" YF
Journal
1811/1812"
[cover]

" York Factory Journal
by WH Cook"

Oct. 5 1811
" Saturday The Furs being all on board & the Ship ready for Sea, delivered the Packet to Captain Ramsay who left the Factory in company with Mr Davison, Mr Fidler & Mr Calder? the latter leaving the Service from incapacity & an immoderate love of Liquor - & Mr Fidler some private Concerns which requires his personal attendance at home. The Men whose times expire were also sent on board."

Oct. 6
" Sunday The Wind SEasterly but excefsively cold weather. Ice driving thick in the River - The Ship apparently in great distrefs but favored by the advantage of a good Wind got under weigh with the flood tide & soon lefsen'd from our view.
The Wind not being equally favorable for the Schooner bound to Severn, & the Ice encreasing with great rapidity it was thought expedient by Mr Taylor to ground the Vefsel at a short distance within the point of Marsh, where she is Stationed for the Winter. A quantity of the YF Cargo is on board which cannot be taken out of her till the spring unlefs an alteration."

Oct. 7
" Monday Wind Northerly with heavy snow - the Ice in the River considerably decreased insomuch that Capt. Macdonald who had made several unsuccefsful attempts to get round the point of Marsh to join Mr Hillier at Seal Islands now accomplished his design - Two Natives who arrived from Nelson River last evening took a pafsage with the Captain & no doubt facilitated his Journey much - Took up the Platform & uprights of the Launch & stowed away all the Craft."

Oct. 8
" Tuesday Wind NWest too much Ice driving to attempt sending down Craft to the Schooner. employed the Day in stowing away Cargo in the upper Warehouse."

Oct. 9
" Wednesday Wind Northerly with an accefsion of Cold - much Ice in the River - Men cleaning their Cabbins to prevent if pofsible the encroachment of Disease - Three Men on the Sick list."

Oct. 11
" Friday Two Indians arrived from the Fishing Creek House with a letter from Mr Geddes stating that he has supplied the Colonists with 22 Green Deer & 3 Hogsheads of Salted Venison & that the Indians are also affording them very liberal supplies.
Weather Cold & much Ice driving in the River - a considerable quantity of Snow fell this day."

Oct. 12
" Saturday A cold snowing day. Men employed stowing Cargo & other indoor Work.
Another Man in the sick List - the distemper prevailing is an Obstinate Dysentery contracted on board Ship & I fear will distrefs us much at the Factory."

Oct. 13
" Sunday clear Weather but very cold. The River frozen abreast the Factory - 6 Men in Sick List."

Oct. 14
" Monday Men employed making Sleds, Tents & other necefsary Winter preperations."

Oct. 15
" Tuesday Ice driving thick in the River - the part frozen acrofs on Sunday having given way by the force of the Spring Tides."

Oct. 16
" Wednesday Mr Taylor went down to the Schooner & found that the High Tides had made no alteration in the station of the Vefsel."

Oct. 19
" Saturday Mr Taylor went again to the Schooner & found that the Tide had altered her pofsition a little & purposes on Monday to adjust the Alteration - 6 Men in the sick List."

Oct. 21
" Monday The drifting Ice a little abating in the River sent two boats under the direction of Mr Taylor to the Schooner which returned with Powder Casks &c."

Oct. 22
" Tuesday The Boats went again to the Schooner & returned with the Tide bringing Flour Bacon &c. Mr Taylor very ill with the Dysentery."

Oct. 23
" Wednesday Mr Tate accompanied the Boats to Schooner & brought by return of Tide most of the portable Articles - the heavy Punchion of Rum only remaining - Mr Taylor rather better & 4 of the sick men able to work."

Oct. 24
" Thursday The Boats again went to the schooner & brought several Articles which could not be taken yesterday.
Two Indians from Eastward came to the Factory with 2 Beaver & a few Feathers."

Oct. 25
" Friday Two Indians from the Eastward brot 90 lb Fish & a little deers fat.
The first Symtoms of the scurvy appeared this day on the Thighs of John Moore a young hand of this year who landed in a weak debilitated state & has shewn little signs of recovery since the day of his arrival - Mild Weather with Hail & Rain - River fast a little above the Factory."

Oct. 26
" Saturday removing Goods from Launch House to upper Warehouses & examining Cargo with Invoices. Three Men ill with the dysentery."

Oct. 29
" Tuesday John Calder Seaman & 4 others of the Schooners Crew with 2 Hands for Severn inland service set off for that Settlement."

Oct. 31
" Thursday Jos. Hall, Jas. Paplay & Donald Malcom went acrofs the River to Fish & Hunt at Ten Shilling French & Crofs Creeks - 4 Men in sick List."

Nov. 4 1811
" Monday Mr Auld left this Factory for Churchill accompaned by 2 Europeans one Indian 2 Dogs."

Nov. 5
" Tuesday An Indian came from Capt. Macdonel for supplies of Leather & other things."

Nov. 6
" Wednesday sent to Capt. McDonell by the Native of yesterday the articles requested."

Nov. 7
" Thursday Carpenters making Horse sled & Harnefs - Taylors sewing Leather Tent & Bags for conveying Oatmeal to the Settlers when required."

Nov. 9
" Saturday Jos. Hall brought from the Creek Hunters 40 lb Fish & 12 Partridges."

