"Fort Hibernia Journal 1817-18 Duncan Finlayson"
[cover]

" Journal of Occurrences Kept at Fort Hibernia Commencing October 5th 1817
And
Ending May 2nd 1818
By Duncan Finlayson"
[Title page]


" Journal of Occurrences Fort Hibernia October 5th 1817"

" I arrived here a few days ago with four Men a Boy Thomas Taylor to name and also four Horses & carts loaded with Goods for the use of this place. Found all well & a good quantity of Provisions already procured. but very few Furs."

Oct. 6 Monday
" Weather cloudy with a light breeze of wind. Sent Robert Clouston, John Easter, William Sinclair, & Andrew Spence to make coal kilns. Baptiste &James Mowat cutting some wood for the coals. Robert Harvey & Hugh Fraser sawing. two Men employed in cutting & hauling firewood. In the evening a band of Cree Indians arrived. they kept drinking all night & got very troublesome. Wr. Still cloudy & blowing harder than this morning."

Oct. 7 Tuesday
" Weather Still cloudy but calm. All Hands employed as yesterday. Gave a little debt to several Indians & in the evening they went off. Three Stone Indians arrived for a little tobacco & informing us that the Iron Neck lace, one of the greatest Chiefs among the Stone Indians would be here in a few days. Weather cloudy & calm."

Oct. 8 Wednesday
" Clear & Windy weather. The Men employed the same as the two preceding days. A few Cree & Stone Indians arrived. they kept drinking all night. An Indian also arrived from Riviere Qu'appelle carrying letters from Mr McKay informing us that he had arrived safe & built at the Beaver Creek fifteen miles below our old Fort & further that he had every prospect of making a tolerable quantity of Provisions. Weather Overcast."

Oct. 9 Thursday
" Clear & pleasant weather. Sent five Men to build the Coal Kilns, also two Men & two Boys went off to the Hunting tent. James Inkster & John Easter putting Stockadzes? about the Boat yard. James Anderson variously employed at the House. Sent the Cree & Stone Indians off. Clear & pleasant weather Still."

Oct. 10 Friday
" Sent three to cut logs for the Forge the rest of the Men working at different jobs about the House. A Band of Cree Indians arrived & brought a large quantity of Provisions with them they kept drinking all night. Weather Clear & pleasant"

Oct. 11 Saturday
" Weather Cloudy. Three Men hauling logs for the Forge. Clouston and Baptiste building it. In the evening three Men arrived from Swan River with two Horses & carts loaded with liquor, Ammunition & Iron. Settled with the Indians of yesterday & sent them off. Weather overcast."

Oct. 12 Sunday
" Sent William Sinclair & Francis Mongeneur with their families to our Settlement at the Beaver Creek & also Geo. Setter accompanied voluntarly thither as he could be of no service here. Men at the House doing nothing. Weather flying clouds & blowing remarkably Hard."

Oct. 13 Monday
" During last night it snowed lightly. James Inkster & three Men cutting logs for the Boats which are to be built here. Robert Clouston & three Men building the Forge. Sent John Brafs and a Boy to the Hunting tent. Weather begins to get cold also snowing day."

Oct. 14 Tuesday
" Sent Hugh Fraser & Andrew Spence to Swan River with two Horses & carts loaded with Provisions. Four Men Clearing a track to haul the Boat logs. Three Men building the Forge. the rest of them employed as usual. Clear & cold weather."

Oct. 15 Wednesday
" Snowed during last night & pretty cold this morning. James Inkster & Wishart cutting logs. three Men & a Boy employed in cutting & hauling firewood. Clouston & four Men putting the Chimney up in the Forge & also mudding it. Clear & cold weather."

Oct. 16 Thursday
" Weather sometimes clear & cloudy Men employed as yesterday."

Oct. 17 Friday
" Men employed the same as the two preceding days. Weather warmer than yesterday."

Oct. 18 Saturday
" Weather blowing but wain. James Inkster & three Men cutting logs for the Boats. Four cutting & hauling firewood. Robert Clouston making doors & windows for the Forge. Weather still blowing Hard."

Oct. 19 Sunday
" Weather Overcast. John Brafs and the Boy arrived from the Hunting tent they brought two Red Deer. Weather still cloudy & blowing very Hard."

Oct. 20 Monday
" Froze Hard during last night. James Inkster & three Men cutting boat timbers &c this takes a long time because they must dig round the tree so as to get at the root, as no other part will answer the purpose near so well. James Wishart cutting logs as I intend to have the Men's House repaired. two Men cutting firewood & James Anderson Mudding the Houses. Three Stone Indians arrived according to custom for a piece of tob. and afsured us that the Iron Neck lace the Stone Indian Chief would be here tommorrow, with a large band of that tribe of Indians. Weather Cloudy & cold."

Oct. 21 Tuesday
" Weather mild this morning. All Hands employed as yesterday. The Stone Indian Chief with his band arrived. this band consists of 50 Men with their families they kept drinking all night & owing to their number we kept a watch of two armed Men all night, so that this watch would call the Men as they slept with their arms a long side them. The Stone Indians are in general quieter at the House than the Crees. they brought a large quantity of Fat but very little Pounded Meat. Weather Cloudy but warm."

Oct. 22 Wednesday
" Weather snowing this morning. Sent Robert Clouston & James Wishart off to burn the Coal Kilns. Three Men Mudding the Houses & two Men cutting & hauling firewood. Andrew Spence & Hugh Fraser arrived from Swan River with two carts loaded with Sundry articles of Trading Goods. The Indians of yesterday Trading all day. Weather still snowing & cold. Sent John Brafs & Thomas Taylor to the Hunting tent."

