Simon McTavish - Baron of the Fur Trade
Simon McTavish (born c.1750 - died July 6,
1804) was a Scots-Quebec entrepreneur and the preeminent businessman in Canada during the second half of the 18th century.
Simon, who grew up in very humble beginning was the son was John McTavish (1701?-1774), tacksman of Garthbeg in Stratherrick,
on Fraser of Lovat Lands. John had served under Prince Charles Stewart with the Frasers at Culloden (1746) and was one of
those not pardoned by the Government under the General Pardon of 1747, and he possibly avoided capture and hanging by becoming
a Lieutenant in the old 78th Regiment, Fraser’s Highlanders, and entered Canada during the French and Indian Wars. He
was eventually pardoned for his service to the Crown with the 78th Highlanders. Simon’s mother was the eloquent
Mary Fraser (1715?-1770).
This McTavish family was well-connected in
the Highlands, but prospects there were poor for getting ahead, and in 1764, at the age of thirteen, young Simon accompanied
his sister and brother-in-law to the colony of New York. He quickly grasped that money and fortune was to be had in the fur
trade. By 1787 he had acquired main holding of the Notherwest Company, comptitor of the Hudson Bay Company, and was the man
in charge of the business. He became the managing partner of a new Montreal firm,
McTavish, Frobisher and Company, which imported the North West Company's goods and shipped its furs product to the British
market. His instinct for business seems to have been a natural gift, and he flourished,
becoming the richest man in Canada, for which he earned the nickname ''the Marquis”.
In October 1793 Simon McTavish married Marie-Marguerite
Chaboillez, daughter of a well known French Trader. After marriage, they moved to London where McTavish had envisioned making
a permanent home. They returned to Canada in the spring of 1795, Marie-Marguerite, it is suggested, having become depressed
from her time way from Canada. The couple had six children, two of whom died as infants, and the rest passed on in their twenties.
During his time in Britain, Simon McTavish
had befriended Lachlan MacTavish, Chief of Clan MacTavish. Simon brought John George (JG) MacTavish, son of Lachlan, who into
the fur trade with North West Company. JG MacTavish later changed his the spelling of his name to McTavish. In 1799, McTavish
did something that gave him great personal satisfaction: the acquisition of the Dunardary estate in North Knapdale, Argyll,
Scotland which had been the ancestral home for the Chiefs of the MacTavish Clan for several hundred years. Although Simon's
own family had been closely associated with Clan Fraser, it is believed that his ancestors were a branch of the MacTavishes
of Dunardary, who had settled in Stratherrick some generations before. The Cadet
Matriculation of Simon MacTavish of Garthbeg, by the Court of Lord Lyon, in 1797 seems to affirm this seperated family tie,
as Lyon provided McTavish with a the same arms as the MacTavish Chief, save it was differenced from the Chief’s arms
by a Bordure of the Second. Simon and Lachlan apparently agreed that they were
indeed distant cousins, and developed a close, if not familial, relationship.
Transcribed Letter of 18 Decmber 1792
, Simon McTavish to Lachlan MacTavish of Dunardry.
London 18th December 1792
Dear Sir:
Although I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with you, knowing that some of my brothers were formerly in
habits of intimacy and friendship with your family, and my being of the same name, will I presume apologize for troubling
you on this occasion, rather than apply to friends more distant, which would require the more time to satisfy my curiosity.
My father was generally called Garthbeg, from the place of his residence in Stratherrick, a part of the Lovat estate,
and you probably have heard of him.
I went to American as early as 1764, at the age of 13 and have resided there ever since, except occasional trips I
made to this place, where, I am now established in the Commercial shipping line to Canada.
You will naturally conceive I could have but a very imperfect knowledge of the history of our family, leaving my native
country so young, there’s none of my brothers now living to inform me, and my remaining relations are far distant in
the Highlands, so that being told by my friend Captain McLean who encloses this, that you lived in Edinburgh, I have taken
the liberty to request you will favor me with the Arms of our family, and send
me the impression of your seal on Wax with such explanations as you may think necessary.
I know we are descended from the Campbell’s, but how far we use
the same arms I am at a loss. Your compliance will oblige me infinitely and if
I can at any time be useful to you or any of your friends, it will give me sensible pleasure if you will command me freely.
I think of going North some time in May next, in order to renew my acquaintance with the few remaining relations I
have in the Highlands and shall have the pleasure of paying you my respects en passant, if you are in Edinburgh at the time. I am with regard
Dear
Sir
You’re
most Obedient and humble servant
Simon
McTavish
P.S.
