by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Robert Clouston was born in Orphir, Orkney, ca 1793. In 1812, he joined the HBC and sailed on the King George to York Factory. (1) He first served as a blacksmith at YF, and then was sent inland to various posts. He was at Fort Wedderburn in the Athabasca district 1818-21, where he was promoted to clerk. He took charge of Berens House in 1821 and then was at Fort Chipewyan for seven years. In 1828 he retired from the Company and took up residence at Red River.
Robert Clouston was born in Orphir, Orkney, ca 1793. In 1812, he joined the HBC and sailed on the King George to York Factory. (1) He first served as a blacksmith at YF, and then was sent inland to various posts. He was at Fort Wedderburn in the Athabasca district...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Arthur Campbell was born about 1796 in Laxay, Parish of Lochs, Island of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. In 1815, he signed on with the Hudson’s Bay Company for a period of 5 years. He and 18 other recruits sailed in a small vessel from Stornoway to Stromness in Orkney, where they boarded the Hadlow along with a party of settlers bound for Red River. He was first assigned to the Saskatchewan District, and the HBC servants account book refers to him as “a spirited able man”, whose contract was to expire in 1820. The York Factory accounts include him up to 1822.
Arthur Campbell was born about 1796 in Laxay, Parish of Lochs, Island of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland. In 1815, he signed on with the Hudson’s Bay Company for a period of 5 years. He and 18 other recruits sailed in a small vessel from Stornoway to Stromness in...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Hugh Cameron from Kilmonivaig, Invernesshire, entered the service of the HBC in 1813. He sailed on the Brazen, (1) a British ship of war, in convoy with ships for Hudson Bay. He was put ashore with other HBC men at Churchill rather than the intended destination of York Factory. He served as a labourer in the Churchill River district until 1816, when he boarded the Prince of Wales to return to Scotland. (2) The Prince could not clear Hudson Strait due to ice, and the ship returned to Charlton Island in James Bay for the winter. Hugh was sent to Fort Albany and then Fort Severn. He did not return to Scotland in the spring, but signed on again with the HBC and worked as a bowsman in the Albany River District. In 1821 he left the service and settled at Red River.
Hugh Cameron from Kilmonivaig, Invernesshire, entered the service of the HBC in 1813. He sailed on the Brazen, (1) a British ship of war, in convoy with ships for Hudson Bay. He was put ashore with other HBC men at Churchill rather than the intended destination of...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Thomas Bunn was born at Hendon, Middlesex, England about 1765. A freeman of the City of London, and of the Draper’s Company, he had been apprenticed to an oilman in Aldgate, London, and had established his own business in Bloomsbury. He married Jane Roper in England in 1789. Jane died in 1795 and Thomas joined the HBC as a writer in 1797. (1) Thomas was first posted to Albany House, where he entered into a ‘country marriage’ with Sarah McNab, daughter of John McNab, a surgeon in charge of Albany House. John and Sarah had two children, Nancy and John.
Thomas Bunn was born at Hendon, Middlesex, England about 1765. A freeman of the City of London, and of the Draper’s Company, he had been apprenticed to an oilman in Aldgate, London, and had established his own business in Bloomsbury. He married Jane Roper in England...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
James Bruce was born in Rupert’s Land in 1801. His father, Benjamin Bruce (1771-1823), was an HBC steersman on the boats in Saskatchewan District according to his biographical sheet in the HBCA. James’s mother was Mathilda, a Native woman, born ca 1778. James married Mary McNab, daughter of John McNab of the HBC, at Red River on 8 January 1828. According to the 1828 census at Red River, James and his wife were living on lot #231, which corresponds roughly to lot #17 of Peter Fidler’s original survey, now partly in Kildonan Park. This lot was shared with William Bruce, his wife, and their five children. The census shows that William and his family had also occupied this lot in 1827. William was possibly the brother of James.
James Bruce was born in Rupert’s Land in 1801. His father, Benjamin Bruce (1771-1823), was an HBC steersman on the boats in Saskatchewan District according to his biographical sheet in the HBCA. James’s mother was Mathilda, a Native woman, born ca 1778. James married...
