EARLY YEARS 
OF THE CANADIAN NORTHWEST 1830 - 1849



The voyagers from the Old Northwest are trading into B.C.


11/18/2008

  B.C. HISTORY 1850 - 1899

B.C. HISTORY Return to MAIN B.C. index

DIRECTORY Return to MAIN HISTORY index


The Pacific Northwest (Oregon Territory) began by development in Oregon, and Washington. The real development of British Columbia didn't begin until 1843


 

1830  

Martin Bonanfant, Metis (1830-1858) son Antoni Bonanfant son Antoni Bonanfant and Marie Pepin 1st married Maguerite Indian aka Marie Spokane also Mary Ann Pend d'Oreille, 2nd marriage 1841 Francoise Deparitti, north west Pacific Coast.  Living Oregon 1842.

(I)-William Brotche of Scotland (1799-1859) traveled between London and Columbia District (1830-1844)

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson, of India, (1814-1884) is posted to B.C. and he married Elizabeth (Betsy) Birnie in 1837 at Fort Alexandria, Washington, daughter James Birnie and Charlot Beaulieu metisse..  They had 13 kids.

James Douglas (1803-1877) a Metis (mixed blood) (Scottish and a colored woman) because of his violent nature that caused trouble with the Carrier People, is transferred to Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) under command of Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857)  a Irish Canadian. 

Jean Baptiste Dubreuille born 1791, working Columbia District (1806-1842) assigned to the Snake Country Expedition (1830-1836), out of the Columbia District.

Antoine Felix of Montreal, working Colville, Washington married Marguerite (Betsy) Colville Des Chaudieres (1815-1848) a Salishan Flathead, they retired to French Prairie, Columbia District (Oregon Territory) in 1843.

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Columbia District.

James Goudie b-1810 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830-1851), is living 1881 in Victoria, B.C.

James Johnstone of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830-1837) as 2nd mate then returned to British Isles.

William Kittson (1792-1841) employed NWT (1817-1821) and HBC (1821-1841) this summer 1830 at Fort Colvile, Columbia District.

Angelique Longctain, Metis (1830-1887) daughter Andre Lonctain aka (Lonctin and Longtin) (1793-1879) employed NWC (1810-1819) in Columbia and Nancy Okanagan married Francois Toupin and two others, a son by third husban was noted

Emelie Metis, (1796-1848) daughter Francois Finlay and Josephte Cree, 1st married Pierre Bercier, 2nd married 1830 Simon Plamondan a Cowlitz Prairie north of Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon).

William Norquay of Orkney, drowned August 5, 1830, Columbia River,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830) as middleman

Simon Bonaparte Plamondon Sr. b-Sorel, Quebec, drown about 1850 likely Washington was at Fort Langley about this time, son Jean Baptiste Plamondon and Catherine Gill,  married 1st Thas-e-muth aka Veronica Scanewah, they had 4 kids one of who was Simon Baptiste Plamondon, Metis, married Mary Farron, Metis daughter Dominique Farron and Josephte of the Makah nation; 2nd wife Emilie Marie Finlay Bercier, Metis, widow Pierre Bercier (1778-1830), daughter Francois Finlay and Josephte Cree, they had 5 kids, one of who was Henriette Plamondon, Metis: 3rd marriage Kitty Tiukish, they had 1 child. 

James Rendall b-1792 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830-1846) as cooper returned to British Isles. 

William Walls of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830-1834) as servant returned to British Isles.

Henry Wards of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1830-1834) as shipbuilder

During the 1830's more French Canadians arrived on French Prairie aka Walama or Willamette Valley, Columbia District (Oregon Territory), giving up trapping for farming, married Indian girl called 'infidel women' by the priests who had established missions at nearby St. Louis and St. Paul, Oregon

A plague (flu or Malaria) hit Walama or Willamette Valley (Oregon) (1830-1833) some believe this was the reason the French Metis families had no problem settling what they first called the 'French Prairie'.

Some suggest the Genocidal Wars of the Pacific Northwest began in the east with the Indian Removal Act creating the Permanent Indian Frontier west of the Mississippi which wasn't permanent but continued to move westward..

April:   John Kennedy, d-1830, a middleman and interpreter, who was unwell but still able to work, dropped dead from an apparent heart attack at Fort Langley.

July 3: Dalles (Washington/Oregon) a boat of Peter Skene Ogden  (1794-1854) is caught in a whirlpool, in all nine were drowned among them Joseph Portneuf (1796-1830) his wife and two children.  Joseph was a former employee of the NWC. 

August:  Pierre Therien was accidentally shot by a gun on a sailing ship out on the Frazer River near Fort Langley. 

October 19:  Michel Laframboise (1788-1861) and three men are sent out of Fort Vancouver on a trading excursion to the Umpqua.

October 28:  birth (II)-Alexander McDonald, Metis, died July 7, 1875 Moose Factory son (I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) and Jane Klyne daughter Michael Klyne of Jasper House, Alberta.

 

1831  

Rose Aucent born 1828 Red River, died 1901 West Coast, family arrived Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) 1831, and Aucent shortly departed for California on Laframboise expedition.  

Louis Aucent married 1831 West Coast, Catherine Cayuse (1813-1848)

William Brown b-1810, Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1843) as a laborer at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon).

George Burger b-1806 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1837) as a sailor, departed East or returned to British Isles.

Columbia District, marriage Michel Cotenoir Sr. aka Cottenoire, Cotenour, Cotmoir and Cognoir b-1790 and Mary a Ketse nation woman, 1st wife Tchialis aka Tchinouk Woman died before 1830

(I)-Fransis (Frank) Ermatinger (1798-1858) employed HBC (1818-1853) assigned Fort Colvile, Columbia.(1831-1834) and accompanied the Flat Heads to Snake Country, married 1834 wife #3 Mary Three Dresses, a Flathead Woman; he abandoned wife  #2 Cleopatra an Okanagan Woman and his son (II)-Lawrence Ermatinger, Metis b-1828.  (I)-Francis also had abandoned wife #1 and child in Severn.  With wife #3 he had an un-named son b-1836, daughter Mary (1838-1940) married Peter Ashley on Montana 

William Kittson (1792-1841) employed NWT (1817-1821) and HBC (1821-1841) this season (1831-1834) Kooteney House, Columbia District.  His 1st wife is unrecorded. 2nd wife Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian.

Archibald McDonald is chief trader at Fort Langley.

Antoine Bonanfant, Metis (1831-1848) son Antoni Bonanfant son Antoni Bonanfant and Marie Pepin 1st married Maguerite Indian aka Marie Spokane also Mary Ann Pend d'Oreille, 2nd marriage 1841 Francoise Deparitti, north west Pacific Coast.  Living Oregon 1842.

Laurent Quintal, Metis,  married, 1831, Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon), Marie Anne Nipissing, b-1819 daughter, Louis Nipissing, Metis and Chinook woman.  The marriage was formalized at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) in 1839.

Pierre Leblanc trading at Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and the Oregon Territory since 1800 married Nancy Matooski the abandoned wife of John G. McTavish.  This appears to be Pierre's second wife as he took a wife to Oregon Territory in 1800.

John More b-1796, Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1834) as labourer

Samuel Norn b-1807 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1844) as labourer, settled Victoria.

Pierre Cyrysologue Pambrun (1792-1841) employed HBC (1815-1841) is posted Fort Walla Walla, Columbia District (1831-1833). 

(I)-James Rendall, b-1794, a cooper from Evie, Orkney, arrived Fort Langley in 1831 but had to quit due to ill health.  Others suggest he arrived 1833.

David Robertson b-1813 Orkney working west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1839) as labourer returned to British Isles. 

John Taylor of Orkney, died May 12, 1839 Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon),  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1838) as seaman who returned to British Isles.

John Williams b-1812 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1831-1839) as labourer

Mt. St. Helens (in Washington near the Columbia River) erupted this year.  John Adams witnessed the event as did Dr Gassner.

(I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861) is in charge of the Snake Country Expedition (1831-1931) to the Flathead and Blackfoot Indians.

Summer:  Idaho, birth, (II)-Letitia Work, Metis, daughter, (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married October 21, 1857, Nisqually (I)-Edward Huggins (1832-1907) employed HBC (1850-1870)

December 20: Columbia, marriage Louis Delonie b-1800 Quebec, employed HBC (1816-1842), assigned Columbia (1828-1842), married Elizabeth Kwothe (1817-1843)

 

 

1832 

Fort Vancouver is located on the north bank of the Columbia River in the Columbia District (Oregon Territory).  Some say it is upriver about 90 miles from the ocean?  Not likely, maybe 5-10?

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort Colville Columbia District (1832-1834) 

Hypolite Brissette b-1792 Montreal, employed HBC (1818-1837) is at Fort Cocvile, Columbia District (1832-1835) 

(I)-John Coon aka Coone, Coun b-1791 seaman for HBC on London to Columbia (Oregon Territory) run (1832-1939)

Columbia District, birth, Edward Cotenoir, son  Michel Cotenoir Sr. aka Cottenoire, Cotenour, Cotmoir and Cognoir b-1790 and Mary a Ketse nation woman, 

Columbia, birth (II)-Felicite Delonie, Metis, baptized January 29, 1843 Cowlitz, Columbia daughter  Louis Delonie b-1800 Quebec, and Elizabeth Kwothe (1817-1843)

Jean Baptiste Jolibois born 1795 LaPrairie, likely Metis employed HBC (1822-1851) assigned (1822-1824) Athabasca and (1832-1851) Columbia District.

Kootenay House, birth Jesse Kittson Metis d-1837 in epidemic son William Kittson (1792-1841) and Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian.

Old man doctor (III)-John McLaughlin, a Scottish Canadian, is superintendent of Fort Vancouver, Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

(I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861) is on a trapping expedition to Bonaventura Valley and on a trading excursion from Fort Vamcoucer to Umpqua

Nathaniel Wyeth, a young American businessman, and a small party came to Columbia District (Oregon Territory) this year to scout business prospects. While Wyeth's supply ship was lost at sea and the enterprise abandoned this year

April 14:  Michel Laframboise (1788-1861) leads a party to Killimook Country to punish the Indians for the murder of Pierre Kakaraguiron and Thomas Canasawarette, and then proceed on a trapping expedition.

May 19:  birth (II)-Allen McDonald, Metis, died November 28, 1891 Winnipeg, Manitoba, son (I)-Archibald McDonald (1790-1853) and Jane Klyne daughter Michael Klyne of Jasper House, Alberta.

November: (I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson, of India, (1814-1884) arrived Fort Vancouver

 

1833 

Pierre Belleque a former NWC man settled in Willamette Valley (Columbia District aka Oregon Territory) and began farming.

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson, of India, (1814-1884) is at Fort McLoughlin, near Bella Bella and left in December.

Robert Anderson of Orkney worked for H.B.C west of the Rockies (1833-1838) as a middleman and returned to east of the Rockies in 1838.

Pierre Charles b-1800 employed HBC Fort Nisqually, Columbia, District (1833-1834), 

William Johnston of Orkney drowned July 7, 1835 Fort George,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1833-1835) as trapper 

Fort Nisqually, Columbia District, marriage Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) married Columbia District, Jany Sempson a Teoutit of Nisqually, baptized and churched September 10, 1839 Fort Nisqually.  Jean epouse 1826 Indian woman.

Laurent Quintal (1799-1860) employed by HBC (1821-1836) married 1833 Snake Country, Columbia District and was churched July 9, 1839 a Marie Anne Nipissing daughter of Louis Nipissing.

First recorded instance of Japanese shipwreck off the west coast of British Columbia.

February 20:  Archibald McDonald (1790-1853)  left Fort Langley so his growing family could attend school at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon). He, soon afterwards, founded Nisqually House on the south end of Puget Sound. The following year he was put in charge of Fort Colville. He retired from the service in 1844 and died in St. Andrews, near Cornwall, Ontario, in 1853. 

 

1834 

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson, of India, (1814-1884) is posted to Stikine and was at Fort Simpson this year.  He wintered at Fort Vancouver.

Birth Amable Arquette, Metis son Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) born September 1, 1797 Montreal, son Michel Arquette and Marie Louis Gaudry; married 1839 Vancouver (Portland Oregon),   Marguerite Waponte died October 1870.

