Alexander Birston (abt. 1775 - 1829)

Born about 1775 in Ronaldshay, Orkney, Scotland

Descendants

Died 11 Jul 1829 at about age 54 in Red River Colony, Rupert's Land, British North America

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Biography

Alexander was born about 1775.^[1]

He entered the service of the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1793 and served as a labourer or on the boats in the York Factory Inland District for almost 20 years. From 1811-14 he was in West Winnipeg District, and 1814-1816 he was at Cumberland House, employed as steersman and pilot. From 1816-1818, he was at Jack River and 1818-21 he finished out his HBC years at Norway House. He settled in the Red River Colony, taking up land at the Lower Rapids.

During his years with the HBC, he had a “country wife”, whose name is unknown. Alexander and his wife had 4 children: Alexander, Nancy, William, and Magnus. The children were baptised at Norway House by the Reverend John West in 1821. It is thought that Alexander, the eldest, was probably born about 1805. At the time the children were baptised, Alexander’s wife was deceased. She is referred to in the baptismal registers as “an Indian woman”. There is no record of his having remarried after he and his children moved to Red River. He died there in 1829 and was buried in St. John’s churchyard.

Sources

1. ↑ Red River Ancestry - Alexander Birston

• Entry for ALEXANDER BIRSTON (20710) published by The Lord Selkirk Association of Rupert's Land.

See also:

• Alexander HBCA Biography Sheet.
• Marriage of son, Alexander Jr: http://heritage.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.lac_reel_h1344/531?r=1&s=1