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a.
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Note: also known as Levy Johnson
Last name also known as Lewis.
Dec 17. 1795 "Joseph Lewis a Mulatto" left his Canadian master and offered to enter the HBCo
service (George Sutherland, Cumberland House Journal)
1795-1796 "Joseph Lewis, from Canada, has left his Canadian master and is gone down steers-
man to York Factory to engage in your Honours service. He speaks tolerable good English and came to the House
[Cumberland House] the last day of May [1796].
He is a black, but whether he was a slave or a hired servant I [William Tomison] do not
know, or how far he may be depended upon I will not venture to say, but by what I
have heard since he embarked he is very much in debt." (HBCA Reel 1M784
B.49/f/2, Cumberland House Lists of Servants 1796)
July 2, 1796 Put mark contract to serve HBCo (at YF) 3 yrs @@ Ð20/a, note: "This person belonged
to one of the New Company from Canada, and offered his service to Mr [George]
Sutherland the 1st June. He conducted a Canoe from Cumberland House - is
considered as an excellent Steersman and a sober steady man." (HBCA Reel 389,
A.32/8)
Aug 20, 1797 [Jack River House] "At 9 A.M. we [Donald McKay & party] arrived at the house. Mr.
Charles Asham was master there, with five men & a negro man from Canada."
(Albany Fort Journal 1796-1797, HBCA Reel 1M9 B.3/a/100)
1807 Steersman at York Factory
1810 Accompanied Joseph Howse's expedition across the Rockies
1811-1812 Steersman, Sask. District, salary Ð30/a
1812-1813 Steersman, Sask. District, salary Ð20/a
1813-1814 Steersman, Sask. District, salary Ð20/a
1814 Became a freeman (not engaged by any company)
Oct. 16, 1814 [Edmonton House] "Joseph Lewis also arrived" (Edmonton House Journal
1814-1815, HBCA Reel 1M49, B.60/a/13)
May 29, 1820 [Edmonton House] "about 10 AM James Bird Junior arrived and brought about
eighteen MB in furs, he informed me [Francis Heron] that one of our Freemen
(Joseph Lewis by name) was killed by a young man belonging to a tribe of Indians
commonly called the Blackfeet tribe, but for what reason he could not inform me."
(Edmonton House Journal 1820-1821, HBCA Reel 1M49, B.60/a/19)
abt. 1826 having died intestate, son James appointed executor (HBCA Reel 427 A.36/8)
see also http://www.metisresourcecentre.mb.ca/bios/j_lewis.htm
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