Draft:Andrew Mcpherson

• Comment: I think the sources prove that the person existed, but what is the basis for his alleged notability? Drmies (talk) 21:35, 3 December 2023 (UTC)

---

ANDREW MCPHERSON, Esq., of Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada (30 November 1783 - 16 August 1847), was a Bourgeoisie of the Honourable Hudson's Bay Company. As a Bourgeoisie, he owned stock in the Company, which was listed in "the Inventory of the Estate of Andrew McPherson", dated 4 September 1847. After his retirement in 1845, he was a shopkeeper on 134 Craig's Street, Montreal, Quebec, where he sold food and household items, writing materials, and liquor.

Early Life

Andrew McPherson was born in Three Rivers, Quebec, on 30 November 1783. He and his family lived on the corner of Rue Fleuve, in a house built on 22 March 1756, by a carpenter named, Jean Baptiste LeClaire. He was the second-born son of John McPherson, son of Donald McPhersonof Breackachy, otherwise known as, the brother-in-law of Cluny.

His mother, Mary Cameron, came from a distinguished Highland family, being the daughter of a Lochiel Cameron, who followed Charlie to the Battle of Culloden. In the book entitled, "The Lives of the Judges," on pg. 174, it was noted that Cameron sacrificed his life, 'thanks to the foolhardy attempt of Charles Edward Louis Philip Casimer Stuart's to gain the throne of his ancestors in 1745'. In the Biographical Notices, on pg. 102, McPherson's grandfather was noted as being the first cousin of Dr. Archibald Cameron, brother of Lochiel. Additionally, McPherson was the cousin of Duncan Cameron, partner of the North West Company, and a brother-in-law to Justice Archibald McLean and, John Sayer, a North West Company partner.

Career

On May 4, 1803, shortly after he turned twenty, he signed a seven-year engagement contract with McTavish, Frobisher & Company as an apprentice clerk for the North West Company. The contract outlined that McPherson would be sent to 'the interiors' and his wages were to be fifty pounds, including clothing and provisions.

Throughout his career, McPherson was noted as being a humble and unassuming man. This was noted by Aeneas Cameron, in a letter written, on 16 June 1823, to Alexander Christie, son of chief factor, William Christie, “I would be deficient in my duty did I omitt (sic) to recommend Mssrs. Fraser and McPherson in the worst circumstances to the notice of the Governor & Council, these Gentlemen’s good conduct for upwards of twenty years service in this Country can only be duly appreciated by a person like me who has witnessed their extraordinary zeal & Industry in promoting their Employer’s interests … They are modest and unassuming men who do not know how to promote themselves”.

McPherson was also known to be a polyglot, which was noted by Governor George Simpson, in his Character Book. McPherson was fluent in English, French, Gaelic, and multiple Aboriginal languages.

Grand Lake

Andrew McPherson worked for the North West Company as an apprenticeuntil 1810, then as a clerk until 1821. After the North West Company merged with the Hudson's Bay Company, McPherson worked for the latter as a clerk from 1821-1822. From 1822, onward, he was promoted to Clerk in Charge, and held this position in Temiscamingue, Quebec, until 1837.

In 1837, on the recommendation of his doctor, McPherson took a leave of unpaid absence. Governor George Simpson remarked that his health issues were due to not having control over his wife and sons; however, McPherson likely suffered from rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. McPherson's letters to his sons often outline the symptoms he was suffering from, symptoms which persistently created a feeling of impending death.

While on his leave of absence, McPherson arranged for the baptism and marriage of his daughter, Elizabeth McPherson, to take place in Montreal, Quebec. This he did by paying her common-in-law husband, Francois Nault, fifty pounds, which is illustrated in the following letter written by Chief Factor Angus Cameron to fur trader James Keith. [1]

James Keith

7 August 1838

Dear Sir

This letter will be handed to you by Francois Naud, who with Joseph Belois di Fortier & Louis Serulier leave the Service...In a letter from Mr. McPherson to me date Montreal 30 April last he requests me to give Francois Naud a Draft on the Company for £ 50 Currency on his McPherson's account, when Naud marries his Daughter. On Naud's performing his promise, & presenting you his Marriage Certificate I beg that you pay him the Fifty Pounds agreeable to McPherson's request.

Angus Cameron

Included is a copy of the marriage certificate of Francois Naud and Elizabeth McPherson date 15 September 1838: Montreal le 15 Sept 1838 Je pretre soussigne ai marine Francois Naud et Elizabeth McPherson tous deux nouvellement arrives du Grand Lac.

The Plot

Governor George Simpson displaced his anger towards McPherson by writing disparaging comments about him in his Character Book: "No. 48 McPherson Andw. A Scotchman about 50 years of Age, has been 27 years in the Service. A self-sufficient, useless Man of poor abilities and little Education, but from his long experience in the Temiscamingue Department and his Knowledge of the Indians in that quarter whose Languages he speaks fluently and over whom he has a good deal of influence, would be troublesome to us if in the hands of opposition, is therefore retained although greatly overpaid for his Services at £135 p Annum. Has no chance of promotion."

