Andrew McDermot facts for kids
Andrew McDermot (1790 – 1881) was an important person in early Canadian history. He first worked for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Later, he became a very successful independent fur trade merchant. He was also a member of the Council of Assiniboia, which helped govern the Red River Settlement.
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Andrew McDermot's Early Life and Family
Andrew McDermot was born in Ireland in 1790. He grew up in a Roman Catholic family. He later married Sara McNab in Norway House. Sara was the daughter of another Hudson's Bay Company employee.
Andrew and Sara had 15 children together! Many of their daughters married important men in Winnipeg. For example, his daughter Mary Jane married Joseph Taillefer, who became a politician in Manitoba. His daughter Mary Sally married William McTavish, who was a Governor of Red River. Another daughter, Anne, married Andrew Graham Ballenden Bannatyne. Andrew Bannatyne became McDermot's business partner. Even though Andrew McDermot was born Catholic, he was buried by the Church of England in Winnipeg.
Working for the Hudson's Bay Company
Andrew McDermot joined the Hudson's Bay Company in 1812. He arrived at York Factory in what is now Manitoba. He worked as a writer, trader, and clerk at different fur trade posts. People described him as "Sober. Honest. Ready and willing." He also knew some Indigenous languages.
In 1821, he moved south to the Lower Red River Colony. He felt his career was not moving fast enough at the HBC. So, he decided to leave the company in 1824.
Starting His Own Business
After leaving the HBC, Andrew McDermot opened his own store. It was located near Fort Garry. The HBC actually supported him at first. They often couldn't provide enough goods for the growing settlement. McDermot was allowed to bring his goods on HBC ships.
He was good friends with Governor George Simpson of the HBC. This friendship helped his business a lot. He even got a special license to trade furs. This helped stop furs from being traded at American posts. In 1839, he became a member of the Council of Assiniboia. He helped with building roads, bridges, and other public projects.
However, by the early 1840s, his relationship with the HBC became difficult. The HBC wanted to stop independent trade. They refused to let McDermot use their ships for his goods. McDermot was very upset and resigned from the Council. He later rejoined after an agreement was made.
Andrew McDermot and his partner, James Sinclair, were key figures in the Guillaume Sayer free trade trial of 1849. This trial was important for the right to trade freely. He also worked with American trader Norman Kittson to bring goods from the United States.
Andrew McDermot's Legacy
By the 1850s, Andrew McDermot was known as the "Richest Man in the Red River Settlement." He had a very successful store. He also owned several mills along the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. He owned a large piece of land in what is now Winnipeg.
McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg is named after him. It marks the northern edge of his property. His home, Emerald Lodge, was known as a beautiful and welcoming place. He also donated land for the first Post Office in Winnipeg. With his son-in-law, A.G.B. Bannatyne, he donated land for the Winnipeg General Hospital.
