This is a virtually complete transcription of the Churchill River Journal from 1801-1802 by Alex Nicol


" Churchill Factory Journal Commencing the 24th of August 1801 and ending the 7th Sept. 1802."


Aug. 24 1801
" Very fine weather this forenoon Capt Hanwell & Mr Stayner went on board the Ship - Two Inland Indians arrived, people making Hay, preparing Batteaus for Inland &c - self preparing for a journey Inland."

Aug. 26
" These two days Contrary winds detained the Ship - Mr Stayner paid us a Visit and Returned on board - people Stowing by Cargo and a Batteaus? Crew getting ready to set out for Inland with me to Morrow."

Aug. 27
" By Mr Auld -"

"Very fine weather this forenoon Mr McNab John Charles (afsisting?) and 7 men set off in a Batteau for Inland - sent 7 men to cut grafs."

Aug. 29
" Employed in preparing Cargoes for two Batteaus for the nearest Inland Settlements - wind still unfavorable for the Ship."

Aug. 31
" This forenoon sent off two Batteaus with trading goods &c for Inland - Mr Flew Accompanied - 9 men & an Indian the Crews."

Sept. 1 1801
" Got home several Boats load of grafs which employs all hands. the factory Compliment as follows 1 Patroon 1 Craftmaster a Steward, Cook, Apprentice, 8 Tradesmen, 1 Sailor, 4 labourers with Mr Topping and Self. Blacksmith has been sick for several weeks and still continues."

Sept. 4
" Pleasant weather early this morng the Ship got out of the River and at Noon was out of sight - all hands hay making - rec'd some ducks and Plover."

Sept. 7
" Men employed about the Hay - Rec'd 53 Geese and a few Ducks."

Sept. 9
" Employment of the men varies little - Two Nd Indians arrived from Inland they met Mr McNab a few days ago who was well."

Sept. 13
" Got all the grafs home working at the Hay the whole day - Rec'd some Ducks and Geese."

Sept. 16
" This day Indians brought Venison & fat and say the deer are numerous about 60 Miles up the river."

Sept. 17
" The Indians went away desired them to tell their Companions to procure Venison previous to my Sending a Boat to bring it home."

Sept. 21
" Sent 5 men and 3 Indians in a Batteau and small wooden Canoe up the river for Venison."

Sept. 23
" In the eveng the people returned with the Batteau and 900 lbs of Venison."

Sept. 24
" Sent the Batteau and Crew with the addition of another man for more Venison - people at home constantly at the Hay."

Sept. 26
" This day finished the Hay - took up the Potatoes."

Sept. 30
" Took up the Turnips - Bricklayer finishing the Ice House - the men returned with near 2000 lb Green & dry Venison, some fat and Tongues."

Oct. 2 1801
" Unpleasant weather Yesterday and to day - A Considerable quantity of Snow has fallen - which prevents Several out door duties."

Oct. 5
" Sharp weather - People variously employed."

Oct. 8
" Cold weather - Stowed by the Boats for winter and made all Snug - tradesmen at their various duties."

Oct. 9
" An Indian brought 20 partridges, tradesmen variously employed."

Oct. 10
" Sent two men acrofs the river to Shoot partridges two Ind. went along with them."

Oct. 11
" In the eveng the People who went acrofs the river yesterday returned with 146 partridges."

Oct. 12
" Sent 4 men aCrofs the river to Hunt partridges and collect timbers for Batteaus - people at home variously employed."

Oct. 17
" This day two Ind. came down the river with green and dry venison and a few ducks - they say there is Ice driving and that the Partridges are plenty."

Oct. 19
" This day and before killed 19 Pigs and 26 Geese. Mr McNab arrived in the eveng."

Oct. 20
" In the morng Several men went in a Small Boat to afsist in bringing my Batteau. in a few hours they all arrived at the launch and got the boats safe laid up for the winter."

Oct. 21
" Very fine weather - strangers of yesterday resting? themselves - 243 partridges from the Swan hunters."

Oct. 25
" Sunday - Divine Service."

Oct. 31
" Cold Weather. People variously employed during the week - Ind. coming for Oatmeal at times."

Nov. 5 1801
" This morng Francois Loyer & 3 men set out for Nelson House. hunters came with partridges."

Nov. 8
" Several of the Goose hunters came in for necefsaries."

Nov. 9
" The Ind. of yesterday brought 50 Br & 330 lb venison. One man came from the wooders tent."