Oct. 23 Thursday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Sent the Indians off. Weather snowing & freezing all day."

Oct. 24 Friday
" Andrew Spence & Fraser employed variously about the House. the rest of the Men employed the same as the two preceding days. Weather clear & cold. The snow about 8 Inches deep."

Oct. 25 Saturday
" A Band of Cree Indians arrived but brought very little property in with them, however they kept drinking all night. The Men Still at the same employment as already mentioned. Weather snowing & cloudy all day."

Oct. 26 Sunday
" The Indians of yesterday remain at the House to day. Men doing nothing. Weather all day snowing drifting"

Oct. 27 Monday
" During last night it froze remarkably Hard. Baptiste & Easter repairing the Horse sledges. two Men mudding the Houses. three Men employed about hauling & cutting firewood. two Men sawing & James Inkster began to build one of the Boats. Sent the Indians of the 25th Current off. Weather still freezing & very cold. all the lakes & Rivers are set in to day."

Oct. 28 Tuesday
" Weather light clouds. Sent A. Spence & Baptiste to cut some Boat timbers. two Men sawing & two hauling & cutting firewood. two Men repairing the House. John Easter & James Inkster at the Boats. Weather extremely cold."

Oct. 29 Wednesday
" Two Men cutting birch for sledges. Three Men cutting & two hauling firewood, two Men sawing & two Men variously employed about the House. Clear cold Weather."

Oct. 30 Thursday
" All Hands employed as yesterday. Weather cold & overcast"

Oct. 31 Friday
" Engaged an Indian for hunting & sent him off accompanied by German Monjeneur who is to haul the Meat to the tent. The rest of the Men employed as the two preceding days. Weather Weather Overcast and Warmer than yesterday."

Nov. 1 1817 Saturday
" Baptiste & Easter employed at the House the rest of the Men employed as above mentioned. Wr. Clear & warm"

Nov. 2 Sunday
" Men doing nothing Weather still warm."

Nov. 3 Monday
" Andrew Spence and Baptiste looking out for logs to make a Beaver Prefs. Robert Harvey & Hugh Fraser sawing & two Men with the Blacksmith at the coals Easter employed with James Inkster Weather Clear & pleasant."

Nov. 4 Tuesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Late this evening John Favel and Thomas Setter arrived with the letters from Europe & at the same time informing us that Mr James Sutherland was set in at the Winepiquishick & the Boat which was carrying the tobacco intended for this place was still farther behind. Weather overcast."

Nov. 5 Wednesday
" All hands employed as usual. Weather clear & pleasant"

Nov. 6 Thursday
" Sent John Favel, James Wishart, Angus McAulay and Tho. Setter with two Horses & carts. Dogs & five sleds & also a Good quantity of Provisions to Swan River. four Men Stocking the Coal Kilns. Two cutting & one hauling firewood. Easter employed with Inkster at the Boats. Weather Snowing all day and also cold."

Nov. 7 Friday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Nothing happend to day any ways interesting. Weather warmer than yesterday."

Nov. 8 Saturday
" Two Men hauling Coals to the House. Clouston the Blacksmith putting up the Bellows in the Forge. two Men sawing. Easter employed with Inkster, two Men hauling firewood & two making the Beaver Prefs. Weather overcast & cold"

Nov. 9 Sunday
" Snowy weather. Men doing nothing."

Nov. 10 Monday
" Baptiste & Spence finished the Beaver Prefs to day two Men hauling Coals. two Men cutting & one hauling firewood. Easter looking for the Horses. The sawyers sick. John Brafs & Thomas Taylor arrived from the hunting tent but brought nothing as the Hunter is killing nothing. Wr. Cloudy all day."

Nov. 11 Tuesday
" Blacksmith working in the Forge & Brafs blowing the Bellows. Sent Andew Spence to look for the Horses as Easter could not find them. Baptiste mending old Slegdes. The sawyers still badly. The rest of the Men employed as yesterday. W. Cloudy."

Nov. 12 Wednesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Weather cloudy & cold all day."

Nov. 13 Thursday
" Baptiste & Spence cutting logs for kegs?. Clouston putting up his Cabin. the rest of the Men employed the same as the two preceding days. Weather Cold & Clear all day."

Nov. 14 Friday
" Baptiste & Spence cutting Stockadzes for the Garden. Sent John Brafs & Tom to the Hunting Tent. Tradesmen at their respective employments. Weather Clear & cold."

Nov. 15 Saturday
" All the Men still at the same employment. Weather Cold and Clear all day."

Nov. 16 Sunday
" German arrived from the Hunting tent with two Moose Dear. Men doing nothng. Weather Clear."

Nov. 17 Monday
" Sent Andrew Spence & John Easter to Whaquan's tent for Meat. The sawyers better & sawing to day. two Men cutting & two hauling firewood. Frances Martin a French Half breed came here to day with his family what his intentions are I do not know but I believe he wants to be engaged as a Servant. four Indians arrived but brought very little property. Weather Cloudy & overcast all day."

Nov. 18 Tuesday
" Clouston & Harvey badly. Fraser working with James Inkster. Brafs & little Tom. arrived with a red Deer. also John Easter & Spence arrived from Whaquan's tent with two Moose Deer. The rest of the Men variously employed. Weather Snowing all day."

Nov. 19 Wednesday
" Sent John Brafs & Tom. to the Hunting tent two Men hauling Coals two cutting & hauling firewood. the Indians went off for their tents to day. Weather clear & cold."

