This is a virtually complete transcription of the Churchill River Journal from 1803-1804 by Alex Nicol
" Occurences at Churchill Factory 1803 & 4"
August 1803
" On the morning of the 25th the Ceres Brig Capt. Ramsey got under way & was soon out of sight. Having got every thing ready for the departure of Mr Topping on the 29th he left this place with two Batteaux loaded with a proper afsortment of Goods for Nelson House (in Latitude [blank] and Longitude [blank] W.) Sent men to cut grafs in the Marsh the others stowing away the New Cargo & other necefsary duties.
NB. Our compliment consists of myself & Shallop Master, a Patroon, Steward, Cook, Boatbuilder, Blacksmith, 2 House Carpenters, Cooper, Sailor & 3 labourers one of whom cooks for men attends the Cattle & Hogs &c. - besides I engaged a Sn Indian lad to stay for the purpose of hunting for the Factory.
Four Canoes of Sn Indians arrived they brought but very few skins. Rec'd this Month the following Provisions
No. 162 Birds Small
No. 401 Ducks
lbs 590 Fish
No. 53 Geese
lbs 362 Venison"
September 1803
" Having procured a sufficient quantity of Hay for the winter's use sent off the 12th seven Men to raft Timber for the purpose of building a new Launch & Launch house as the old Launch is almost in ruins & the Old Launch house is so very small that it cannot hold above 2 or 3 boat load of Goods. besides it is entirely unfit for dry goods being open on every side its dimensions are 26 feet by 14 ft & 7 feet high. The other Men alternately working at the Hay & laying a foundation for the new Launch House dimensions 72 feet by 21 ft to be 9 1/2 feet high under the Beams. About the latter end of the month had it & the Hay finished. On the 20th Got home the Timber rafts containing [blank] logs of but a small size - The Carpenters Boatbuilder & Cooper preparing Wooden work for Launch House. the others employed variously.
Took up the Turnips from both Gardens the greatest quantity ever known here being 6 3/4 Tons of excellent Roots from 5 lb each downwards also about 6 or 700 Cabbages of very fine quality altho small are infinitely superior to any thing ever grown here before.
Having discovered last month a new Fishing place about 6 miles from the Factory in a creek which empties itself into the river on the South side. I took a Man & the Indian Youth with me for the purpose of seeing whether we might not be benefited by it in the Winter. We caught several fish but am afraid there is not depth of Water enough for setting nets under the ice which is a great pity as the Guiniad or Titameg are as fine fish as any I ever eat in the interior country weighing from 3 to 5 lbs.
The Indians who arrived last month after staying a few days & getting a supply of necefsary articles for their Winter's campaign returned to their Country. Only One Man (who was sick) with his family stays to winter near the factory.
Received the following Provisions
No. 26 Birds small
No. 43 Ducks
lbs 84 Fish
No. 99 Geese
No. 8 Partridges
lbs 1420 Venison Fresh
lbs 500 Venison Dried."
October 1803
" The Carpenters afsisted by Boatbuilder and Cooper constantly at the New Launch house except for a few days in the beginning when I sent the Shallop Master with them & 2 others in a Batteaux and the Indian youth with the above sick man now recovered in a canoe to kill Deer. they were away only 3 nights when they all returned with 2 Sn Indians who had been coming for necefsaries. They brought 2677 lbs Meat besides Offal they had left a considerable quantity which they could not bring. Sent them off immediately again for more while the people at the Factory are busily employed in Skinning & cutting up the Carcases they brought. after an absence of 4 nights they all returned with 1491 lbs of Meat besides Offal. They say the Deer are all pafsed by. Of the above 4168 lb our own people procured 1983 lb besides 18 Skins. In consequence of their great fatigue & unexampled succefs gave each man 1/2 gallon of liquor as a reward. -
On the 10th Sent 3 men & the Indian youth to kill Partridges acrofs the River where they are to continue till the River is frozen over. they have Nets to try the new fishing place when the ice shall be sufficiently strong. Employed variously preparatory to the approaching Winter making Sleds, cutting firewood, killing Hogs & a herfer? & a bull Calf.
On the 7th 3 Northern Indian young men and a woman came for a small supply of Oatmeal to carry to their families who are starving about 8 days journey from here. after a stay of 2 days they again went away.
Our Partridge hunters twice made signals to us while the river was clear of ice to come for the produce of their exertions.