Thomas Balfour of Orkney worked H.B.C. west Rockies (1834-1836) as a laborer returned to Saskatchewan

Pierre Charles b-1800 employed HBC Fort Langley, Columbia, District (1834-1840), retired to Cowlitz River

Malcolm Davie of Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1840) as middleman, returned to British Isles.

William Davie of Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1838) as middleman, returned to British Isles.

Columbia, birth (II)-Catherine Delonie, Metis, baptized January 29, 1843 Cowlitz, Columbia. daughter  Louis Delonie b-1800 Quebec, and Elizabeth Kwothe (1817-1843)

(I)-Fransis (Frank) Ermatinger (1798-1858) employed HBC (1818-1853) assigned Flat Head Post, Columbia.(1834-1842) and went on a Snake Country expedition including Forts Hall and Fort Boise married 1834 wife #3 Mary Three Dresses, a Flathead Woman; With wife #3 he had an un-named son b-1836, daughter Mary (1838-1940) married Peter Ashley on Montana he had abandoned wife  #2 Cleopatra an Okanagan Woman and his son (II)-Lawrence Ermatinger, Metis b-1828.  (I)-Francis also had abandoned wife #1 and child in Severn.  He would abandon wife #3 in 1842 as well as their children.

(III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) sent his step son Thomas McKay, Metis, (1797/98-1849) to Idaho to establish Fort Boise situated on the Boise River.

Thomas Flett b-1814 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1851) as laborer, believed settled in Colvile, (Washington) Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

Malcolm Groat of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1839) as laborer, returned to British Isles.

John Johnston of Orkney, died 1853 at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon),  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1853)

Robert Johnson b-1812 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1849) as laborer moved to California or British Isles.

William Kittson (1792-1841) employed NWT (1817-1821) and HBC (1821-1840) this season (1834-1831) Fort Nisqually, Columbia District.

Jason Lee, a methodist minister established a mission at Willamette Valley, Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

Thomas Linklater of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1851) as interpreter and likely settled (Washington) Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

(I)-Donald Manson (1798-1880) is at Fort McLoughlin (1834-1838)

William Merryman b-1813 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1838) as laborer returned to British Isles.

William Morwick b-1813, Orkney, killed January 15, 1843 at Fort Babine, working west of Rockies H.B.C. (1834-1843) as servant

Henry Mowatt b-1814 Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1841) as laborer, returned to British Isles.

Columbia District, birth Louise Ouvre, Metis baptized April 24, 1839 Fort Nisqually daughter Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) and Jany Sempson a Teoutit of Nisqually

Pierre Cyrysologue Pambrun (1792-1841) employed HBC (1815-1841) is posted Fort Nez Perces, Columbia District (1834-1840). 

Louis Quintal, b-1834, baptized June 21, 1839, Snake Country, Columbia District, Metis son Laurent Quintal (1799-1860) and Marie Anne Nipissing daughter of Louis Nipissing; married Cecile Tyikwarkl a full blood Iroquois.

William Glen Rae b-1809 Orkney, suicided January 9, 1845 in Yerba Buena, San Francisco, working west Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1835) as clerk

James Taylor of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1834-1850) as dairyman went to California gold rush.

(I)-John Tod (1794-1882) married England Elizabeth Waugh and had one daughter Emmeline Jane Tod born December 3, 1835. 

(III)-Francois Xavier Vautrin dit Bienvenne, Metis, born May 10, 1815, St. Philippe, Quebec, son (II)-Pierre Vautrin dit Bienvenne and Agathe Baudin (Baubin) a Miami Indian of the Detroit River region.  Francois arrived Fort Vancouver 1834.

(III)-Jean Baptiste Vautrin dit Bienvenne, Metis, born February 1, 1813, St. Philippe, Quebec, son (II)-Pierre Vautrin dit Bienvenne and Agathe Baudin (Baubin) a Miami Indian of the Detroit River region.  Jean with brother Francois arrived Fort Vancouver 1834.  Jean 1st. married Elizabeth Songhee aka Marie Quantlen, d-1857; 2nd marriage 1860, Marie Brule, widow Joseph Brule,  they moved to Grande Ronde, Oregon, Marie;s home area. 

The Jason Lee party founded a mission upriver from the Willamette Falls, Columbia District (Oregon Territory) near to the claim of Joseph Gervais on French Prairie aka Willamette Valley. French Canadians already settled on French Prairie helped to build the mission with supplies from both Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth and Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) . 

Lac Kw'alaams aka Fort Simpson also Port Simpsonon the Nass River, near Prince Rupert, B.C. is established 1834 by Capt. Aemilius Simpson and Peter Skene Ogden  (1794-1854).  The first Chief Factor for HBC is Dr. John Frederick until 1856.

The company reckoned that inter-marriage between the whites and Indians would lessen hostile relations. James Murry Yale (1776-1871) set a good example for his men and taught the natives that bigamy was ok for Hudson Bay Company men.  He married three Indian women within his first three years at the fort, and they each bore his offspring. His first wife was the daughter of Chief Whattlekainum of the Kwantlen, his second the daughter of the Katzie Chief, and the third the daughter of Pal-hal-lak, the religious head of the Thompson Indians above the Fraser Canyon. A daughter from the third wife married (II)-George Simpson Junior, the son of the Governor  (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot, James Murry Yale (1776-1871) still later married a relative of Chief T'soschia, of the Cowichan Confederacy.  Sir George had five known illegitimate Metis children of his own.

By this time labourers, at Forty Langley had also intermingled with the Indians and began raising families. The Kanakas were not permitted to bring their women into the fort so instead built homes across the river from the fort. Each morning these men paddled across the river to work and in the evening paddled back again to be with their wives and children.

James Murray Yale (1776-1871) from a friend, Mary Julia Mechtler. On page 2, she writes:
"Continue to keep your good resolutions of not taking an Indian wife, on account of yourself as well as of the dreadful fate that generally awaits the Bois Brule offspring of such a connection. Reflect what every man owes himself. What apology can a white man make to his children for mixing and polluting his pure blood with that of a savage. How dare such a person pretend to principle and feeling! Fie upon him for a selfish monster! I hope, my dear James, you will never have such a reproach to make to your conscience." 

Three shipwrecked Japanese sailors arrived Fort Vancouver, B.C.

July 15: Fort Hall (1834-1855) built at the "The Bottoms" of the Snake River.   In the early 1830's a young businessman of New England named Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth become interested in the trade possibilities of the Pacific Northwest.   

February 7:  The Hojun-Maru, a Japanese ship from Toba, Japan, disabled in a typhoon,  drifted to America and was washed up on Point Greenville, south of Cape Flattery on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington.  Of the 14 man crew three survived.  These were Iwakichi age 28, Kyukichi age 15 and Otokichi age 11.  The survivors were taken as slaves by the locals until Captain McNeil rescued them taking them to Fort Nisqually of the H.B.C. as recorded by Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) . 

April 26:  Kootenay House, birth Caroline (Kit) Kittson Metis d-1837 in epidemic daughter William Kittson (1792-1841) and Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian.

 

 

1835 

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort Simpson aka Fort Nass, Columbia District (1835-1837) 

(I)-James Dickson (Dixon) (1787-1861) employed HBC (1825-1844) assigned Fort Vancouver, Columbia (1835-1844)

(I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) married a girl from the village of Schwenetekoo [“Keep Sounding Water” or Kettle Falls] Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

(II)-Margaret Goudie, Metis b-1835, daughter (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

Dominique Farron aka Frarron b-1798 employed HBC (1815-1840) assigned Fort Nisqually, Columbia (1835-1836)

(I)-Duncan Finlayson (1795-1862) employed HBC (1815-1859) is assigned to Fort Vancouver, Columbia District (1835-1837) as Chief Factor.

William Gullion of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1835-1839) as laborer, returned to British Isles.

John Linniard of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1835-1861) as farmer likely settled B.C.

John Logie b-1814, Orkney, died March 24, 1854 on Sauve Island, Washington,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1835-1849) as dairyman

Marie Pepen, Metis, b-1835 Fort Langley daughter Etienne Pepen alias Maille and Magice (1799-1874) and Uiskiwin Woman:  the son of Michel May and Marguerite Pepin of Yamaska, Quebec; married Simon Gill. 

William Pottinger b-1814 Orkney working west of Rockies for H.B.C. ((1835-1854) as laborer

William Fraser Tolmis, a young Glaswegian, reported the presence of coal deposits on Vancouver Island.  A blacksmith had told him who learned of it by a visiting Kwakiutl Indian.

Eight United States men, one with a family, journeyed from northern California to Oregon. Four of the travelers were killed in an attack at the Rogue River and the survivors arrived wounded and destitute.

Fort Langley was moved up-stream because the Fraser River flooded the origin site. 

The Columbian whaling industry started the hunted the whales to near extension.

Mt. St. Helens (Washington) erupted this year.

 

1836 

(II)-John Goudie, Metis (1836-1914), son (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

William Campbell of Orkney, died March 22, 1887 at Hillside, (Washington), worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1839) as laborer, returned to British Isles.

Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) married Columbia, Catherine Russie, Metis daughter Augustin (Russie) Roussil b-1760 and Indian woman.  Some suggest he married Catherine in Canada some years before and came out to Columbia in 1838 with several of their children.  That two children Michel and Charles drowned on the way out.  It is noteworthy that Catherines first child is recorded as Rose born 1837 and Andre married Rose Cayuse an Indian and they had a child Augustin Chalifoux Jr. Metis (1839-1898) 

Hugh Cormack of Orkney worked west of Rockies (1836-1842) as steward returned to British Isles 1842.

James Craige b-1813 Orkney, died September 29, 1895 Yaquina Bay, Oregon, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1852) as interpreter 

James Dickson of Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1838) as blacksmith, returned to British Isles.

(II)-Cecilia Douglas, Metis, b-1834 Fort Vancouver d-1865 daughter (I)-James Souglas, Metis (1803-1877) and Amelia Connolly, Metis, (1812-1890): married December 1852, Fort Victoria Dr. John Sebastian Helmcken; they had 7 children.  

Michel Lafforte (Ferte) (1788-1861) settled Willamette, Columbia (Oregon Territory)

David Flett of Orkney, drowned May 31, 1842 at Okanagan Falls, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1842) as servant

(II)-James Goudie Jr.Metis, (1836-1864), son (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and his wife from the village of Schwenetekoo [“Keep Sounding Water” or Kettle Falls]

(II)-John Goudie, Metis, b-1836, Round Butte, Oregon, d-1914, Victoria, B.C. son (I)-James Goudie, b-1808, Orkney, d-1887, Victoria, B.C. and Catherine Prevost Island aka Catherine Jane Schwayips: married Mary Anne Vautrin, b-1867, Sidney, B.C., d-1943, Victoria, B.C. daughter Jean Baptiste Vautrin, b-1813, Quebec, d-1893 and Leolo, bied November 9, 1846, Fort Alexandria. 

Adam Gunn of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1839) as laborer, sent to London hospital.

John Jackson b-1836 B.C. and wife Sadie b-1826 B.C. are living Skeena in 1901 census

William Johnston b-1819 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C, (1836-1851) as laborer retired to Idaho.

John Low Sr. of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1840) as seaman/cook, returned to British Isles (see 1836)

John Low Jr. of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1839) as seaman/cook, returned to British Isles

Columbia District, birth Therese Ouvre, Metis baptized April 24, 1839 Fort Nisqually daughter Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) and Jany Sempson a Teoutit of Nisqually

James Peace of Orkney working west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1838) as seaman, deserted June 10, 1838 in Monterey, California.

Andre Picard (1781-1846) employed NWC (1800-1821) in Columbia District retired to Willamette (Oregon) with his Metis family. 

Thomas Sinclair b-1791 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1836-1834) as ship's master returned to British Isles.

Dr. Marcus Whitman (1802-1847) married Narcissa Prentiss sight unseen and departed for Oregon in a Red River River cart on the Oregon trail.  The cart had to be abandoned at Fort Boise.  Some claim this was the first cart used on the Oregon trail and Narcissa Prentiss the first white woman.  

Settlers built the first Catholic Church in Oregon at St. Paul (on French Prairie). Without a priest, the church was not blessed and dedicated until 1839.