Nov. 11
" Monday River set fast abreast the Factory."

Nov. 16
" Saturday Hunters brought some Fish but no Partridges or Rabbits - say that none of the latter are to be found - Men employed - this Week in various Jobs about the Factory & making necefsary preperations for Wooding Tent."

Nov. 18
" Monday sent all Hands to erect a Wooding Tent about two Miles acrofs the Factory Path that leads to Nelson River - where we hope to be able to get our Winter's supply - Our 3 Horses are training for the purpose of hauling it to the Factory."

Nov. 20
" Wednesday Sent 9 Men one of whom a scorbutic Patient - to fall Wood at the Tent erected for that purpose on Monday last."

Nov. 23
" Saturday Hunters came to the Factory with 2 Sleds of Fish & 50 Partridges."

Nov. 26
" Tuesday Capt. Taylor & 2 Men set off on a Journey to Severn."

Nov. 27
" Wednesday Three Men came from Capt. McD's party for supply of Provisions - These people are tenting on the south side of the River & the communication between them & Capt. McDonel who is on the Northside being stopped by the driving Ice in the Nelson occasioned them to resort to the Factory for the supply they now solicit - Gave them the needful & instructed them to Collect some Wood for Boat Timbers &c."

Dec. 1 1811
" Sunday Two Men arrived with packet from Churchill - Rec'd a quantity of Cranberries Lemon Crystals & Efsence of Malt - which Mr Auld has humanily supplied for the Relief of any unfortunate Individuals that may suffer under the influence of of the Scurvy - Ja. Moore the Scorbutic Patient is already as sorely afflicted with the Disorder as he can well be - but we hope the antiscorbutics will soon amend his present unhappy condition."

Dec. 2
" Monday Two Indians brought the meat of a small Deer from the Eastward."

Dec. 8
" Sunday Two Englishmen & 2 Natives arrived from Severn for Powder &c."

Dec. 9
" Monday Churchill Packeters set off as did Jos. Hall & Ja. McKinley in company with Mefs Todd & Brakenridge for Severn. sent some Powder by this Party."

Dec. 13
" Friday Churchill packetmen returned not being able to crofs the Nelson River."

Dec. 14
" Saturday The two Severn Indians who accomp'd the Englishmen on Sunday last set off with Powder for that settlement - The latter being unable to depart in consequence of a severe attack of the Dysentery."

Dec. 17
" Tuesday the above 2 Men somewhat recoverd & tho yet very weak vountarily consent to proceed on their Journey homeward - Sent by them a quantity of Powder."

Dec. 18
" Wednesday One of the Churchill Men very ill with the prevailing disorder the Dysentery."

Dec. 19
" Thursday The other Churchill Man also Ill the former one a little better."

Dec. 20
" Friday Three Indians arrived from Foxes Lake Quarter - say they are collecting a few Furs - brought 14 Porcupines."

Dec. 22
" Sunday 4 Men & a Writer from Capt. McD came for Provisions - The Writer an Irishman came from his Tent without cloathing his Feet for this intemperate Climate - & was consequently so severely bitten by the Frost as to be obliged to be hauled home & will no doubt be an indoor patient for the remaining part of the Winter."

Dec. 23
" Monday Churchill packet Men set off again in hopes of being able to crofs the Nelson - took the Opportunity to send Blankets &c for the use of the Settlers."

Dec. 27
" Friday Mr Geddes & Geo. Stevenson with 2 Indians arrived from the Fishing Creek House. Mr Geddes informs us the Indians are very shy of visiting his Settlement but frequently go down to the Settlers taking with them very liberal Supplies. No Deer have visited Mr Geddes Ground but the Indians have killed some to the Northward by which the new Comers have been materially benefitted."

Dec. 29
" Sunday An Indian from the Northward brot in 112 lb Green Meat - The same Indian has called at the Seal Islands & left some of his Tentmates there who had also brought Meat - Deer have been numerous to the Northward & the Settlers have been pretty well supplied."

Jan. 3 1812
" Friday Mefs Jute & Spencer waited on Capt. Macdonell at Seal Islands to direct his people to a spot of wood fit for sawing into plank for Boats which is wanted for the Settlers Journey to the interior in the Spring - Two Boat Builders to receive Instructions from Capt. McD - accompanied -"

Jan. 6
" Monday Mefs Tate & Spencer Returned."

Jan. 7
" Tuesday Paplay & Gray the two Boat Builders began sawing Boat Timbers - Ja. Anderson the other Boat Builder ill with the Scurvy."

Jan. 10
" Friday 6 Men & an Officer arrived from Capt. Macdonel for Supplies of Oatmeal & returned."

Jan. 16
" Thursday Joseph Hall & Jas. McKinley returned with packet from Severn."

Jan. 20
" Monday sent Jos. Hall & Peter Harper to Tent at Crofs Creek."

Jan. 21
" Tuesday a Party of 8 Men & 3 Officers with 2 Indians as guides arrived from Capt. Macdonell having cut a line of straight road thro the Woods from Flambro House - The Track is about 20? Miles long & the snow at this time about 2 feet deep - yet thro this ? Path did Mr Edwards & Mr McRae without snow shoes persevere till they arrived at the Factory heartily fatigued to be sure at the same time not a little elated with an atchievement? so complementary to the powers of the hardy Colonizers of Hudson's Bay."

