John Pritchard was born in Shrewsbury in the late 18th Century. He signed in London as an Indentured Servant with Alexander Mackenzie, to join the fur trade in Canada, sailing from Gravesend in 1799.

He had a remarkable history in the Fur Trade "war" between the Hudson Bay Company and the North West Company; was one of the five Legislative Councillors of the Colony of Assiniboia [the Selkirk Colony, now the province of Manitoba].

If anyone has interest in him, I would be glad to send links, and even some family traditions [I am his great-great-great-great-grandson].

I am particularly interested in the time when he left Shrewsbury for London, in the early 1790s I would guess.

Anyone interested in this great man can communicate directly at www.jivadas3@yahoo.ca or through this forum.

Errol Pritchard

Hi Errol,
I am a g.g.g.g. grand-daughter of John Pritchard, and would very much be interested in any traditions or links that you have. I will try to find out when he left Shrewsbury (I'm sure somewhere in my internet search I came across it). Thank you so much. He was married to a native woman, and later to a white woman named Catherine McGillvray I believe (I don't have my papers beside me to verify). I am Metis, descended from his native wife. I would be happy to share any info I have that you may be interested in. Thanks Errol, and hope to get a reply back from you.

Sincerely,

Judy Zevenbergen,
217 - Mission Crescent,
Cranbrook, B.C.
V1C 6M9