" YF
Journal
1811"
[cover]



" York Factory Journal continued from September 3rd 1810 by W.H. Cook."

Sept. 4
" Tuesday Mr Thomas Superintendent of the Southern District went on board the Beaver Brig & with the Flood Tide the Ship & Brig got under weigh so God send them a safe Voyage to their destined Ports."

Sept. 5
" Wednesday Rec'd from Indians 10 Deer - Mr Bird returned to the Factory extremely Ill accompanied by Mr Sinclair & 6 Men."

Sept. 6
" Thursday several Indians of the homeguard tribe took Debt & embarked for their Winter Residence - Mr Bird a little recovered - In the Afternoon 5 Men in a Boat arrived from Churchill for Mr Wm Auld."

Sept. 7
" Friday Received a number of Deer from different parties of Natives - Men employed carrying up Rafts of Firewood."

Sept. 8
" Saturday took up the Plating of the Launch & sent the Blacksmith & 2 Men to cut Hay on the Islands near the Factory."

Sept. 9
" Sunday several Indians left the Fact'y having taken their Winter Debts."

Sept. 10
" Monday the remainder of the Homeguards took Debt and set off for their Winter Quarters."

Sept. 11
" Tuesday Mefs Bird & Sinclair - the former having recovered from a severe fit of Illnefs set off for the Interior - & Mr Auld also embarked for Churchill."

Sept. 12
" Wednesday sent a Boat with 4 Men in Charge of Mr Geddes to procure Venison at the Deer Crofsing places in Nelson River."

Sept. 13
" Thursday Indians brought Venison from Penny-cutaway others Geese from the Marsh."

Sept. 14
" Friday Indians brought the Flesh of a few Deer to the Fact'y - took Debt & went way."

Sept. 15
" Saturday Sent Men to take up the Bouys & Moorings, rest stowing away Cargo &c."

Sept. 16
" Sunday some Indians took Debt & others went away."

Sept. 17
" Monday compleated the taking up of Bouys & Mooring Stones."

Sept. 18
" Tuesday Stowed away the Cargo from Launch House & laid by the Boats for the Winter."

Sept. 19
" Wednesday Mr Calder, afsisted by 3 Men went to 8 Mile Island to tent for a part of the Winter - In the Evening the Men returned. 4 Deer rec'ed from Indians."

Sept. 20
" Thursday sent 6 Men in a Boat with provisions & other necefsaries to build a small Settlement & a Deer Hedge at the Middle Deer Crofsing Place in Nelson River."

Sept. 21
" Friday Received 70 Geese from the Eastern Homeguards. Several Natives from other parts arrived for their Winter Debts."

Sept. 22
" Saturday Mr Geddes & his party came back from the Deer Islands in Nelson River Having expended his Salt & procured 4 Hhds of good Venison at the moderate expense of 2 Gal. of Brandy 2 Measures of Powder & 2 of Shot & a little Tobacco - The Deers Island is the first crofsing place of any Note in Nelson River & may be computed at about 40 Miles from the Factory or twenty from the Seal Islands. - Here Mr Geddes found the Deer so plentiful as to render any further research unnecefsary - & could have procured Salted Venison to any extent - but our Attention is chiefly directed to the Winter Deer which never fail to migrate to these parts in the Month of November & the Weather being always favorable at that Season we hope to be able to freeze a Sufficient quantity for Winter Supply."

Sept. 23
" Sunday Rec'd 240 Geese from Kittoway & party to the Northward."

Sept. 24
" Monday Mr Bunn set off to his Winter Quarters at 10 Shilling Creek."