The London built Beaver a paddle wheeler that looked like a man-of-war had 4 brass cannon, muskets and cutlasses in racks arrived Fort Vancouver (Portland, Oregon).  The Beaver was designed for the Hudson Bay Company to control the Pacific Northwest fur trade.  United States sailing ships were no match for her as she could steam up to 8.5 knots and enter coves and inlets not accessible to sailing ships.  She operated until July 1888 when she ran onto rocks at the entrance to Vancouver harbor.  The Coastal Indians believed it carried a fire devil.

March 22:  The following families reside at French Prairies, (St. Paul), aka Walama and Wallamette abd Willamette Oregon Territory

Peare Belleck (Pierre Belleque?), 3 children
Charlo Chata
Joseph Delar (Deslard) (1797-1869), 5 children
Pear Depo, 1 child
Joseph Desport, 3 children
John Baptist Desportes, 8 children
Lamab Erquet, 3 children
Luey Fourcy, 3 children
Joseph Jarvay (Gervais), 7 children
William Johnson, 2 children
Louis Labonte (Labonte)
Xaviar Laderout, 1 child
Etienne Laferte
Andrey Longten, 4 children
Eken Luceay (Lucier), 6 children
William McCarty
Andrey Pecor (Picard) (1781-1846), 4 children
Jean Bt Perrault, 2 children
Charles Plant, 4 children
Charles Rondo, 3 children

May 22: James Bird, Metis near Fort Hall, near Snake River on the Oregon trail entered into trade with Antoine Godin a Iroquois Indian with the N.W.C. when a Blackfoot shot Antoine dead. 

July 25: Fort Nisqually, birth Eloisa Jemima Kittson Metis, daughter William Kittson (1792-1841) and Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian: married William Sinclair III.

September 15:  Fort Vancouver, birth, (II)-Margeraet Work, Metis, daughter, (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married February 5, 1860, E.H. Jackson

 

 

1837  

Pierre Belleque, (1797-1849) employed NWC (1820-1821) location not recorded but likely Caledonia, New Caledonia, Western Caledonia and Columbia; and HBC (1821-1837) same areas as canoeman.  He married 1st. Genevieve St. Martin, Metis daughter Andre St. Martin and Indian Woman; she married after 1850 Willamette, Columbia, Casimar Gardepie.  Some suggest he was the 1st white settler in French Prairie aka Walama or Wallamitte Willamette Valley, Columbia (Oregon).  I suspect Metis settlers in the early days are not considered as white.  HOWEVER other settlers to Walama aka French Prairie or Willamette Valley, Columbia District (Oregon), are listed below:  It's possible but not likely that he settled his first wife Genevieve St. Martin, Metis, in Walama Valley, when he first arrived in 1829 or on other trips (1820-1829) as he was a canoeman (Steersman).  
The Champoeg trading post of Walama aka French Prairie, later called Wallamette then Willamette, contained 34 men not counting women and children and likely existed before 1814.  It is noteworthy that the village of Clow-we-wallas was not far from the Champoeg trading post.  The two freemen called Nepisangues (assumed to be Metis) likely were the first settlers, more than likely predating Lewis and Clark.  Its noteworthy that the aboriginal peoples of the Walama Valley were not hunter-gathers but lived for centuries on agriculture.  They did trade with costal Indians for salmon occasionally.  They were very friendly and it's likely they taught the first settlers agriculture practices.

        1814 Alexander Henry, Alfred Seton and 30 more company men plus two huts of Free Men believed to be Canadian Metis.
        1821 Andre Picard (1781-1846)
        1829 Etienne Lucier
        1830 Louis Labonte
        1832 Joseph Delard (Deslard) (1797-1869)
        1833 Pierre Belleque
        1834 Jason Lee
        1834 Joseph Gervais
        1834 Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth
        1836 March 22 there are 20 families listed totaling 99 people and this would only include those living near Champoeg (Oregon)
        1837 Pierre Belleque, (1797-1849)
        1840 This year 50 families are noted on the French Prairie aka Willamette Valley (Oregon.
        

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort Umpqua, Columbia District (1837-1838) 

William Cannon, aka Canning & Cannon (1763-1854), employed HBC at Willamette, Columbia (1837-1839), he settled in Willamette Valley in 1839.

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson, of India, (1814-1884) married Fort Alexandria Elizabeth Birnie.

Columbia, birth, Rose Chalifoux, Metis died October 10, 1846, Wallamett, Columbia District, daughter Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851)and, Catherine Russie, Metis 

Cowlitz, Columbia District, birth, David Cotenoir, son  Michel Cotenoir Sr. aka Cottenoire, Cotenour, Cotmoir and Cognoir b-1790 and Mary a Ketse nation woman, 

Jean Baptiste Dubreuille born 1791, working Columbia District (1806-1842) assigned to the Southern Expedition (1837-1841), Columbia District.

Dominique Farron aka Frarron b-1798 employed HBC (1815-1840) assigned Fort Vancouver, Columbia (1837-1840)

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Umpqua, Columbia District (1837-1841)

(II)-James Goudie, Metis (1837-1864), son (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

Michel Laframboise (1788-1861) is appointed in charge of the Umpqua Expedition (1837-1839).

Joseph Irvin of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1837-1839) as steward discharged in 1839 in Oahu.

Jean Baptiste Jolibois born 1795 LaPrairie, likely Metis employed HBC (1822-1851) assigned (1822-1824) Athabasca; posted (1837-1849) Fort Simpson

(II)-Nicholas Montour Jr. is at Fort Colvile, Columbia District (1837-1838)

Edward Julins Muench (1837-1882) married Kathleen Flathead Indian.  They had one recorded daughter Emily Elizabeth Muench, Metis, who married Christopher Moses.

Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) is at Fort Nisqually, Columbia District until 1842..

Fort Vancouver, Columbia District marriage (I)-Amable Petit (1797/1802-1867) Berthier, France, employed HBC (1829-1842) to Susanne Tawakon.  Churched 1838.  Listed children are: (II)-Charles Petit, Metis, (II)-Henri Petit, Metis, (II)-Celeste Petit, Metis, (II)-Marie Petit, Metis, married Regis Picard son Andre Picard, (II)-Pierre Petit, Metis, (II)-Francois Petit, Metis, (II)-Louis Petit, Metis,  (II)-Louise Philomene Petit, Metis, & (II)-Flavie Petit, Metis, the family settled Willamette, 1842.

Rosalie Quintal, b-1837, baptized June 21, 1839, Snake Country, Columbia District, Metis daughter Laurent Quintal (1799-1860) and Marie Anne Nipissing daughter of Louis Nipissing.

(I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) employed HBC (1818-1844) and is working Kootney, Columbia District (1837-1838)

(II)-John Ross, Metis, baptized January 10, 1837 son (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Mainville Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(II)-Walter Ross, Metis, baptized January 10, 1837 son (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Mainville Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(III)-Francois Xavier Vautrin dit Bienvenne, Metis born May 10, 1815, St. Philippe, Quebec, son (II)-Pierre Vautrin dit Bienvenne and Agathe Baudin (Baubin) a Miami Indian of the Detroit River region: married 1837 Emilie Quantlen woman.  Francois arrived Fort Vancouver 1834.  He eventually retired to Cowichan Valley.

The HBC refused to sell cattle to the Metis of Willamette Settlement they would lease cows but wanted to control the produce.  The citizens of Willamette formed the Willamette Cattle Company and sent 11 men to California to buy cattle..  

James Murray Yale (1776-1871) received word that the Yuculta from Quadra Island planned an attack on the Indian village near the Fort Langley. He felt an attack on these friendly Indians was the same as an attack on the fort. When the attackers did eventually come around the bend in the river within view of the fort the odds were unbelievable. The 25 men of the fort faced an enemy of 600.  When word came to open fire the carnage was incredible. Canoes were blasted right out of the water. The muddy river turned red as the dead and dying fell from their wrecked crafts. Any that escaped the initial onslaught of heavy firing were soon dispatched by Kwantlen warriors who had hidden across the river from the fort. As their hereditary enemies swam to shore they ran out and cracked them over the heads with stone hammers. It was never ascertained how many Yuculta warriors died in that brief encounter. The raiders never recovered from the defeat.

In 1837, Captain McNeill was sent in the Company's steamship Beaver to scout the southern tip of Vancouver's Island, with a view to establishing such a post, and in 1842 his preliminary scouting was followed by a meticulous examination of the area from Ten-Mile Point to Sooke, carried out by young Chief Factor James Douglas (1803-1877). There were three possible harbors in this area. James Douglas (1803-1877) rejected the most westerly of these, called Sooke (from the Tsoke Indians who lived there), and the large central harbor, called Esquimault (from the Indian name Is-Whoy-Maulth, or "place of the shoaling waters"). In his opinion, the entrance to the former was too narrow and unprotected in rough weather, and the latter did not have sufficiently accessible fresh water. He finally settled on the easterly harbor, called by the Indians Camosun, or Camosack, from the profusion of Camas lilies which grew along its shores and were used by them as food in winter. Although rather shallow and muddy, it did have a protected entrance and adequate fresh water, with plenty of reasonably level ground on which a fort could be raised.

January or February:  Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth, (II)-Mary Work, Metis, daughter, (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married September 5, 1860, J.A. Grahame

March:   settlers at Willammeth, (St. Paul) Oregon Territory

Pear Belleck [Pierre Beleque]
Charlow Chayta
Joseph Delor
Peare Depo [Pierre depot]
Joseph Desportes
Lamab Erquert [Amable Arcouet]
Louey Foursey [Louis Fourcier]
Joseph Jarvay [Joseph Gervais]
Louey Labounty [Louis Labonte]
Jonva Ladroute [Xavier Laderoute]
Atoain Lafourty [Etienne Laferte]
Andrey Long[tain]
Etien Luceay [EtienneLucier]
John Bt Desportes McK[ay]
John Bt Pearone [Perrault]
Charls Plant
Charls Rondo

1838  

Louis Andre from Quebec, employed HBC (1821-1838) Columbia District, is posted Fort Vancouver (1838-1840).

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort George aka Fort Astoria, Columbia District (1838-1840) 

Narcisse Falardeau (1818-1888) married 1838 Fort Langley, B.C., Helen (Elin) Tiheoartenate Quantlen.

Joseph Gale a settler in the Willamette Valley (Oregon) noted that all the tribes in the valley called it Walama and it was speculated that the French Canadians had changed the name to Wallamette then Willamette.  It is noteworthy the French Metis first called the Valley the 'French Prairie'.

Josephte Kanhopitsa b-1802, is living Fort Colvile, Columbia District (Oregon Territory), 1st married John Clarke, 2nd married Jean Baptiste Boucher; 3rd married 1825 Joachim Hubert

Josephte Laframboise (1838-1879) daughter Michel Laframboise interpreter, scout and brigade leader to California of Astoria and Emelie Picard; married Louis Labonte II son Louis Labonte and Marguerite Kil-a-ko-tah Clatsop (1800-1873) 

Pierre Leblanc of the Columbia District (Oregon Territory) since 1800 married Nancy Matooski the abandoned wife of John G. McTavish.  This appears to be Pierre's second wife as he took a wife to Columbia District (Oregon Territory) in 1800.  Pierre died this year along with 4 of their children but no mention is made of the fait of his wife.

William Glen Rae d-1846 married (IV)-Maria Eloisa McLoughlin, Metis (1817-1884) daughter Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) and Marguerite Wadin , Metis (1775-1860) widow Alexander McKay, d-1811; Eloisa 2nd marriage 1850 Daniel Harvey

February:  Willamette River, birth Joseph  Longctain, Metis (1838-1859) baptized January 6, 1839 daughter Andre Lonctain aka (Lonctin and Longtin) (1793-1879) employed NWC (1810-1819) in Columbia and Nancy Okanagan,

(II)-Nicholas Montour Jr. is at Willamette, Columbia District (1838-1843) where he settles down in 1842, he has a wife Susanne Umperville and two children; (III)-George Montour and (III)-Isabelle Montour who married 1838, Fort Vancouver, and Thomas McKay, Metis, (1797/98-1849) settled near Scapoose and became a U.S.citizen .

Francois Pepen, Metis, b-1838 Fort Langley son Etienne Pepen alias Maille and Magice (1799-1874), Uiskimin Woman;  the son of Michel May and Marguerite Pepin of Yamaska, Quebec; married Country style Indian woman.