Nov. 20 Thursday
" Baptiste & James Gaddie looking for their Horses as they received information that they were theived by Indians. Two Men cutting & two hauling firewood. Clouston & Harvey still badly Andrew Spence Sawing with Hugh Fraser. Sent Tom & Brafs off to the Hunting tent. W. Clear & cold."

Nov. 21 Friday
" Clouston got better but Harvey is still in the same state. I therefore sent Clouston to saw with Fraser as Andrew Spence could not manage to saw. Baptiste & Spence cutting Stockadzes for the Garden. Two Men cutting & one hauling firewood. a few Stone & Cree Indians arrived they kept drinking all night. Weather Clear & cold."

Nov. 22 Saturday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Sent all the Indians off to day. Weather still clear & cold."

Nov. 23 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Weather clear & mild."

Nov. 24 Monday
" Clouston & Fraser sawing. Baptiste & Spence looking for logs to make Sleds. two Men cutting & two hauling firewood. In the evening two Stone Indians arrived for tob. & informed us that a great quantity of Provisions were already procured at their tents. W. Clear & pleasant"

Nov. 25 Tuesday
" Harvey got again better I therefore sent him to saw with Fraser. Baptiste & Spence employed as yesterday. Clouston repairing Hatchets & James Mowat employed with him. James Anderson who is to be the wood hauler & James Short who is to be cutting it all winter, are at their respective duties. German arrived from the hunting tent with one Red Deer. Weather still clear & very mild."

Nov. 26 Wednesday
" Sent John Easter & a Boy, (son of James Anderson) to the hunting tent. the rest of the Men employed as yesterday. Weather Clear & mild."

Nov. 27 Thursday
" John Easter and the Boy arrived with two Red Deer. the rest of the Men employed the same as the two preceding days. Weather clear & pleasant."

Nov. 28 Friday
" Baptiste & Spence hauling home birch for snow shoes. Easter employed with James Inkster. the rest of the Men employed as usual. Weather still clear & pleasant."

Nov. 29 Saturday
" Two Men hauling & one cutting firewood. Baptiste & Spence turning snow shoes. Clouston & Mowat working in the Forge the rest of the Men employed as usual. Weather clear & remarkably pleasant."

Nov. 30 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Two Stone Indians arrived with a large quantity of Provisions. They kept drinking all night."

Dec. 1 1817 Monday
" Tradesmen, wood hauler's & cutter's at their respective employments. Baptiste & Spence turning Snow Shoes. Two Men arrived from our Settlement at the Beaver Creek with letters for different quarters. An Indian also arrived from the Saskatchewan informing us that Mr Pruden had already procured a great quantity of Provisions & that? he had every prospect of getting more. Weather Clear & colder than usual. Sent the Indians off."

Dec. 2 Tuesday
" Sent Baptiste with the Red River letters to Swan River. Andrew Spence making Bars for snow Shoes the rest of the Men at their respective employments. Weather Clear & extremely cold."

Dec. 3 Wednesday
" Sent Andrew Spence for Meat to the hunting tent. two Men sawing. Clouston & Mowat working in the Forge. Easter working with James Inkster the rest of the Men employed as usual. Weather Cloudy & cold."

Dec. 4 Thursday
" Cloudy weather & threating snow. Sent James Anderson and three Boys off to the hunting tent. two Men sawing two cutting firewood & one hauling it to the House. Mr Sutherland with John Favel, Thomas Setter, William Haddle the second, & James Wishart arrived here carrying some trading goods for the use of this place. Weather cloudy & still warm. Baptiste also arrived."

Dec. 5 Friday
" Men that came from Swan River resting themselves the rest of the Men employed as usual. W. Cloudy. Andrew Spence arrived with one Red Deer."

Dec. 6 Saturday
" Men employed as before. Weather snowing all day. the snow now is about 12 Inches deep."

Dec. 7 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Weather clear & cold."

Dec. 8 Monday
" Sent Easter & Favel to the hunting tent. two Men sawing two cutting & two hauling firewood. Harvey employed with Inkster; Spence & Baptiste making sleds. W. clear & cold"

Dec. 9 Tuesday
" James Anderson & the Boys arrived from the hunting tent with seven Animals the rest of the Men employed as before. Weather clear & very cold."

Dec. 10 Wednesday
" John Favel & Easter arrived from the hunting tent. two Men making sledges. two Men cutting & one hauling firewood. two Men sawing & two putting a wooden fence about the hay Stacks. Weather clear & pleasant"

Dec. 11 Thursday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Clear & very cold."

Dec. 12 Friday
" John Easter making horse sledges. Baptiste & Favel making dog sledges. two Men cutting firewood. Clouston & a man working in the Forge. Sent Thomas Setter & John Brafs off to the hunting tent. Weather still cold."

Dec. 13 Saturday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. The Rattlesnake, a Souteaux Chief, arrived with a few of his band. they brought a few Furs which they traded for liquor. W. Clear & cold."

Dec. 14 Sunday
" Weather Cloudy. Men doing nothing. the Rattlesnake & party went off. Weather cloudy & blowing very Hard."

Dec. 15 Monday
" Weather drifting & blowing. Tradesmen at their respective employments. Harvey badly. Easter employed with Jn Inkster. Baptiste & Favel sewing Sledges. two Men cutting & Anderson hauling firewood. W. snowing & drifting."

Dec. 16 Tuesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. W. clear tho' cold."

