Alexander Ellice (fur trader) facts for kids

Alexander Ellice (1743–1805) was a smart Scottish businessman. He owned land and was a lawyer. He earned a lot of money from trading animal furs in North America.

Alexander Ellice's Early Life

Alexander Ellice was born in Auchterless, Scotland. He was the oldest of five sons. His father, also named Alexander, was a successful miller. Alexander was baptized on May 28, 1743. He went to Marischal College. He also became a lawyer in Scotland.

Alexander Ellice's Business Adventures

In 1765, Alexander and his four brothers moved to Schenectady, New York. The next year, he started a business with partners. They traded furs and sold other goods. Their business was in upstate New York and near the Great Lakes. Their company, Phyn, Ellice and Company, did very well. His brother Robert joined the company in 1768.

Trading Furs and Goods

Phyn, Ellice and Company brought in goods. First, they came from Scotland. Then, they came from London. But problems grew between the American colonies and Britain. In 1770, a rule stopped them from bringing in goods easily. This rule made the company bring goods through Quebec. By October 1774, the colonies stopped trading with Britain. A local group in Schenectady warned Ellice. They said he tried to sneak goods in through Montreal. So, a decision was made. His business partner, James Phyn, moved to London. Ellice himself left for England in October 1775. Some business items went to Ellice's brother James. The rest were sold off.

New Beginnings in Montreal

Ellice returned to North America in 1776. He started a new company in Montreal. It was called Alexander Ellice and Company. He became a very important person in the fur trade. He helped fund, supply, and connect buyers and sellers. This is how he made most of his money. He often traveled between Montreal and London. In 1802, he stopped working because he was not well. However, in 1804, he and his son Edward tried to buy a big part of the Hudson's Bay Company. They offered £103,000 for it.

Investing in Land and Property

Alexander Ellice used some of his money to buy land. He also lent money with land as security. For example, in January 1770, he received a large piece of land. It was near Cooperstown, New York. This land was about 20,000 acres. In 1795, he bought a large area called Villechauve. It was also known as Beauharnois. He bought it for £9,000. It was about 324 square miles. He built a big manor house there. He also bought most of the nearby areas of Godmanchester and Hinchinbrook. He was also involved in trade that connected Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Because some people could not pay their debts, he gained ownership of large farms in the Caribbean.

Alexander Ellice's Wealth

When Alexander Ellice passed away in 1805, his wealth was huge. It was valued at over £430,000 or even £450,000. This included many properties in North America and the Caribbean. He owned nearly 350,000 acres in New York and Canada alone.

Alexander Ellice's Family Life

Alexander Ellice married Ann Russell around 1780. They had ten children who were still alive when he died. These included:

• Edward Ellice (1783–1863), who became a British businessman and politician. He was a leader in the Hudson's Bay Company. He also helped with an important law change in 1832.
• Robert Ellice (1784–1856), who became a general in the British Army.
• Alexander Ellice (1791–1853), who was an officer in the British Royal Navy. He also became a Member of Parliament.
• Russell Ellice (1799–1873), who was a British businessman. He was the head of the East India Company. He was also one of the first leaders of the British American Land Company.