Pierre-Chrysologue Pambrun
| Pierre-Chrysologue Pambrun | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1792-12-19 L'Islet, Lower Canada |
| Died | 1841-05-15 Fort Walla Walla, Washington |
| Occupation | Militia officer; fur trader; clerk and chief trader, Hudson's Bay Company |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Partner | |
Pierre-Chrysologue Pambrun (19 December 1792 – 15 May 1841 (aged 48)) was a Canadian militia officer and fur trader who served the Hudson's Bay Company for over two decades, primarily in the Saskatchewan and Columbia districts.[1]
Early life and military service
Pambrun was born on 19 December 1792 in L'Islet, Lower Canada, the son of André-Dominique Pambrun and Angélique Hiraque.[1] When war broke out with the United States, he enlisted in the Voltigeurs Canadiens under Charles-Michel d'Irumberry de Salaberry. He earned the rank of second lieutenant and distinguished himself at the Battle of Châteauguay in October 1813, receiving a promotion the following year.[1] After demobilization, his hopes for a continuing military career were not fulfilled.
Fur trade career
In April 1815 Pambrun joined the Hudson's Bay Company as a clerk, arriving at Red River in May 1815 as part of Colin Robertson's brigade, initially stationed at Pembina.[1] On 12 May 1816, while returning from Fort Qu'Appelle with a large supply of pemmican and furs for Lord Selkirk's settlers, his brigade was intercepted by approximately 49 men of the North West Company under Cuthbert Grant. He was taken prisoner and witnessed the destruction of several posts, including Brandon House and Fort Douglas.[1]
Following his release in August 1816, Pambrun testified on behalf of the HBC in proceedings held at York (Toronto), Montreal, and London in 1819. His account was published alongside the testimonies of John Pritchard and Frederick Damien Heurter in Narratives of John Pritchard, Pierre Chrysologue Pambrun, and Frederick Damien Heurter.[2]
From 1820 to 1825 he served as a clerk in the Saskatchewan district, posting at Cumberland House, York Factory, and Rock Depot, where he oversaw fishing operations. Between July 1822 and April 1823 he supervised construction of a new post on the Bow River.[1]
New Caledonia
In June 1825 Pambrun transferred to the New Caledonia district in present-day British Columbia, based principally at Fort Kilmars near Babine Lake. During the summer of 1826 he joined James Douglas and Francis Ermatinger on an expedition to Fort Vancouver. He held responsibility for Fort Kilmars from 1827 to 1829 and again from 1830 to 1831, and for Fort Alexandria from 1829 to 1830.[1]
Columbia district and Fort Walla Walla
After a period of leave in 1831, Pambrun returned to service in 1832 in the Columbia district. John McLoughlin appointed him clerk in charge of Fort Walla Walla, which McLoughlin regarded as an important and strategically difficult post. Pambrun cultivated strong relationships with neighbouring Indigenous peoples and introduced them to some elements of Catholic practice, which later assisted the missionary work of Abbés François-Norbert Blanchet and Modeste Demers when they arrived in 1838.[1]
He also maintained cordial relations with the Presbyterian minister Marcus Whitman and his wife. In 1837, however, George Simpson censured him for having sold tobacco and trade goods to the American explorer Benjamin Bonneville at non-standard prices, contrary to company policy.[1]
Despite repeated requests, Pambrun did not receive promotion to chief trader until 1839, after more than 24 years of service. Simpson's 1832 character assessment described him as "an active, steady dapper little fellow" but judged him wanting in judgement and lacking in formal education. McLoughlin, on learning of his death, wrote that the company had lost an excellent officer and a most able manager.[1]
Death
Pambrun died on 15 May 1841 at Fort Walla Walla after falling from his horse.[1] His remains were removed to Fort Vancouver and interred in consecrated ground on 9 March 1844.[1]
Personal life
In 1821 at Cumberland House, Saskatchewan, Pambrun entered into a marriage à la façon du pays with Catherine Umfreville, the mixed-blood daughter of Thomas Umfreville. The union was solemnized by a formal ceremony at Fort Vancouver on 8 December 1838. Together they had nine children.[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 Gratien Allaire."Gratien Allaire, "Pambrun, Pierre-Chrysologue," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 7."[website].Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 7 (University of Toronto/Université Laval).1988.University of Toronto/Université Laval.Link.(Rights: copyrighted | Access: open)
- ↑ "Narratives of John Pritchard, Pierre Chrysologue Pambrun, and Frederick Damien Heurter, respecting the aggressions of the North-West Company, against the Earl of Selkirk's settlement upon Red River."[book].1819.London.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)