Sept. 25
" Tuesday Windy bad Weather. Men preparing to go up Nelson River to afsist those of Thursday last Building at the Deer Crofsing Place.
Indians from the North Marshes brought some Geese. "

Sept. 26
" Wednesday Mefs Geddes & McLauchlan conveyed to French Creek, they having chose that part for their Winter Residense. - The cause of the Officers retiring to Tent this Winter, is partly owing to the bad quality of the Wood which is green Poplar a species of Fuel which when frozen is no lefs difficult to cut than reluctant to burn & totally destitute of every propery congenial to the Idea of a comfortable fire Side - Added to this Our Men being few, there appears a necefsity for a frugal Expenditure of the Wood & for employing the ensuing Winter in providing Habitations suited to our limited Circumstances & adapted to the prefsure of the Times - with this view the Men instead of collecting Firewood as usual are sent to Build a House & Deer Hedge (as mentioned the 20th & 25 Inst.) which is in the very centre of local supplies & cannot fail to succeed."

Sept. 27
" Thursday bad Weather - No pofsibility of leaving the Factory for a Journey round the Point of Marsh."

Sept. 28
" Friday Weather Worse than yesterday & of course unfavorable for the intended expedition up Nelson River."

Sept. 29
" Saturday An Indian Arrived from the Interior took debt & set off immediately - The Weather proving fine, there appeared an opportunity with the Evening Tide to accomplish our Design in the Nelson River Wherefore after having departed the charge of the factory to George Harvey the Steward who is a Man worthy of trust. I embarked with 6 Men & One Indian in good hopes of a fair Journey & profitable Ifsue to our new Speculation -"


" Here the Factory Journal, owing to a dearth of Occurrence or want of Ability in the Steward, remains? open till my arrival at the Factory on"
Jan. 2 1811
" Wednesday - when two Indians & 3 Englishmen also arrived with Venison from the New House. It is much to be lamented that our Deer Snares proved of so bad a quality as to be totally unfit for the purpose - But with the afsistance of Ind. about 50 head of Deer has been procured which will afford a tolerable supply for the ensuing Winter."

Jan. 4
" Friday 2 Indians from the Nwd came in with a few Furs, Feathers & a little Venison."

Jan. 9
" Wednesday Sent a Letter to Churchill by two Indian Lads who were returning thence from a Visit to their Friends at Flambro head."

Jan. 10
" Thursday Supplied a family of North River Indians to enable them to pitch off into good Beaver Ground - there being no Foxes stirring on the Shore."

Jan. 19
" Saturday Gave to a Gang of starved Indians to the Eastward a supply of Oatmeal &c."

Jan. 20
" Sunday Indians brought in the flesh of a Deer from the North River - Thus are we receiving Supplys from one Party & witnefsing the most abject poverty in another but it is perfectly consistent with the nature of the Country it being not at all uncommon for one set of Indians to be absolutely starving while another party at the distance of 40 Miles are living in the utmost profusion - so local are the haunts of Animals in this part of the Globe & so uncertain the daily supply."

Jan. 22
" Tuesday 3 Indians from the Eastward again came to the Factory for a Supply of provisions having left their families in a miserable condition."

Jan. 23
" Wednesday 3 Indians from Flambro Head came in to solicit a supply of Provisions to enable them to go in search of Martins to the Eastward."

Jan. 30
" Wednesday The Indians above alluded to, returned with 15 Beaver but no Martins the Tracks being too few to induce them to make Trap unlefs they could receive a further supply of Provisions from the Factory."

Feb. 6 1811
" Wednesday Mefs Auld & Spence accompanied by 2 Englishmen & one Indian arrived from Churchill."

Feb. 7
" Thursday Two Women from the Northern Sea Shore came in much distrefsed for Provisions."

Feb. 8
" Friday Two Men from the Eastward also arrived for the purpose of soliciting a Supply of Provisions, urging their necefsities & the impofsibility of trapping Martins without it."

Feb. 11
" Monday Mr J. Swain accompanied by 2 Natives arrived from Severn agreable to appointm't to confer on Matters relative to the future management of that Settlement."

Feb. 17
" Three Indians from Flambro head came for a supply of Oatmeal in order to return to their Martin trapping at the Eastward."