This Month received the following Provisions
lb 599 Beef fresh
No. 3 Geese
No. 439 Partridges
lb 672 Pork fresh
lb 4168 Venison fresh"
November 1803
" The Hunters sent a man to the Factory to let me know that there were no more partridges near them. They had also attempted to set nets under the Ice as I had directed but there was not above 2 feet water & this would be soon frozen up of course we must search about next summer where may be deeper Water for their retreat in Winter. gave orders for these Men to remove to Churchill Creek about 14 miles up the River there to net partridges. Men employed at the Launch house. Being in want of spike nails for our new work & knowing that there were many among the ruins of the Old Fort took two labourers down with me and dogs. We returned in the evening with as many as they could conveniently haul. also got a considerable quantity of Lead laying melted among the gravel. Sent more people during the 3 following days. In all they have got 5 or 600 large Spike Nails besides a great quantity of Lead which will be of good service in making trading Balls with the Natives. - The Blacksmith at times straightening the above nails & making the necefsary Ironwork for Launch house. Labourers variously.
Finished killing the remainder of the Hogs only leaving a sufficient stock to supply next years demand.
This month Received the following Provisions.
lb 60 Fish
No. 705 Partridges
lb 844 Pork fresh."
December 1803
" People employed as last month chiefly about the New Launch house. The Hunters at Churchill Creek returned with good succefs on the 24th. Labourers cutting firewood for this & following year's use & other necefsary jobs. Blacksmith (Peter Gowdie) had been making Nails for the weather boarding of New Launch house untill the 9th about 11 OClock in the forenoon he was mifsed from his work. on enquiry among the people I was told he had not been at breakfast thinking that I might have sent him away some where had not mentioned his absence. This extraordinary circumstance brought to my recollection some account of his having been formerly deranged in his mind at YF. Expecting to find him near the Factory without changing my drefs I set off followed by the people in quest of him. fortunately there had been a very heavy fall of snow the day before so soon fell in with his track which we pursued over Rocks to the sea side from there thro' very thick woods where the snow was soft & deep. We fell in with him about sun set on his return to the Factory. He complains of great lownefs of Spirits. seems in his perfect senses but greatly alarmed at seeing me followed by the people with sleds & blankets which I had ordered them to bring in case of not finding him before dark. he thought I meant to confine him. says he walked out when the Bell rang at 8 AM merely to fatigue himself as he could not get any rest at night having but little sleep for 14 nights past was sorry he had gone without asking leave but could not account for it says he is not tired altho' myself & people never had worse walking in the Country nor never walked faster in our lives. Luckily the weather was not very cold else we must have been severly frozen. as it was my arm & one of the people faces were frostbit. During the month he has been at times very listlefs & uneasy but towards the latter end seems better in good hopes of his being sent out after the holidays to tent along with the people as his solitary employment encreases his distemper.
On the 1st day of the Month 7 nothern Indians Men & youths came to trade some necefsaries. I received about 120 MB chiefly in Deer Skins. 268 lb Venison & 4 Hares. Being informed that they belong to a gang who chiefly trade with the Canadians sent by them some Tobacco & a few articles as presents to induce them to come here in the Spring with their furs. On the day following they went away.
This Month received the following Provisions.
No. 4 Hares
No. 693 Partridges
lb 1268 Venison fresh."
January 1804
" In the beginning of this month sent off the Patroon, 2 Carpenters, Blacksmith, Boatbuilder, Cooper, Sailor, 2 Labourers & the Indian youth to North River about 24 Miles from here to cut down timber 2 saws to cut it into boards for finishing the Weather boarding of new Launch House for roofing it and also covering boards for the Launch. Two men come home weekly with 5 dogs they have 6 sleds among them & bring a load of boards & take back provisions for the Week. The Shallop Master hunts Partridges for them near their tent. NB. Myself, steward, Cook & Cattle Keeper remain at the factory.
On the 21st A Sn Indian young Man & his wife (a girl) arrived at the factory starving. He had seperated from his friends 2 months ago & being a stranger with lower country had suffered great hunger Besides having expended all his Ammunition without a flint or steel had been obliged to carry for the last 10 days a fire in his kettle. they had only 1 blanket between them. they say they could not sleep for the cold and fear of their fire going out in which case they should not be able make another. The last 8 days they have eaten nothing & for several days have scarcely been able to crawl about the house. NB. the Weather since the 1st of the month has been colder than ever I remember before. the first 8 days the Thermometer stood between -40 & -50 but generally clear weather. throughout the latter part of the month has been but little milder.
