Roderick Finlayson
| Roderick Finlayson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1818-03-16 Loch Alsh (Kyle of Lochalsh), Scotland |
| Died | 1892-01-20 Victoria, British Columbia |
| Occupation | Hudson's Bay Company officer; farmer; businessman; politician |
| Father | |
| Mother | |
| Partner | |
Roderick Finlayson (16 March 1818 – 20 January 1892 (aged 73)) was a Hudson's Bay Company officer, farmer, businessman, and politician who served at numerous posts across western and northern North America, including at Fort William in 1838, and who rose to become a chief factor and a prominent civic figure in Victoria, British Columbia.
Early life
Finlayson was born on 16 March 1818 at Loch Alsh (Kyle of Lochalsh) in Scotland, the son of Alexander Finlayson, a sheep and stock farmer, and Mary Morrison.[1] The family had fallen on hard times, and Finlayson attended a parochial school in Ross-shire before emigrating to New York City in July 1837. Through the influence of a relative, he secured a position as an apprentice clerk with the Hudson's Bay Company at Lachine, Lower Canada. Two of his uncles, Nicol and Duncan Finlayson, were already employed by the company.[1]
Career with the Hudson's Bay Company
Finlayson's first posting was to Fort Coulonge on the Ottawa River in the winter of 1837–38, where he gained experience in the company's trading operations with Indigenous peoples and lumbermen. In the summer of 1838, he was assigned to Fort William (present-day Thunder Bay, Ontario).[1]
In 1839, Finlayson was sent to the Columbia district under the command of John McLoughlin, in connection with a lease arrangement negotiated by Sir George Simpson whereby the HBC assumed control of Russian-held territory from the Russian-American Company. In 1840, the party occupied the Russian post at the mouth of the Stikine River, and Finlayson joined Chief Factor James Douglas on a voyage to Sitka (Alaska) to resolve trade matters. They subsequently ascended the Taku River fifty miles to establish Fort Taku, where Finlayson served as second in command. He later served at Fort Stikine (Alaska) and Fort Simpson (Port Simpson, British Columbia).[1]
On 1 June 1843, Finlayson arrived at Victoria Harbour as second in command, taking a leading role in the construction of Fort Victoria. Following the death of Charles Ross in 1844, Finlayson assumed command of the post. Chief Factor Douglas praised him in strong terms, describing him as a man of energy, perseverance, method, and sound judgement, and commending his probity and high moral worth.[1] Finlayson negotiated the relocation of the Songhees Indians to a reserve across the harbour and established one of Fort Victoria's agricultural farms, which supplied dairy and farm produce northward to the Russian American Company (per the 1839 agreement) and to settlers and visiting vessels. He also participated in founding the Vancouver's Island Steam Saw Mill Company at Esquimalt.[1]
Following the establishment of the 49th parallel as the British-American boundary in 1846 (an outcome associated with John Gordon), Fort Victoria replaced Fort Vancouver (Vancouver, Washington) as the Hudson's Bay Company's principal Pacific depot. In June 1849, when Douglas came from Fort Vancouver to take over command, Finlayson was appointed chief accountant, a position he held until 1862.[1]
Vancouver Island was formally leased to the HBC in January 1849 for colonization purposes. To meet the conditions of the grant, company officers — including Finlayson — were given incentives to purchase land and establish farms. In 1851, he acquired 100 acres north of Rock Bay, the first of many real estate transactions that formed the basis of his wealth. He was promoted to chief trader in 1850 and appointed treasurer of the Council of Vancouver Island in 1852, serving in that capacity until 1863. When Douglas departed the HBC in 1859, Finlayson was elevated to chief factor.[1]
Finlayson took furlough to Scotland in 1861. On his return in 1862, he was appointed superintendent of HBC interior operations in British Columbia. He retired from the company in 1872 and thereafter devoted his attention to farming, real estate, and general business, becoming a well-known figure in the commercial life of Victoria.[1]
Political life
In 1878, Finlayson was elected mayor of Victoria. During his single year in office, construction of a new city hall began. He subsequently withdrew from public affairs and spent the remainder of his life in Victoria.[1]
Personal life
On 14 December 1849, Finlayson married Sarah Work at Fort Victoria. She was the daughter of John Work and Josette Legacé. The couple had seven daughters and four sons.[1]
Death
Finlayson died on 20 January 1892 in Victoria, British Columbia.[1][2]
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 Eleanor Stardom."Eleanor Stardom, "FINLAYSON, RODERICK," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 12."[website].Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 12 (University of Toronto/Université Laval).1990.University of Toronto/Université Laval.Link.(Rights: copyrighted | Access: open)
- ↑ "Obituary of Roderick Finlayson."[newspaper].Daily Colonist.1892-01-22.(Rights: unknown | Access: open)