(II)-Elizabeth Ross, Metis, baptized April 29, 1838 Kootney daughter (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(II)-Charles Ross, Metis, baptized April 29, 1838 Kootney son (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(II)-Catherine Ross, Metis, baptized April 29, 1838 Kootney daughter (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(II)-Alexander Ross, Metis, baptized April 29, 1838 Kootney son (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

(II)-Francois Ross, Metis, baptized April 29, 1838 Kootney daughter (I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) and Isabella Saulteau Woman from Lac La Pluie.

John Spence of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1838-1863) as ship's carpenter settled Victoria

(I)-John Tod b-1794, Scotland is posted Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon).

(IV)-Florance Vautrin, Metis, b-1838, Fort Langley, died February 18, 1893, Grande Runde, Oregon, daughter (III)-Francois Xavier Vautrin, Metis, b-1815 and Emilie Quantlen (Kwoithe) 

Other settlers in St. Paul, Oregon Territory, includes # children and year settled
Amable Arcouet * 3 * 1833 
Pierre Beleque * 3 * 1833 
Charlo Chata * ? ? ? ? ? ?
Joseph Delard * 5 * 1832 
Pierre Depot * 1 * 1833 
Joseph Desport * ? ? 
John Bt Desportes * 3 ? ?
Louis Fourcier * 3 * 1835 
Joseph Gervais * 7 * 1832 
William Johnson * 2 * 1834 
Louis Labonte * ? ? 
Xavier Laderoute * 1 * 1834 
Etienne Laferte * ? ? 
Andre Longtain * 4 * 1835 
Etienne Lucier * 6 * 1832 
William McCarty * ? ?
Jean Baptiste McRoy * 1831
Jean Bt Perrault * 2 * 1832 
Andre Picard * ? ? 
Charles Plante * 4 * 1835 
Charles Rondo * 3 * 1836 

The Roman Catholic priests Francois Blanchet and Modestre Demers visited Edmonton on their way to Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon).   Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) is believed to be on the brigade that brought Fathers Blanchet and Demers West this year.  I is suggested he brought his wife Catherine Russie, Metis born Columbia and several of his children on this brigade, however see 1836 Columbia. 

The Hudson Bay Beaver was the first steamboat to travel up the Fraser River to Fort Langley.

Fathers Demers and Blanchet, went up the Saskatchewan, to Fort Edmonton, to become the first Catholic Priests in Alberta.  They erected a large cross above Fort Edmonton on the hill that now houses the Alberta Legislative Buildings.  They then proceeded to Jasper and on to the Columbia River, to the Columbia District (Oregon Territory).  At Jasper they encountered Colin Fraser one of the traders.

The Hudsons Bay Company's second in command at Ft. Vancouver (Portland Oregon), James Douglas (1803-1877), took a census of the Willamette Valley and counted a total of 51 non-native males. United States settlers numbered 18 and Canadians 23 (the other ten were presumably missionaries and priest)

October 2:   Father Blanchet reached Fort Jasper, named after Jasper Hawes a Hudson Bay Company trader, and reported that he baptized thirty-five Metis children.  Three being the Metis daughters of Colin Fraser.  Father Blanchet would become the first bishop of Oregon City and his companion, Demurs, became the first bishop of Vancouver Island.

October 14:  James Murray Yale (1776-1871) of Fort Langley wrote Chief Factor James Douglas, Mulatto Metis (1803-1877), Dr (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) , right hand man on the Columbia, that "we have abandoned the old fort which was in a dilapidated condition and removed into a new fort a few miles up the river."

November 24: Reverend F.N. Blancet and Modeste Demers, catholic priests arrived Fort Vancouver, Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

 

1839  

Birth Lisette Arquette, Metis daughter Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) born September 1, 1797 Montreal, son Michel Arquette and Marie Louis Gaudry; married 1839 Vancouver (Portland Oregon), .  Marguerite Waponte (Chinook), died October 1870.

Joseph Barnable married 1839 likely Fort Colvile, aka Kettle Falls Oregan Territory (Oregon/Washington), Isabelle Boucher Metis, b-1821 likely Fort George, (British Columbia), d-1860, daughter Jean Baptiste Boucher an interpreter at Fort George for the N.W.C. and Josephte Kanhopitsa

Pascal Bisscornet d-1854 St. Paul, Oregon, Married 1839 Louise Cowitchin, living Donald, Oregon 1842. 

Bazil Brosseau dit LaFleur (1796-1858) arrived Fort Langley this year his wife in Quebec having died.  His second wife he married 1835-1836 was a Cowitchen and they had a son Basil Brosseau, Metis born 1835-1837, died 1906 who married Sarah Pierre (1842-1889) of the Katzie band.  They had three Metis children, Frisidine who married Williams, Lucy who married George Moody and Mary who married Koanne Peterson. 

Pierre Depot a HBC man and wife Marguerite Klamak (1819-1850) are at Willamette, Oregon Territory.

Pierre Desrivieres, Metis or Indian b-1797, employed HBC (1839-1841) assigned Fort Vancouver, Columbia (1839-1843)

(II)-Jane Douglas, Metis, b-1839 Fort Vancouver d-1909 daughter (I)-James Souglas, Metis (1803-1877) and Amelia Connolly, Metis, (1812-1890): married March 1858, Fort Victoria A.G. Dallas. 

Jean Baptiste Dubreuil was part of the Umpqua, Snake and Bonaventura brigades, he married Marguerite Yougleta b-1814 of the Nootkan tribe.

Harriet Falardeuil, Metis, b-1839, Langley, d-1918, Washington,  daughter Narcisse Falardeau (1818-1888), and Helen (Elin) Tiheoartenate Quantlen: married 1860 Fort Langley, B.C.  Daniel Kilcup born Fort Langley.  They had 11 children in Washington.

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Stikine, Columbia District (1839-1840)

John Flett of Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1939-1854) as blacksmith.

James Garson of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1839-1843) returned to British Isles.

(I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) employed HBC (1839-1850) seaman in Columbia District.

Michel Lafforte (Ferte) (1788-1861) engage NWC 1st assigned to Fort des Prairies (Edmonton) 1811 before going to Columbia (1812-1838) with HBC & freeman and one assignment Fort George, Caledonia (1813-1814), married 1839 Willamette, Columbia (Oregon Territory) to Josephte Nez Perce; recorded children Antoine Lafforte, Metis, Oliver  Lafforte, Metis,  Michel II  Lafforte, Metis,  Marie  Lafforte, Metis, Catherine  Lafforte, Metis, Madeline  Lafforte, Metis, and Pierre  Lafforte, Metis.  

Michel Laframboise (1788-1861) is appointed in charge of the Bona Ventura Expedition (1839-1841)

James Millar of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1839-1843) as labourer returned to British Isles.

Fort Nisqually, Columbia District, birth Jean Baptiste Jr. Ouvre, Metis baptized September 8, 1839 Fort Nisqually daughter Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) and Jany Sempson a Teoutit of Nisqually

Pierre Cyrysologue Pambrun (1792-1841) employed HBC (1815-1841) lead the 1839 expedition from Fort Walla Walla to Fort Nisqually via Nisqually Pass through the Cascade Mountains.

Charles Plante (1790-1854) employed NWC (1811-1814) Athabasca District, then Columbia District in 1821; with HBC 1821-1842 in Columbia. married 1st, January 21, 1829 Agathe Kaousse, d-1842.

Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854), living at Fort Calvile and later retired to Oregon City with companion (wife?) Julia Flathead (1800-1886) a Spokane Salishan

John Stensgair b-1817 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1939-1851) as labourer

Thomas Stengair b-1819 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1839-1852) as labourer settled likely Fort Colvile, Washington.

(I)-John Tod b-1794, Scotland is posted 1839-1842 to Fort Alexandria.

Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth, (II)-John Work, Metis, son, (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; 

Magnus Yorston of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1839-1840) as carpenter then worked in Saskatchewan. 

The Hudson Bay Company is giving the exclusive trading rights to Vancouver Island.

Garry Oak or Oregon White Oak, Quercus Garryana, its 1839 name honoring Nicholas Garry (1781 - 1856), an officer of the Hudson's Bay Company.  It is the only oak native to B.C.

At Fort Hall on the Snake River, (Idaho) Oregon Territories of Canada, the Hudson Bay Company is encouraging United States settlers to go to California instead of Oregon to delay its settlement and protect the fur trade.  Small parties of settlers, however, are reaching Oregon, and the Hudson Bay Company attempts to encourage Metis settlers to go from Red River to Oregon proved fruitless.  The fears are that Fort George (Astoria) on the mouth of the Columbia River, Fort Nez Perces (Walla Walla), Fort Covile on the upper Columbia, Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) on the Columbia and Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound would be lost.

James Murray Yale's (1776-1871) Fort Langley work force was reduced to 15 men. They were:--Ovid Allard b-1817, Basil Brousseau, Pierre Charles a beaver hunter and guide, Louis Delonie, Narcisse Fallardeau, Angus McPhail, Fredereque Minie, Joseph Peaennau, Etienne Pepin, James Rendall, Louis Satakarata, I Ta, Xavier Vautrin, Wivicari, and Zahowbalow.

Up Calapooia Creek (River), near Snake River, District of Columbia resided an old Frenchmen named Louis Coutrell who had a Siwash Koochman.  He had a numerous family including grand children. 

January 21: Columbia District, 1st, marriage Charles Plante (1790-1854) and Agathe Kaousse who died January 5, 1842.

January 21:  Andre Lonctain aka (Lonctin and Longtin) (1793-1879) employed NWC (1810-1819) in Columbia were Churched this date Nancy Okanagan, they appear to be married country style 1823.

January 28:  Vancouver (Portland Oregon),  marriage, Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) born September 1, 1797 Montreal, son Michel Arquette and Marie Louis Gaudry; married Marguerite Waponte died October 1870.  Oregon census 1842.

December:  Columbia, birth, Lucie Chalifoux, Metis died Wallamett, Columbia District, December 30, 1849, daughter Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) and, Catherine Russie, Metis 

The Cayuse of Oregon say the Christian God is stingy, since baptism there has been no improvement in the prowess in the hunt, in war, or in love.  The Missionaries description of the torments of hell led them to believe that these laws are from man not God and we do not honor these laws.  Finally they witness the antagonism between the Protestants and Catholics and concluded the Christians do not believe or practice brotherly love.

 

1840  

Birth, Vancouver (Portland Oregon), Amable Arquoitte, Metis son Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) b-1797 and Marguerite Waponte d-1870.  

Cowlitz, Columbia District, birth, Marie Cotenoir, daughter  Michel Cotenoir Sr. aka Cottenoire, Cotenour, Cotmoir and Cognoir b-1790 and Mary a Ketse nation woman, 

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort Vancouver, Columbia District (1840-1842) 

Charles Humphrey, of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1840-1846) as ship's master retired to British Isles.

William Kittson (1792-1841) employed NWT (1817-1821) and HBC (1821-1841) this season (1840-1841) Fort Vancouver, Columbia District and is in poor health.  He died December 25, 1841.  His 1st wife is unrecorded. 2nd wife Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian.

Fort Vancouver, birth Edwin (Kit) Kittson Metis son William Kittson (1792-1841) and Helene McDonald, Metis daughter Finan McDonald and Indian.

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Tacon & Upper Stikine, Columbia District (1840-1841)

Pierre Legrace Jr. born August 4, 1840, Fort Simpson, B.C., d-1865, married H.B.C. Amelie Vautrin, Metis, b-1840, Fort Langley, B.C., died December 7, 1891, Mill Bay, Vancouver Island daughter Francois Xavier Ventrin, born May 10, 1815, Quebec, died Vancouver Island 1st married Emily Kwoithe, 2nd married December 11, 1852, Victoria Marie of the Quytten (Kwantlen) tribe.

Andrew Louttit of Orkney worked west Rockies for H.B.C (1840-1844) as blacksmith then then returned to British Isles

Chief Nanak b-1840 B.C. married Shutin b-1840 B.C., living Skeena in 1901 census

William Glen Rae, d-1846 was sent from Fort Vancouver to Fort Stikine to establish a new post. 