Rec'd the following Provisions
No. 96 Partridges."
February 1804
" Being informed that there is enough of Timber fallen at North River sent orders to them to haul the boards which the 2 Saws have already cut & the sawyers have orders to continue their job till the end of the month.
On the 24th A packet arrived from YF for the purpose of getting some Gartering, Twine &c. Mr Bunn late of Albany accompanied it. he had been detained by bad weather frequently it is 18 days since he left YF.
Rec'd the following Provisions
No. 1 Hare
No. 132 Partridges"
March 1804
" On the 5th All the people returned from North River having completed their job in hauling & sawing a sufficient quantity of Boards & Plank for the necefsities of the Factory for the ensuing year. After stopping one day at the Factory sent them all off to the Woody Islands which are about 26 1/2 miles from here up the river to haul firewood to the rafting place - NB. the wood had been fallen last winter. They came home on the 30th having hauled a sufficient quantity to serve next winter. Employed one Man (the Shallop Master) to hunt Partridges at the same place but hearing that Partridges were plentiful nearer the Factory removed him & the Indian Youth there. they returned on the 31st having in 8 days time netted 800. They say the Partridges are very plentiful every where.
On the 24th Began rectifying Spirits of wine for the service of Inland.
The 11th being fine Weather Mr Bunn & Packet men set off on their return for YF with such articles as they had requested from us.
Having taken an accurate account of Stock of all kinds of Trading Goods Stores & Provisions I thought I should act in the spirit of the Honourable Committee's intentions with regard either to Damaged uselefs or superfluous Goods or Provisions in sending to Mr McNab a list of such that we may supply him by the Ship with such particular article he might otherwise have sent to Europe for.
Received the following Provisions
No. 1171 Partridges."
April 1804
" Employed the Shallop Master & Steward to continue the rectification of Spirits for Inland Service untill the 25th inst. when they had prepared a sufficient quantity for the ensuing year fully. Afterwards Shallop Master making Tents for Inland - Steward making fishing Nets - Blacksmith employed in making Iron Work for new Boat, Cleaning & looking over new Guns to be sent Inland, also getting hunting Guns in order for the approaching Goose Hunt and making the necefsary Iron Work for the new Launch House at which the two Carpenters have been constantly employed. Boat Builder when the weather was mild at the New Boat when Colder he was repairing a Batteau for Inland. Cooper constantly making Rundlets out of Old Meat Casks which are not only scarce but very unworthy of the purpose but there is nothing else besides he is obliged to join pieces of Iron hoops together for the purpose of making one which prevents him from getting very forward. The Patroon is employed in making Cloaths for the natives. Two Labourers employed at very various & necefsary jobs. the other (the Cowkeeper) besides his particular duty of noticing the Cattle & Pigs afsisting the Cook who cooks for all hands principally for the purpose of saving fire. The Indian Youth also employed variously. -
Memorandum
On the 11th of this month I cut out Tents for the use of the Officers & people going Inland in the Summer. on measuring a piece marked 50 yards Raven Duck I found it to run no more than 38 Yards. I opened another piece with the same mark 50 yds which also measured exactly 38 yds. There is still another piece with the same mark which I intend opening upon the arrival of the Officers from Inland in their presence. The above 3 pieces came from England last year and are specified in the Invoice as containing 150 Yards but if the third piece be like the other two it should have been 114. Defficient 36 yds.
About the middle of the month several Nn Indians came to the Factory & during the latter end more of the same tribe made their appearance but in such a manner as I scarcely remember ever seeing before with such small trades. they mention several others of their friends who are still worse off than themselves on which account are ashamed to make their appearance here. They plead as their excuse the murder of one of their tribe by a Southern Indian last Spring in consequence of which they have almost universally abandoned their usual hunting Ground & betaken themselves to the very edge of their own barren Desert which affords nothing but Deer. This Murder was reported last Spring but unhappily confirmed last fall. the Deceased was one of our most staunch traders & a very excellent hunter & good tempered fellow so we mourn his lofs particularly independent of the disatrous effects which it has produced among his Countrymen. To add if pofsible to our regret his wanton & barbarous murderer is a staunch Canadian Trader.
