Henry Kelsey: On the Trail of Native Friends

Later Voyages

Kelsey returned to England in 1693. He came back to North America in 1694, but France took Fort York that same year and he had to leave. For the next 20 years, Kelsey worked at different jobs for the Hudson's Bay Company, on ships and at many posts.

Kelsey was the first to deliver letters between settlements -- a task he completed with the help of a Native boy Copyright/Source

In 1717, Kelsey was made governor over all the Hudson Bay settlements. He made two voyages north in 1719 and 1721 in search of gold or other valuable minerals.

Surprise!
Another famous governor of the Hudson's Bay Company was George Simpson. Travelling by canoe or on foot, Simpson enjoyed making surprise visits to the forts to make sure they were being run properly. He wore a beaver top hat, long black coat and had a bagpiper pipe him in to the fort.

All Hands on Deck
Hudson's Bay forts were run with strict discipline. The man in charge was usually an ex-navy officer who ran the fort like a ship. In fact, at York Factory, the people were called for dinner with naval bells.