Henry Kelsey of Hudson's Bay Company
Explored Canada from York Factory to Vast Plains with Native People
The facts of Henry Kelsey’s personal life are mostly unknown. He was born in 1667, possibly in East Greenwich, England where his wife and children were born.
Henry Kelsey Apprentice of Hudson’s Bay Company
Apprentice of the Hudson’s Bay Company for four years, starting in 1683, Henry Kelsey served on several ships before his arrival at York Factory. Originally named Fort York, the fur trading post was located on the west shore of Hudson Bay at Hayes River in present-day Manitoba.
York Factory to Churchill River
In 1688 Henry Kelsey was sent with an Indian boy to deliver a packet of letters to New Severn located farther down the coast. Traveling as the Natives did, he returned within a month with replies. He was the first to accomplish the feat.
Henry Kelsey was member of a contingent sent to Churchill River to build a fort in 1689. He and Native companions travelled another two hundred miles northward in search of commerce. In recognition of his ability to live off the land, he was sent inland in 1690. For two years he lived among the various Native peoples.
Henry Kelsey Explored from York Factory to Vast Plains
He encouraged fur trade with the Native people and tried to re-establish peace between warring nations. Kelsey searched for mineral deposits and medicinal plants as well. During his two years away, he became the first white man to travel to the vast plains and the Saskatchewan River.
He travelled by canoe, snowshoes, and sledge (an elongated sled for carrying goods). He was the first to record sightings of bison and grizzly bears. Kelsey was also the first European to write descriptions of the area’s flora and fauna. He returned to York Factory during the summer of 1692. In 1693, Henry Kelsey returned to England and sailed back to York Factory in 1694.
Hudson’s Bay Company Governor of York Factory Area
Henry Kelsey was named Governor of the Company’s establishments around Hudson Bay in 1718. During his 1721 expedition north to find copper he wrote, “Ye 21st saw Eskemoes ye 23rd saw more.”
When his mandate as Governor ended in 1722, Henry Kelsey returned to East Greenwich, England where he died in 1724.
Native Peoples’ Languages and Cultures
In nearly forty years of service, Henry Kelsey was away from Hudson Bay for only three complete years. Twice he was prisoner of the French when they took the fort. He was present twice when the English reclaimed it.
Henry Kelsey’s exploration successes were due to his willingness to follow the advice of Native people. He liked and respected their lives and was renowned for his knowledge of the Cree and Assiniboine languages and cultures.
Henry Kelsey Journals and Papers
Doubts surrounded Henry Kelsey’s accomplishments as recorded in his diary published in 1749. His journals and papers were found at the Records Office of Belfast, Ireland in 1926. The journal written during his travels to the plains provided descriptions of flora and fauna, the terrain, and waterways. They proved that he did, in fact, accomplish all that he noted in his diary.
York Factory is now a National Historic Site of Canada
Sources:
The Journal of Henry Kelsey, 1691-1692: The First White Man to Reach the Saskatchewan River from Hudson Bay, and the First to See the Buffalo and Grizzly Bear of the Canadian Plains--With Notes on Some Other Experiences of the Man
By Charles Napier Bell, President of Manitoba Historical Society 1928
Kelsey, Henry (1677-1724) by Dale Russell, The Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan
York Factory Dock at Hayes River
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Cree Teepee
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Man on Snowshoes
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National Historic Site York Factory
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