Jan. 25
" Saturday Mr McRae & Mr Edwards returned. Hunters from Crofs Creek returned without having killed a single Partridge - therefore orderd them home on Monday next."

Jan. 28
" Tuesday 2 Officers & Men came from Mr Hillier & returned with Oatmeal Pease &c."

Jan. 31
" Friday An Indian from the Northw'd brot a few Furs & a little dried deers Meat."

Feb. 1 1812
" Saturday Mefs McDonell & Hillier arrived by appointment to consult on the most commodious form for the Colony Boats to be built at the Factory this Spring."

Feb. 3
" Monday A party of 8 Men arrived for Prov. from Capt. Macdonel's Quarters."

Feb. 8
" Saturday Mefs McDonell & Hillier returned to their respective Habitations."

Feb. 10
" Monday Capt. Macdonell agreable to promise sent 2 Sawyers & 1 Labourer to afsist in forwarding the Boat Businefs."

Feb.11
" Tuesday a party of 9 Men & an Officer arrived from Mr Hillier for Provisions - One of these Men unable to return from indisposition. - Two Boat Builders afsisted by Donald Malcom the Cooper began laying the Keel of a flat bottomd Battaux for the Colony Service - 6 Men Sick."

Feb. 14
" Friday An Officer with 8 Men arrived for Provisions from Capt. McDonell as also to inform us of a partial Insurrection among the Men."

Feb. 17
" Monday Sent Mag. Rendall Sawyer in company with 2 Men from Capt Macdonells to saw Wood at Back of the Island."

Feb. 20
" Thursday Two Officers 6 Men & 5 Dogs came from Mr Hillier & will return tomorrow with Provisions &c."

Feb. 25
" Tuesday Mr Edwards & a party of 8 Men came for Provisions &c."

Feb. 26
" Wednesday The above party returned with the Articles requested by Capt. Macdonell."

Feb. 28
" Friday Three Men for Provisions from Capt. M arrived as did also two Indians agreed to convey a packet to Mr Auld at Churchill."

Feb. 29
" Saturday A party from Mr Hillier arrived for several articles of Stores &c."

Feb. 30
" Sunday delivered dispatches for Mr Auld to the Indians of Friday who departed on their Journey for Churchill."

Mar. 1 1812
" Monday James Anderson Boat Builder joined the Men at the Factory being so far recoverd of the Scurvy as to be able to afsist in the Businefs now carrying on at the Factory - Two Men in the sick List & those in a fair way of recovery. Peter Harper went to the Sawing Tent to make a 4th Hand that 2 Saws might be employed."

Mar. 4
" Wednesday cleared the Launch House to make room for building a Boat there."

Mar. 5
" Thursday Tho. Angus Boat Builder arrived from Capt. Macdonell to afsist in the work at the Factory - 8 Men also came for Oatmeal &c."

Mar. 6
" Friday Three Men from Capt. Macdonell for Oatmeal &c. Angus & Anderson began the second Boat."

Mar. 7
" Saturday The Men at the Wooding Tent all at Work this Week except Ja. McKinley Sen. who is not quite recovered. - In the Evening John Allan & an Indian arrived from Split Lake with dispatches from Mr Snoddie - No prospect of Trade in that Quarter."

Mar. 8
" Sunday Mr Spencer brought 20 Partridges from his Tent at Sams Creek on the North shore of Nelson River - The produce of one Months' exertion."

Mar. 9
" Monday A party from Mr Hillier arrived for Provisions."

Mar. 10
" Tuesday Mr Hilliers Men returned with the Supplies they came for."

Mar. 12
" Thursday Two Men sent to Fishing Creek House on Friday last returned with a good supply of Dried Meat - a Beaver & 1 Deers Rump. Mr Geddes writes that no Indians have visited him lately - they are attached to the Settlers at Seal Islands - by whom they are liberally treated & encouraged to bring in Supplies - which they frequently do of Fish, Deers Meat &c."

Mar. 13
" Friday An Officer with 12 Men who arrived yesterday - set off to Capt. Macdonell with Oatmeal &c."

Mar. 14
" Saturday John Allan & the Indian with Alex Simpson set off for the Split Lake Nelson River - Two Eastern Indians brought in a little Deers Meat, speak much of the scarcity of Furs in their Ground."

Mar. 16
" Monday A Party from Mr Hillier & Capt. Macdonell came for Provisions & Mag. Spence Taylor a Scorbutic Invalid came to stay at the Factory."

Mar. 17
" Tuesday Six Men sent to Mr Geddes - last Tuesday returned with a good supply of Dried Meat. Mr Geddes says the Settlers are so well supplied by the Indians that they are very indifferent as to the succours he is able to afford them & that they scarsely think the Dried Meat worth fetching."

Mar. 19
" Thursday Twelve Men from Capt. McDonell arrived for Oatmeal &c."

Mar. 23
" Monday A party from Mr Hillier came for Oatmeal &c."

Mar. 24
" Tuesday Sent 6 Men to fetch Mr Geddes & family from Fishing Creek House - also instructed Mr Geddes to ingage an Indian to carry Letters to Mr Auld at Churchill."

Mar. 28
" Saturday The two Indians sent with Exprefs to Churchill on 1st March arrived with Letters from Mr Auld."

