Browse Fur Trade Fonds

Reference code

CA RBD MSG 431

Source of title

Title based on contents of collection.

Level of description

Collection

Repository

Rare Books and Special Collections

Physical description

3 cm of textual records

Content summary

There is business correspondence, 1792-1800, with letters from among others Alexander Mackenzie, Joseph Frobisher, Alexander Henry, Simon Fraser and Roderick Mackenzie. There are also minutes and resolutions of the Executors of McTavish in a bound volume; and a contemporary copy of the minutes of the executors of his will, 1805. Most letters previously triple-folded with letter details written on verso, likely for filing purposes. Some biographical information about correspondents laid in with letters. Simon McTavish (1750-1804) was born in Scotland. He came to America in 1764, apparently making Albany his headquarters. In 1774 he moved to Montréal where in 1779 he shared in the organization of the original North West Co. In 1787 McTavish became senior partner in the new firm of McTavish, Frobisher and Co., which held a controlling interest in the North West Co. He also headed the London firm of McTavish, Fraser. McTavish became one of the wealthiest men in Montréal.

Note: There is biographical material in the Samuel Mathewson Baylis Papers, MSG 399, gathered for a biography of Simon McTavish in 1922-1926. The greater portion of this collection consists of notes and documents concerning McTavish, his family, house, business, and monument. 

Language

English

Subject access points

Fur trade.

Name access points

North West Company | McTavish, Simon, 1750-1804.

Genre

Correspondence. 

Date

1792-1880; 1804-1806