Nov. 12
" Mild weather, several Indians came in, they brought upwards of 70 Br."

Nov. 13
" The Indians of yesterday went away."

Nov. 14
" The Indians of the 5th Inst. returned says the men are staying with Ind. 40 miles above, waiting till the river sets in, as they cannot travel till then - an Ind. there is to conduct them part of the way."

Nov. 16
" Snow and drift - Mr Topping and hunters went to their tents. 7 men at home."

Nov. 18
" Six Indians came in and traded part of their furs."

Nov. 19
" Indians of Yesterday traded their remaining furs and went away. they have brought 160 Br."

Nov. 20
" An Indian came with Snowshoes for the men, says there is no sign of Deer as last year."

Nov. 21
" One of the wooders came home brought 4 dogs loaded with fish and Partridges from the Hunters."

Nov. 28
" Very sharp weather - in the eveng 4 Ind. came in to trade."

Dec. 1 1801
" The Indians gone what they traded was chiefly deer skins. hunters on going to their tents saw many deer tracks, one of them brought information. - yesterday I went with Mr Auld and the hunter in hopes of killing some - we saw very few and returned this eveng without succefs."

Dec. 5
" This day three men came from their several tents with fish Partridges and the Carcass of one deer, the only one killed. many more got there last year at this time, the Ind. are now without hopes of any there."

Dec. 12
" Cold weather. Men at home at the Pitsaw, making sleds &c during the week - Two tenters came home to prepare for a journey with me to York - an Indian afsisted by some men brought the meat of 3 deer."

Dec. 14
" Very Cold weather this morng Mr McNab 2 Englishmen & 2 Indians set off for York Factory."

Dec. 20
" Mr Topping came home. Partridges so scarse could not maintain himself and men."

Dec. 21
" Two Indians came in with a few furs, they complain of scarcity of Provisions."

Dec. 24
" Indians gone - All the Europeans arrived at the Factory as usual. they brought 111 Partridges."

Jan. 2 1802
" Sent all hands for Boat timbers collected acrofs the river in the fall - Two Sward Ind. brought a few furs."

Jan. 5
"Got all the Boat timbers home - 4 hunters went to the Eward for Partridges - Ind. gone."

Jan. 8
" Sent 9 men to cut and collect firewood at the Woody Islands. only Peter Goudie and Cowkeeper at home."

Jan. 14
" Snow and drift, Mr McNab and men arrived? from York Factory - rec'd 4 Canoe tracking lines and a few necefsary Articles of Stores."

Jan. 16
" Some of the tenters came home - and Indians for Oatmeal &c to their families three of which consisting of upwards of 20 Old and young are depending daily on the Factory."

Jan. 23
" During the week the Hunters sent home 120 partridges - one man took provisn to the wooders."

Jan. 30
" Only the Steward, Cook and Cowkeeper at home during the week - One of the Hunters brought 120 partridges - left as many at their tents."

Feb. 6 1802
" The men at home employed nearly as last week - two wooders came for necefsary repairs to their sled - say they are going on well - Hunters brought 120 partridges - say very few to be seen - Ind. came for Oatmeal to their families."

Feb. 13
" Hunters came from the Eward and Nward. one lame stays at Home - One went to the Wooders to hunt partridges there and another with him to act? as Patroon in lieu of John Forbes who is ordered home who with another I intend going Inland. an Indian to accompany us - I ment'd this in my Inland Journal of the 10th Oct. Ult. and am the more Anxious to proceed there early as I have been expecting a packet from thence weeks ago. and being upwards of 20 men at both houses, without a confidential? officer at either gives room for Anxiety - the Canadians there are more powerfull this winter than ever known before - men at home similarly employed as last week - 10 partridges from Hunters."

Feb. 20
" On Wednesday last Mr McNab & 2 Europeans with an Indian set out for Nelson House - Rec'd 50 partridges from the Hunters."

Feb. 27
" Yesterday a Sd Indian & family came in very hungry, they had provisions & Ammunition - Mr Topping went to hunt Partridges."

Mar. 6 1802
" Severe weather during the week - two men came for provisions from the Wooders and Indians for support to their families."

Mar. 13
" Last Monday Halcro Smith and an Indian brought a packet from Inland with unfavorable news - yesterday a packet arrived from York Factory - 120 partridges from Hunters."

Mar. 20
" On the 16th the Packeters returned for York - Wooders came for Provisions."