Dec. 17 Wednesday
" All the Men principally employed the same as the two preceding days. Engaged an Indian, the two Heads (to Name) as a hunter for the House & Sent him off with a man to tent with him & to haul all the Meat he kills to his tent. Brafs & Thomas Setter arrived from the hunting tent they brought nothing as the hunter is Starving himself. W. Cloudy & snowing."

Dec. 18 Thursday
" The Men employed principally the same as yesterday. Weather snowing & Cloudy all day."

Dec. 19 Friday
" Baptiste & John Favel cutting birch logs for making sleds. Sent John Easter & Brafs to the hunting tent. Tradesmen at their respective employments. towards the evening the Iron Neck lace with a few Stone Indians arrived. W. Cold."

Dec. 20 Saturday
" John Easter & Brafs arrived from the hunting tent but brought nothing. Baptiste & Favel carrying the birch which they cut yesterday to the House. the rest of the Men employed as yesterday. The Stone Indians trading. W. Clear & cold."

Dec. 21 Sunday
" Men doing. Sent the Stone Indians off. Two Men arrived from Swan River but brought no news concerning the Boat which was carrying tobacco for the use of this place. W. Cloudy & snowing lightly."

Dec. 22 Monday
" Havey in a better state of health therefore employed with Inkster; two Me sawing two cutting & one hauling firewood. two Men cutting logs for the Boats & two Men making snow shoes. Weather snowing all day."

Dec. 23 Tuesday
" Spence arrived from the hunting tent & brought nothing. all our half breeds hunting Rabbits & killed upwards of 30. the rest of the Men employed as usual. W. Cold & clear."

Dec. 24 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Sent two Men to the hunting tent. James Wishart sick. wood cutter & hauler at their respective jobs & two Men hauling Birch for Sleds & John Easter employed with Inkster. Weather clear & cold."

Dec. 25 Thursday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Two Men arrived from Swan River carrying letters from Jack River informing us that our Fall Boats were set fast before Oxford House. Weather snowing lightly."

Dec. 26 Friday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Wood cutters & haulers at their jobs the rest of the Men variously employed about the house. Weather clear & pleasant."

Dec. 27 Saturday
" Sent John Easter John Favel & Thomas Setter out to the Plains to see if the Buffaloe were coming near us. Wishart better & sawing with Hugh Fraser. Sent William Haddle & German to the hunting tent. one man hauling birch to the house. Sent off Andrew Spence to tent with the two Heads. John Brafs looking after the Horses & Tradesmen wood haulers & cutters at their respective employments. W. Clear & pleasant"

Dec. 28 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing. Sent the Beaver Creek Men off with a few articles of Trading Gods for the use of that place. Weather Clear & pleasant."

Dec. 29 Monday
" Tradesmen wood cutters & haulers at their respective employments. one Man hauling boards from the saw pit. Fraser & Killeval? sick. Weather Clear & very pleasant."

Dec. 30 Tuesday
" Haddle and German arrived from the hunting tent they brought one red Deer all the rest of the Men employed as yesterday. Weather clear & mild all day."

Dec. 31 Wednesday
" Fraser & Killeval better. Tradesmen sawyers wood cutters & haulers at their respective employments. German looking for the horses as they cannot be found & two Men thrashing barley. Weather Cloudy & snowing lightly."

" Thursday January 1st 1818"

" All hands kept this as a holy day & enjoyed themselves according to custom of this Country. W. blowing Hard."

Jan. 2 Friday
" Men doing nothing. Weather Clear & very cold."

Jan. 3 Saturday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments two Men cutting firewood and one hauling it to the house. Baptiste & Favel looking for the Horses & found the whole of them safe & well. Sent James Mowat to the Two Heads tent. Weather very clear & cold."

Jan. 4 Sunday
" Sent Andrew Spence & John Easter to the Sun Childs tent & German to the Rattlesnaks. Men at the House doing nothing. Weather clear & very cold."

Jan. 5 Monday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments wood cutters & haulers at their employments the rest employed as usual. Weather Clear & cold."

Jan. 6 Tuesday
" Two Men hauling logs from the saw pit. the rest of the Men employed as usual. Alexander Bremner arrived from Swan River with several letters from Cumberland House which are to be forwarded to Red River. W. Clear & cold."

Jan. 7 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments & the rest of the Men as usual. Thomas Firth Angus MacAulay & Peter Henderson arrived from Swan River & brought some liquor & tobacco. towards the evening an Indian arrived & brought a good quantity of Provisions. Baptiste Richair? & John Favel making preparations to Start tomorrow with me, with the Cumberland Packet to Red River & this Journal was kept by Mr Sutherland from this date untill the 31st Cur't. Weather clear & cold all day."

Jan. 8 Thursday
" Two Men sawing two hauling logs one cutting & one hauling wood. Tradesmen at their respective employments. the Men who came from Swan River resting themselves. Sent Mr Finlayson & two Men with the Exprefs for Qu'Appelle. In the evening two Bongees arrived & in the evening also a French Half breed came over to us & wishes to be engaged. Clear & cold Weather."

Jan. 9 Friday
" Men employed as yesterday. Gave some debt to the Indians of yesterday & equipped A. McAulay to go & tent with him. In the evening Whaquan & his tent mates arrived & brought 100 lb Moose Meat from him & the Meat of a Bear from the Rattle snake. Severe cold weather."

Jan. 10 Saturday
" The Bongees went off accompanied by Angus McAulay. Whaquan & Wm Haddle went off to the Hunting tent. Sent Alex Bremner Robt Rendal & Thomas Setter to Swan River with a Cargoe of Provisions also sent letters to be forwarded to Cumberland House. In the evening the two Heads one of our hunters arrived & also his tent mate they were Starving. Men at the house employed as before. Clear & cold weather."

