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Title Personal Journal of James Isham, Volume 1, 1742-1743
Reference E2/1
Library Hudson's Bay Company Archives
Date 1742-1743
Description Journal contains observations by James Isham on the natural history, indigenous peoples (including Cree and Chipewyan), posts and trade of the Hudson Bay area. Writings contain: "Vocabulary of English and indigenous peoples," "Account of goods traded with discourses upon different subjects," and "Small account of the Northward indigenous peoples language, with a description of that part of the country towards the copper mines".
Document Type Manuscript, Company Records
Language Some language of indigenous peoples.
Primary Commodity Fur
Theme Trade and Commerce
Keywords indigenous peoples, flora and fauna, commerce
Region North America
Places Canada, Hudson Bay, Prince of Wales Fort
Company or Organisation Hudson's Bay Company
Additional Information The correct citation for Hudson’s Bay Company Archive materials is as follows. For example: HBCA E2/1 fo1 HBCA E2/1 fo1d The folio reference (fo1 and fo1d) should be taken from the top right hand corner of the document (1d refers to the dorsal or reverse of a page or folio). James Isham (ca. 1716-1761) entered the service of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1732 as a writer at York Fort, and was placed in charge of that post in 1737. After four years in charge he was transferred to Churchill, where he endured several years of poor health. It was during this period that he wrote his "Observations on Hudson's Bay," "Vocabulary of English and indigenous peoples," "Account of goods traded with discourses upon different subjects," and "Small account of the Northward indigenous peoples language, with a description of that part of the country towards the copper mines." Isham remained in the service of the Hudson's Bay Company until his death in 1761. These first two volumes of James Isham's writings were probably submitted to the Governor and Committee of the Hudson's Bay Company in 1744 or 1745.
Copyright Hudson's Bay Company Archives