(IV)-Amelie Vautrin, Metis, b-1840, Fort Langley, d-1891, Mill Bay, Vancouver Island, daughter (III)-Francois Xavier Vautrin, Metis b-1815 and Agathe Baudin (Baubin) a Miami Indian: 1st married Pierre Legace, Metis b-1840 son Pierre Legace, Metis and Lisette Tshimsian Indian,  2nd. married January 15, 1866, New Westminister Samuel Wesley Handy, 

There were fifty families on the 'French Prairie' (Willamette Valley, Oregon) most of them near Champoeg, (Oregon).  All (most) were French Canadian Metis with Calapooia or Nez Perce wives but later Protestant, particularly Methodists, mingled with the Catholics.  There was little friction.

It is estimated that between 1840 to 1860 between 315,000 to 320,000 settlers traveled the Oregon and Mormon Trails to the west and Northwest.

Reverend Alvin Waller a Methodist missionary established a mission in Willamette Valley (Oregon)

This year less than 100 United States fur traders and missionaries lived in the Canadian Oregon Territory (British Columbia, Washington, Oregon) and it was dominated by the Canadian Metis.  It is noteworthy that this region was claimed by the Spanish, Russians, British, Canadians and United States.  This region was not part of the alleged Louisiana Purchase of 1803.  The United States believed they had a Manifest Destiny of the Republic to occupy the whole continent.  The next century would see this European thinking resulting in two major world wars.  This evil thinking is based on the simple belief that might is right.  Most citizens of the United States still believe in the principle of Manifest Destiny for themselves but not for others.

Early Metis settlers noted the valley was well groomed, as the native people, used slash and burn farming practices for centuries.  The 1840's settlers stopped this traditional farming method not understanding the value.

April 11:  The second Fort Langley burned to the ground due to carelessness with a fire and they were forced to rebuild and it continued operations until 1896.

 

1841  

George Aiken (Aitken), of Orkney worked for H.B.C. as a blacksmith west of the Rockies (1841-42) and settled in Willamette Valley, Oregon.

(II)-Chloe Bird, Metis d-1842 Columbia District (Oregon) daughter (I)-James Bird (1773-1856) and Indian woman, married James Flett;  If born before 1818 mother is Mary Kelly Swampy Cree Indian Woman if born after 1818 then mother is Oo-menahomiski Indian woman,

(II)-Nicolas Garry Bird, Metis b-1824 Red River son  (I)-James Bird (1773-1856) and Oo-menahomiski Indian woman; Nicolas traveled to Columbia District in 1841 likely to attend at his sister or step-sisters death.

Tualitin Plains, District of Columbia (Oregon)  (I)-Henry Buxton, (1794-1870) employed HBC (1821-1825) retired Upper Red River, married Francois Thomas, Metis d-before 1843, and son (II)-Henry Buxton, Metis traveled to Columbia District with the Sinclair Party. 

Pierre Charles b-1800 came out of retirement at Cowlitz River to go as guide for the Wilkes Ezploring Ecpedition. 

Pierre Desrivieres, Metis or Indian b-1797, employed HBC (1839-1841) assigned out of Fort Vancouver, Columbia (1841-1843) to T. Party (Thompson Party)

Bazil Brosseau dit LaFleur (1796-1858) married Fort Langley his 3rd wife Rose Kwantlen (Quytlan) who likely died 1856.

Catherine Falardeuil, Metis, b-1841, Langley, died December,1874, Fort Langley,  daughter Narcisse Falardeau (1818-1888), and Helen (Elin) Tiheoartenate Quantlen: married July 26, 1858 Fort Langley, B.C. James Taylor   They had 7 children.

Father Modeste Demers, an Oblate at Fort Langley reported that "about 20 men were engaged in agricultural activies, of whom 8 are Canadians, one a Iroquois and the others Kanakas, inhabitants of the Sandwich Islands; all having wives and children after the fashion of the country."

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Stikine, Columbia District (1841-1842)

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Fort Vancouver, Columbia District.

Francois Gagnon Sr b-1799 employed NWC (1817-1821) in Upper Red River and HBC (1821-1831) Upper Red River and Swan River appears on the list of emigrants for Columbia (Oregon Territory) in 1841 with wife and 5 children, they settled Cowelitz.  Francois Gagnon, Jr son Francois Sr married June 30, 1853, Angelique Marcellai and Adelaide Plourde, minor daughter Francois Plourde and Suzanne Dubais.  Francois Sr appears to have died before 1853, California.

Louise Humperville, Metis, b-1831 likely Red River, daughter, French Metis and Swamp Cree father and Marguerite Michina, family moved to French Prairie, Ogden Territory this year, Louise later married Adolphe Chamberland.  See next

Canote Humpherville. Metis, d-1841 a canoeman, married, Marie Marguerite (1798-1868) a Coeur d'Alene Salishan.  They had eight children some baptized Colvile, Oregon Territory in 1839.  Marie retired to French Prairie, Columbia District (Oregon Territory) in 1841. 

(I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) employed HBC (1839-1850) seaman in Columbia District.married about 1841 Jane (Jeny) Tchinouk a Chinook, died before 1855, daughter of Comita Koholwish and Chief Hoqueem of the Quinaults

Charles McKay married 1841 Columbia District (Oregon), (II)-Letitia Bird, Metis (1810-1897) born Fort Edmonton daughter (I)-James Bird (1773-1856) HBC (1788-1824) and Mary Kelly Swampy Cree Indian; 

(I)-Donald Manson (1798-1880) is Chief Trader at Bona Venture, Columbia (1841-1842)

Pierre Cyrysologue Pambrun (1792-1841) employed HBC (1815-1841) is posted Fort Walla Walla, Columbia District (1840-1841).  He was Chief Trader who fell from a horse May 15, 1841 and died. Leaving 9 Metis children and his wife.  See Alberta 1823.

William Glen Rae, d-1846 was sent from Fort Vancouver to San Francisco to establish a new post (Yerba Buena). 

(I)-Charles Ross (1794-1844) employed HBC (1818-1844) and is working Columbia District (1841-1844), Fort McLoughlin (1842-1843), Straits of De Fuca (1843-1844) as Chief Trader in charge, Fort Victoria (1844) as Chief Trader in charge.

(II)-William Todd Jr., Metis (1823-1871) employed HBC (1841-1864) Columbia District,

Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth, about 1841, (II)-Catherine Work, Metis, daughter (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married February 5, 1861, C. Wentworth

The great lone land (Prairies) named by the Government, Canada West, was not a popular name, and the name North West or Indian Territories still held popular support.  By this time, five hundred and sixty thousand English had immigrated to Canada.

Most settlers to the Columbia District (Oregon Territory) to this time were Canadian Metis families using Red River carts, mostly settling in the Willamette Valley (Oregon).  (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) (an imposing 6' 4") was at complete odds with (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) (a small man 5' 6') an illegitimate Scot, on how the Columbia District should be run.  John went against HBC policy and was sympathetic to the plight of the settlers and offered them aid.  Often arriving sick, hungry, and without provisions, his kindly heart extended them credit, fed and clothed them, care for the sick, and supplied them with seed for farming.  The size difference likely fueled their dislike for each other, as well as John being a 3rd generation Canadian while George was 1st generation.

The first wagon train of American settlers arrived in the Columbia District and were welcomed by (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857)  employed by HBC and is Chief Factor of the Columbia District

By this year the United States, by their scores, are entering the Hudson Bay Company region of Columbia District (Oregon Territory).

Governor  (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot,  reports 120 farms are located along the Willamette River  which flows into the Columbia River in the Canadian Columbia District (Oregon Territory).  He reports that these include 55 Canadians and 65 United States farms which produced 35,000 bushels of wheat and equal quantities of oats, peas, barley and potatoes.  He also noted the presence of 3,000 cattle, 2,500 horses and a multitude of hogs.  Their only customer was the Hudson Bay Company.  Fort Vancouver (across the river from Portland Oregon) had 1,200 acres under cultivation and produced 4,000 bushels of wheat.  Other farming communities included Cowlitz River and  Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound at the mouth of the Nisqually River.

1841 Governor (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot, is claimed to be the first to record a visit to Radium Hot Springs, followed a few weeks later by James Sinclair on his way to Columbia District (Oregon Territory).  The Indians, Metis and French voyagers had been using the gravel pool for many years.

Until his death in February 1841, Ewing Young was the most prosperous homesteader in Oregon; his land claim, brickyard, and mills were near Chehalem Creek and the site of present day Newburg. Except for Dr (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) , mill at the Willamette Falls, the Clackamas (Kalapuya) County (Willamette Valley, Oregon) area was without white settlements.  I guess the French, Irish, Scotch and Metis are not considered white.

May 11:  The U.S. ship Porpoise under lieutenant Charles Wilkes (1798-1877) anchored near Fort Nisqually, Puget Sound and was visited by (I)-Alecander Caulfield Anderson of India (1814-1884), chief trader and William Henry McNeill (1803-1875) captain of the beaver.  Wilkes was sent to chart the west coast and like the English renamed everything to his liking.  Upon his return he was nearly court-martialed for his brutal treatment of his crew.

August:   Father Modeste Demers reached the Hudson's Bay Company farm via the portage crossed by the fort's discoverers in 1824.  James Murry Yale (1776-1871) immediately sent for the priest to come to Fort Langley.  Six hundred Indians greeted the 'man dressed in black women's clothing' at the fort.  On one occasion the priest preached to 1,500 - 1,600 Indians just outside the gates of the fort. The visit from the Catholic missionary boosted the company's trading with the Indians.  This was the opposite opinion of Fort Edmonton's commanders. 

September 3:  Peeohpeeoh (Pionpion) and Kwoithe woman of Sandwich Isles had a daughter baptized this day.

 

 

1842  

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort George (Astoria), Columbia District (1842-1845) 

Father J. B. Z. Bolduc in Honolulu reported that more than 500 Sandwich Islanders were in service of the Company (HBC).  Almost 1/4 of employees at Fort Vancouver (Washington) were Kanakas.  Most Kanakas stayed on in the Pacific Northwest because they had families by local women.  Growing discrimination in the Columbia District (Oregon Territory) would drive most north into British Columbia.

Mary Brosseau, Metis b-1842 Fort Langley, daughter Bazil Brosseau dit LaFleur (1796-1858) and Rose Kwantlen (Quytlan) d-1856; married Peter Baker.

John H. Couch, b-1811 made his second trip to Oregon this year and opened a merchandise store in Oregon City.   

Pierre Desrivieres, Metis or Indian b-1797, employed HBC (1839-1841) assigned out of Fort Vancouver, Columbia (1841-1843) to Southern Party, Columbia

James Douglas, Mulatto Metis (1803-1877), of the Hudson Bay Company and five men, in the schooner from Fort Nisqually selected Port Camosack to build Fort Victoria aka Fort Albert aka Fort Adelaide in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

James Douglas (1803-1877) a mixed blood (Scottish and a colored Creole Woman) accompanied  (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot, to Alaska to negotiate with the Russian American Company.

Charles Plante (1790-1854) employed NWC (1811-1814) Athabasca District, then Columbia District in 1821; with HBC 1821-1842 in Columbia. married 1st, January 21, 1829 Agathe Kaousse, died January 5, 1842; married 2nd February 7, 1842 Susanne Kohoss died January 8, 1843:.

August 4:  (I)-Fransis (Frank) Ermatinger (1798-1858) employed HBC (1818-1853) assigned Flat Head Post, Columbia.(1834-1842) married wife #4 Catherine Sinclair daughter of Chief Factor William Sinclair; he abandoned his wife #3 married 1834, Mary Three Dresses, a Flathead Woman; With wife #3 he had an un-named son b-1836, daughter Mary (1838-1940) married Peter Ashley on Montana, he had also abandoned wife  #2 Cleopatra an Okanagan Woman and his son (II)-Lawrence Ermatinger, Metis b-1828.  (I)-Francis also had abandoned wife #1 and child in Severn.  He would abandon wife #4 in 1849 when he filed for divorce, as well as their child, (II)-Frances (Fanny) Maria Ermatinger, Metis b-1843, married John Crawford of St. Thomas.  He was a most despicable man and a bigamist.  The English called these marriages Alliance (concubines), The French, Metis and Indians called them Country Marriages.

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Fort Simpson, Columbia District (1842-1843)

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Umpqua, Columbia District as Interpreter. (1842-1844).