When you favor me with an answer, which I beg may be as soon as convenient, please direct it to Messers McTavish, Fraser,
and Co., Suffolk Lane London
NOTE TO ABOVE: Simon descended from a high
ranking man on the Garthbeg estates, his father John, who was a tacksman, but Simon, having left his home at age 13, pleads
that he has little knowledge of his ancestral background. He believes they have
descent from the Campbells. Simon’s letter of self-introduction to Lachlan MacTavish of Dunardry immediately expresses
Simon’s interest in armorial bearings.
Lachlan’s response to the above letter
dated
23rd February 1793
Dear Sir:
You will no doubt be much surprised that I did not sooner acknowledge the receipt of the very polite letter of the
18th December last which you did me the honor to write me, but the truth is that that letter was dropt at my house at a time
when I was on a visit in the country during the Christmas recess, and being of a private nature , it escaped my wife to deliver
to me until last day that Mr. Campbell writer to the Signet whose cover it had come made inquiry respecting it – This
I beseech you to believe is the real cause of my silence and not any want of attention.
For I can with great truth assure you that it afforded me unspeakable pleasure to answer a letter from the son of a
Gentlemen for whom I had been early taught to entertain a most sincere attachment and regard.
Although I had never the pleasure of being personally acquainted with him, I was however very intimately acquainted
with two of your brothers, Duncan and John, especially the latter who was much
about my own time of day and lived for sometime at my fathers previous to is departure for the West Indies and who had he
lived till now would have been an honor to his clan. I never had the pleasure
of being acquainted with your brother Alexander who died lately, which I regretted very much as report spoke very favorably
of him. I understand, however, that he has left a family.
With regards to the Arms of our family, I am extremely sorry that I
cannot at present give you any satisfactory explanation having no impression of them and when I yesterday applied at the Lyon
office I could not get access to the records owing to their having been sealed up on account of the death of the keeper which
happened lately. Mr. Boswell the Lyon (Deputy) however assured me that he would
get access to them in a few days and make a search and when that happens you may rely upon hearing from me with a accurate
Blazoned description of them as well as some (unreadable word –1.). (---)
acct. of our decent from the family of Argyle(--) proof of which produce from Charters as far back as 1500 now in my
possession.
I cannot sufficiently express my sense of obligation to your for your very polite offer of good offices, of which I
shall certainly avail myself when I have occasion. At present however, I have
only to recommend the Bearer W Campbell who is as friend as well as a relation of mine to your Civilities and to whom I beg
leave to refer for any domestic intelligence which you may wish to learn respecting my present situation.
My wife informs me that during my absence a lady who said she was a (connection) of your address which she gave her
but it escaped her to inquire where the lady lived – I shall be glad to know if you have any of your relatives live
in this place that I may at least show them attention if I cannot otherwise be useful.
Lauchlan MacTavish Esq.
Of Dunardarie
Edinburgh
NOTE TO ABOVE: Lachaln MacTavish of Dunardry
was in Edinburgh with his family, where he served as Governor of Taxes for Widows and Orphans.
This letter (transcribed) is dated Edinburgh April 26, 1793, again from Lachlan MacTavish to Simon McTavish
My Dear Sir:
I this moment received your favour of the (unreadable, possibly visit)
and although I regret any circumstance that delays the pleasure of seeing you, since however you find it necessary to go abroad
again, I have nothing for it, but to wish you a prosperous voyage and a speedy return, which I do with great sincerity. I have just give orders to expedite your patent and shall attend to what you say as
to that business.
Pray are you acquainted with Coll John Campbell of Glendarnel who resides at you near Quebec? If so and that you have an opportunity of seeing him, I beg you may offer him my best compliments---he
is a very (gentle) man and worthy your acquaintance. May God prosper you and
send you soon back to us in the sincere and fervent prayer of
My Dear Sir
Your faithful and affectionate humble servant.
L.M.T.
NOTE TO ABOVE: The “patent”
referred to in this letter is assumed to mean Letters Patent for armorial bearings.
Another letter to Simon by Lachlan
24th February 1794
Dear Sir:
I received your very kind and welcome letter of the 30th December by W. McGillivray acquainting me of your safe arrival
from Canada and the still more pleasing event of your having entered into a state, which while it promises to recruit a class
at present rather weak, must afford an unspeakable pleasure to all your friends and to none more than myself, suffer me therefore to wish from the bottom of my heart, that you and your fair Canadian may,
for a long series of years to come enjoy all the felicity that, that happy state can
possibly confer.
I thank you a thousand fold for making me acquainted with the bearer, W McGillivray who is indeed a very agreeable
modest young man – I can only regret that I had not more of his company, but from the little I had I was glad to learn
not only the prosperous state of your concerns but that his own time in Canada had not been misapplied and that you both may
continue to flourish is my most ardent wish – I have delivered him the patent for your Arms the expenses of which I
formerly drew for amounting as I remember to sometime more than 13/4 (unreadable-1) and it was not worth making words about
it.
