Duncan Cameron (fur trader)
Encyclopedia
Duncan Cameron was a Canadian
fur trader and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in Glenmoriston
, Scotland
around 1764. He came to Tryon County, New York
with his parents in 1773. His father served with a loyalist regiment during the American Revolution
and the family came to Upper Canada after the war. In 1785, he began work as a clerk for a fur trading company in the Lake Nipigon
area. In 1795, he joined the North West Company
and became a partner in charge of the Nipigon department. In 1807, he was placed in charge of the Lake Winnipeg
department with Alexander MacKay
and, in 1811, took charge of the Lac La Pluie department. Throughout this period, he had been in fierce competition with the Hudson's Bay Company
.
In 1814, he and Alexander Macdonell
were placed in charge of the Red River
department. They stirred up resentment among the Métis people
and led raids against the Hudson's Bay Red River Colony
. He was arrested by Colin Robertson and sent back to England
for trial. He was acquitted and compensated for false arrest. In 1820, he returned to Upper Canada and settled in Glengarry County
. Cameron represented the county in the 9th Parliament
.
He died at Williamstown in 1848.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
fur trader and political figure in Upper Canada
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born in Glenmoriston
Glenmoriston
Glenmoriston or Glen Moriston is a river glen in the Scottish Highlands, that runs from Loch Ness, at the village of Invermoriston, westwards to Loch Cluanie, where it meets with Glen Shiel. The A887 and A87 roads pass through Glenmoriston....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
around 1764. He came to Tryon County, New York
Tryon County, New York
Tryon County, New York was a county in the colonial Province of New York in the British American colonies. It was created from Albany County on March 24, 1772. It was named for William Tryon, the last provincial governor of New York. Its boundaries extended far further than any current county...
with his parents in 1773. His father served with a loyalist regiment during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and the family came to Upper Canada after the war. In 1785, he began work as a clerk for a fur trading company in the Lake Nipigon
Lake Nipigon
Lake Nipigon is the largest lake entirely within the boundaries of the Canadian province of Ontario . It is sometimes described as the sixth Great Lake. Lying 260 metres above sea level, the lake drains into the Nipigon River and thence into Nipigon Bay of Lake Superior...
area. In 1795, he joined the North West Company
North West Company
The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in Montreal from 1779 to 1821. It competed with increasing success against the Hudson's Bay Company in what was to become Western Canada...
and became a partner in charge of the Nipigon department. In 1807, he was placed in charge of the Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg is a large, lake in central North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, with its southern tip about north of the city of Winnipeg...
department with Alexander MacKay
Alexander MacKay (fur trader)
Alexander MacKay was a Canadian fur trader and explorer who worked for the North West Company and the Pacific Fur Company...
and, in 1811, took charge of the Lac La Pluie department. Throughout this period, he had been in fierce competition with the Hudson's Bay Company
Hudson's Bay Company
The Hudson's Bay Company , abbreviated HBC, or "The Bay" is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and one of the oldest in the world. A fur trading business for much of its existence, today Hudson's Bay Company owns and operates retail stores throughout Canada...
.
In 1814, he and Alexander Macdonell
Alexander Macdonell (politician)
Alexander Macdonell was a soldier and political figure in Upper Canada.He was born in Scotland in 1762 and arrived in the Mohawk Valley of New York with other members of his family, including his brother, Angus Macdonell. He served with the Royal Highland Emigrant Regiment during the American...
were placed in charge of the Red River
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
department. They stirred up resentment among the Métis people
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
and led raids against the Hudson's Bay Red River Colony
Red River Colony
The Red River Colony was a colonization project set up by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk in 1811 on of land granted to him by the Hudson's Bay Company under what is referred to as the Selkirk Concession. The colony along the Red River of the North was never very successful...
. He was arrested by Colin Robertson and sent back to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for trial. He was acquitted and compensated for false arrest. In 1820, he returned to Upper Canada and settled in Glengarry County
Glengarry County, Ontario
thumb|right|Glengarry located within OntarioGlengarry County , an area covering , is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario, and is historically known for its settlement of Scottish Highlanders due to the Highland Clearances.Glengarry was founded in 1792 by Scottish loyalists, mainly from...
. Cameron represented the county in the 9th Parliament
9th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 9th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 11 January 1825. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1824. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada...
.
He died at Williamstown in 1848.