John George McTavish facts for kids

John George McTavish (born around 1778 – died 20 July 1847) was a fur trader from Scotland. He played a very important part in the North West Company's work in North America during the early 1800s. His last name was sometimes spelled Mactavish.

Early Life

John George McTavish was born in Dunardary, Argyll, Scotland, around 1778. His father, Lachlan MacTavish, was a chief in Clan MacTavish. In 1798, a well-known fur trader named Simon McTavish hired him. Simon was a distant relative. After this, John George started spelling his last name as McTavish.

Fur Trade Adventures

McTavish began his career as a clerk at the North West Company's main office in Montreal. In 1803, he joined a trip to challenge the Hudson's Bay Company's control over the fur trade. They did this by setting up trading posts in James Bay.

He worked at Fort St. Andrews on Charlton Island. There, he became friends with people from the Hudson's Bay Company. He married Charlotte, whose father, John Thomas, was a chief at Moose Factory for the Hudson's Bay Company. In 1806, the North West Company left James Bay. McTavish had to go back to Quebec.

Later, McTavish was sent to trading posts further inland. He worked at Fort Dunvegan from 1808 to 1809. He also joined the Beaver Club, a special dining club for gentlemen in Montreal.

In 1811, he went on a journey with John MacDonald of Garth. They crossed the Rocky Mountains to deliver supplies to explorer David Thompson. Thompson was exploring the upper Columbia River. McTavish then spent the winter at Spokane House. In 1812, he traveled back to Fort William with Thompson.

McTavish helped the North West Company succeed against the Pacific Fur Company. In 1813, he helped buy the American company's trading posts and goods.

While at Fort Astoria (in Astoria, Oregon), McTavish had some disagreements about how things were run. He also faced problems with local Indigenous groups. In 1814, he led a group to fight back against an attack on his company's canoes. This happened at the Cascade Locks in Oregon.

He continued to work in the fur trade. He took part in more trips and was involved in the rivalry between the North West Company and the Hudson's Bay Company.

In 1821, the two big fur trading companies joined together. McTavish became a chief factor, which was a high-ranking manager. He was put in charge of York Factory. This was the main center for the Hudson's Bay Company's Northern Department. The Governor, George Simpson, respected McTavish. He praised him for being good at business and managing things well.

Family Life

John George McTavish had relationships with several Indigenous women between 1800 and 1830. In 1813, he married Matooskie (also known as Nancy). This was a traditional marriage called à la façon du pays, common among fur traders and Indigenous women.

In 1830, McTavish went to Scotland for a break. While there, he married Catherine Aitken Turner. He did not return to Matooskie. Some people criticized McTavish for this. However, Governor Simpson supported McTavish and helped arrange for Matooskie to marry another man. Even so, many people disagreed with McTavish leaving Matooskie.

Later Years and Death

In the early 1830s, McTavish's health started to decline. He gained a lot of weight. He took a break from work in 1835 and 1836. After that, he was sent to the Lake of Two Mountains post, near Montreal.

In 1837, he bought a farm at Lac des Chats in Lower Canada. His wife, Catherine Turner, passed away in 1841. In 1843, he married again to Elizabeth (Eppie) Cameron. She was the niece of another chief factor, Angus Cameron.

After working in the fur trade for almost 50 years, McTavish died in 1847. He had been sick for a short time. In his will and testament, he left his money, about £6,000, to the daughters he had with Catherine Turner and Elizabeth Cameron.