by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Donald Gunn was born in Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland, in 1797. He joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1813 (1) and was employed for ten years in the Severn District. In 1819 at York Factory, he married Margaret Swain, daughter of James Swain Sr, an HBC Trader at York Factory, and a native woman. In 1823 the Gunns, with five other HBC retirees, settled near the rapids (2) on the Red River, in the area they named Little Britain. Donald and Margaret had 12 children.
Donald Gunn was born in Halkirk, Caithness, Scotland, in 1797. He joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1813 (1) and was employed for ten years in the Severn District. In 1819 at York Factory, he married Margaret Swain, daughter of James Swain Sr, an HBC Trader at York...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
John Flett was born in Orkney ca 1784. He came to Rupert’s Land as an employee of the HBC.(1) When the 1815 party of settlers arrived at York Factory, John was appointed steersman on one of the boats which were to convey them to Red River. During the course of this trip, he married Isabella Murray, who had emigrated from Scotland with her siblings and parents Alexander and Elizabeth Murray. (2)
John Flett was born in Orkney ca 1784. He came to Rupert’s Land as an employee of the HBC.(1) When the 1815 party of settlers arrived at York Factory, John was appointed steersman on one of the boats which were to convey them to Red River. During the course of this...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
John Farquharson (1) was from the Parish of Kirkmichael, Co. of Perth. He signed on with the HBC as a labourer and sailed from Stromness in 1815 on the Prince of Wales. (2) He was with the HBC only two months, as on October 14, he married Christian McKay at Jack River. He may have been one of the HBC men assigned to the boats transporting the new settlers from York Factory to Red River, or he may have been posted to Jack River and was there when the settlers arrived.
John Farquharson (1) was from the Parish of Kirkmichael, Co. of Perth. He signed on with the HBC as a labourer and sailed from Stromness in 1815 on the Prince of Wales. (2) He was with the HBC only two months, as on October 14, he married Christian McKay at Jack...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
David Esson was born about 1800 in Stromness, Orkney, and came to Rupert’s Land as a servant of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1820. The Company accounts ledger shows that in 1822 he received wages for employment at York Factory for at least one year. A note in 1825 shows that he had retired to Red River.
David Esson was born about 1800 in Stromness, Orkney, and came to Rupert’s Land as a servant of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1820. The Company accounts ledger shows that in 1822 he received wages for employment at York Factory for at least one year. A note in 1825...
by Garth Merkeley | Mar 4, 2015
Peter Dahl, from Norway, arrived at York Factory in 1814. He had been amongst a group of men, mainly Norwegians, hired by the HBC to build posts along a planned winter road from York Factory to Lake Winnipeg. Their first destination was the northern end of Lake Winnipeg where they began work on what would eventually be known as Norway House. The HBC was unhappy with the Norwegians and the feeling was mutual. At the end of their 3-year contracts, most of them did not renew.
Peter Dahl, from Norway, arrived at York Factory in 1814. He had been amongst a group of men, mainly Norwegians, hired by the HBC to build posts along a planned winter road from York Factory to Lake Winnipeg. Their first destination was the northern end of Lake...
