Archibald McDonald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Archibald McDonald
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| GillEasbaig Mac Aonghais 'Ic Iain 'Ic Alain Dhuibh | |
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| Born | 3 February 1790 |
| Died | 15 January 1853 (aged 62) St. Andrew's East, Canada East
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| Resting place | Saint-André-d'Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Deputy governor of Red River Colony; clerk and later chief trader for the Hudson's Bay Company |
| Years active | 1813–1848 |
| Spouse(s) |
Princess Sunday
(m. 1823; died 1824)Jane Klyne
(m. 1825) |
| Children | Ranald Angus (1826–1843) Archibald Junior Alexander Allen Mary Ann John (1836) John (1837–1861) Donald and James Samuel Joseph Benjamin Angus Michel (1846–1867) |
| Parent(s) | Angus McDonald Mary Rankin |
Archibald McDonald (born February 3, 1790 – died January 15, 1853) was an important person in the early history of Canada. He worked for the Hudson's Bay Company, a famous fur trading company, as a chief trader. He also served as a deputy governor for the Red River Colony.
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Early Life in Scotland
Archibald McDonald was born in a place called Leechkentium, in Glen Coe, Scotland. He was the youngest of 13 children in his family. His grandfather, Iain McDonald, had survived a very difficult event in Glencoe many years before. This event was a sad time for his family and community.
Joining the Red River Colony
When Archibald was a young man, he became friends with Lord Selkirk. Lord Selkirk was setting up a new settlement called the Red River Colony in what is now Manitoba, Canada. Archibald decided to join this colony as a clerk and agent.
One of the reasons he was so helpful was that he spoke Gaelic, just like many of the settlers. This meant he could help people from Scotland talk to the English-speaking leaders of the colony.
Archibald helped find new settlers in Scotland. He was supposed to travel with them in 1812, but Lord Selkirk asked him to stay longer. He wanted Archibald to get more training in medicine and other useful skills.
In June 1813, Archibald finally left Scotland with a group of new settlers. They arrived at the Red River a year later. In 1814, he was made a deputy governor, working under Miles Macdonell. This meant he helped lead the colony.
In 1820, Archibald joined the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). This company was very powerful in the fur trade. After the HBC joined with another big company, the North West Company, in 1821, Archibald was sent to the Columbia River area.
Working for the Hudson's Bay Company
Archibald McDonald had a very important career with the Hudson's Bay Company.
In 1828, he traveled with Governor George Simpson from York Factory all the way to the Columbia River. This was a long and difficult journey! In the same year, Archibald was promoted to a "chief trader." This was a big role, meaning he was in charge of a trading post.
His first post as chief trader was at Fort Langley. This fort was located near where the city of Vancouver, British Columbia, is today. He worked there from 1828 to 1833.
After Fort Langley, he was moved to Fort Nisqually in 1833. Then, in 1835, he was sent to Fort Colvile. He was the chief trader there until 1841. After that, he became a "chief factor" at Fort Colvile until 1844. A chief factor was an even higher position, overseeing several trading posts.
In 1848, Archibald decided to retire from his work. He moved to a place called St. Andrew's East in what was then Canada East. He named his new home "Glencoe House," remembering his birthplace in Scotland. He passed away there in 1853.
Family Life
Archibald McDonald had two marriages during his life.
In 1823, he married Princess Raven. She was also known as Princess Sunday. She was the daughter of Chief Comcomly, a leader of the Chinook people. Sadly, Princess Raven died in 1824 while giving birth to their son, Ranald.
In 1825, Archibald married Jane Klyne. Jane was the daughter of Michel Klyne, who was a postmaster at Jasper House. Her mother, Suzanne Lafrance, came from a well-known Métis family. Archibald and Jane had thirteen children together. They stayed together until Archibald's death.