Mar. 27
" On the 25th the wooders arrived at the Factory having got as much wood as serve for the ensuing winter. An Ind. brought 69 lbs of Venison - On the 22d the Packeters of the 13th set out for Inland."

Apr. 3 1802
" On the 28th The two men and Indian who accompanied Mr McNab arrived they inform that it was thought doubtfull to attempt the fulfillment of the expedition and returned when within 4 days from Nelson House - they had proceeded to within two days walk of the Factory when meeting Halcro Smith and the N ern Indian. Mr McNab thought proper to return again with them for Nelson House and sent the above three to the Factory - On the 29th the Ind. went to his Tent - 111 Partridges from the Hunters - the few people at home clearing the yard of Snow, preparing for distilling &c."

Apr. 10
" On Monday began distilling which Requires one man Constantly Cutting Wood - 224 Partridges from Hunters - 3 Ind. came in to Trade and soon went away."

Apr. 17
" Hunters brought 260 Partridges during the week - One man took provisions to the Wooders at the Nward to serve them till St Georges day."

Apr. 21
" This day finished the distillation - 566 1/2 Gln Spirits from 1050 Gln Brandy - Observing the Cook (Wm Duffle) very drunk had a Suspicion that he must be supported by some of the People as we never allow him to have any Brandy in his posefsion - made a Search and in his bed place, found a Plumb? pudding Cake &c this had nearly Confirmed our suspicions as above, but upon searching under his bed we discovered a Bottle a size larger than a quart 3/4 full of Rum, which we well knew he could not get any where else than from our Cellar which is always locked. he acknowledged that during the Stewards absence at the Still House he had forced his way down and filled the bottle - To day when sober in presence of all the men turned him out of the Cook room with some marks of disgrace, but far lefs than his crime deserved; of course appointed a Labour'r to act as Cook - All the men came home 248 partridges from Hunters."

May 1 1802
" These Several days the general employment of the men has been in wheeling snow out of the Yard - Hugh Flett accidentaly got the Small bone of his Leg broke - 6 Indians came to Trade - rec'd the first Goose the 28th Ult."

May 8
" Labourers Still employed at Clearing the yard & Sheds of Snow - hauled home timber for an Ice House - yesterday 2 Ind. came to Trade - Boat builder & One building a Batteau. tradesmen at their various branches."

May 15
" During the week a Considerable number of Ind. came in to the Goose Hunt and in general paid their debts chiefly in Beaver Skins, the reasons for which that having been a very severe Cold winter no martins were found - Traded between 7 & 800 Br from the above Indians 427 of which were Whol Beaver & 260 Half - sent all hands to Musquito point with a Boat to be ready the first opportunity to raft firewood - fitted out 29 Ind. with Guns Ammunition &c for the Goose Hunt and they went away - Rec'd from Sd Indians 81 Geese - This day Self and an Ind. youth killed 36 Geese."

May 22
" Tradesmen at their various branches during the week - labourers Variously - Brewed Beer - Hugh Flett still off duty, another man fell? and hurt his knee - a Party of Ind. brought 200 Br fitted them also for the Goose Hunt - Rec'd 429 Geese from Ind. & 79 from ourselves."

May 29
" People chiefly employed as last week - Cold disagreeable weather. Ind. brought 638 Geese - 55, a Swan & a few Ducks from Ourselves."

June 5 1802
" Shallop master making Boats Sails, Batteau Coverings &c the others afsisting and with the tradesmen at various duties - rec'd from Ind. during the Course of the week 1370 Geese, procured 50 at the Factory - this day brewed 6 Casks Small beer."

June 13
" Tradesmen at their various duties - finished digging the Gardens aweek? later than usual - On the 8th all the Ind. returned having finished the Goose hunt and brought 1000 lbs Venison - They have killed 2830 Geese - Mr Topping & self 135 the Ind. youth 73 and 12 from the men making in all 3050 of which 2636 are salted in 24 Hogsheads - Last Saturday night being a hoar? frost?, it was necefsary that the Beer should be turn'd on Sunday. the Bricklayer who bound it was told to do that duty he refused because it was Sunday in consequence of which the Beer has not firmented - all the Indians gone to procure Venison."

June 19
" Tradesmen at their several branches during the week - Shallop Master reducing the tracking lines to a smaller size - Labourers at various duties. - Rec'd 832 lbs Venison from Indians."