Jan. 11 Sunday
" Having learnt that the Men who were sent to Swan River yesterday were obliged to leave some of their loads by the way. I sent German for who returned in the evening"

Jan. 12 Monday
" James Inkster & Robert Harvey building the Boats. Robt. Clouston and Thomas Firth making Iron works for them. Hugh Fraser & James Wishart at the Pit saw. Peter Henderson & Joseph Colen hauling logs from the Saw pit. James Anderson & sons hauling firewood. German looking for the horses James Short & Killeval cutting firewood. A few days ago John Brafs was seized with a kind of Stupor which confined him to Bed for two days. he then roused from that lethargic State & has been ever since going roaring about the house in a complete state of Madnefs. The Two Heads & his tentmates went off to hunt. Severe cold Weather."

Jan. 13 Tuesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. cold Weather."

Jan. 14 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments & the rest of the men employed as before except James Short who is making soap & German cutting wood. Milder weather."

Jan. 15 Thursday
" Tradesmen as before & the Men the same. Weather mild."

Jan. 16 Friday
" Tradesmen as usual. James Short cutting firewood. Peter Henderson & German hauling logs to the House. In the evening a Boy arrived from the hunting tent informing us that the hunter had killed 2 Animals. W. Cloudy."

Jan. 17 Saturday
" Sent off Peter Henderson & a Boy to the hunting tent for the Meat. the rest of the Men as before. In the evening a Stone Indian arrived with some provisions."

Jan. 18 Sunday
" The Men of yesterday returned from the hunting tent accompanied by Mowat & brought from the Two Heads 300 lb of Meat & from Wahquan 130 lb. The Stone Indian traded and went away. Cloudy Weather."

Jan. 19 Monday
" Tradesmen sawyers wood haulers & cutters at their respective duties. Henderson with the Blacksmith. Brafs & German badly. Mowat returned to the hunters tent the rest variously employed. Sharp cold weather."

Jan. 20 Tuesday
" All Hands employed as yesterday in the evening two Men arrived from Swan River with some articles of trading Goods. An Indian also arrived from the plains requesting people to come to their tents. James Gaddee Killed a Moose Deer near the House. severe cold Weather."

Jan. 21 Wednesday
" Tradesmen Cook Wood haulers & cutters at their respective employments. one Man sewing sleds & one preparing snow Shoes & another Cleaning out the Carpenter's yard. in the evening an Indian arrived & brought some pounded Meat and fat which he traded."

Jan. 22 Thursday
" The Men employed as before. The Indian of yesterday went off. A Bongee Indian arrived with a few furs. Weather Clear and cold."

Jan. 23 Friday
" Boat builders Sawyers wood cutters & haulers & Blacksmith at their respective duties. The rest of the Men employed about various jobs. The Indian of yesterday traded & went off."

Jan. 24 Saturday
" All the men employed as yesterday. two Indians arrived & brought a few furs from ? tent. late at night two Men arrived from the hunters with two Moose Deer one killed by the two Heads & the other by the Rattlesnake"

Jan. 25 Sunday
" Settled with the Indians & advanced them some debt & they went off to their tents."

Jan. 26 Monday
" Tradesmen at their respective duties. four Men cutting firewood & one sewing Sleds & sent two Men off to the hunting tent."

Jan. 27 Tuesday
" Men employed as yesterday. took the second Boat of the Stocks; in the evening John Easter & Andrew Spence arrived from the hunting tent & brought about 100 lb of Bulls beef & say they left the Meat of two Bulls at the tent."

Jan. 28 Wednesday
" Sent off three Men and a Boy for the Meat at the tent. Also sent off James Gaddie with one Man & two Boys to look for Buffaloe to the westward. they proceeded on a few miles from the house & met some Indians coming to the House who informed them that there is no Buffaloe within 5 days march of this place. they consequently returned with the Indians who brought a few furs to the house. About 10 AM Mr Finlayson returned from Qu'Appelle & accompanied by Mr MacDonald & four Men & brought letters from Red River. the Men at the House employed as before."

Jan. 29 Thursday
" Tradesmen at their respective duties & the Men at the house variously employed."

Jan. 30 Friday
" Men employed the same as the two preceding days. George Sinclair & John Flett arrived from Swan River."

Jan. 31 Saturday
" Sent off Donald McDonald & Gottier to Swan River with a sled loaded with Provisions. also sent off John Easter & German to hunt Buffaloe the rest variously employed. Weather Cloudy & Cold."

Feb. 1 1818 Sunday
" I again got this Journal to keep. Men at the House doing nothing. W. Clear & very cold."

Feb. 2 Monday
" Tradesmen wood haulers & cutters at their respective duties. Men from the hunting tent arrived & brought us information that the Buffaloe are getting nearer us. They also brot fresh Meat from the tent (weight 350) W. Clear & blowing very Hard."

Feb. 3 Tuesday
" Sent 4 Men & three Boys to the hunting tent. also Geo. Sinclair & John Flett to Red Deer's River. Men at the at their respective employments. W. Cloudy all day."

Feb. 4 Wednesday
" Boat builders Blacksmith wood cutter & hauler at their respective employments. Mr MacDonald with his two Men started for the Beaver Creek. Toward the evening a few Indians arrived but brought very little property. Weather cloudy & overcast."

