James Bird (c. 1773–1856)
| James Bird | |
|---|---|
| James Curtis Bird | |
| Born | c. 1773 Acton, London, England |
| Died | 1856-10-18 Red River settlement, Manitoba |
| Occupation | Fur trader, justice of the peace, politician |
James Bird (c. 1773 – 18 October 1856), also known as James Curtis Bird, was a fur trader and office holder who served the Hudson's Bay Company for over three decades in the interior of western Canada, rising to chief factor, and later became a prominent settler and councillor at the Red River Colony.[1]
Early career with the Hudson's Bay Company
Bird contracted with the Hudson's Bay Company on 23 April 1788 in London, and arrived at York Factory (Manitoba) later that year to begin his service.[1] In 1792 he accompanied William Tomison westward to Cumberland House (Saskatchewan), Manchester House, and Buckingham House (Alberta).[1]
By 1793 Bird was in command of South Branch House (Saskatchewan), and the following year he established the Nepawi post. He managed Carlton House from 1795 to 1799, then took charge of Edmonton House from 1799 to 1816, a period during which the HBC competed intensely with the North West Company.[1] During his tenure at Edmonton House, he directed Peter Fidler's 1799 expedition that established Greenwich House.[1][2]
In 1803 the HBC's London committee appointed Bird chief of the Saskatchewan inland posts, a territory stretching from Cumberland House to the Rocky Mountains, succeeding Tomison in that responsibility.[1] He coordinated Joseph Howse's 1810–11 expedition into North West Company territory west of the Rockies.[1]
Acting governor of Rupert's Land
Following the death of Robert Semple in June 1816, Bird served as acting governor of Rupert's Land until William Williams arrived in 1818.[1] Colin Robertson noted in 1819 that Bird possessed "more knowledge of the internal arrangements of this country than all the officers put together."[1]
After the 1821 merger of the HBC and the North West Company, Bird was appointed chief factor of the Lower Red River district. He accompanied HBC deputy governor Nicholas Garry to Norway House (Manitoba) and subsequently held the Upper Red River district posting before retiring in June 1824.[1][3]
Red River settlement
Bird settled permanently at Red River Colony, occupying a prominent social position alongside Thomas Thomas and Robert Logan.[1] Governor George Simpson regarded him as the "principal settler" and granted him 1,245 acres on the east side of the Red River.[1] He had served as justice of the peace from 1815 onward and sat on the council in 1815 and again in 1822. He later served as receiver of duties from 1835 to 1845 and as a councillor of District of Assiniboia from 1839 until his death in 1856.[1]
Personal life
Before settling at Red River, Bird had formed relationships with Indigenous women according to the custom of the country. He married Elizabeth, an Indigenous woman, at Red River on 30 March 1821; she died in the fall of 1834 and was buried on 1 November 1834. They had several children recorded in parish registers, including a son James (died 1892).[1][4]
On 22 January 1835, Bird married Mary Lowman, a widowed governess, at Red River. Before the marriage a trust of £2,500 was settled on her. They had a daughter, Eliza Margaret, and a son, Curtis James.[1]
Death and legacy
Bird died at the Red River settlement on 18 October 1856. His estate, excluding real property, was valued at under £4,000, with the bulk left to Eliza Margaret and Curtis James.[1] Birds Hill, northeast of Winnipeg, bears his name.[1]
Contemporary accounts noted that Bird's considerable abilities were tempered by excessive self-regard, caution, and a tendency toward vindictiveness. The HBC's London committee criticized his "jealous feelings – and fancied slights and injuries," and at Red River he was noted for harsh treatment of servants.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 John E. Foster."John E. Foster, "BIRD, JAMES," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8."[website].Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8 (University of Toronto/Université Laval).1985.University of Toronto/Université Laval.Link.(Rights: copyrighted | Access: open)
- ↑ "Hudson's Bay Record Society publications."[book].HBRS, vols. 1, 2, 3, 26.Hudson's Bay Company Archives.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ Nicholas Garry."Diary of Nicholas Garry, deputy-governor of the Hudson's Bay Company from 1822–1835."[book].Royal Society of Canada Transactions, 2nd ser., 6 (1900), sect. ii: 73–204.1900.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
- ↑ "Baptisms, marriages, and burials registers, 1821–1856."[record].Provincial Archives of Manitoba, MG 7, B7-1.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)
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