Cowlitz, Columbia District, birth/death (II)-un-named Johnstone drowned beside the Columbia river child of (I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) and Jane (Jeny) Tchinouk a Chinook, died before 1855

(III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) changed the name of Willamette Falls to Oregon City.

(I)-Donald Manson (1798-1880) is Chief Trader at Thompson River, Columbia (1842-1843)

Jean Baptiste Ouvre aka Ouvrie (1790-1849) is at Fort Vancouver, Columbia District until 1843/47.

William Glen Rae, d-1846 was sent from Fort Vancouver to San Francisco to establish a new post (Yerba Buena) in 1841 and his wife (IV)-Eloisa McLoughlin, Metis (1817-1884) joined him, she gave birth to two sons and two daughters, one son died shortly after birth.
William Glen Rae committed suicide under mysterious circumstances, and Eloisa and their children returned to Fort Vancouver.. 

(I)-John Tod b-1794, Scotland is posted Fort Kamploops, Fort Nisqually on Puget Sound.  He took Sophia Lolo, Metis (1826-1883) while still married to Elizabeth Waugh.  Their daughter Mary Tod, Metis was born 1843 and they had 6 other Metis children.  He formally married her in 1863.  It is noteworthy that Todd believed the Metis could not be made into gentlemen, due to their mental inferiority.  On the plus side he disapproved of the H.B.C. executing people without a fair trial.    

The Ashburton Treaty settled the Canadian United States boundary from the headwaters of the Ste Croix River to the Lake of the Woods.

The United States consider this the end of a permanent Indian Country, as one hundred settlers in eighteen covered wagons took off across the "The Great American Desert" (Plains), marking out a road that would become known as the Oregon Trail.

Kit Carson ( Christopher Houston) (1809-1868) joined the Fremont expedition as guide/hunter up the Platte River to the Wind River Range in Wyoming.  He also signed on with Fremont expedition to Oregon and a 3rd trip to California.

There are over 310 Kanakas (Hawaiian) on the Hudson's Bay Company's payroll.

January 9:  Birth,  Angeligue Marguerite Bonanfant, Metis daughter Antoni Bonanfant son Antoni Bonanfant and Marie Pepin 1st married Maguerite Indian aka Marie Spokane also Mary Ann Pend d'Oreille, 2nd marriage 1841 Francoise Deparitti, north west Pacific Coast.  Living Oregon 1842

February 7: Columbia District, 2nd, marriage Charles Plante (1790-1854) and Susanne Kohoss, died January 8, 1843

September:  Two catholic priests, A. Langlois and J.B. Bolduc, arrived Fort Vancouver, Oregon Territory 

November 22:  Mt. St. Helens (a volcano in Washington just across the Columbia River but visible in the Willamette Valley) erupted   spewing a large amount of ash. Members of the Methodist Mission witnessed the event namely Rev. Jason Lee, Dr Badcock and Rev. Gustavis.  Rev. Josiah l. Parrish south of Gervais also witnessed the event.  Intermittent, small eruptions continued through 1857.

 

1843  

Birth, Vancouver (Portland Oregon), Michael Arquoitte, Metis son Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) b- 1797 and Marguerite Waponte d- 1870.  

Tualitin Plains, District of Columbia (Oregon) marriage (I)-Henry Buxton, (1794-1870) employed HBC (1821-1825) to Sarah Munger, d-1890.

(I)-William Cromarty (1843-1875) came to the Fort Langley as Chief Cooper

Charles Plante (1790-1854) employed NWC (1811-1814) Athabasca District, then Columbia District in 1821; with HBC 1821-1842 in Columbia. married 1st, January 21, 1829 Agathe Kaousse, died January 5, 1842; married 2nd February 7, 1842 Susanne Kohoss died January 8, 1843: married 3rd April 24, 1843, Elizabeth Chinook, died October 21, 1843:.

Charles Plante (1790-1854) employed NWC (1811-1814) Athabasca District, then Columbia District in 1821; with HBC 1821-1842 in Columbia. married 1st, January 21, 1829 Agathe Kaousse, died January 5, 1842; married 2nd February 7, 1842 Susanne Kohoss died January 8, 1843: married 4th December 18, 1843, Pelagie Tchinook died September 22, 1851.

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Straits of de Fuca, Columbia District (1843-1844)

Etienne Gregoire (1793-1867 of Maskinonge employed NWC (1813-1815) posted to Columbia (1814-1815) and HBC (1821-1843) to Columbia. retired 1843 Willamette Valley with his wife and family.

        Married likely about 1828 Marguerite Souchenabe aka (Kamloops, Porter, Porteuse) b-1790, died October 7, 1860.

        RECORDED CHILDREN

        .Julie Gregoire, Metis, b-about 1829, married Luc Gagnon
        Sophie Gregoire, Metis, b-about 1830, married William Porteus and Firman La Brun
        Antoine Gregoire, Metis, b-about 1831, married September 17, 1849, Therese Ouvre
        Simon Etienne Gregoire, Metis, b-1832, baptized August 29, 1839, age 7 years, married Victoire McMillan
        Felix Gregoire, Metis, b-1833, baptized September 5, 1839, age 6, married Genevieve Beleque and August 15, 1894 Mary Wilquet      

June Willamette River birth Luce Longctain, Metis daughter Andre Lonctain aka (Lonctin and Longtin) (1793-1879) employed NWC (1810-1819) in Columbia and Nancy Okanagan: married 1858 Joseph Osburn, one child born December 8, 1859 Andrew Allen

Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) the 'Father of Oregon' and First Governor of the Pacific Northwest was disillusioned with the settlers who were constantly lying and discriminating against his person.

(I)-Samuel Robertson (1819-1897), of Orkney, come to Fort Langley as a cabinet maker and boat builder in 1843. He had come out directly from Scotland in the employ of the company to Fort Victoria where he met Julia Sanich, (1834-1884), the daughter of a Cowichan Chief. She had accompanied him to Fort Langley.  He became the first white settler on the north side of the Fraser River settling in Maple Ridge.  His second wife was Harriet Mighton.

Mary Tod born 1843 in B.C. died Abt. 1914 in California daughter John Tod and Sophia Lolo: married John Sylvester Bowker May 24, 1864 in Oak Bay, B.C., Canada

Fort Victoria. birth, (II)-Josette Work, Metis, daughter (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married January 30, 1878, E. Prior

Fort Nisqually (Tacoma, Washington) began construction.

Nine hundred United States settlers arrived Fort Vancouver (Washington/Oregon), bringing the population to 1,200 people.  They brought their prejudice fostered by the Manifest Destiny by threatening to drive out any white man with an Indian or half-breed (Metis) wife.  The settlers talked of attacking Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) and driving out Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) an Irish Canadian, who married 2nd Marguerite Wadin an Ojibwa Metis.  She was a widow of Alexander McKay d-1811 with 2 children and they had 4 more kids.  John had a son Joseph previously by another country girl.   This man who was proclaimed the 'Father of Oregon' was persecuted by the settlers until his death, despite the fact he had bent over backwards to help their emigration, supplying food and shelter, against the orders of the H.B.C.

Mt. Baker in northern Washington, named "White Steep Mountain" by the natives erupted. They said it killed many salmon.  It continued to erupt (1845-1847).

March 13: James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877), Chief Factor of the Hudson Bay Company in the Beaver anchored off clover point and selected the site for Fort Albert (Victoria), Vancouver Island.  Father J.B.Z. Bolduc was with James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877).  Old Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) was dismantled and moved to this site that the Indians called Camosack meaning 'Rush of Water'.

March 14:  Father Baptiste Bolduc, a Catholic priest said the first mass at Fort Victoria.  He arrived with James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877).  

April 24: Columbia District, 3rd, marriage Charles Plante (1790-1854) and Elizabeth Chinook, died October 21, 1843

James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877) wrote: Put six men to dig a well, and six others to square building timber. Spoke to the Samose today, and informed them of our intention of building in this place, which appeared to please them very much, and they immediately offered their services in procuring pickets for the establishment, an offer which I gladly accepted, and promised to pay them a blanket for every 40 pickets which they bring. Five days later, more than 1,200 aboriginal people showed up at the site.

James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877) begins construction of Fort Camosun (Victoria, B.C.).

James Douglas (1803-1877) a mixed blood (Scottish and a colored Creole Woman) began construction of Fort Victoria on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

June:  Chief Factor Charles Ross and 15 men began construction of Fort Albert aka Fort Camosun (Victoria), Vancouver Island.  Camosack meaning 'Rush of Water' was the Indian name for Fort Victoria, B.C.

June 10:  Fort Albert is renamed Fort Victory by edict from Fort Gary, Red River.

December 18: Columbia District, 4th, marriage Charles Plante (1790-1854) and Pelagie Tchinook, died September 22, 1851

 

1844  

Adam Beinston o-1820/24 Orkney died March 26, 1912 Washington, worked west of Rockies (1844-1852) as labourer.

James Bichan of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1849) as a cooper, left for California gold rush September 1, 1849.

Burney is superintendent of Fort Astoria, Oregon Territory.

William Craigie of Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1860) as labourer was at Fort Colvile, Washington.

William Cromartie b-1814 Orkney, died 1876 Fort Langley, B.C.,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1872) as cooper. 

(II)-Agnes Douglas, Metis, b-1844 Fort Vancouver d-1928 daughter (I)-James Souglas, Metis (1803-1877) and Amelia Connolly, Metis, (1812-1890): married August 30, 1861, eloped from Fort Victoria to Port Townsend to marry A.G. Dallas. A second marriage was conducted August 31, 1861 Fort Victoria.  The later divorced and remarried others.

(I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), employed HBC (1838-1872) assigned Fort Victoria, Columbia District (1844-1872)

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Fort Vancouver, Columbia District, as Interpreter (1844-1849).

John Goudie of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1849) as labourer, returned to British Isles

Andrew Harvey b-1823 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1857) as shepherd and settled Victoria area.

George Harvey b-1822 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C, (1844-1869) as storekeeper

Simon Horie, b-1820 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B. C. (1844-1848) as labourer at Willamette Falls, Oregon. 

Vancouver Depot, Columbia District, birth (II)-Gregoire Johnstone, Metis, baptized March 6, 1844?, buried March 10, 1844, son of (I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) and Jane (Jeny) Tchinouk a Chinook, died before 1855

John Leask of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1848) as labourer

Jacques Lequechier this year built a house that was later called St. Ann's Schoolhouse in Victoria.  I was sold in 1853 to Roman Catholic Bishop Demers for a schoolhouse and residence.  It was relocated in 1974 behind Helmcken House.

James Polk, United States presidential candidate campaign slogan was "54° 40' or Fight" (WAR).  This is part of the "Manifest Destiny" of the United States that North America was theirs for the taking by right.  

Samuel Robertson b-1824 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1858) as boat builder settled in B.C.

Thomas Scott of Orkney worked west Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1847) as blacksmith returned to British Isles

James Sinclair of Orkney worked west of Rocikies for H.B.C. (1844-1846) as cooper returned to British Isles.

John J. Sinclair b-1830 Orkney worked west of the Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1855) as 1st mate.

Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth, about 1844/45, (II)-Henry Work, Metis, died young, son (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; 

The Songhees People built their village along the west shore of the Inner harbour, Victoria.

Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton noted that tens of thousands of settlers are meditating on claim jumping in the Canadian Oregon Territories when he said, Go on!  The Government will follow you and will give you protection and land.  It was very clear that the government would clear the land of Indian and Canadian domination, by force if necessary.  The British, not prepared to go to war, would leave the Indians on their own.  It mattered not that the Oregon Territory is dotted with Hudson Bay Company forts.

The belligerent cry of "Fifty four forty or fight" figured prominently in James K. Polk's successful presidential campaign of 1844.  This assured the hostile invasion of Mexico owned Texas, Mexico owned New Mexico and Texas owned California.  This would also lead to the Oregon Treaty of 1846 between the British and United States Governments to accept the 49th parallel as the international frontier.  Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857), who retired from the Hudson Bay Company Oregon branch in 1845, even though he helped the United States settlers and sympathized with United States republicanism, ended up a venerable but pathetic figure, as he had to endure considerable local opposition, lies and hostility.  Few would remember or care about the Metis discovery, exploration or establishment of the Oregon Territory.  This is one of the most pathetic pages of the colonization of the Pacific Northwest.