Feb. 18
" Monday Mr Wm Auld & party returned to Churchill."

Feb. 19
" Tuesday Mr Swain & Companions set off on their Journey to Severn."

Feb. 21
" Thursday Put all the White Fox Skins into the Garden to bleach with the Hair outwards."

Feb. 25
" Monday Two Indian Lads came in from a Family at Hohs? River on the Coast halfway between this place and Churchill - brought a few Furs but complain of hungry times."

Mar. 5 1811
" Tuesday Gave Oatmeal & Biscuits to two Indians who came from a distrefsed Family at the Northward."

Mar. 15
" Friday Two Indian Lads arrived with a Packet from Churchill."

Mar. 18
" Monday The two Indian Lads who arrived Friday returned with Letters for Churchill."

Mar. 20
" Wednesday Two Indian Women came to the Factory begging in the most urgent manner a supply of Oatmeal &c their Families being reduced to the last extremity of Distrefs."

Mar. 24
" Sunday An Indian Man, who occasionally acts as Master of the Goose Tent arrived from the North side of Nelson River also craving a Supply of Oatmeal &c in consequence of Two Widows & their Children belonging to Natives lately deceased relying on him for Support - Gave the Indians whose necefsities required it, occasinal relief."

Apr. 3 1811
" Wednesday Mr Bunn & myself employed overhauling Warehouses in search of dead stock."

Apr. 4
" Thursday The Carpenter & other Men (except Donald Malcom who is unable to walk with a cut Leg & H Hay an old Invalid) returned from the Factory from the Fishing Creek Nelson River."

Apr. 7
" Sunday Four Indians Arrived from distrefsed Families to the Northward - Gave them as usual a small supply which under such Circumstances it is impofsible to withhold."

Apr. 8
" Monday Three Indians from Nelson arrived on the same errand as those of yesterday & were supplied according to their respective Wants."

Apr. 9
" Tuesday Tradesmen making places of Accommodation for the New Factories Furs - & endeavouring to make our old Warehouses more commodious & convenient than before - Also began the first Distillation."

Apr. 10
" Wednesday Sent Mr McLaughlan to Sam's Creek to examine the Number of Casks, quantity of Salt & Stores remaining there."

Apr. 14
" Sunday Packet rec'd from Severn."

Apr. 18
" Thursday Employed Thuthat? to convey Salt & Ammunition to the Goose Tent at Sam's Creek Nelson River & engaged him to conduct the Businefs there."

Apr. 19
" Friday Sent two Indians with Packet to Churchill - some difficulties arising in the Severn Accounts."

Apr. 22
" Monday Three Indians from Flambro Head brot in their Winter Hunts."

Apr. 24
" Wednesday Donald Malcom, Cooper, unable to Work from a sprained Ancle."

Apr. 29
" Monday Keeshick & others from Nelson River brought in their Furs - but from the Poverty of the Winter & unparalleld dearth of Furs were unable to pay their Debts."

May 1 1811
" Wednesday The Indians sent to Churchill 19th Inst returned - by which we are enabled to proceed with our Accounts."

May 2
" Thursday sent Mr Geddes & 2 Men to the Eastern Goose Tent with empty Hogsheads - David Flet unable to work from a sprained knee."

May 4
" Saturday An Indian Man & Boy came from a Tent of Natives at Steel River, say they have all Furs sufficient to pay their Debts. Brought a few Skins with which they traded Ammunition &c."

May 5
" Sunday The first Goose - rec'd from an Indian who paid his Winter credit."

May 7
" Tuesday Donald Malcom the Cooper at Work."

May 9
" Thursday David Flet the other Invalid also recovered & at work."

May 11
" Saturday Two Boys came from Natives at Flambro head for Oatmeal."

