Ontario's Historical Plaques
at ontarioplaques.com
Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques
The North West Company
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2005
Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted December, 2009
Plaque Location
The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry
The Township of South Glengarry
In Williamstown, on the north side of John Street (Road 17)
west of Road 19 at street number 19651
Coordinates: N 45 08.841 W 74 35.023 |
 |
Plaque Text
Some fifteen years after the British conquest of New France, the Montreal-based fur trade was revived, primarily by Scots. Competition among the individuals and small partnerships led to larger groupings, culminating in 1779 in the formation of the first "North West Company". Reconstituted, 1783-4, the organization became a vital factor in the economy and exploration of this nation. Many of its partners and employees were drawn from among the Highland settlers of Glengarry County. Notable figures in the Company included: Benjamin and Joseph Frobisher, Simon McTavish, William McGillivray, Simon Fraser, Sir Alexander Mackenzie and David Thompson. Ruinous competition between the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies finally compelled them to unite in 1821.
Related Ontario plaque
The North West Company Post
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