Mar. 30
" Monday Sent Ja. Paplay & H Gray to Capt. Macdonell to receive Instructions on the Model of the Boat - Three Men arrived from the above for Oatmeal Bacon &c."

Mar. 31
" Tuesday A party from Mr Hillier, Paplay & H Gray returned."

Apr. 2 1812
" Thursday Sent Thuthat & Jos. Hall to Churchill to accompany Mr Auld on his Journey hither."

Apr. 3
" Friday Mr Geddes & party with remains of Dried Meat &c arrived from the Fishing Creek House. The Deer are beginning to travel in the vicinity of the Fishing Creek - The Indians are killing many of them & liberally supplying the Settlers at Seal Islands - A straggling party of these Animals to the number of about 5 or 6 Hundred visited the Deer Hedge but Mr Geddes had unluckily a few days previous taken up the snares consequently they penetrated the Hedge & none were caught."

Apr. 4
" Saturday Three Indians from Hill River brot a little green Venison."

Apr. 6
" Monday A Party from Mr Hillier came for Oatmeal &c - Mr H sent to the Factory 5 Deers Rumps he having rec'd a large Supply from the Indians."

Apr. 7
" Tuesday Sent Mefs Tate & Spencer to trade meat with the Indians 3 days Journey up Nelson River - Mr Hillier having sent a party for the same purpose."

Apr. 8
" Wednesday Capt. Macdonells people arrived for a supply of Oatmeal - Began the Distillation."

Apr. 9
" Thursday Carpenters began laying the bottom plank of two flat Battaux 28 feet long."

Apr. 9 [again]
" Thursday Two Indians from Eastward Gang brought in a little Deers Meat & their Winters Hunt - The scarcity of Furs in every Direction around the Factory is without a parrallel - The Indians are in a continued State of Starvation - except at chance times when the Deer come about them - & then they are so improvident as not to provide for the wants of a future day - What will be the result of these direful times is fearful to contemplate - they are certainly imprefsed with a fatal tendency inimical to the Happinefs of us all."

Apr. 11
" Saturday Mefs Hillier & McRae & Edwards came upon a visit to the Factory."

Apr. 13
" Monday A Party from Mr Hillier's came for Supplies of Oatmeal &c."

Apr. 14
" Tuesday An Indian from the Eastward brot his Winter hunt of Furs not amounting to 20 MB but more that the generality have brought this season so dreary are the prospects of Trade at this Factory. Ja. Paplay Boat Builder exibited symtones of Scurvy."

Apr. 15
" Wednesday A party from Captain Macdonell brot 6 Sleds of Green Venison from Mefs Tate & Spencer & returned with Oatmeal &c - Mr Edwards went to Sawing Tent to see Peter Harper who is indisposed."

Apr. 16
" Thursday Mefs Hillier McRae & Edwards returned to their Settlements - Ja. Paplay unable to Work."

Apr. 17
" Friday Finished 1st Distillation - Robt. McKay Cooper came from Mr Hillier to work at the Factory."

Apr. 18
" Saturday Rec'd a supply of Fresh Venison from Mefs Tate & Spencer by Mr Hillier's people who returned with Oatmeal &c."

Apr. 19
" Sunday Mr Wm Auld arrived from Churchill accompanied by 2 Englishmen & the Indian & Jos. Hall sent to CH on the 1st of April."

Apr. 23
" Thursday Mr Spencer who had very seasonaly supplied the Factory with Fresh Venison, returned from his Expedition having Traded as much as the Indians can spare or are willing to part with."

Apr. 24
" Friday Mr Tate who accompanied Mr Spencer up Nelson River to trade Meat with the Natives returned to the Factory & brought a considerable quantity of Venison."

Apr. 25
" Saturday Men at the Factory brewing 4 Hhds Table Beer as a prevention to the Scurvy."

Apr. 27
" Monday Ja.Paplay Boat Builder so far recovered from the scurvy as to be able to afsist in the Boat Building."

Apr. 28
" Tuesday H Hay Carpenter began weather boarding the Launch House. Men employed cleaning Officers Appartments &c."

Apr. 29
" Wednesday Coopers employed repairing Inland Rundlets - Men came from Wooding Tent."

Apr. 30
" Thursday Eastern Indians came in to the Goose Hunt - The Men at Factory refused taking the allowance of Table Beer brewed on Saturday as a preservative to Health & served out to them at the rate of 2 pints pr Day to the healthy & convalescent & 3 Pints to Ja. Paplay who tho able to work is yet in some degree afflicted with the Scurvy - It appears by the behaviour of the Men in this Instance as well as former parts of their Conduct that they are determined to resist the adoption of every new Regulation set on foot by the Superintendent or Chief however salutary or advisable & untill the Factory is completely cleared of the Old Hands the Murmurings & Dissatisfactions of Which they are the Instigators will never Cease."

May 1 1812
" Friday Sent 4 Men & an Indian to the Eastward with Salt, Shot &c for the use of the Goose Hunters there."

May 2
" Saturday Sawyers came home from Tent at Back of Island having sawed 138 Logs into Plank - Weather Boarding &c - One Man in Sick List."

May 3
" Sunday Sent Mr Jn McNab to Seal Island with Letters exprefsive of our anxiety to supply them with Bacon while there is an opportunity of getting conveyed to them - & also to send the Indians who are loitering about the Settlers down to the Goose Tent at Sam's Creek."