May 13
" Monday A Number of Women came from the Indians at flambro Head declaring their Families to be in a miserably distrefsed State. Sent Mr Geddes to afsist Thuthat at the Northern Goose Tent."

May 14
" Tuesday An Indian Lad at the Factory killed a Goose this being the second Received this Season."

May 15
" Wednesday Blacksmith repairing 3 Old pr of Scales to serve in the trading Room & other Places."

May 19
" Sunday Rec'd 14 Geese from Indians."

May 22
" Wednesday The River Ice moved gently down with the ebb Tide, pafsed the Factory & went out to Sea without raising the Water or occasioning any commotion whatever - Finished Distillation."

May 23
" Thursday Rec'd 15 Geese from Thuthats Tent at Sam's Creek Nelson River."

May 24
" Friday a Number of Women again visited the Factory from Flambro Head declaring they could no longer exist without a Supply of some kind from the Factory - Gave them some Salt Venison & a little Oatmeal for which they exprefsed a heartfelt Gratitude."

May 25
" Saturday Began Packing for Saskatchewan."

May 26
" Sunday An Old Indian & his two Sons brot in the flesh of One Deer & 17 Geese.
Four Indians Arrived from Foxes Lake with a Good Trade of Beaver Otters &c."

May 31
" Friday Rec'd 240 Geese from Thuthats Tents."

June 5 1811
" Wednesday Two Indians arrived from a party of Homeguards bordering on the Bungee Country - Paid their Debts & gave favorable intimations of others who are soon to arrive. It is worthy of Remark that the Indians who frequent that part of the Country which approximates to Severn & is called the Bungee Country seldom fail of bringing to the Factory a good proportion of Beaver Skins - wheras those who inhabit the Middle track which leads toward Oxford House generally make up their Trade wih Cats & other Furs of inferior Quality - This proves the poverty of the ? Country at the same time that it afsures us of the Truth of the Indians Afsertion That the Beaver being Annihilated nothing remains for them to Hunt but such as they now bring to the Factory."

June 7
" Friday Late in the Evening An Englishman accompanied by an Indian in a small Canoe brought dispatches from Oxford House. We are informed by these Details that a very great scarcity of Provisions has prevailed thro' the Whole Winter among most of the Indian Tribes in that Quarter & that it has had a very sensible Effect on the Trade - Mr Sinclair also says that Cats, Otters & Martins are remarkably scarce & as for Beaver they have long been extirpated from that part of the Country - Tis true he ? observes that some of his Indians were fortunate in Once falling in with a considerable number of travelling Deer, but this happening early in the Winter & the Indians being naturally of a thoughtlefs & improvident turn it was so far from proving a real advantage that it answered no other purpose that to give a more acute feeling to the subsequent Sufferings of Hunger & distrefs."

June 8
" Saturday The Indians from the Marsh came to the Factory having finished their Goose Hunt."

June 10
" Monday Mr Tate & 3 Men in a small sized Canoe arrived from Merrys House with 8 Bundles of furs - a very poor Trade at that Settlement."

June 14
" Friday Mr Geddes & several Indians arrived from the Goose Tent acrofs Nelson River having procured 12 Casks of Geese. Engaged 8 of the said Indians to fetch part of the Geese from the Tent for immediate use our Stock of Fresh Provision being nearly exhausted."

June 15
" Monday Indians returned with 315 Salt Geese Geese - which is a very seasonable supply."

June 20
" Thursday Blacksmith employed making Awls from Tenter Hooks & find them answer extremely well."

June 22
" Saturday Several Indian women came to the Factory for a supply of Provisions & one Widow & 3 Children absolutely refused to remove from it alledging that it was as well to starve at the Factory as at any other place."

June 24
" Monday Several Indians came in from Nelson River very much distrefsed."

June 25
" Tuesday The remaining 10 Casks of Geese brought to the Factory by Indians engaged for that purpose."

June 27
" Thursday Mefs Bird, Sinclair & Henny arrived from the Interior with [blank] Men in 2 Boats & 6 Birch Rind Canoes."

