The latest history book I’ve read was From Barrow to Boothia: The Arctic Journal of Chief Factor Peter Warren Dease, 1836-1839, edited by William Barr. It involves three of my ancestors.
The most famous one is Peter Warren Dease, my third great-granduncle. Dease had previously been seconded to help with John Franklin’s first searches for the Northwest Passage from 1824 to 1827. It was this experience, plus years of being in charge of various trading posts, that led Governor George Simpson of the Hudson’s Bay Company to choose Dease to co-chair further expeditions with Thomas Simpson (cousin of the Governor). Barr’s book tells the story of these Arctic expeditions whose purpose was to finish mapping the Arctic coast of North America.
After its successful completion, Thomas Simpson wrote an account of the expedition, which was published posthumously as Narrative of the Discoveries on the North Coast of America, effected by the Officers of the Hudson’s Bay Company, during the years 1836—39. This publication portrayed the success of the voyages as being almost entirely due to Simpson’s efforts alone!
In Barr’s book we are presented with not only background information, biographies of the people involved, and original correspondence between HBC figures, but Peter’s actual diary and field notes. As a result it becomes evident to the reader that, as Barr says:
“Dease’s journal…reveals him to be a competent organizer, a perceptive observer, and a careful diarist, and in general gives the lie to Simpson’s jaundiced and self-promoting comments.”
As the Dictionary of Canadian Biography tells us:
“Dease’s logistical abilities in organizing supplies, recruiting and maintaining discipline among his men, keeping peace among the natives, and managing the swift movement with a simplicity of equipment while living off the land in so far as possible assured the success of these arduous expeditions”.
Dease retired to Montreal, having turned down a knighthood, and died in 1863.
As for Thomas Simpson, he met a very suspicious death in 1840 while travelling from Red River through the United States. He either murdered two of his companions then committed suicide, or was killed by his companions. A Google search will give you more, and varied, details.
The second ancestor who appears in this book is Peter Taylor, my great-great-granduncle (sister of Marguerite Taylor, my great-great grandmother). He was the son of Captain George Taylor of Hudson’s Bay Company and had worked for HBC since 1826. He was one of the labourers on the Dease/Simpson expedition and died on December 12, 1837, while carrying mail to Great Slave Lake. In a letter dated 22 January 1838, from Dease and Simpson to the governor, chief factors, and chief traders of the Northern Department, we read:
“At the same time it is our melancholy duty to report the death of one of the bearers – Peter Taylor –, occasioned by a pulmonary complaint of old standing; and accelerated, perhaps, by the fatigue of the journey. He lingered a long time after he became unable to advance further, during which he was carefully attended by his companion (a Maskegon Indian named “Le Sourd”), who shot several deer around their encampment, and on the poor fellow’s decease interred his body.”
A third relative is mentioned very briefly in this book, but not by his full name. When Thomas Simpson was first getting ready for the expedition, he travelled to Red River for a very specific purpose. A letter from George Simpson to Alexander Christie dated 20 Jun 1836 states:
“Mr. Thos. Simpson will therefore return to Red River soon after my departure hence, in order to practise the use of the Instruments with Mr. Taylor”.
On 31 August 1836, Thomas Simpson writes from New Fort Garry [what we now call Lower Fort Garry]:
I vacated my quarters at the Forks…and came down here last week with Mr. Taylor, to prosecute our starry Studies in the tranquil seclusion of the Stone hermitage.
The Mr. Taylor providing surveying and navigating instructions to Simpson was none other than George Taylor, Jr., brother to Peter and Margaret! Simpson was a highly educated man, but there must have been a very good reason for the Governor to request that Thomas spend time with George Taylor before the expedition started. George was a surveyor by training (probably in Scotland or England) who had worked for HBC for many years. Here’s a link to a wonderful video from Canada’s History that shows his most famous map of the Red River Colony.
So many books…so little time…so many great stories!
As Canadian as can be 
What fun to read a history book and find family. That map is remarkable.
Thanks Judi!
As you say many great stories. Thanjs for sharing
Lorne A. Cooper 375 – 1st Street NW Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada T1A 6 H4 lorne.cooper@gmail.com Ph 1-403-526-3698 ________________________________
Thanks Lorne!