Simpson was extremely embarrassed over the activities of the wife of Andrew McPherson. Ikwesens Pinesi Okijikowe was noted as being a canoe designer, in the journal the journal of Angus Cameron of Timiskaming in 1823: “Thurs 18th, I sent off my Cousin with Haaskeness and an Indian for Grand Lac —-the same morning May —another of Fleros (sic) sons around with Pinesi the latter brought a large canoe.”

However, Ikwesens was also known as a trader, and her activities were brought to the attention of George Simpson. On April 20th, 1837 he wrote Angus Cameron in La Chine, Province of Quebec, complaining about her, “… I consider it expedient he (Andrew McPherson) should be removed from the Service, as it is quite evident he has no control over several members of his own Family, say, his Wife & sons whom I am informed play into the hands of opposition, and do everything in their power to injure the Company’s interests." Wishing to punish Ikwesens for playing “into the hands of opposition” and for doing “everything in their power to injure the Company’s interest”, Simpson^ struck at her husband, writing, “Should his Health be so far improved as to render it unnecessary for him to avail himself of the leave of absence now afforded him, you will be so good as to give him a passage to Moose with the view to his being attached to Ruperts (sic) River or Albany District as after the conduct lately manifested by certain members of his Family, he can no longer be allowed to remain at Grand Lac”.

Simpson did not succeed in his attempt to eliminate Andrew McPherson's long-time position. However, he did succeed in removing McPherson from his Grand Lac position. In 1838, McPherson re-engaged with the Hudson's Bay Company and was transferred to the Northern Department. This may have been a small triumph for Simpson, but he failed to swindle McPherson out of his Hudson's Bay Company stock.

Fort Alexander

After McPherson completed his sick leave, in 1838, he re-engaged with the Hudson’s Bay Company. Simpson forbade Andrew from working at Grand Lac and transferred him to the Northern Department, considered out of the Country. In May, he left with the "Canada Brigade Canoes" for Norway House, then headed to York Factory. After months of paddling, and countless portages, on 12 August 1840, Andrew^ arrived at the Cumberland House. On 5 January 1841, Andrew wrote from Cumberland House, stating Mr. McDonnell^ passed by placing him in charge. On 1 July 1842, it was verified in a letter “Old McPherson” was working at the Norway House. He retired at the age of fifty-nine and although it was reported he received a pension in 1844, the Hudson’s Bay Company did not pay him one cent. After he died in 1847, his son Angus McPherson wrote several times to Duncan Finlayson inquiring about when the first payment would commence.

Death

Andrew McPherson died on 16 August 1847, at his residence in Montreal, Quebec. Under his care were his three youngest children: Thomas, Mary, and Catherine. In the Inventory of the Estate of Andrew McPherson, dated 4 September 1847, they were placed under the care of their older brother, Angus McPherson. McPherson was laid to rest two days later, at Anglican St. George Church, in Montreal.

Family

Andrew McPherson was in a mariage a la facon du pays with Ikwesens Pinesi Okijikokwe, the daughter of Algonquin Chief Pinesi. McPherson went on to be the progenitor of a new ethnicity, which is now known as the Metis.

Issue with Ikwesens:

• George McPherson (1805-1891), was born near the Ottawa River, where the Algonquin tribe resided. He is the half-breed referred to by Elaine Mitchell, in the Camerons of Temiscamingue, in which Angus Cameron and Andrew McPherson quarreled over, resulting in his transfer to Fort Albany. It was here, that McPherson met his wife, Isabella Okewiikumigekwa, of Moose Factory. After her untimely death, in 1845, McPherson remarried twice. Throughout his career, he was known as an Indian Agent, interpreter, and a signer of Treaty 3.[2]

• Daniel McPherson (1807-1898), was born in Grand Lac, Quebec. He was named after his grandfather, Daniel, or Donald/Donal Cameron. He served as a soldier for Upper Canada when he was conscripted. He cared for the three youngest children of his parents, and he worked in a Law Firm in Toronto, for an associate of Justice Archibald McLean.

• Mary McPherson (1809-1823)

• John McPherson (1811)

• Elizabeth McPherson (1816), was born in Grand Lac, Quebec, as specified in her baptismal record. On 13 September 1838, she married Francois Nault, in Montreal, Quebec.

• Angus McPherson (1823) was born in Grand Lac, Quebec. He was the power of attorney for personal care and finances for his father. He was the Executor of the Estate of Andrew McPherson. After the death of his father, his three youngest siblings, Thomas, Mary, and Catherine McPherson, were placed under his care.

• Philomene McPherson (1824-1901), was born in Grand Lac, Quebec. On 2 June 1841, she married Louis Fournier, in Aylmer, Quebec.

• Thomas McPherson (1825), Grand Lac, Quebec.

• Mary McPherson (1829), was born in Grand Lac, Quebec. She married Alexander McDonald, after the death of her father, Andrew McPherson. She lived with her husband and children, Rebecca, Jessie, and John McDonald, in or around Guelph, Ontario.

• Catherine McPherson (1830), Grand Lac, Quebec.