June 28
" Friday 10 Men & one Indian in 3 Canoes arrived from Nelson River Settlement - The Trade from every part inland is miserable in the extreme."

June 29
" Saturday Two Canoes of Homegaurd Natives arrived."

June 30
" Two Boats with [blank] Men arrived from the Red River."

July 1 1811
" Monday 6 Canoes loaded with Trading Goods set off to the Sandy Bay or Swampy Lake from whence they are to return with a Cargo of furs. it being found more convenient to make Trips to this Place than to proceed direct to Oxford House."

July 3
" Wednesday Mr Tate & 3 Men in one Canoe departed for Merry's House."

July 6
" Saturday Mefs Bird & McLauchlan in 4 Canoes set off for the Saskatchewan - 6 of the Nelson River Men accompanied & are to return with Furs from Gordon House."

July 8
" Monday Two Boats with 10 Men under the direction of Mr Tho. McNab set off for the Winnepg department."

July 10
" Wednesday Two Natives from Ekamis's Gang arrived by Appointment to conduct Mr Fidler through a Crofs Track that leads from York to Severn & which if found to be navigable for Large Canoes will enable us to supply the Inland Stations from Severn with the greatest facility."

July 13
" Saturday Two Boats with [blank] Men & Goods left the Factory for Oxford & 6 Canoes arrived with Furs arrived from the Swampy Lake."

July 14
" Sunday Mefs Auld, Fidler & Snoddy arrived in 2 Boats from Churchill."

July 16
" Tuesday With the Morning Tide Mr Wm Auld accompanied by Mr Sinclair set off for Oxford House."

July 22
" Monday Mr Adam Snoddie with 13 Englishmen & 2 Natives left the Factory for the Nelson River Settlements."

July 23
" Tuesday Four Indians from the Eastern Shore brought some Dried Deers Meat."

July 24
" Wednesday Two Ind. from Ekamis's Party arrived & paid their Winter Debts."

July 25
" Thursday An Indian from the Northw'd arrived with a few Feathers & Quills."

July 26
" Friday Two Canoes with 4 Men brought the remainder of inland Furs from the deposit at Swampy Lake."

July 30
" Tuesday Mr Tate with 4 Men in 1 Canoe arrived with the remainder of the Furs from Merry's House."

Aug. 5 1811
" Monday sent 5 Men in the Yawl to set the outer Buoys."

Aug. 6
" Tuesday Early this Morning Mr Wm Auld arrived from Oxford House & at 8 AM left the Factory for Churchill - sent 7 Men to set the outer Beacon."

Aug. 7
" Wednesday Sent the Men of Yesterday to erect the inner Beacon."

Aug. 8
" Thursday Two Canoes with a trip for Oxford House left the Factory with the morning Tide - This day finished the Launch."

Aug. 12
" Monday Sent 7 Men to cut Hay at the Islands up the River. Cooper & 1 Man brewing."

Aug. 16
" Friday Carpenters began making a new Staircase from the inner Yard to the Chiefs Apartment."

Aug. 17
" Saturday Mefs Swain & Spencer arrived arrived by land from Severn House."

Aug. 19
" Monday Several Homegaurd Ind. took their Winter Debts."

Aug. 23
" Friday Mr Tate & party arrived with 7 Deer."

Aug. 24
" Saturday Four Canoes arrived with Furs from the Rocky Mountain & Mefs Sinclair & Garriock? also arrived."

Aug. 25
" Sunday a Boat manned with Indians brought 19 Deer from the Nelson River Deer-Crofsing places."

Aug. 26
" Monday The last of the Canoes from inland arrived & brought to the Factory Mr Isham & the remains of the Inland Furs.
Sent Mr Jn McNab & 2 Men to salt Venison at the new Settlement in Nelson River."

