Enoch, Glasgow" [NRS: East Kilbride Marriages, 1750-1819, reference OPR.643/2] and the marriage proclamation at Glasgow reads as follows: " (28 August 1803) Col: Thomas Peter of Crossbasket & Barbara Cunninghame, L. D. of the dec: Alexrr: Cuninghame, Merchant in Glasw: Married 31st Augt:" [NRS: Glasgow Marriages, 1786-1804, reference OPR.644/27]

An itimation was published in the Scots Magazine. It reads as follows: "(1803, Aug. 31) At Glasgow, Brigadier-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket, to Miss Barbara Cunninghame, daughter of the late Alexander Cunninghame, merchant in Glasgow. [The Scots Magazine; or General Repository of Literature, History, and Politics, for the year M.DCCCIII., Vol. LXV or volume second of the third series (Alex. Chapman and Co., Edinburgh), page 670]

Only Child

Lieutenant-General Thomas Peter of Crossbasket and his second wife, Barbara Cunninghame, had one child, a daughter named Joanna Elisabeth Peter. An intimation of Joanna's marriage to Captain Alexander Dirom was publishd in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine in October 1826. It reads as follows: "At Craigmaddie, Captain Alex. Dirom, 8th or the King's Regiment, to Joanna Eliza, only child of Lieut-General Peter" [Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (William Blackwood, Edinburgh and T. Cadell, Strand, London, 1827), Vol. XXI., January-June 1827, page 119]