In 1727, Jamie’s brother Willie dies of the smallpox. Jaime is devastated about the death of his older brother, who was supposed to inherit Lallybroch, being the oldest son.
When Jaime was young, Willie whittled a little snake for his young brother, whom he always called “Sawny”, the Scottish nickname for Alexander. The name is engraved on the back of the cherrywood snake, which Jamie carries around with him all the time.
It is through this snake that he finds Fergus/Claudel, whom he later adopts as his own son.