Aug. 29
" Thursday Sent 9 Men to Flambro House under the direction of Mr Tate to begin a Winter Habitation There."

Sept. 2 1811
" Monday Sent Donald Malcom with 8 Men to raft down Boards from the fishingWeir Creek to Flambro House & to afsist the Men building there."

Sept. 3
" Tuesday Several Deer seen in the Plains near the Factory - Sent Indians in pursuit of them who killed one."

Sept. 4
" Wednesday Dispatched 8 Men to raft Wood at 8 Mile Island."

Sept. 5
" Thursday Rec'd 22 Deer from Nelson River."

Sept. 6
" Friday Men returned with a raft of Wood from 8 Mile Island."

Sept. 7
" Saturday Rec'd the Meat of 3 Deer from Indians."

Sept. 8
" Sunday two Boats with 14 Men arrived from Churchill."

Sept. 11
" Wednesday The Natives at the Factory killed 2 Deer as They were crofsing to the Norward."

Sept. 12
" Thursday several Deer killed by the Natives at the Factory."

Sept. 13
" Friday Sent Mr Tate & 5 Men to the Crofsing Places in Nelson River."

Sept. 15
" Sunday The Natives at the Factory killed 2 Deer."

Sept. 16
" Monday Mr Tate arrived at the Factory with 7 Deer having left 5 with the Men at Flambro House."

Sept. 17
" Tuesday 5 Canoes with 24 Men set off for the Saskatchewan & Winnepg Factories."

Sept. 18
" Wednesday sent a Boat with 7 Men to Join the Party employed in Building a Winter Habitation at Flambro House. - Mr Wm Auld accompanied by 7 Men arrived in a Boat from Churchill & 6 Men in one Canoe dispatched for the Nelson River Settlements."

Sept. 22
" Sunday Mr Bunn in a Canoe with 4 Men set off to take charge of Merrys House."

Sept. 23
" Monday 4 Deer killed at the Factory."

Sept. 24
" Tuesday The Ship Edward & Ann - Capt. Gull Anchored in our River & deliverd the Packet from Capt. Ramsay who is expected to arrive from Churchill in a few Days - The Schooner dropt down with the Tide."

Sept. 25
" Wednesday Sent a Boat to the Ship which returned with a few Packages belonging to the New Settlers."

Sept. 26
" Thursday Sent Mr Geddes to encourage the Indians in Nelson River to kill deer & bring supplies to the Factory for the support of our numerous & uneaxpected Visitors - Rec'd the Churchill Packet from Capt Ramsay - who has faild of getting into Churchill Roads."

Sept. 27
" Friday Busily employed unloading Craft & Shipping furs for England."

Sept. 28
" Saturday Mr Geddes's Boat returned with a very seasonable supply of 13 Deer - Businefs as before."

Sept. 29
" Sunday Weather Frosty & boisterous. Preparing to dispatch Mr Hillier with a party of Men to build a Winter House at the Seal Islands - this Place being the most likely to afford a small supply of fresh Provisions for the ensuing Winter."

Sept. 30
" Monday Men attending businefs of the Craft - & preparing Wood, Ballast &c for the Ship."

Oct. 1 1811
" Tuesday Men as before - Mr Hillier & party set off for Flambro Head afsisted by several of the Factory people."

Oct. 2
" Wednesday - Businefs as before."

Oct. 3
" Thursday 2 Boats with 30 Men & Officers afsisted by 4 Men from the Factory set off for Flambro Head in Nelson River the place appointed for their Winter Residence."

Oct. 4
" Friday The Severn Brig dropt down the River in order to depart for Severn with the Remains of European Cargo yet onboard the Ship."

Oct. 5
" Saturday Capt. Ramsay, Mr Davison & the homeward bound Pafsengers left the Factory - & the Packet Box was delivered to Captain Ramsay - so God send the Ships a safe Pafsage to their destined ports.

WH Cook"


B.239/a/117

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