William McGillivray 1764-1825
Text from the plaque
Born in Inverness-shire, Scotland, McGillivray joined the North West Company in 1784, became a partner in 1790 and its principal director in 1804. Fort Kaministiquia, the Company's wilderness headquarters, was renamed Fort William in his honour in 1807. He was largely responsible for the Nor'Westers' bitter opposition to Lord Selkirk's Red River Colony, but later supported negotiations which led to the union of the Hudson's Bay and North West Companies in 1821. He served as lieutenant-colonel of the Corps of Canadian Voyageurs during the War of 1812 and as a member of the Legislative Council of Lower Canada 1814-25.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
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The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
At city hall, on the southwest corner of
Donald Street East and May Street South
N 48 22.936 W 89 14.749
Recorded July 2012. Check current access before visiting.
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September 5, 2015
William is my 5th great-grandfather!
March 14, 2010
I am related to McGillivray! He is my 9th great grandfather!