May 4
" Monday Mr John McN- returned from whom we learn't that the Settlers had caught several Deer in their Hedge & also rec'd some from Ind. Their supplies of fresh Meat were very ample but to provide against the pofsibility of want Mr Hillier sent a party for Bacon. Blacksmith repairing Hunting Guns, rest of Men fetching Rum Punchions from Schooner."

May 5
" Tuesday Men employed bringing the last of Rum Punchions from Schooner - Mag. Spence Taylor unfit for laborious duty making Nets - Sent Cooper & one Man to sams Creek with Empty Hogsheads for Goose Tent."

May 6
" Wednesday Employed this day in collecting Ice & placing it in Ice Cellar - Sawing Wood for Distillery fire - Carpenters, Boat Builders & Blacksmiths at their respective Callings. The latter making Pick axes & repairing Ice Chizzels for cutting a trench round Schooner tomorrow - Two Indians from Foxes River arrived with a little deers meat."

May 7
" Thursday Sent most of the Men at the Factory to cut a trench round Schooner - Capt. Taylor arrived from Severn as did also a Band of Indians from Foxes River who all complain of the general Scarcity of Furs brought on an Average only about 15 MBeaver each - Rec'd 15 Deer from Homegaurd Indians - One Blacksmith making Boat Work."

May 8
" Friday Men employed fetching a Battaux from Eastward - Mr Geddes went acrofs to take charge of Eastern Goose Hunt."

May 9
" Saturday Sent to the Eastward for another Battaux left by the Indians last Fall - Several parties of Indians left the Factory some for the North Goose Tent others for the Eastern one."

May 11
" Monday Sent all the Labouring Hands with Donald Malcom the Cooper with Casks of Salt to Sam's Creek - Also Harry Harry & 2 Men to erect a Beacon at Sams Creek as a land mark for Mr Hillier who intends to Sound the Nelson in the Spring."

May 13
" Wednesday Three Indians came from Nelson River & informs us of the Deer being abundant & that the Settlers have lately caught 18 & had great supplies from the Natives - 2 Blacksmiths employed in Boat Iron Work."

May 14
" Thursday Rec'd 4 Geese from Eastern Tent - Stowed away all the Cargo in Launch House and upper Warehouses in case of an extraordinary Deluge."

May 15
" Friday Two Men from Capt. Macdonell came for a supply of Sugar &c."

May 17
" Sunday Two Indians from the North side of Nelson river brought 2 Geese & some Deers Meat."

May 18
" Monday 4 Men employed in Boat building. Blacksmiths making Iron Work for Do. - Taylors sewing Indian Coats - rest variously employed."

May 20
" Wednesday sent Mr John McNab & one Man with Letters to Capt. McDonnel & Mr Hillier requesting a Statement of their Accounts to compare with the Factory ones - the better to secure correctnefs in their final adjustment - Mr Geddes came from the Eastward for a supply of Provision as no Geese are yet flying there - 2 Men picking Oakum."

May 21
" Thursday Mr John McNab returned with 2 of Capt. McDonells Men."

May 22
" Friday Sent 3 Men in company with the 2 from Capt. Macdonell of yesterday - with 2 Leather & one Canvas Tent for the use of some of his People who are to live on this side of the Nelson till they are wanted for Journey inland."

May 23
" Saturday Mr McCloud & one Man came with Letter from Capt. McDonel - The Factory Men sent yesterday returned - Blacksmiths workg for the Colony boats & making Shoes for Setting Poles."

May 24
" Sunday 12 Men from Capt. Macdonell who have been off duty since Feb. came to the Fact'y for provisions alledging that C. Madonell had refused to support them any longer which obliged them to have recourse to the Factory - After some suitable reproofs from the Superintendant on the impropority of their Conduct - they were sent to tent in the Woods but no provisions given them in consequence of their refusing to deliver up some Guns in their pofsefsion or to point out the persons from whom they received them."

May 25
" Monday Capt. Taylor & 4 Men went into Marsh to the Schooner - Insurgent Party came again for Provisions & on delivering up their Guns were serv'd out 3 Days Oatmeal & Bacon."

May 27
" Wednesday Sent H Hay & 2 Men up the River for Setting Poles - Carpenters Paplay & H Gray finished the Colony Boats one Large & one Small Battaux."

May 28
" Thursday Boat Builders reparing a Boat for Hill River service - Carpenters making Oars & setting Poles others variously employed."

May 29
" Friday 3 Indians came acrofs from the Eastward with 30 Geese from Mr Geddes - Sent 2 Hogsheads by them as the Geese are plentiful & the Casks too few for containing them."

May 30
" Saturday Mefs Makenzie & McLeod came to the Factory with 8 Men preparatory to going to the Rock or Hill River House."

June 1 1812
" Monday Mr McLeod & 3 Men went to the High Bank in Nelson River to bring the Tents &c remaining there to the Factory - 6 Men cutting Firewood at back of Factory. rest as before."

June 2
" Tuesday The Blacksmiths finished working for Capt. McDonell as did also Tho. Angus & Ja. Anderson Boat Builders - having finished 1 Large & one Small Battaux."

June 3
" Wednesday Boat Builders repairing Factory Boats. Carpenters & others variously engaged."

