JOHN BANNERMAN (1323)

John Bannerman, tenant in Dalhalmie, Kildonan, Sutherlandshire, emigrated in 1815.(1) He was 55 years old and was accompanied by his wife Catherine McKay, aged 28, and their one-year-old son Alexander. The ship’s list designated John as a labourer. Catherine was John’s second wife. Three adult children of his first marriage(2)  had preceded him to Red River in 1813: Mary(3), Alexander(4), and Christian(5). When the 1815 people arrived at York Factory in late August 1815, they learned that most of the 1813 people had left for Upper Canada in June 1815. This group included John’s three children.

GEORGE ADAMS (6341)

George Adams, an English labourer, sailed on the Hadlow in 1815. Also on board the ship were Joseph Adams, labourer, and his wife Mary.  George Adams was 19 years of age and Joseph was 25. (1) It is probable that they were related in some way….possibly brothers. This group reached Red River in November of 1815 and most were sent to winter at Pembina, returning to the settlement in the spring.

George Adams entered the employ of the HBC in the summer of 1816. It is possible he joined the Company after the colonists fled to Jack River following the destruction of the settlement. He spent the winter at Red Deer River Post in the Swan River District. In spring 1817, all HBC posts in the Swan River District and all employees were captured by the NWC. Unfortunately, the Swan River post journals have not survived to provide details. Adams was not regularly employed by the Company after 1817 and in 1823 his debit was written off. A list of the settlers of Red River, August 1818, included George. He was listed as a household of one. Joseph Adams, fellow immigrant of 1815, had drowned in 1817. (2)