Feb. 5 Thursday
" Men employed as yesterday. The Indians Still at the house towards the evening a few Stone Indians arrived they brought a large quantity of Fat but very little pounded Meat. Weather drifting all day & at night blowing remarkably hard."

Feb. 6 Friday
" The Men employed the same as the two preceding days. Indians Still at the house. Tradesmen at their respective employments. W. Snowing & drifting & blowing a hurricane all day & last night equally the same as to day."

Feb. 7 Saturday
" The Indians went off. Tradesmen as usual wood cutters & hauler the same. Weather Still boisterous."

Feb. 8 Sunday
" Four Cree Indians arrived & brought a few Furs &c. Men doing nothing. Weather Clear & very cold."

Feb. 9 Monday
" Tradesmen wood haulers & cutter at their respective employments. our Men from the hunting tent arrived. Sent the Indians of yesterday off. Weather Clear & very cold."

Feb. 10 Tuesday
" Sent off four Men & two Boys to the hunting tent two Men sawing. two Cutting & hauling firewood. tradesmen at their different employments. Weather remarkably Clear & cold."

Feb. 11 Wednesday
" All the Men which are at the house employed as yesterday. Weather still clear & very cold."

Feb. 12 Thursday
" The Men at the house employed the same as the two preceding days. James Mowat arrived from the two heads tent but brought nothing as this hunter is quite unsuccefsful in his present employment. W. Overcast & Stormy."

Feb. 13 Friday
" Tradesmen Sawyers wood cutter & hauler at their different employments. Late in the evening two Men arrived from Swan River with a Keg of Spirits a roll of tobacco & a few small articles for the use of this place. severe cold wea."

Feb. 14 Saturday
" All hands employed as yesterday. Men that came from Swan River resting themselves. Weather clear & cold."

Feb. 15 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Weather clear & very cold."

Feb. 16 Monday
" Trademen sawyers wood hauler & cutter at their different duties one Man looking after the horses. W. Clear & cold."

Feb. 17 Tuesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. this evening Francis Mongineur? arrived with one man carrying letters from Red River. Weather clear & still cold."

Feb. 18 Wednesday
" Sent two Men to the hunting tent about 1 PM John Turner & Geo. Sinclair arrived from Red Deer's River. In the morning the weather was very clear but in the evening Cloudy."

Feb. 19 Thursday
" The Men employed as usual. Weather cloudy all day & threating to snow."

Feb. 20 Friday
" The Men employed still as before. Sent Francis Mongineur? off to Qu'Appelle. Weather clear in the Morning but about 2 PM blowing and drifting remarkably hard."

Feb. 21 Saturday
" John Turner & Geo. Sinclair started for Red Deers River Men as before. Weather clear & very cold all day."

Feb. 22 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing. Late this evening the Iron Neck lace arrived & brought a good quantity of provisions. Weather Cloudy and threating to snow."

Feb. 23 Monday
" Tradesmen Sawyers wood hauler & cutter at their different duties. The Stone Chief still at the house. In the evening two Cree Indians arrived with a few furs & provisions. Weather overcast & drifting all day."

Feb. 24 Tuesday
" Men at the house as yesterday. Sent the Stone & Cree Indians off. Seven men arrived from the hunting tent with 1580 lb of fresh Meat. they were under the necefsity of remaining for that length of time in order to haul the Meat to the tent. Weather overcast & drifting still."

Feb. 25 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Sent the Men & two Boys to the hunting tent & two cutting oars for the Boats. Mr Sutherland Started with three Men for Cumberland House by the way of Swan River. Weather snowing all day."

Feb. 26 Thursday
" All the Men employed the same as yesterday. Weather remarkably boisterous all day."

Feb. 27 Friday
" Tradesmen, sawyers, wood Cutters, & hauler at their different employments. Three Souteaux Indians arrived They brought two Bear Skins & four Drefsed Buffaloe ones. W. Cloudy."

Feb. 28 Saturday
" Men employed as yesterday. Sent the Souteaux off. Weather cold & blowing very hard."

Mar. 1 1818 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Late at night Angus McAulay accompanied by an Indian arrived for people to fetch their furs. Weather milder than yesterday."

Mar. 2 Monday
" Before day light sent of James Gaddie Baptiste Richair & Andrew Spence to fetch the Furs they carried with them several articles of trading goods. the Men employed at their respective duties. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 3 Tuesday
" Tradesmen at their different duties. the rest of the Men variously employed about the house. two Men and two Boys arrived from the hunting tent. Angus McAulay employed with the Blacksmith. Weather blowing remarkable hard."

Mar. 4 Wednesday
" Sent two Men and two Boys to the hunting tent all the rest of the Men employed as yesterday. Weather still blowing remarkably hard."

Mar. 5 Thursday
" Boat builders, sawyers, Blacksmith wood cutters & hauler at ther different duties a few Cree & Stone Indians arrived with some provisions. Weather clear & very cold."

Mar. 6 Friday
" Indians at the house & trading their property. Men employed as before. Took the third Boat of the stocks to day. Weather Clear & cold."

Mar. 7 Saturday
" Clear & mild weather. the Indians of the 5th Int. went off to day. towards the evening a few stone Indians brot a good deal of Provisions with them. they kept drinking all night. Weather clear & colder."

Mar. 8 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing. James Morwick & Tho Setter arrived from Swan River with a Keg of Liquor & a roll of tobacco together with a few small articles of trading goods. Late at night James Gaddie & party arrived. they brought 26 Beaver Skins, 6 Otters & 323 Martins. Weather Clear & thawing."

