Fonds PR-2390 - Paul Fraser fonds

Appointment as Chief Trader Outward correspondence Correspondence inward Miscellaneous material relating to Paul Fraser

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Paul Fraser fonds

General material designation

  • textual record

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  • Source of title proper: Title based on contents of fonds

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

PR-2390

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Edition statement of responsibility

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Statement of scale (cartographic)

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

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Date(s)

  • 1844-1854, [1936] (Creation)

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Physical description

5 cm textual records

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(ca. 1797-1855)

Biographical history

Paul Fraser was born in Glengary, Upper Canada around 1797. He joined the Northwest Company in May 1819 and served as an apprentice clerk working at a variety of posts east of the Rockies. He managed Fort Vermilion prior to being transferred to the post at McLeod Lake in 1832, where he stayed for ten years. He subsequently spent 2 years at Fort Umpqua before becoming Chief Trader for the Columbia Department. In 1846, he was appointed Chief Trader of New Caledonia during Donald Manson's temporary absence. Later that year, he became Chief Trader of the Columbia Department, a position he held until his death in 1855.

Fraser's heavy-handed disciplinary methods were suspected in causing the 1855 death of Michel Fallardeau at Thompson River.

On July 28, 1855, Fraser was killed when a tree fell on the tent he was in on the HBC brigade trail between Fort Hope and Campement des Femmes. Donald Manson, who was with him, escaped serious injury.

Custodial history

The custodial history of the records is largely unknown. See lower-level descriptions for more information.

Scope and content

The fonds consists of the inward and outward correspondence of Paul Fraser, as well as his appointment to Chief Trader of the Hudson's Bay Company. Correspondence dates from 1852 to 1854. The fonds also consists of a two page type-script produced in 1936 relating to the grave of Paul Fraser. The type-script includes a transcribed extract from a letter from Chief Factor James Douglas to WIlliam G. Smith, Secretary of the Hudson's Bay Company in London regarding Fraser's death.

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Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Immediate source of acquisition largely unknown; see lower level descriptions for details.

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Script of material

Location of originals

Location of originals for which only photostats exist is unknown; location presumed to be the Hudson's Bay Archives.

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Use digital preservation copy.

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General note

Archives codes(s) : A/B/40/F862.2.,A/C/40/F862, A/C/40/F862c, M/F862.

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Physical storage

  • Box: 002340-1038