York Factory Journal Joseph Colen
Feb. 26 1788
" This morning an Indian came to the House to acquaint me the Leader who left the Factory on Sunday lay very ill not far distant unable to pursue his Journey Took Mr. Cook and a few necefsaries with me to see him. he found great relief after I bled him. I left such Medicines as I judged proper for his disorder, which is that of the pleurisy"
1M160 B.239/a/88

York Factory Joseph Colen
Feb. 27 1788
..." Sent Mefs Isham & Cook to the sick Native (mentioned yesterday) with medicines - they say he was so far recovered as to pursue his journey & set forward during their stay at his hut"...
1M160 B.239/a/88

York Factory Joseph Colen
Jan. 14 1797
" Two of the Natives who returned from Churchill yesterday came to the Factory requested Oatmeal etc. etc. were very Clamerous on being informed we had none - They said it was rather extraordinary as there was such plenty at Churchill - that the very Dogs were fed with it, and the Hogs with better Victuals than I either gave to the Indians or my own people. Their Language was very aggravating - but being disguised in Liquor I judged what they said was done with the view to get what they could from me as they made use of many threats about their leaving York - I sent them away as they came and told them to come when sober and I should pay them for their Journey when they would be at free liberty to visit whom they pleased."
1M161 B.239/a/100

York Factory Joseph Colen
Jan. 15 1797
" The Natives who accompanied Mr. Jarvis to Churchill came to receive payment for their Journey as per agreement paid them 50 Beaver each, being sober they talked rational, which was not the case with them yesterday - They asked me the reason why I had no Oatmeal - Figs, pruens or Raisins to give Indians the same as they had at Churchill where there was such stock of the former that Dogs were fed with it - and the Hogs with better Victuals than I eat myself - I informed them the reason supplies were not sent us last year as formerly was occaisioned by a mistake in the writings home - but that it was impofsible to have either Figs or pruens sent us as the Trees which produced them had failed some years - That is rather extraordinary they exclaimed! - and to convince me to the contrary produced three partridge Bags which they brought with them nearly full from Churchill as presents to other Indians at this place - As it is some years since any Pruens have been sent to York - I could not believe this circumstance had not the Natives produced them - the figs that were sent us four Years ago were the Common Small ones and on their being landed at York were entirely Rotten - these which the Indians produced are all the Large Turky figs and of prime quality"


Written in the margin:

" The natives having repeated this so often to me I sent one of my officers to inquire of Tho. Moore & Thomas Clouston the two Men who accompanied Mr. Jarvis to Churchill whither there was any truth in the Indians afsertions - They confirmed the Acc't by saying the Dogs were fed on Oatmeal and the Hogs on Pease fish and Venison - They further said that the victuals given to animals there would be considered a treat to the men at this place."
1M161 B.239/a/100

York Factory Joseph Colen
Feb. 8 1797
" It's distressing to the feeling Mind to hear the crys of Children for food - upon the whole this is one of the most trying years I ever experienced in this Country."
1M161 B.239/a/100

York Factory Joseph Colen
Mar. 27 1797
" In the Evening Donald Laughton was punished for Theft - He has been frequently detected in pilfering from his fellow Servants - as well as stealing things from out of the Ware Houses - His sentence was to be tyed to a beaver prefs and every one of his fellow servants give him a stroke on the bare back with a hand Whip which was executed on him accordingly."
1M161 B.239/a/100

York Factory Joseph Colen
Nov. 11 1797
" Had Victualing Hole cut in the River Ice & Salt Meat put there to freshen."
1M161 B.239/a/101

York Factory John Ballenden
Feb. 18 1799
"Men employed as follows,
Four sawing feather edge boards
Two Tayloring for Trade
One making Sinnets for Inland Service
One making Bags & Gun cases for Inland
Smith and one man making Hatchets for Inland
One man attends Mr. McKay and Family as Servant
Thirteen at the Wooders Tent hauling firewood to the banks edge ready for rafting in ? Summer
four at the Eastward and four at the Northward hunting partridges
Mefs House and Ward Writing
Mefs Sutherland Tate and Self packing Goods for Inland"...
1M161 B.239/a/101

York Factory John Ballenden
Aug. 4 1799
" Mr. [Donald] Mckay appears to me to be very much deranged in mind by his often repeating to the People to take warning that he would set the House wherein he lives on fire this Evening as likewise his parading on before his door? with his broad Sword threatening he would run the first man thro that made his appearance. He at present disturbs the whole Factory."
1M161 B.239/a/101

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