I am happy in the prospect of having the pleasure of seeing you and your lady in summer – I think however you
ought not to come early – since your propose(d) going to the highlands July will be early enough and if you can accommodate
matters so as to be here Race week, you will have an opportunity of seeing more company than at any other time.
My wife and family join me in best compliments to you and your lady and believe me (unreadable-2.)
Unreadable 1. Amount paid by Lachlan
MacTavish for the “Patent” to, presumably take out arms at Lyon Court. The
friendship between Lachlan and Simon had developed, it appears, to one of mutual admirability, having the ties of a long lost
family that has been reunited. It is obvious that there was indeed a shared bond
between these men.
Unreadable –2. The afore-wording
seems to denote Lachlan as expressing enthusiasm at a proposed visit from his kinsman Simon.
A Letter from Simon to Lachlan, dated:
London April 29th 1793
My Dear Sir:
I have just received your obliging letter of the 26th, but the Chaise that is to convey me the first stage towards
Portsmouth is not at the door and I have barely time to say how sensible I am, and ever shall be of your very kind and obliging
attention, in executing the commissions I have ever so frequently troubled you with.
You are a much better judge that I can be, of the Propriety of my being stiled of Garthbeg and you will direct therein
as you think fit. My ancestors have long had possession of the place, although
I have now no property in it. My late brother Alexander had only a lease of it
at the time of is death, of which there is still 14 years unexpired. If the entail
of the Lovat estate would be set aside I understand it is the wish of the present Lovat to sell apart in that case, I should
like to become the purchaser of Garthby on account of the Duchas.
I am very well acquainted with your friend Colonel Campbell of Glendarnet, he has been my neighbor at Montreal for
many years and I dare say will be happy to find himself remembered by you.
Sincerely
Simon McTavish
There are other letters of this period
between the two men, expressing knowledge of mutual friends and aquaintences. Some of these letters also touch on the issue
of taking out arms with the Lyon office. It seems that Simon desired armorial baerings and was most intent about them. Although
the expression of renewed kinship between seperated family is most evident. Both
men, Lachlan and Simon seemed to have developed a true spirit of Kinship. It is perhaps this relationship, and this alone,
that prompted Simon to bring John George MacTavish, son of Lachlan, into the Candian Fur Trade.
Some historial accounts do not paint Simon
in a kindly light, however this is probably bad press for his shrewdly eminent
business practices. He was, after all, in the business of making money and did
what was required to bring his company to the forefront.
Simon was both ambitious and if one made
friends with him, he seemed to be a true friend indeed. Many accounts of him survives in which he offered his own money or
help to others less fortunate.
Very often, Simon seems to have incurred
the wrath of other Canadians. But such accounts as these are likely due to his business practices and are not in reference
to his personal side, which seems to be one of a genuine nature, if one considers the correspondence between Simon and Lachlan.
Simon McTavish of Garthbeg died in early
6 July 1804 in Montreal, Lower Canada from an illness that supposedly started with a cold while supervising the contruction
of his mansion on a slope of Mount Royal. McTavish was buried at the foot of Mount Royal in the garden of his half-finished
mansion, leaving a young wife and four children. The city never protected the spot, so the family about 40 years later transferred
the remains to another place that remains a secret. Today, a small monument marks the original resting place, even though
he is not there.
Simon McTavish stands as one of the truly
great Scottish-Canadian entrepreneurs who came to the area when it was but a wilderness.
His prominence among Canadians great men, or of his importance within the history of Clan MacTaivsh, cannot be understated.
Sources:
1. Above Letters, Univ. of Manitoba, Archives.
2. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, University
of Toronto Press
3. Peter Pond Society
Interpretation of sincerity within the
letters above is the opinion of Patrick Thompson, Seannachie, Clan MacTavish
To
read more about the fascinating life of Simon McTavish of Garthbeg see these informative websites.
Dictionary of Canadina Biogrpahy Online
website
www.biographi.ca/EN/index.html
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online
(for Simon McTavish) at
http://www.biographi.ca/EN/ShowBio.asp?BioId=36673
Clan Fraser
Society of Canda website at
http://www.clanfraser.ca/canada.htm
The Canadian
Encycolpedia Website at http://www.canadianencyclopedia.ca/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0005800
Scots Geanalogy
Website at
http://www.scotsgenealogy.com/online/early_scots_at_montreal.htm
Canadawiki
website (Canadian Business History) at
http://canadawiki.org/index.php/Canadian_Business_History