February 19: Cowlitz, Columbia, marriage Louis Delonie b-1800 Quebec, to Marie Indian (Cowlitz), 1st wife married 1831, Elizabeth Kwothe (1817-1843)

February 27,: Fort Langley, birth, Matilda Falardeuil, Metis, died December 10, 1826, Washington?,  daughter Narcisse Falardeau (1818-1888), and Helen (Elin) Tiheoartenate Quantlen: married May 19, 1863 New Westminister, B.C.,  George Rehberger, thet had 13 children.

April 13:  Wallamett, Columbia, birth, Catherine Chalifoux, Metis ,daughter Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) and, Catherine Russie, Metis 

 

 

1845 

Birth, Vancouver (Portland Oregon), Lisette Arquoitte, Metis, daughter Amable Arquette (Arcouet, Arcoueite) b- 1797 and Marguerite Waponte d- 1870.  

(I)-James Birnie (1799-1864) is at Fort Vancouver, Columbia District (1845-1846), from which he retired to Cathlamet, (Washington) Columbia District.  He married likely (1824-1825) Charlot a French Metis daughter of a Frenchman and a Kootayae Indian Girl, they had 6 Metis daughters and boasted having 15 Indian slaves? 

Magnus Flett of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1845-1851) as labourer 

John Greig of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1845-1851) as labourer, retired to Fort Colvile area. 

Peter Huntow of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1845-1849) as carpenter departed for California gold rush.

Edward Oman, b-1826, Orkney working west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1845-1850) as labourer retired Fort Vancouver area. 

Father de Smet (Smef) (1801-1873), of the Oregon Mission, came over White Man's Pass this year on his way to Fort Augustus (Fort Edmonton).  When he passed through Jasper House Colin Fraser was there to great him.

Fort Vancouver becomes the base for the Kanaka (Hawaiian) community in the New World. They eventually become the largest single ethnic group in the area. That year, a total of 207 Kanakas worked at the forts, farms and coastal ships of the Hudson's Bay Company from California to Alaska.

The first confirmed Europeans in Kananaskis Country, west of Calgary, Alberta, were James Sinclair and15 families with their livestock, whom he was leading over the mountains to settle in Washington, U.S.A.

Dr (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) resigned his post with Hudson Bay Company, after refusing to follow (I)-Sir George Simpson's (1787-1860) policy of letting American immigrants perish for lack of needed aid.  Simpson was a callus man who went down in history as a pathetic human being.

(II)-William Todd Jr., Metis (1823-1871) employed HBC (1841-1864), assigned Frasers Lake, New Caledonia, Columbia, son (I)-Dr William Todd (1784-1851) and Marianne Ballentyne, "a half-cast woman" (Metis); married about 1845 Sarah Jane Johnson

John Boardman wrote; "Well received by Dr. McLoughlin, who charged nothing for the boat sent up for us, nor for the provisions; but not satisfied with that, sent us plenty of salmon and potatoes, Furnished us house, room and wood free of charge, and was very anxious that all should get through safe".  

James Nesmith wrote; "Dr. John McLoughlin, from his own private resources, rendered the new settlers much valuable aid by furnishing the destitute with food, clothing and seed, waiting for his pay until they had a surplus to dispose of".

November 23: Vancouver Depot, Columbia District, birth (II)-George Johnstone, Metis, baptized baptized December 26, 1845, son of (I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) and Jane (Jeny) Tchinouk a Chinook, died before 1855

 

1846 

James Ballenden, b-1822 Orkney, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1846-1852) as farmer, discharged 1851, likely remained in Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) area.

William Eddy Banfield, who came to the Pacific coast on the H.M.S. Constance in 1846 and later became a trader and an Indian agent on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. In 1862 he was drowned in a canoe accident, which some suspected was murder.  The Town of Bamfield alias Keeshan on the south shore of Barkley Sound is named after him.

Joseph Edward Brazeau (1812-1871) from St. Louis, U.S.A. employed HBC 1846-1869) assigned Columbia District (1846-1847) with wife Marguerite Brabant (Brebant) dit Salois (1815-1885) daughter Augustin Brabant and Angelique (Lucier) and children George Washington Brazeau (1845-1880) born St. Louis and Mary Genevieve Brazeau (1846-1896) born Columbia District.  Family sent to Carllton House Saskatchewan District in 1847.

(I)-William Cromarty, born c.17 May 1814,  S. Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland died 1875, Ft.Langley, 
married about 1846 to country wife Salum'mia aka Jenny of Matsqui, 

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson of India (1814-1884) and charted 3 routes to the Cariboo from the B.C. coast in 1846/47.  Blackeye pointed out an easier trail and Blackeye's son-in-law a Native guide led the party to the top of the mountains and pointed the way to Fort Langley and this trail became the brigade trail of the future.

(II)-Mira Goudie, Metis b-1846, daughter (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

Simon Plamondon (1792/1802-1900) is employed NWC (1820-1821) then HBC (1821-1823) in Athabasca District, assigned Western Caledonia (1823-1827) and Fort Colvile, Columbia District.  He retired 1835 Cowlitz.. He is elected this year as a representative of the Oregon Provisional Legislature.

Frasers Lake, New Caledonia, Columbia District, birth  (III)-Albert Todd, Metis son (II)-William Todd Jr., Metis (1823-1871) and Sarah Jane Johnson

Helen Vautrin, Metis, b-1846, B.C. died 1864, B.C. daughter Francois Xavier Ventrin, born May 10, 1815, Quebec, died Vancouver Island 1st married Emily Kwoithe, 2nd married December 11, 1852, Victoria Marie of the Quytten (Kwantlen) tribe.

Oregon Territory is ceded to the United States.  

Britain and the US established the 49th parallel as the boundary between Canada and the US.

The Royal Regiment, a 500 man contingent, arrived at Red River to ensure the peace; as some would claim.  Or, as others claimed, to ensure the monopoly and authority of the English Hudson Bay Company because the Metis were beginning to challenge their authority.  

A sawmill is built at Millstream, north of Fort Victoria. 

May 9:  Wallamett, Columbia, birth, Louis Chalifoux, Metis,son Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) and, Catherine Russie, Metis 

June: Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth,  (II)-David Work, Metis, son (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; 

On June 15, the Oregon Treaty cost the Hudson Bay Company and Canada its rights in the Oregon Boundary.    The Oregon Territory, previously jointly held by Great Britain, Canada and the United States.  Canada and the British, however, did not quit the Territory until 1871 when compensation is paid.

June 15:  The Oregon Boundary Treaty is established by President James Polk (1795-1849) and Queen Victoria under threat of war by the United States.  The 1844 Democratic Party's election slogan was "Fifty-four forty, or fight".  It is noteworthy that the Oregon Territory, that included Washington, Oregon and Idaho was a Canadian Territory, managed by the Hudson Bay Company.

July:  Reverend J.B. Z. Bolduc a catholic priest is assigned to Vancouver, Island. 

September 21:  Gervais, Oregon, birth Pasile Plourde, Metis, son Francois Plourde, b-1793 Red River des Metis and Suzanne Dubois, Metis, b-1803; Married May 18, 1868 Elizabeth Barker, epouse William Smith..

Paul Kane departed Fort Edmonton to Fort Assiniboine with the Oregon bound brigade and Colin Fraser of Jasper House accompanied the party.  Colin spoke of the days he piped Governor  (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot, into innumerable posts.

1847  

Robert Harvey of Orkney worked west of the Rockies for H.B.C. (1847-1850) as boat builder in Victoria.

(II)-Jane Goudie, Metis b-1847, daughter (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

Father Pandosy b-1824, and Father Richard arrived Coville, Oregon Territory (Washington) to start a mission. 

Cornelious Gilliam a fundamentalist clergyman raised a volunteer militia to move against the Oregon Cayuse.  Gilliam had fought the Indians in eastern United States and believed in the the Unites States of extermination of all Indians  Men like Joel Palmer and Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854) attempted to defuse the situation towards peace but Gilliam was determined to kill some Indians.  Gilliams vigilante army attacked an innocent encampment of Cayuses slaughtering at least 30 Indians.  Gilliam died in the battle by his own gun.  All the tribes on the Pacific Northwest threatened a general uprising and the Federal Army withdrew to keep the peace.  Congress established a territorial government for Oregon and built more military posts rather than attempt to resolve issues.

February 26:  Fort Langley, birth (II)-Elizabeth Cromarty, Metis, born, 1847, died February 25, 1883, Maple Ridge. daughter (I)-William Cromarty (1814-1875) and Salum'mia aka Jenny Matasqui; married. May 26, 1866, Fort Langley, Henry Dawson. 

April 30:  birth, Charles Bonanfant, Metis died May 1, 1850 son Antoni Bonanfant son Antoni Bonanfant and Marie Pepin 1st married Maguerite Indian aka Marie Spokane also Mary Ann Pend d'Oreille, 2nd marriage 1841 Francoise Deparitti, north west Pacific Coast.  Living Oregon 1842

November 29:   The Cayuses 120 miles from the Nez Perce at the Cayuse Mission in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, reached a breaking point with the outbreak of measles believed to be spread by the missionaries.  The United States are relentlessly, fraudulently and treacherously dispossessed the People of their hunting, fishing and grazing grounds to satisfy their greed.  In final frustration the Cayuses rebelled killing Dr. Marcus Whitman (1802-1847) and fourteen other whites including Mrs. Whitman.  Those spared, 53 women and children were taken prisoner.  Fear swept the Oregon Territory assuming this was the start of a major uprising.  The Cayuse War as it was called lasted until 1850.

Mary Anne Bridger, Metis daughter of Jim Bridger witnessed what some called the Whitman Massacre.

November 29:  Dr Marcus Whitman (1802-1847), a Presbyterian missionary of the Dalles, Oregon on the Columbia River.  The Dalles was named by a French Canadian Voyager, the Indians called it Winquatt.  Whitman is considered by the natives to be a white doctor of bad medicine.  They blamed him of bringing sickness to the People.  When he brought in more settlers to their region, that was the last straw.  The attacked the mission killing Whitman, his wife Naricissa (Prentiss) and 12 others.  They took 53 women and children as captives.  

1848  

Jacob Ballenden of Orkney from Fort Colvile, possible suicide August 7, 1848 on Fraser River, worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1844-1848) as a farmer.

(I)-William Brotche of Scotland (1799-1859) is cutting spars on Vancouver Island

Joseph Brule, b-1831 Oregon Territory, died 1858, Sookie, B.C. son Jacques Iroquois and Marguerite Sook Brule (2nd marriage February 11, 1838, Fort Vancouver Joseph Baptiste Brule): married August 7, 1848, Willamette, Oregon Mary Ann Maranda dit le Frise, b-1832, died March 19, 1922, Yamhill, Oregon daughter Louis Shsegoskatsta, b-1796, Sault St. Louis (Caughnawaga, Kahnawake) and (married July 12, 1834) Louise Kalapuya (Churathea) b-1814  

John Catlin b-1832 migrated to Portland, Oregon in 1848 then moved to Cowlitz, Washingon then back to Portland, married 1866 daughter Robert Henderson.

(I)-Alexander Caulfield Anderson of India (1814-1884) is Chief Factor Fort Thompson (Kamloops).

George Creol an Afro-Hawaiian pilot married 1848 Lahwatkin's sister Mary (1828-1877) of the Quinault tribe (Salishan).  Mary was at Chinook Point in 1850 and Astoria in 1853.

Doroshin discovered gold near Fort Kenai, along the Kakni River, on the Kenai Peninsula, far to the westward of Juneau, Alaska.

Louisa Falardeuil, Metis, b-1848, died April 6, 1902 Fort Langley, B.C.,  daughter Narcisse Falardeau (1818-1888), and Helen (Elin) Tiheoartenate Quantlen: married 1866 Fort Langley, B.C.,  Henery West.  The move to US with Rehburger and Kilcup but returned.  They had 13 choldren.

John Flett b-1827 Orkney, died February 5, 1886, Victoria, B.C., worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1848-1860) as cooper

John Fraser of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1848-1852) as laborer, deserted 1852 from Fort Umpqua.

