This is an ordinary week in the life.
From the Carlton House(Saskatchewan) Journals. Written by John Peter Pruden in 1814.
"Nov.26 Saturday A Light air from the N.W. Clear fine Weather
The two young Men that arrived yesterday returned.
Men employed much the same as yesterday & cleaning the yard.
Sent by the young Men that went off to day 2 fathoms of Tobacco to be
divided amongst the Indians at the camp that trades at this House.
Late in the Evening a band of Southard Indians arrived 9 Men to this
House & 13 to the NWC House; they came from the Birch Hill, and they slept
2 Nights on their way, distant About 50 Miles.
"Nov.27 Sunday Wind Northerly part clear & part Cloudy Weather
Indians that arrived last Evening Trading and taken Debt and a part of
them went away. They traded with us 800 Musquashes and a few other trifling
furs.
"Nov.28 Monday Wind N.E. Cloudy Weather
The remainder of the Indians went away. Men employed tying up some Furs &
getting home some fire wood for themselves.
"Nov.29 Tuesday Wind N.E. Cloudy Weather blowing hard with thick Snow, it
fell at this time About 3 Inches of snow which makes it very good hauling
for Sleds to travel.
Sent off 4 Men with Dogs & Sleds to the Hunting Tent for Meat: the rest
employed bringing home fire wood.
"Nov. 30 Wednesday A fresh Gale N.W. Clear sharp Weather
Men at home employed bringing home fire wood & hauling snow out of the
yard.
In the Evening 6 Stone Indians arrived 2 to this House & 4 to the NWC
House, brought nothing with them, they came from the Southmost end of the
Eagle Hill.
"Dec. 1 Thursday Wind West Clear cold Weather
The Men that went for Meat on Tuesday returned brought 766 lbs of Meat,
one of the Hunters came home with them having broke his gun.
The Men at the House employed nearly the same as before. The Stone
Indians that arrived yesterday got a little supplies & went away.
"Dec.2 Friday Wind S.W. clear fine cold Weather
Men employed, some looking for Horses to go in search of Buffalo with,
others preparing Sleds & to go a Trip on Buffalo Hunting. In the Evening
they came home with the horses they went for.
In the Afternoon James Whitford Jun. & John Ashburn arrived on Horseback
from Paint Creek with Letters from Mr. Bird and a few Articles I had
requested from him by the last conveyance that went from this.
"Dec.3 Saturday Wind S.E. cloudy Weather inclining to Snow blows hard
Sent off 6 Men with 6 Horses & Sleds and 6 Sleds of Dogs, 4 Dogs per
Sled, with one of the Hunters of the House to go in search of Buffalo;
upwards between the River & not to come back till such times they get their
loading should they go ever so far for it. but I expect they will find
Buffalo at two days march from this; by the account we have from Indians.
A Southward Indian arrived from the Woody Hill early this Morning he has
been two nights on his way brought one Horse carrying some Dried
Provisions, the few furs he had he left behind at his Tent."
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HBCA microfilm numbers:
Reel 1M19 B.27/a/4