June 21
" This morng the river broke up Clear out to sea - at 8 AM sent Forbes & 6 men in a Boat to the Woody Island to raft firewood - Rec'd 204 lbs Venison from Indians."

June 24
" Killed the first whale this season."

June 26
" Yesterday morng arrived at the Factory found Mr Auld and all well - two lame men excepted."

June 30
" Blowing a perpetual gale these several days has prevented the Wooders from getting any wood home, though all the men except the Inlanders, Cook and Invalids are on that duty - Ind. bringing very fine venison at times - two Ind. went two days ago with a Packet for York."

July 3 1802
" Weather more favorable got 16 rafts of wood home - Inlanders afsisted - Venison coming in daily."

July 6
" This morng with the tide - three Batteaus 15 men set out for Inland - an Inland Captain from Isle a la Cross is on board. Boat builder busy at home repairing the other craft that is to proceed - 6 men two boats Constantly at the Whale fishery."

July 7
" Two Batteaws and a large birch rhind Canoe set out for Inland Mefs Charles & Topping (pafsengers) to winter Inland the Crews 14 men and an Indian - Francois Snoddy, one of the appointed Crew again refused duty on Sunday saying he would not work on that day if he was to go with the boats and that the men told him if he did not they would leave him on the road. he therefore refused going with them at all an offence of the most severe nature and points at the root of our most Consequential exertions - I told him if he persisted in his folly he would receive no pay for this year as his servitude already performed would barely pay for food to keep him in idlenefs till Ship time. he continued obstinate and another man was sent after the boats in his stead - he is now off duty, treated as the other men - his allowance of Brandy excepted - Very fine Venison Coming in since the Inlanders arrived. all hands have had daily as much as they could use - got all the firewood piled up."

July 10
" The Indians of the 30th Ult. arrived with Letters from York & Albany - all the deer hunters are come in - no more deer to be found."

July 13
" Several Nward Indians went to the Sward to Hunt for their families, many remain at the Factory - 4 Canoes of Inlanders? came to trade, they pafsed the Batteaws yesterday all well - Whale fishery going on succefs fully."

July 16
" Two families of Nd Indians set out for their winters residence. blows a gale Nly thick moist and Cold as in Nov. packed all the trade received except a few ? - Whalers afsisting in boiling Oil, brewing small beer &c. Indians of the 13th brought 200 Beav."

July 21
" Three families of Indians came from the Sward with a few Geese and ducks. several Nward Ind. went away. a Gale of Ely? wind has interrupted the Whale fishery which was going on very succefsfully, packed all the trade received and marked it ready for Europe - two men at the old factory attending fishing nets with succefs, and gathering Lead &c from among the ruins."

July 24
" These three days the Shallop has been moored to the Iron Chain and 6 men (Whale fishers) has slept on board and attended? the fishing during the day with succefs? - men at home boiling oil and attending other duties - two Nward Ind. came (they say from Athapeuscow) this eveng with 3 Women each carrying a bundle of furs - the Whalers brought 6 fish in the eveng."

July 25
" a Strong Gale with heavy Rain from the Nward drove the Shallop from her Moorings which was fortunately perceived in time to prevent her destruction - several men and Indians went off instantly and saved her, most of the men slept on board - Ind. of yesterday traded 160 Br chiefly Beav. Skins - Mr Flew and man went to their nets? at the Old factory where they have good succefs in the Salmon fishery."

July 31
" Remarkably cold and boisterous weather during the week which has impeded the Whalers exertions - Much Ice in the Bay and along the shores - Salmon fishery goes on well - 12 Pipes of Oil obtained - several families of Nward Ind. went away - Mr Auld and self writing at all opportunities?. Boat builder and Mag. Loutit? building a Wooden Canoe for Inland Services."

Aug. 5 1802
" This morng several families of Nward Ind. came from the Sward with venison and Geese and in the eveng 12 Esquimaux came having left their Canoes and Cargoes a little distance off."

Aug. 6
" The Esquimaux brought their Hunt and traded them? which in furs and Deer skins exceeds 400 MB. they have traded also 240 lbs Whale Bone which I rated at 12 lb for a MB - they went away in the Afternoon."

Aug. 10
" Several families of Indians came from acrofs the river with green and dry venison - several of their relations have been waiting here many days for them, the Whalers laid 3 buoys According to Capt. Hanwells wish last fall and repaired the Beacon as we now may expect the ship daily - Whale and Salmon fisheries grows lefs succefsful - 14 Pipes and 3 Hhd are filled with Oil."

