by Elizabeth Campbell

I was alerted to a new-to-me website this morning – one that mentions the Red River Colony. So, naturally, I went in to have a look!

I picked up a Biblio Life reprint of this 1910 publication the other day. It is an interesting little booklet for anyone studying the settlers of the pre-1915 desertions. Essentially, it consists of copies of documents in the Selkirk Papers that help to identify exactly which people arrived as settlers in the 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814 groups.

I wrote about Donald Gunn and his egging expedition for the Smithsonian a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned in the first entry that someone had requested a copy of his book History of Manitoba from the Earliest Settlement to 1835. As I didn’t have the book in my own Red River collection, I decided I’d like to obtain a copy.

Settlers came to Red River filled with hope, but some found only disappointment. In many cases, their names are remembered only in 200-year-old journal entries. Such an one was Helen Kennedy, a young Irish woman who sailed in 1813.

As I have read through the literature researching this topic, it has become apparent that, in the early days of the RRS – and well into its history – man’s best friend functioned mainly as the sled dog. A good breeding stock must have been in the area before the settlers arrived. Although there is mention of dogs being used at York Factory, I didn’t see any reference to them being brought down in the boats.

I’m just back from this year’s Annual Reunion. I think it was one of the best we’ve had in a long time! I think I’ll spend this week writing about it, because a number of interesting issues were raised.

“I have overhauled this evening the property of the late Hugh MacDonald & put them all up to auction & sold pretty well, considering the quality of the property.” – Archibald McDonald Journal

“After some consideration with Mr. Cook last night he would not take upon himself to advise me comply with the request of the people though he saw the propriety of some of their demands, such as they Tobacco.- Consequently I have this morning received 9 1/4 lbs Tobacco from Y.F. for their use on my own responsibility.- The Rum they are not to have a regular allowance of , but that they have refused to my own generosity. The Trowsers I must deny them entirely & as for the additional allowance of provisions I have made them sensible that they will have what will be sufficient if they only exert themselves to make a quick passage of it- So that everything is settled to their satisfaction in the best manner we can- and at 7 O’Clock in the morning the two Boats got under weigh with fair wind-” Archibald Macdonald Journal

“One of the men returned from the Factory & brought me some Twine for the use of the people to mend their leather Trowsers &c. &c.”  – Archibald Macdonald Journal

(reference: p. 18210 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

“… in the course of the day settled the rations along with Mr. Cook which is to serve the people to Jack River & is arranged in the following manner which is under three heads viz.- Out of the 51 Emigrants, 18 of the most effective men will be sellected for working in the Boats along with 6 Compy. Servants the other 33 are 12 lads esclusive of one noneffective old man and 20 women.”  – Archibald Macdonald Journal