(II)-Marie Goudie, Metis b-1848, daughter (I)-James Goudie, (1809-1887) and Catherine, Schwayips [Kettle Falls] (c.1819-53). 

John Inkster of Orkney worked west Rockies for H.B.C. (1848-1853) as laborer then retired.

William Lawrenson of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1848-1849) as laborer deserted March 1849 for California gold fields.

Some time in the late 1840's, Robert Campbell of the Hudson Bay Company reported the presence of gold on the Yukon River.

Fort Hope, B.C. is established by the Hudson Bay Company.  It is the critical junction of traffic from the East to the West.

The Hudson Bay Company built Fort Yale, B.C.  The post was named after James Murry Yale aka Little Yale (1776-1871).  This post was abandoned in 1848. 

James Robertson of Orkney, died February 24, 1852 Flatheads. worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1848-1852) as laborer

(IV)-John McLoughlin Jr. (1809-1848), Metis son of Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) and Chippewa Woman , the patriarch of 'Old Oregon' refused to allow his men to make evening visits to the neighboring Indian camps for romantic encounters.  In the ensuing encounter the Iroquois and Metis shot (IV)- John McLoughlin Jr. (1809-1848) Metis, dead.   (I)-Sir George Simpson (1787-1860) an illegitimate Scot, refused to investigate the matter causing a riff with Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857).  

The California Gold rush brought devastation upon the Indians due to the United States policy of Indian extermination.  Many white gold miners went on hunting sprees shooting Indians on sight.  The population in a few short years decreased by 2/3 or more.  The generally peaceful nature of the California Indians hastened their attrition since most hostilities were one-sided against them. 

The creation of Oregan Territory this year saw the start of the Cayuse War which spread with the creation of the Washington Territory of 1853.  The Yakima and Sahaptain wars of 1855-1858 was a continuation.  It concluded with the Coeur d'Alene or Palouse war of 1858.  The American Army massacred the Indian chiefs even those who surrendered.  The conflicts was over the style of settlement, the Indians were used to dealing with the HBC and the NWC before them with little trouble.  The Americans were another matter and many Indians fled to Canada.  

February 23:  Fort Langley, birth (II)-William Cromarty, Metis, born, 1848, son (I)-William Cromarty (1814-1875) and Salum'mia aka Jenny Matasqui; married. Lucie of Cheam, Mission City buried, Popcum Cem.

April 2: Vancouver Depot, Columbia District, birth (II)-James Johnstone, Metis, baptized May 2, 1848, son of (I)-James Johnson (1805-1855) and Jane (Jeny) Tchinouk a Chinook, died before 1855

May 16:  Wallamett, Columbia, birth, Marie Philomene Chalifoux, Metis ,daughter Andre Chalifoux (1789-11851) and, Catherine Russie, Metis 

July 20:  Gervais, Oregon, birth Ambrose Elmore Plourde, son Francois Plourde, born August, 1793 Red River des Metis and Suzanne Dubois, b-1803; married Katherine Boucher.

 

 

1849  


Captain William Brotchie(1799-1859), was in command of the barque "Albion" when she struck Brotchie's Ledge (off Victoria) this ledge in 1849, previously known as Buoy Rock.

Matthew P. Deady, b-1824 arrived Oregon this year, he married June 1852, Lucy A. Henderson daughter Robert Henderson and by 1860 are in Portland, Oregon  

Jean Baptiste Gagnier b-1801/02, Lachine, Quebec, employed HBC (1830-1851) posted to Umpqua, Columbia District (1849-1850).


Jean Baptiste Jolibois born 1795 LaPrairie, likely Metis employed HBC (1822-1851) assigned (1822-1824) Athabasca, posted Nisqually, Columbia District as a shepherd

Joseph Plouf a HBC blacksmith at Fort Vancouver (Portland Oregon) d-1849, married to Therese Makaina b-1815 daughter Owyhee a Hawaiian, they had seven children.

Hamilton Moffatt of Orkney, died April 13, 1894 in Victoria,  worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1849-1872) as Chief Trader

William Ross of Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1849-1850) as overseer and settled in B.C.

John Sabiston b-1828 Orkney worked west of Rockies for H.B.C. (1849-1859) as labourer settled in B.C.

Donald McLean of the Hudson Bay Company led a 16 man posse after a Chilcotin Indian named Tlel, suspected of killing a company servant Alexis Belanger.  The posse surrounded Tlels cabin, near the future city Quesnel, B.C.  McLean burst through the door and found Tliels uncle, stepdaughter and her baby.  The Uncle swore he didn't know where Tliel was hiding.  McLean shouted, then for today you shall be Tliel and he shot the uncle dead.  Tlel charged from another room and was shot dead.  Another member of the posse leaped through the door and shot the step daughter wounding her and killing the baby.  The Chilcotin swore to avenge the massacre but it would take 14 years because McLean wore a bulletproof vest and avoided death until he was finally shot in the back. 

Dr. (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin (1784-1857) built a beautiful home near Willamette Falls, Oregon on the property he purchased from the HBC for his wife Marguerite Warin, Metis (1775-1860), son (IV)-David McLoughlin, Metis and daughter (IV)-Eloisa McLoughlin, Metis and her three Metis children, only to be met with hostility from his neighbors. A conspiracy to strip him of his land claim began as soon as Oregon became part of the United States in 1849.  They claimed he was a British subject, although he was a 3rd generation Canadian, and was not entitled to a land claim.  John immediately applied for U.S.A. citizenship, but the dispute continued and he eventually lost his land.    This evil folks however, did allow him and his family to continue living in their home.  Samuel Thurston, the Oregon Territory's delegate to Congress, and Jackon Lee wrote into the Domation Act a section which gave most of (III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) land claim to the legislature.  They also made false statements to the Supreme Court in an attempt to discredit Dr. John McLoughlin.

(III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) continued to provide aid to the needy immigrants by providing them with employment.  He built houses, sawmills, gistmills, and even a canal around the falls all at his own expense.  He gave away 300 lots of private and public use, including land given to a Catholic School, and Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Catholic, and Congregational churches, and land for a city jail.  

(III)-Jean Baptiste (John) McLoughlin's (1784-1857) died a heart-broken man, September 3, 1857, before the dispute and legal action could ever be rectified.  Such was the treatment given to the FATHER OF OREGON.

In 1907 the Oregon Historical Society President Frederick V. Holman said:
"I shall merely mention that conspirators against Dr. McLoughlin took for themselves parts of his land claim and, by means of malicious misstatements, cause Congress unjustly to deprive him of all the rest of his land claim, and thus humbled and humiliated and impoverished the grand, the noble, the generous Father of Oregon".      

John Tod, Metis, born Abt. 1849, B.C., died September 05, 1889, son John Todd and Sophia Lolo:.

Alexander Tod, Metis born Abt. 1849, died September 05, 1889 in Victoria, B.C., Canada,  son John Todd and Sophia Lolo:

Isaac Tod, Metis born Abt. 1849 died March 28, 1892 in Plumper Passage, B.C., Canada, son John Todd and Sophia Lolo:

Catherine Vautrin, Metis b-1849, B.C. daughter Francois Xavier Ventrin, born May 10, 1815, Quebec, died Vancouver Island 1st married Emily Kwoithe, 2nd married December 11, 1852, Victoria Marie of the Quytten (Kwantlen) tribe.

John H. Couch, b-1811 returned to Oregon City with more merchandise and a few passengers: Ben Stark, W.H. Bennet, W.S. Ogden (son Peter Skene Ogden (1794-1854??) and Chas M'Kay.  Couch moved to Portland where he eventually retired.

Only 304 United States citizens lived north of the Columbia River and most of these are likely H.B.C. Canadian personnel.

The 1849 Oregon census, entitled "an enumeration of the inhabitants and qualified voters" excluded the Hawaiians even if born in the Oregon Territory.

A smell of gold saw 30,000 would be miners set out overland from Missouri for California, and another 25,000 are said to have made it to San Francisco by sea.   The sea trip around Cape Horn took anywhere from a few months to a year.   Hundreds of thousands would follow.   The Oregon and Mormon Trails are filled with covered wagons.  This effectively wrestled California and the Southwest from Mexico and crowded the Canadians out of Oregon and Washington in the Northwest.  

January 13: Britain made Vancouver Island a crown colony and leased the whole island to the HBC for seven schillings a year.

January 13:  The Hudson Bay Company leased Vancouver Island from the British for 7 shillings a year.  They established a colony under Chief Factor James Douglas (1803-1877) a mixed blood (Scottish and a colored Creole Woman) and is considered 'The Father of B.C.'  He married Amelia Connolly, Metis daughter Chief Factor William Connolly and native woman.  Royal Charter specified that the Company must form a colony of British subjects, who should be encouraged to immigrate by the sale of land at reasonable prices.  Democratic government had no part in their experience, and mass immigration had no part in their policies. The only sort of settlement they would welcome would be that of large-scale farms owned by men of means and worked by hired help. Only the squirearchy would be allowed any say in government.  To ensure the land was used only for farming, the Company reserved all mineral rights. Additionally, all choice land near the Fort was set aside for Company use.  W. Colquhoun Grant, late Captain in the Scots Guards, who bought land at Sooke and tried farming for three years before selling out to former Hudson's Bay Company coal miner John Muir.

March 14:  Southern Colorado, death William Sherley Williams, mountain man, hunter, scout, Baptist minister son Joseph Williams (1757-1820) and Sarah Musick (1756-1820); married 1st Wind Blossom (Achinga) an Osage Indian and had two daughters Mary Anne (1814-1845) and Sarah, 2nd marriage Antonia? a Mexican woman and had one son.  Old Bill williams was killed by the Indians while crossing the Rocky Mountains.   Source Dylan Hayden

March 17:  Fort Victoria, (I)-Robert John Staines (1820-1854) an English preacher arrived to establish a school with his wife Emma Tahourdin who was described as shrewish and snobbish.  They later acquired a 400 acre farm at Metchosin.  Early boarders at the school were children of James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877), (I)-John Tod (1794-1882), and (I)-Alexander Caufield Anderson (1814-1884).  Eden Colville called Staines a prig, Roderick Finlayson said he was a man of frills, James Douglas, Creole Metis (1803-1877) says he is a rather lazy man at times.  The consensus was that Staines was an unsuccessful teacher.

June: Fort Simpson aka Port Simpson,  B.C. birth,  (II)-Cecilia Work, Metis, daughter (I)-John Work aka Wark, (1792-1861), and Josette Legace, Spokane Metis; married October 12, 1870, Charles Jones

June 1:  Some Hawaiians presented themselves to become United States citizens, and be allowed to vote in the elections.  These Kanakas were excluded from becoming citizens because they were not White.  It is noteworthy these Kanakas were early pioneers to Oregon Territory long before most Whites.

June:   Captain W. Colquhon Grant, with eight engages, arrived at Fort Victoria with coaches and carriages for nonexistent roads, with a set of cricket equipment for a nonexistent playing field and finally settled at Sooke, Vancouver Island.  He did not last due to his lack of true grit and sold his property to the Muirs coal miners, returning to England

June:  Scottish miner John McGregor had been one of the original miners at Fort Rupert, arriving in the brig Harpooner in June, 1849.

June 6:  Father Honore Timothy Lempfrit a Roman Catholic priest at Fort Victoria (1849-1851) established a school of 20-25 Metis students.  Reverend Robert Staines (1820-1854) a Anglican chaplin was at the fort in the same time and received £340 per year salary and £100 for his school.  Father Lempfrit had to rely on the generosity of his parishioners.  This discrimination would continue into the 21st century.

October 25:  Vancouver Island, (I)-Andrew Muir of Scotland recorded that the H.B.C. hired him to work coal not to find coal.  Andrew, his father, three brothers, and two cousins were the first group of coal miners to be hired to work coal for the H.B.C.  John Muir, wife Anne, daughter Marian Muir and her two children Andrew, John, Robert and Michael; their nephews Archibald Muir and John McGregor, wife Mary, his sister and his three children; and the John Smith family were included in this contingent.  The H.B.C. had no experience in mining and failed to manage these miners.

December 14: Victoria, marriage (I)-Roderick Finlayson (1818-1892), to (II)-Sarah Work. Metis b-1829 daughter (I)-John Work (1792-1861) and Josette Legace Spokane Metis

 

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