John Abraham (politician)
Encyclopedia
John Abraham was a governor
of the now abandoned Hudson's Bay Company
settlement at Port Nelson (or Fort Nelson) on Hudson Bay
, located in the northern part of the modern province
of Manitoba
.
Immediately after joining the HBC in 1672, Abraham was sent to Hudson Bay, where he served under Governor Charles Bayly
until 1678. In 1679, possibly as a result of Abraham's accusations of mismanagement, Bayly was recalled to London
and replaced by John Nixon
. Abraham held the position of Nixon's second-in-command
until 1681, when he was assigned to The Diligence under the command Captain
Nehemiah Walker.
Ignoring Nixon's criticisms of him, the HBC promoted Abraham to Captain of The George in 1683 and set sail for Port Nelson, where a fort had been established the previous year by Governor John Bridgar. Upon his arrival, Abraham discovered that the HBC's post had been routed by Pierre Esprit Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers
, French
agents competing with the HBC. Due to this and the fact that Bridgar had been captured and taken to Quebec
by Radisson and Des Groseilliers, Abraham assumed command of Port Nelson. He spent the next winter contending with Jean-Baptiste Chouart, Des Groseilliers's son, for control of the region. Abraham decided to sail back to England
in the spring of 1684, but returned to Port Nelson when he received a commission as governor from the HBC while en route. During his first official weeks as governor Fort York
was constructed under the supervision of George Geyer. Also during this time, Abraham repulsed an attack carried out by Claude De Bermen De La Martinière
of the French La Compagnie du Nord. The following winter saw minor skirmishes and increased tensions with the French.
In 1685, the HBC committee decided to replace Abraham with Governor Thomas Phipps because he had abandoned Port Nelson in 1684 before receiving word from England. He acted as Phipps deputy until 1688, when he was recalled. The HBC decided to do this for two reasons: they considered his opposition to the French in the winter of 1684-85 had been unjustified considering his stronger position and certain reports he had made lead them to believe that he was planning to mount an interloping expedition. These fears did not prove unfounded when, in 1688, Abraham, along with John Outlaw, sailed The Mary to Hudson Bay
intent on infringing upon the HBC's charter. However, the expedition did not go as planned when The Mary was wrecked by ice in the Hudson Strait
. Before the ship sank, her crew and supplies were rescued by John Marsh
, who had been tasked by the HBC settle in Albany River
. Despite the English and French crowns enjoying a rare peace, Marsh's colony clashed with the local French and Abraham was given up as a hostage. At some point during his captivity, Abraham switched his allegiance and proceeded to prey upon English ships on the St. Lawrence River for the remainder of his life.
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
of the now abandoned 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...
settlement at Port Nelson (or Fort Nelson) on Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
, located in the northern part of the modern province
Provinces and territories of Canada
The provinces and territories of Canada combine to make up the world's second-largest country by area. There are ten provinces and three territories...
of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
.
Immediately after joining the HBC in 1672, Abraham was sent to Hudson Bay, where he served under Governor Charles Bayly
Charles Bayly
Charles Bayly, , the first overseas governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, likely spent his early years in the court of Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I...
until 1678. In 1679, possibly as a result of Abraham's accusations of mismanagement, Bayly was recalled to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and replaced by John Nixon
John Nixon
John Nixon is the name of:* John Nixon, Armagh, Irish Republican, Hunger Striker 1981.* John Nixon , Member of the Long Parliament in England, representing Oxford City 1646-1648...
. Abraham held the position of Nixon's second-in-command
Second-in-command
The Second-in-Command is the deputy commander of any British Army or Royal Marines unit, from battalion or regiment downwards. He or she is thus the equivalent of an Executive Officer in the United States Army...
until 1681, when he was assigned to The Diligence under the command Captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
Nehemiah Walker.
Ignoring Nixon's criticisms of him, the HBC promoted Abraham to Captain of The George in 1683 and set sail for Port Nelson, where a fort had been established the previous year by Governor John Bridgar. Upon his arrival, Abraham discovered that the HBC's post had been routed by Pierre Esprit Radisson and Médard des Groseilliers
Médard des Groseilliers
Médard Chouart des Groseilliers was a French explorer and fur trader in Canada. He is often paired with his brother-in-law Pierre-Esprit Radisson who was about 20 years his junior...
, French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
agents competing with the HBC. Due to this and the fact that Bridgar had been captured and taken to Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
by Radisson and Des Groseilliers, Abraham assumed command of Port Nelson. He spent the next winter contending with Jean-Baptiste Chouart, Des Groseilliers's son, for control of the region. Abraham decided to sail 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...
in the spring of 1684, but returned to Port Nelson when he received a commission as governor from the HBC while en route. During his first official weeks as governor Fort York
York Factory, Manitoba
York Factory was a settlement and factory located on the southwestern shore of Hudson Bay in northeastern Manitoba, Canada, at the mouth of the Hayes River, approximately south-southeast of Churchill. The settlement was headquarters of the Hudson's Bay Company's Northern Department, from 1821 to...
was constructed under the supervision of George Geyer. Also during this time, Abraham repulsed an attack carried out by Claude De Bermen De La Martinière
Claude de Bermen de la Martinière
Claude de Bermen de la Martinière was born in France and came to New France in 1662. Through marriage, he became the owner of a large seigneury and held a number of important positions throughout his time in Canada....
of the French La Compagnie du Nord. The following winter saw minor skirmishes and increased tensions with the French.
In 1685, the HBC committee decided to replace Abraham with Governor Thomas Phipps because he had abandoned Port Nelson in 1684 before receiving word from England. He acted as Phipps deputy until 1688, when he was recalled. The HBC decided to do this for two reasons: they considered his opposition to the French in the winter of 1684-85 had been unjustified considering his stronger position and certain reports he had made lead them to believe that he was planning to mount an interloping expedition. These fears did not prove unfounded when, in 1688, Abraham, along with John Outlaw, sailed The Mary to Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay
Hudson Bay , sometimes called Hudson's Bay, is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada. It drains a very large area, about , that includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Alberta, most of Manitoba, southeastern Nunavut, as well as parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota,...
intent on infringing upon the HBC's charter. However, the expedition did not go as planned when The Mary was wrecked by ice in the Hudson Strait
Hudson Strait
Hudson Strait links the Atlantic Ocean to Hudson Bay in Canada. It lies between Baffin Island and the northern coast of Quebec, its eastern entrance marked by Cape Chidley and Resolution Island. It is long...
. Before the ship sank, her crew and supplies were rescued by John Marsh
John Marsh
John Marsh may refer to:*John Marsh , governor of the Hudson's Bay Company*John Marsh , English composer*John Marsh , American pioneer and physician...
, who had been tasked by the HBC settle in Albany River
Albany River
The Albany River is a river in Northern Ontario, Canada, which flows northeast from Lake St. Joseph in Northwestern Ontario and empties into James Bay. It is long to the head of the Cat River, tying it with the Severn River for the title of longest river in Ontario...
. Despite the English and French crowns enjoying a rare peace, Marsh's colony clashed with the local French and Abraham was given up as a hostage. At some point during his captivity, Abraham switched his allegiance and proceeded to prey upon English ships on the St. Lawrence River for the remainder of his life.