Received the following Provisions
No. 10 Partridges
lb 8 Fat."
May 1804
" Shallop Master making Batteaux Sails & Coverings also a new Set of Sails for the New Boat and putting to rights the sails &c belonging to the other Craft. Patroon having made a sufficient quantity of Indian cloathing afsisting at putting up some stockades in place old ones with the Sailor who last month had made a new set for the upper Garden also afsisting in the Garden which was dry towards the latter end of this month. Boatbuilder finished the necefsary repairs of Batteau & resumed his work upon the new Boat which is nearly completed. Blacksmith employed at his particular businefs as the necefsary duties of the factory required. Cooper constantly employed in making Rundlets for Inland. Carpenters finished the new Launch house which when a new Launch shall have been built will be of the greatest benefit in the dispatch of the Ship as it is sufficiently large to receive the largest Cargo from England & is perfectly safe being wholly covered with Lead removed from the old Sheds which were built with the Stockades of Prince of Wales's Fort & are now almost entirely rotten so much so as but little of them will be fit for the fire. Dug & sowed the necefsary seeds in the Garden. Removed the wooden Work of a Shed which had been placed over the Ice Cellar to a new foundation as it was utterly improper for the purpose intended two years ago of screening the above from the effects of the Sun in Summer. Carpenters got ready a frame of round Sticks from the wood-pile which I mean to place over it. this? when covered & surrounded with Turf & clods of Earth will I expect render it a most useful & agreeable repository for fresh meat or fish procured in summer which we have never been able to keep long on account of the very intense heat. Steward Salting Geese &c.
Several Northern Indians arrived with very few furrs greater part of them returned to their families whom they left inland. they all attribute their small succefs to the same cause as the others did, the murder of their Countryman. One Chief Canadian Trader who had never been at this Factory before arrived. he brought a letter from Mr Linklater dated 22d Sept. 1803 Isle a la Crofs (vide Correspondence Book) Disatisfied with the Canadians he promises to use his influence with his Countrymen (the Nn Indians) to deseered? lower down the Country & bring the produce of their exertions to this Factory. I received only 50 MB from him but considering the long Journey he has made little more could be expected from him he says several of his Tribe wish to leave the Canadians. I gave him as much encouragement as I could indeed I rather stretched a little further than usual to which I was encouraged by Linklater's recommendation of him in the hopes of his report among his distant tribe being attended with beneficial consequences to the Service.
Geese were seen here on the 3d & one killed at the Gate on the 4th and on the 6th I was enabled to commence serving out fresh Geese to the People the earliest ever remembered here. Having still however a considerable quantity of Partridges remaining I ordered them to be given to the Hogs which will not be deemed waste when it is to be remembered that it saves the Hogs pease & enables us to support at a little or diminished expence what will be of infinite service to us the ensuing Winter.
Received the following Provisions
No. 9 Ducks
No. 1754 Geese."
June 1804
" The Shallop Master making & repairing Sails & coverings for the Inland Batteaux also afsisted by 2 others making new Tracking Lines as those sent out last year are too small for the purpose. Patroon constantly working at Indian Cloaths untill the 8th Boatbuilder employed in finishing the New Boat & repairing others. House Carpenters making packing-cases for Inland and other jobs in their way. Cooper constantly making Rundlets for Inland & preparing Casks for Oil. Blacksmith making the necefsary Iron Work for the various services of the Factory. The Sailor afsisting Craftmaster untill the 18th. Labourers employed variously. On the 8th Sent 8 people to raft fire wood & on the 17th got 15 rafts safe to the Factory. On the 18th Sent out The Craft-master, Sailor & 4 men in 2 Whaling boats for the purpose of killing Whales. On the same day Mr Topping in 2 Batteaux with 10 Men arrived from Inland & in the afternoon sent off 5 men to raft more fire-wood. On the 21st Mefs Charles & Linklater arrived in 2 Batteaux with 12 men. This month Harpooners killed 22 Whales the blubber of which the labourers cut up & boiled. Inlanders busily employed in preparing Cargoes for the different inland stations.
When the Batteaux were observed approaching the Factory I went into the Warehouse to prepare a place to receive their furrs in. while doing this by myself I had the misfortune to fall thro' a hatch by which I broke my ribs close to the Back-bone. the pain from which is so great as to oblige me to keep in bed perfectly incapable of moving myself.