June 5
" Friday The River Ice got in motion this Morning & broke up near the Factory in the Afternoon - In the middle of the night the River was nearly clear of Ice 2 Miles below the Factory."

June 6
" Saturday This Morning the river Ice had proceeded within a mile of the Schooner in the Marsh - & the breaking up so gentle as to give no fears for the safety of the Vefsel - The water has never risen on this Occasion higher that the common Mark of Flood Tides."

June 8
" Monday Sent 14 Men acrofs the River to Mr Geddes at Eastern Goose Tent for a supply of Fresh Geese & two Men to 10 Shilling Creek for Spars for Oars."

June 9
" Tuesday Men returned with 220 fresh & 100 pickled Geese & 4 Indians from Eastward arrived in two Canoes with the Feathers produced from their Hunt."

June 10
" Wednesday Indians of yesterday went away."

June 11
" Thursday Mr Geddes & the Band of Eastern Goose Hunters came to the Factory - 16 Men in two Boats conducted by Mefs McLeod & McKenzie departed with Goods to Hill River House - 2 Deer killed by Indians at the Factory."

June 12
" Friday Indians of yesterday went acrofs to the Eastward - several of these who belong to the Nelson River promise to abandon their Old Haunts and apply themselves more afsiduously than usual to the hunting of Furs - They are to go inland in the Fall & to winter about the Lakes in the mid Country."

June 13
" Saturday The 13 insurgent Men belonging to Capt. McDonell petitioned to be taken on Duty - which in consequenceof some necefsary concefsions on ther part & a promise of exemplary behaviour in future was granted & they were accordingly served out provisions on the same Scale as the Factory Men reserving their remuneration in Wages to the decefsion of the Honble Board."

June 15
" Monday The Northern Goose Hunters with Donald Malcom the Cooper & conductor of the Hunt came to the Factory having Salted 14 Casks of Geese."

June 16
" Tuesday dispatched the Indians of yesterday having agreed with them to abandon the North River & to seek some more profitable situation for their next Winters residence - The whole of this party are heavily in debt at the Factory having failed in procuring Furs for the 3 last Winters & by obstinately attaching themselves to the Nelson River where tho' Deer are abundant no Furs are to be found - Two Boats with Winnepeg & Saskatchewan Goods set off for Hill River House."

June 17
" Wednesday Packing Feathers Quills &c Boat Builders making Oars - Taylors inland Tents - rest at various Jobs."

June 18
" Thursday Two Boats arrived from Hill River House that left the Factory on 11th Inst. brought down Beacon Spars & birch for Hatchet Helves."

June 19
" On Serving out Provisions to the above Men for Journey tomorrow to Hill River - 8 belong'g to Capt. McDonell refused taking the Allowance in consequence of its being insufficient to support them under the Fatigues of the Journey - they demanded half as much more as their last weeks Allowance & we were under the necefsity of complying in part with their demands to prevent a stop being put to the inland businefs now carrying forward from the Factory - The Murmurings and dissatisfactions of this year are beyond example. The badnefs as well as the scantinefs of the Rations form an equal ground of complaint & the people are unanimous in manifesting a spirit of Dissatisfaction which nothing short of the old extravagant Customs appears calculated to appease."

June 20
" Saturday Sent off 16 men in two Boats to Hill River House with Goods to Mefs Sinclair & Bird also 7 Men in a Boat to the Eastward for salted Geese."

June 21
" Sunday Men of yesterday returned with 2 Casks of Salt Geese not being able to bring more on account of the Ice laying very thick on the Eastern Shore."

June 22
" Monday Mr Bunn & 3 Men arrived with Furs to the amount of 500 £ from Merry's House - Mr Bunn informs us that the Canadians are strong in this Quarter & inconsequence has found the Indians very covetous & difficult to please."

June 23
" Tuesday Capt. McDonell arrived from Nelson River with 3 Men, Mr Burke & Mr McDonell the Writer - Four Englishmen & two Indians arrived from the Split Lake by way of Foxes River - to afsist the Colonists in their Journey up the Hill River - An Homegaurd Indian Chief arrived."

June 24
" The Indian of yesterday set off having paid his Debt in winter Furs to the amount of 60 MBeaver - Two Indians engaged to carry dispatches to Albany also left the Factory - Sent 6 Men acrofs the Island to bring to the Factory a Boat drifted from the Settlers in Nelson river & loaded with property of various descriptions - A Carpenter also went to repair the Boat as the Indians represent her to be stove in several places."

June 25
" Thursday Sent a Boat acrofs to the Eastward for the Casks of Geese remaining there - Men returned from the back of the Island & represent the Boat to be too much damaged to be capable of any Repairs. Two Boats with 3 Officers & 12 Men arrived from Mr Hilliers & 3 Officers & 5 Men in a Battaux from Capt. Macdonell."

June 26
" Friday Boat from Eastward brought 12 Casks of Geese, Tent & other things left by Mr Geddes. Two Boats with 14 Men set off this Morning to fetch remains of Provisions left at Seal Islands & also the Cargo of Boat stove at the Back of the Island."

June 27
" Saturday Boat returned from Seal Islands with Provisions &c deposited there as also part of Cargo from Boat stove at Back of Island. Two Boats sent to Hill River on the 20 returned."

June 28
" Sunday An Indian with 40 MB arrived."

