Robert Pilgrim was an employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, from 1730 to 1750.[1] Pilgrim originally worked as a steward on Hudson's Bay Company ships. In 1735 he given command of a small local Hudson's Bay Company vessel.
Robert Pilgrim | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Died | December 1, 1750 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | stonemason, surveyor and author |
| Known for | Author of a book critical of his former employer, the Hudson's Bay Company |
In 1740 Pilgrim was given a position on Fort Prince of Wales's Governing Council.[1] He became the Factor, or Governor, in 1745.
According to the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Pilgrim's administration was marked by incompetence, a lack of initiative, and conflicts with his subordinates.[1] Joseph Robson was one of the subordinates with whom he was in conflict.[2][3] Robson testified before a Parliamentary committee, in 1748.
Pilgrim returned to England, in 1750, with his wife, Ruehegan Thu a higon, a First Nations woman, and their son.[1] He died shortly after his return. His will requested the Hudson's Bay Company allow his wife to return to live with her family, in Churchill, Manitoba. The Company did return her, but instructed Captains to not bring any further Native women to the United Kingdom.
References
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Joan Craig. "PILGRIM, ROBERT, HBC mariner and chief factor; buried 1 Dec. 1750 at Hackney (now in London), England". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
The HBC's trust of important charges to Pilgrim had been unwise. He was soon at odds with neighbouring factors and with Joseph Robson, Robert Evison, and others of his subordinates. He traded unfairly with the Indians and neglected the maintenance of fort buildings. To a query about him from the London committee, Thomas White, who took charge at Moose in 1751, replied, 'Mr Pilgrim being dead having very little to say of his general good Character We beg to be excus'd entring into his bad one.'
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Glyndwr Williams. "ROBSON, JOSEPH, stonemason, surveyor, engineer, critic of the HBC; fl. 1733–63". Dictionary of Canadian Biography. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
Robson's book was of prime importance, since it was the earliest to reflect first-hand knowledge of service with the HBC, and was written by someone who had spent six years in Hudson Bay.
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Gordon Goldsborough. "Memorable Manitobans: Joseph Robson (?-?)". Manitoba Historical Society. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
It was he who wrote, 'The Company have for eighty years slept at the edge of a frozen sea.'