A very few Indians arrived this month & they brought a very few furs indeed. Also a few Eskimaux came in they inform me of the approach of several of their tribe who would have been here last month had not the unusually early thaw obliged them to stop on their way untill the ice in the Bay was perfectly dissolved. Their intentions were to have killed Seals & Whales.
Employed those Indians who killed Geese to go a-deer-hunting but they report that the Deer are very scarce indeed never having seen them so scarce.
Received the Following Provisions
lb 108 Fish
No. 1 Goose
No. 2 Partridges
lb? 2357 Venison Green."
July 1804
" Having got every thing in readinefs for the departure of the Batteaux 2 sett off on the 2d with Mr Charles (who is to return to be here at Ship time) & on the 4th 2 others with Mr Linklater went off for the Isle a la Crofs. On the 5th sent off a packet for YF for the purpose of informing Mr McNab of our necefsities obliging us to relinquish our station in Beaver River & offering it to him to be occupied by people on his establishment. This packet returned on the 20th with information of so far from being able to occupy our post that they themselves from the same cause (want of Men) would be forced to relinquish their stations in the Athapuscow & Slave Lakes.
All our People including Tradesmen employed in killing Whales cutting up blubber & boiling Oil. also at times going to Seal River for the purpose of fetching Blubber from the Eskimaux who are killing Whales there.
Several Eskimaux arrived here in the beginning of this month whom I engaged to stop & kill whales at Seal River. and on the 17th Sent off Mr Topping & 6 men to superintend that duty. He returned on the 22d with the Blubber of 12 Whales & 13 Seals. he reports that there are several of that tribe there. consequently having considerably recovered from the effects of my Accident on the 18th Ult. Myself with 5 men & 2 Indians set off on the 24th for that place. I engaged them all heartily? to continue their exertions & received from them 19 whales & 8 Seals were wind bound there 3 days & returned to the Factory. on the 30th Seven Eskimaux Strangers arrived with 185 MB the same day & the next went off again.
From the Eskimaux rec'd 31 Whales & 21 Seals
From the Englishmen rec'd 51 Whales
On the 20th All the Indians who had been killing Deer arrived at the factory & on the 23d Gave them the necefsary supplies to enable them to repair to their wintering ground upon which they went away.
Received the following provisions
No. 137 Ducks
lb 120 Fat
lb 693 Fish
No. 2 Geese
lb 60 Venison Dry"
August 1804
" All our people busily employed in cutting up & boiling Blubber. Boatbuilder excepted who is constantly employed in repairing Boats. On the 3d Sent off a Batteau with 8 pipes to receive the blubber of more whales. they returned on the 7th succefsful having filled the pipes & brought a considerable quantity in bulk. Same day sent the New Boat to Seal River to fetch the above Casks they returned on the evening of the 14th having been detained by bad weather. At Intervals working among? the? Oil which was all got boiled & ready to send to England by the 18th Amounting to 21 Tons of which 9 Tons were killed by the Eskimaux & 12 Tons by the factory-people.
On the 1st of this month a Batteau arrived from Inland with 9 Englishmen & one Canadian, a Prisoner, Lewis Du plein? who robbed Wm Clark of Furs & Skins the property of the Honble Hudson's Bay Company. I rec'd a letter from Mr Charles informing me of the lofs of one of the Batteaux upon a rapid by the inadvertence of the people. luckily no lives were lost but 7 Bundles of Trading Goods were mifsing.
On the 13th 2 PM had the pleasure to See a sail in the Offing and early next morning saw her at Anchor in the River. In the forenoon the Packet was delivered by Capt. Ramsey. On the 16th Mr Charles in a Batteau & 5 People arrived from Inland with some furs & Skins (the After package of Nelson House)
Busily employed in unloading the Ship and preparing goods &c for Inland & on the 24th Mr Charles with 15 Men in 3 Batteaux loaded with a proper Afsortment of the necersary merchandize set off for Inland. Getting the Homeward bound Cargo on board & finishing the Writings on the [blank] having every thing ready closed the Packet & Delivered it to Capt. Ramsey.
Mr Auld in consequence of the Accident he received on the 18th June has been very incapable of any active duty & alarmed at the Unusual & painful symptoms arising from it has thought it prudent to return to England as there is no proper Medicines here for his complaint. On the 1st Sept. Capt. Ramsey sailed for YF.
Wm Auld."
Reel 1M33 B.42/a/129
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