Aug. 11
" All the Nward Ind. went away upwards of 50 in Number. Whalers laid the Shallop in Sloops Cove in readinefs for the Ship - the Iron Chain does not answer the intention."

Aug. 12
" a few Sward Indians came in with young Geese, have now upwards of 40 keeping to feed for winter use."

Aug. 14
" Boat builder Caulking the Canoe which he has built very expeditiously - the others as yesterday?"

Aug. 16
" Whalers brought the Shallop from Sloops Cove for repairs to her rudder the others cutting blubber &c."

Aug. 17
" Very hot weather - 3 men cutting grafs - Whalers at their businefs - two Canoes of uplanders came in the morng with a few furs & in the eveng - 13 men in two Batteaus arrived from Inland, brought a few Summer furs from Nelson House - two men Tho. Matcher? and Henry Hedger refused going further as they are both House Carpenters and of no use at the Factory (one here being fully sufficient) I cannot in justice to your Honors detain them not only as a High unnecefsary expence forbids, but that such an example may deter others from such disobedience in future."

Aug. 18
" Weather very hot and sultry - two Inlanders with the Whalers the others afsisting in unloading the grafs Boat and preparing for duty to morrow - the men at home boiling blubber &c - Indians drunk."

Aug. 19
" Wind NE cool weather with rain very unfavorable for our Hay - to procure which requires much labour and when obtained of bad quality, these causes will ever prevent the rearing of Cattle being an object worthy of attention here - two that were killed last fall were lean and tastelefs and the few now remaing are dwindling in size and does not fatten - Whalers going on with succefs."

Aug. 21
" Still rainy at times which puts a stop to Hay making - sent 9 men to Raft firewood the season now admits of no delay."

Aug. 23
" The Uplanders went away - most of the grafs cut is spoiled the low tides prevents getting it home."

Aug. 24
" Halcro Smith, the Boatbuilder and Cooper set out in a Wooden? Canoe for Inland to make a Station between Nelson House and Sturgeon Creek - in the Afternoon a Vefsel was discerned in the offing - Wind E with heavy rain - it soon after blew a Gale with thick weather which prevented any Attempt to approach the river - 2 Whales, the last we may expect this season, which has been much more succefsful than any on the records of Churchill and exceeds any quantity ever procured in Churchill River in one year."

Aug. 25
" ? weather wind Ely? heavy rain at times, at noon the vefsel again appeared and soon after Came to an Anchor. at 4 PM Capt. Ramsay of the Brig Ceres arrived with Your honors Packet - three? Ind. went for the men Rafting firewood."

Aug. 28
" These three days in general fine weather which favors Unloading the brig. Opened out the Hay brought home and Corked? it in the eveng."

Aug. 31
" Yesterday and to day a perpetual Gale Wly prevents the Craft from unloading the Brig or giving her the necefsary Repairs for Sea - Capt. Ramsay says she was much damaged among the Ice and is very leaky."

Sept. 2 1802
" With the forenoon tide a Batteau and Wooden Canoe set out for Nelson House - 9 Men - Mr Raymond accompanies them - All hands Unloading and getting ballast for the Brig, which the Carpenter gives a very alarming account of. the last of the Cargo Came to the Launch."

Sept. 3
" Three families of Indians went up the river to kill deer - the Capt. went on board to examine the state of the Brig - the last of the Cargo came to the Launch."

Sept. 4
" Capt. Ramsay came on shore, says they have found every decayed plank in the Brigs quarter which the Shipwright was Removing - this tends to impede businefs considerably - Sent all the Oil on board."

Sept. 5
" Blows a gale SE with heavy rain in the Afternoon - the Shallop dropp'd down to the Brig - all the Homeward bound Cargo is on board except a few Articles."

Sept. 6
" Heavy Rain all forenoon - sent a boat with the pafsengers beds, boxes, &c and several Hhds of Salt Geese for York factory."

Sept. 7
" fine Weather got all the Homeward bound Cargo on board and all the writings Complete and put in the Box and delivered all to Capt. Ramsay - Mr Auld means to accompany us to york in order to make necefsary regulations? concerning? the Settlements up Nelson river and the lower houses from Churchill to prevent as much as pofsible their interfering in the exertions of one another.
I have the honor to be
Gentlemen
Your most Obed. Servt.
John McNab"


Reel 1M33 B.42/a/126


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