June 29
" Monday Mefs Bird & Sinclair & Mr Howse arrived from their respective Factories. The trade from these parts not quite so good as last year. Sent a boat to Sam's Creek & one to back of Island."

June 30
" Tuesday Boat returned with Geese from Sams Creek as also that from back of Island with Boards &c."

July 2 1812
" Thursday Four Boats from Saskatchewan with Mr McFarlane arrived with Furs - 5 Boats for Hill River in which were Mefs Whitford, Carswell, Fisher, McDonell & Alex Robinson left the Factory."

July 3
" Friday Four Boats from Swan & Red Rivers arrived with Mefs Henny, Sutherland, Kenedy, Jn McKay & Jos. Cook."

July 4
" Saturday Two Boats for Hill River departed with Mefs Sloan & McFarlane in company."

July 5
" Sunday Two Canoes of English & one of Natives under the direction of Mr Snoddie arrived with NR Furs."

July 6
" Monday Mefs Bird Macdonell, Hillier, MacRae & Edwards embarked in 4 Boats for their inland Destinations."

July 7
" Tuesday Mr Sinclair set off in a Boat with 6 Men to Hill River."

July 9
" Thursday Mefs Kenedy, Sutherland & Henny left the Factory for their respective destinations in 4 Boats as also Mefs McKay & J Cook in a small Canoe - Began packing the inland Furs - Two Indians arrived & paid their Debts of 70 Beaver each - Three Men ill with the dysentery."

July 10
" Friday Packing inland Furs - Boat Builders repairing Red River Boats - & making Beacon Steps. rest variously."

July 11
" Saturday Sent 6 Men to five fathom Hole to set the Inner Beacon."

July 12
" Sunday Mr Auld accompanied by Mr Howse Two Englishmen and 2 Indians set off to Nelson River to take a survey of that Route as far as the Split Lake."

July 13
" Monday began setting the Launch & making Ready for putting on board the Schooner the Churchill & Severn Cargoes."

July 14
" Tuesday Men employed as yesterday. J Hall & 2 others ill with the Dysentery."

July 15
" Wednesday A Boat from Hill River arrived conducted by H Hay & 5 other Factory Men - A Gunn a uselefs Invalid came in their Craft from the Winnepeg Factory to be taken care of here till shiptime."

July 16
" Thursday Making ready supplies for Severn. Carpenters repairing Boats - Taylors making inland Tents - & rest packing SR Furs."

July 17
" Friday Men employed as before - In the Eveng an Indian theestip? Paid 40 B. of his own Debt & brot a few Skins belonging to his son in law."

July 18
" Saturday Loading the Eastmain Schooner."

July 20
" Monday Three Indians from the Eastward came to inform us of the Scarcity of Food in their Families & to beg a supply of Oatmeal to preserve them from absolute Starvation."

July 21
" Tuesday Captain Taylor having received the Churchill & Severn Cargoes - dropt down the River & anchored at the Old Battery."

July 22
" Wednesday An homegaurd Indian arrived from the Lakes of Nelson River with his Winter Hunt which owing to the impoverished State of that Country was not more than 75 Made Beaver."

July 23
" Thursday The Eastmain Schooner anchored in 5 fathom Hole - Sent Men to set the Buoys & outer Beacon."

July 24
" Friday The Eastern Indians came in to go up the Factory River to await the crofsing of the Deer & after preparing Winter Cloathing from the Skins of these Animals to repair into the interior & endeavour to pay their Debts in Beaver & Martins Skins - Mr Auld & Mr Howse arrived from their Expedition up the Nelson River - & the Nelson River Men arrived from afsisting the Colonists to the Head of Hill River."

July 25
" Saturday The above Men preparing to set off to their respective Settlements - Mr Auld accompanied by 6 Men left the Factory in a Boat for Churchill."

July 26
" Sunday Ja. Moore in a Battaux from CR arrived in a Battaux with 4 Men - & Goods for this Factory - These people mifsed seeing Mr Aulds party by crofsing the Nelson in the Night time."

July 27
" Monday Sent Blacksmith & 7 Men to cut Hay on the Flats near the Factory."

July 28
" Tuesday Mr Snoddie & 11 Men set off in 3 Canoes to Nelson River Settlements as also one Canoe with 4 Men to Merrys House."

July 29
" Wednesday An Indian (Homegaurd) arrived from Nelson River with his Winter's Hunt amounting to only 10 MB so miserably impoverished is that part of the Country - Sent Mr Tate with 10 Men to stoccade a piece of Ground for a Garden at the Fishing Creek House & to make other necefsary preparations at that Settlement so rich in its resources & valuable to this Factory."

July 30
" Thursday a party from the eastern tribe of Natives came for supplies of Oatmeal the Deer having intirely failed to the Eastward & left them a prey to Starvation in its most rigourous form."

Aug. 2 1812
" Sunday Indians of Friday Arrived with their Families desiring to be put acrofs the Nelson but not approving of this proposal in consequence of the scarcity of Furs in that direction sent them up the Factory River as a more likely method of making them useful to themselves & to the Hon. Comp'y"

Aug. 5
" Wednesday Indians came again for supplies of Oatmeal - No Deer as yet crofsing."

Aug. 8
" Saturday Rec'd the flesh of a Deer & a few young Geese from a family of Indians tenting in the Marsh."

