The Lord Selkirk Association of Rupert's Land » settlers’ clothing

Today in History – 10 September 1815

Canadian Book Lady — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:01:38 +0000

by Elizabeth Campbell

“Sunday got our last boats off in company with one of the Compy’s Crafts this afternoon exclusive of the people’s baggage & provisions they have brought few kegs of Spirits and Bales of Blankets.” – Archibald McDonald’s Journal

The last two boatloads of Settlers to leave for the RRS had been delayed by bad weather, and so left York Factory four days after the first two departed. This second pair of boats were under the ‘command’ of Peter Fidler and Angus Matheson, one of the 1815 group of settlers who had military experience and had done some recruiting of settlers for Selkirk in Kildonan.

(reference: p. 18408-10 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

24 May 1814

Canadian Book Lady — Sun, 24 May 2009 06:00:19 +0000

“Party warned to be ready to-morrow by 4 O’Clock & not to Breakfast till 10- but still that it may be partly cooked to-night so as to detain us in the morning as little as possible.- The Rice, pease, Meat &c. can be cooked & made warm at Breakfast time.- In the morning gave every one of the party a pair of shoes & the Men had theirs worn out already.” – Archibald Macdonald Journal

(reference: p. 18213 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

23 May 1814

Canadian Book Lady — Sat, 23 May 2009 06:00:48 +0000

“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

(reference: pp. 18211-2 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

22 May 1814

Canadian Book Lady — Fri, 22 May 2009 06:00:24 +0000

by Elizabeth Campbell

“…everything being arranged, they all started forward demanding Cloth Trowsers for wear going up the Rivers – a greater allowance of provisions – an allowance of Rum & also a supply of Tobacco to Accnt/ = abt. such demands I could not comply with, but put the whole off untill Mr. Cook & self would consult of it this evening…” – Archibald Macdonald Journal

Apparently, the leather trousers were not considered haute couture among the Settlers!

(reference: p. 18211 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

20 May 1814

Canadian Book Lady — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:00:34 +0000

“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)