Philip Pi-ax-i-wah Bird (1818 - 1910)

Born 1818 in Red River Settlement, Rupert's Land [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Fidler) Bird — married 4 Feb 1847 in St Johns Mission House, Red River Settlement, Rupert's Land

Descendants

Died 1 Jun 1910 at about age 92 in Sumner, Pierce, Washington, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Don Watson [send private message]

Biography

Philip Bird was a Canadian First Peoples and member of the Metis Nation.

This profile is part of the Bird Name Study.

Genealogical Proof Standard - this profile lacks all 5 proof elements. At this stage it's a profile needing further research

Philip was born about 1818-1819. He is the son of James Bird and Mary Oo-menahomisk. He was a metis with an Indian name of Pi-ax-i-wah (unable to find translation). Was reputed to be Roman Catholic by faith.

With James Sinclair's 1854 Oregon party were: Philip Bird, about 50, 1804; with Wife and 3 children; Arthur Bird, age about 40, 1814; Thomas Bird, age about 50, 1804; Charles Bird, age about 20, 1834. Wash. Historical Quarterly; July 1916; p. 197.

The year was 1854 . . . II women, their children, and 28 men followed their leader, James Sinclair, along what was then called the Strong Current River toward this spot. This hardy band of Red River settlers made their way to Oregon territory. The evening campfires offered the exhausted travellers their only comfort on those cold autumn nights. From the Bow River, it had taken them 30 days of grueling travel to cross the mountains! Extracted from [1]

June 4, 1910 - Saturday, The Puyallup Valley Tribune, Puyallup, Washington Phillip Bird, aged 91 years, and a resident of Pierce county for 51 years, died at Sumner Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. Mr. Bird had been troubled with dropsy (edema) for years.

He was buried beside his wife, who preceded him to the other shore some years ago. At one time the deceased was quite wealthy and was an extensive grower of hops.

Quality Sources

Extracts from registers of baptisms, marriages and burials in Rupert's Land, both his baptism and record of his marriage located here * [2] AND Image 1208 and 1941 Parish records document his marriage * [3]

Oregon Historical Records Index, records of census and tax assessments for Philip* [4]

Other Sources

His family relationship and his marriage mentioned * [5]

His remains buried at Fort Lewis, Pierce County, Washington, USA * [6]

He is listed in this bio along with wife and children * [7]