Aug. 9
" Sunday Rec'd the flesh of a small Deer killd in the plains near the Factory by the above Indians."

Aug. 10
" Monday Sent 8 Men to make Hay on the Islands up the River."

Aug. 11
" Tuesday In the Evening Mr Auld arrived from Churchill."

Aug. 12
" Wednesday Began cutting a Drain round the Factory leading to the Bank of the River."

Aug. 15
" Saturday sent 4 Men under the direction of Mr Jn McNab with provisions to Mr Tates party at Fishing Creek House Nelson River."

Aug. 16
" Sunday two Indians from the Gang at Pennycutway brought the Flesh of 4 Deer the Animals having made their appearance in the plains in that Vicinity."

Aug. 17
" Monday Men Working at the Drain & pumping the Cellars - Haymakers & Coopers at their usual Jobs - Blacksmith unable to work from the Tooth ach."

Aug. 18
" Tuesday Three Canoes of Indians from the Lakes about Oxford House arrived with part of their Winter Debts - brought 9 Deer from a place in Steel River about 50 Miles from the Factory where they are crofsing numerously."

Aug. 19
" Wednesday Indians of yesterday left the Factory & in the afternoon rec'd a Boat load of Deer from Mr Tate who killed them at the Fishing Creek Nelson River."

Aug. 20
" Thursday Mr Snoddie & 4 Men arrived from the Nelson river Settlements with Feathers, Quills &c of this years Trade."

Aug. 21
" Friday Mr Ja. Swain and an Indian from Severn & 3 Men from Merrys House arrived with remains Furs traded there last Winter."

Aug. 22
" Saturday Mefs Sinclair McRae Tho. McNab & Mr McDonell arrived from the interior accompanied by one Man from the Colonists 5 from Saskatchewan & 14 from West Winnpeg."

Aug. 24
" Monday 8 Men preparing to go for supply of Venison to Mr Tate at Nelson river others packing - Haymaking - Drain &c 2 in sick list one of whom Wm Lisk from Saskatchewan dangerously ill - Late in the Evening Mr Thomas Swain & family arrived from Severn."

Aug. 25
" Tuesday Early this morning a Vefsel appeared in the Offing which we conjecture to be the Eastmain Schooner from Churchill and at 11AM another Vefsel made her appearance to the Northward of point of Marsh The wind Southerly & the Tide too far spent to admit of her coming to anchor this day - Late in the evening Mefs Kivney? & Fidler came ashore with the YF Packet.
Rec'd several Deer from the Nelson River."

Aug. 26
" Wednesday Sent two Boats to the Ship for Pafsengers & articles belonging to the Colonists. The Eastmain Schooner from Churchill & Severn came alongside the Launch - Pafsengers for the Colony formed an Encampment at the Old Factory."

Aug. 27
" Thursday Sent a Boat with 4 Men to the Fishing Creek House in Nelson River for Supplies of Venison - All hands employed unloading Schooner - Two Boats went down to Ship."

Aug. 28
" Friday Boats returned from the Ship with property for the Colonists."

Aug. 29
" Saturday Rec'd 27 Deer from Fishing Creek House & a few from Indians up the Fact'y River."

Aug. 30
" Sunday Captain Davison with Mr McLean & family came on shore - The Captain took his leave and intends proceeding on his Voyage to Moose in a day or two."

Aug. 31
" Monday The Ship King George from Churchill appeared in the Offing this Morning sent a Boat to the Ship which returned with Orkney Letters."

Sept. 1 1812
" Tuesday Sent Boats to the Ship which returned with Cargo - Rec'd 2 Deer from Indians."

Sept. 2
" Wednesday Capt. Turner came ashore. The Schooner came up with a Freight of WF YF & SF Cargoe."

Sept. 3
" Thursday Sent a Boat under the direction of Mr Geddes to bring a Supply of Venison from Fishing Creek House."

Sept. 5
" Saturday 4 Boats with Families destined for the Colony left the Factory for the Red River. The Schooner with a Freight of homeward bound Cargo went down to the Ship. The people who left the Factory this day amount to 70 of different ages - Indians arrived with one Deer 2? other took up their Winter Credits."

Sept. 7
" Monday Four Boats set off to the Interior with Men Women & Children for the Colony. Put the remains of homeward bound Cargo on board the Schooner with which she dropt down to the Ship."

Sept. 8
" Tuesday Mr Snoddie & 4 Men set off for the Nelson River Settlement. - The Schooner came up from the Ship & Two Boats for the interior left the Factory conducted by Mefs Kivny? & McRae."

Sept. 10
" Thursday Mr McLean & family left the Factory in a Canoe conducted by 4 Men & 4 other Men are to be sent to morrow with a part of their luggage which could not be taken to day - Mefs Fidler & 3 other Officers also embarked."

Sept. 11
" Friday Lauchlan Leith & 3 others set off in a large Canoe with the Articles left by Mr McLean & family Yesterday."

Sept. 12
" Saturday Sent all the homeward bound Pafsengers on board the King George by the Eastmain Schooner who departed on her voyage to Severn - Capt. Turner took his leave & returned to the Ship."

Sept. 13
" Sunday Sent the Officers - Mefs Howse T Swain - Bourke - Tate - Jn MacNab & Tho. Auld on board with Packet so God send the Ship a good voyage to her desired Port.
WH Cook."



B.239/a/118

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