Mar. 9 Monday
" Three Men & two Boys arrived from the hunting tent. Tradesmen at their respective employments Setter employed with the Blacksmith. James Anderson & Angus McAulay hauling the oars & James Short cutting firewood. Weather Cloudy & warm."

Mar. 10 Tuesday
" Sent James Morwick, James Mowat, & Andrew Spence with provisions to Swan River. also three Men & two Boy went off to the hunting tent. Baptiste Richair employed with Clouston the rest of the Men employed as usual. Weather cloudy and cold."

Mar. 11 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. James Anderson & Angus McAulay hauling oars. W. clear & very cold."

Mar. 12 Thursday
" All the Men employed as before. Weather overcast & in the evening blowing very hard."

Mar. 13 Friday
" Boat builders Blacksmith wood cutters & haulers & sawyers at their different duties. Baptiste employed with the Blacksmith. three Men & two Boys arrived with 1350 lb of Fresh Meat. Weather clear & very cold."

Mar. 14 Saturday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. the Men that came from the hunting tent cutting Ice out of the River & the Boys hauling it to the house. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 15 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing. A few Cree Indians arrived & brought some furs & provisions. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 16 Monday
" Sent two Men & two Boys to the hunting tents. Thomas Setter snow blind & consequently doing nothing. Baptiste employed with the Blacksmith. Tradesmen at their respective employments. Indians remain at the house to day Clear weather & not a Cloud to be seen."

Mar. 17 Tuesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Andrew Spence & James Mowat arrived from the hunting tent also two Men arrived from Swan River with a few articles of Trading Goods for the use of this place. The Indians went off to day. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 18 Wednesday
" Men at their respective employments. Setter still badly. Andrew Spence & Mowat overhauling the Furs & putting them up in the house to day. W. clear & pleasant."

Mar. 19 Thursday
" Boatbuilders Blacksmith wood cutter & hauler at their respective jobs three Men Cutting & two hauling Ice two Indians arrived with a little provisions. W. Snowing all day."

Mar. 20 Friday
" Two Men looking for the horses they found them & brought them to the House. Two Men cutting & one hauling Ice one cutting & one hauling firewood. the Indians went off in the evening. two Men arrived from Swan River with 9 Gallons of Fatt. Weather cloudy & threating to snow."

Mar. 21 Saturday
" Tradesmen employed as usual. two Men hauling stockadze for the garden. our Men arrived from the Hunting tent but brought nothing. William Sinclair and a Man arrived from the Beaver Creek for some liquor & tobacco. Gaddie arrived in the evening with a good quantity of Furs. Weather cloudy & snowing."

Mar. 22 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing.Sent four Men with provisions to Swan River. Weather snowing & drifting all day."

Mar. 23 Monday
" During last night it snowed very heavy. The Men were prepared to go to the hunting but as it drifted & snowed all day they were allowed to remain at the House. They were making & repairing sleds. Tradesmen at their respective employments. W. boisterous."

Mar. 24 Tuesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Sent the Beaver Creek Men off with some liquor & tob. also 4 Men to the hunting tent with all our Horses. A Band of Stone & Cree Indians arrived & brot a good quantity of Provisions. they kept drinking all night."

Mar. 25 Wednesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. Indians at the house & trading. in the evening a few More Indians arrived & brought a good quantity of Provisions. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 26 Thursday
" Men at the house employed as before. two Boys arrived from the hunting tents & informed us that the hunter had Twenty fine cows killed & Staged. The Indians went off. W. Clear & cold."

Mar. 27 Friday
" As the Sawyers are nighly done with their work I sent them off to the hunting tent with the two Boys who arrived yesterday. The rest of the Men at their respective employments. Weather clear & cold."

Mar. 28 Saturday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. Anderson hauling Stockadzes for the garden. two Souteaux arrived & brought a few furs with them. W. Clear & mild."

Mar. 29 Sunday
" Men at the house doing nothing the Souteaux went off a few Cree & Stone Indians arrived & brought some provisions. two Men arrived from Swan River with some tob. &c for the use of this place."

Mar. 30 Monday
" Boatbuilders Blksmith at their respective employments. The Stone Indians went off, but the Cree remained at the house. to day four Men arrived from the hunting tent with lb 850 of fresh Meat. Weather thawing & warm also Cloudy."

Mar. 31 Tuesday
" Men at the house employed as yesterday the Cree Indians went off. Sent the 4 Men which arrived yesterday off to the hunting tent. James Wishart & the two Boys arrived from the hunting tent with 600 lb of Fresh Meat. W. cloudy & light Showers of Rain the Snow now begins to disapper fast but the lakes & Rivers are quite solid as yet."

Apr. 1 1818 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. two Men arrived from the Beaver Creek for Nails to make their Batteaux. James Wishart & Haddle employed at the House. cloudy Weather with light Showers of Rain."

Apr. 2 Thursday
" Tradesmen as yesterday. Sent off Wishart & Haddle to the Hunting tent but after they had gone a few Miles they were under the necefsity of returning back as the snow is mostly thawed. Weather Cloudy & warm."

Apr. 3 Friday
" All the Men variously employed about the House. Weather Clear and warm."

Apr. 4 Saturday
" Tradesmen as usual. about the break of day four Men arrived from the hunting tent with 1000 lb of fresh Meat. Cloudy weather with light showers of rain."

Apr. 5 Sunday
" Sent off 3 Men to the hunting tent to help the men there in hauling the Meat to the house as tripping with Dogs is entirely over for this season. about 10 AM Mr Sutherland & 5 Men arrived from Swan River. Weather Blowing Hard with flying clouds."

Apr. 6 Monday
" Tradesmen at their respective employments. two Men Making wedges for the Beaver Prefs & two hauling Coals to the house. Clear & warm weather."

Apr. 7 Tuesday
" Tradesmen as usual. Two Men hauling home Birch Logs & two hauling Oars. 5 Men arrived from the Hunting with 6 Horses loaded with Meat. There are Geese & Swans to be seen in abundance now. Weather clear & Warm."

Apr. 8 Wednesday
" All the Men employed as yesterday. one Souteaux? Indian arrived brought a few Furs &c. Weather Cloudy & threatens to rain."

Apr. 9 Thursday
" Sent 3 Men with Horses & Carts to the Hunting Tent also sent 2 Men to Swan River with two Horses & one Cart. Francis Monginur & Decharm went off with the Nails for the Beaver Creek. Sent off Andrew Spence to Indians with a few articles of Trading Goods. also Gaddie and McAulay went off for the Bongees. the rest of the Men employed as usual. Weather clear & warm."

Apr. 10 Friday
" Tradesmen at their respective Employments. three Men chopping Oars & three Men Packing Furs. Andrew Spence arrived with a few Furs. Anderson hauling Logs for Oars. James Short employed with Inkster & James Mowat employed with the Blacksmith. Weather cloudy & blowing hard."

Apr. 11 Saturday
" Baptiste making a Parchment Canoe. And. Spence & two Men working at Oars three Men Packing Furs. Tradesmen at their respective Employments. In the Evening Gaddie & McAulay arrived with a few Furs. Weather overcast & Hot."

Apr. 12 Sunday
" Men doing nothing. Easter arrived from the Hunting Tent with all his family. Weather remarkably Warm. The River is almost Navigable as the greatest part of the Ice has disappeared."

Apr. 13 Monday
" Tradesmen at their respective Employments. In the evening a few Stone Indians arrived. traded immidiately and went off. Clear and Colder Weather than yesterday."

Apr. 14 Tuesday
" Men employed as yesterday weather snowing & cloudy all day."

Apr. 15 Wednesday
" Tradesmen at their respective Employments. four men making Oars. three men at the Stockades. four Men gathering pitch?. Anderson taking care of the Horses. Froze hard during last night and cloudy weather all day."

Apr. 16 Thursday
" A Band of Cree Indians arrived brought a good quantity of Provisions they kept drinking all night and got very troublesome. Cloudy weather."

Apr. 17 Friday
" The Indians traded and went off the men employed as on the two preceeding days. Weather clear & mild."

Apr. 18 Saturday
" A few Souteaux Indians arrived and brought a few furs. the men employed as yesterday. Weather cloudy & warm."

Apr. 19 Sunday
" In the evening a few Cree Indians arrived brought nothing but a little provisions. Weather clear and Warm."

Apr. 20 Monday
" The tradesmen employed as usual. men prefsing Furs making Pimican and digging a trench for the Garden Stockades. A large band of Cree Indians arrived and brought a large quantity of meat and also a few Furs."

Apr. 21 Tuesday
" All the men employed as yesterday. Weather clear and very warm."

Apr. 22 Wednesday
" Four Men at the Garden Stockades 5 working at the Pemican & the rest employed as usual. Mr Duncan Campbell & three men arrived from Norway House. Weather cloudy & Warm."

Apr. 23 Thursday
" Four men putting up the Stockades & Seven Men packing Buffalo Robes & Drefsed Leather. two Men making Oars & the rest variously employed about the House. Inkster and Clouston working at the Boats Weather cloudy & blowing very hard."

Apr. 24 Friday
" Being suspicious as the River is very Shoaled that our Boats will not get down with their Cargoes. we sent four Men & three Boys with carts and horses to the Stonny creek with part of our Pimican. the men at the house employed as usual."

Apr. 25 Saturday
" Six men employed about the Stockades four pounding meat two making Oars. also two men melting Fat & putting it in kegs. Tradesmen at their respective Employments. blowing hard."

Apr. 26 Sunday
" Men not employed. weather cloudy still blowing fresh."

Apr. 27 Monday
" Sent four men off with Carts & horses loaded with pemican to the Stonny creek. the rest of the men employed as usual. Weather warm and clear."

Apr. 28 Tuesday
" Sent two Men and three boys with Carts loaded to the Stonny creek. the rest of the men getting the Furs & 60 Bags of Pimican to the Boats about a mile distance from this place. Weather cloudy."

Apr. 29 Wednesday
" Three men melting Fat. to day the men started with the Boats down for the Elbow. Weather cloudy and cold."

Apr. 30 Thursday
" Baptiste and the Canadian packing a few furs and some leather. three men employed in the Store weighing pounded meat & some grease & Spence packing Tongues & Dried Meat. Weather cold and Cloudy"

May 1 1818 Friday
" all the men working at the Stockades about 1 PM a man arrived from the Boats informing us that they could not proceed on as the River is remarkably Shoal'd therefore we sent off four Men with 7 Horses & Carts to afsist them in carrying some of the cargo to the Stonny Creek. Weather cloudy and Still very cold."

May 2 Saturday
" Mefs Sutherland Campbell and I started from Fort Hibernia with 6 Carts loaded with Provisions and left James Gaudy in charge with four men vz Andrew Spence, John Mac Rae, Joseph Colin & William Haddle. we encamped at the Stonny Creek where our Boats arrived late in the evening. Weather cloudy and cold."


B.158/a/6

Home