Spotlight: HBCA in words and images

Not a fur trade fairy tale…

Marriage contract of Jean Baptiste Dupres and Cecile McLeod signed at Fort Liard, written in French. (HBCA B.116/z/1 fo.1) Click to enlarge Click to read a transcript

On 11 July 1833, HBC middleman and fisherman Jean Baptiste Dupres married Cecile McLeod, daughter of HBC Chief Trader John M. McLeod.  The couple was married at Fort Liard in the Mackenzie River District, with HBC employees as their witnesses.

This marriage contract, written in French, was made between the groom and the bride’s father, as was typical of this time and place.  The contract contained provisions for financial compensation for Cecile and any future legitimate children in the event of Jean Baptiste’s death or his failure to fulfill his martial obligations. This contract also stipulated that if Jean Bapiste faithfully fulfilled his marital obligations, his father-in-law would pay him the sum of fifty pounds sterling.

Document signed at Fort Halkett in which Jean Baptiste Dupres divorces Cecile McLeod. (HBCA B.85/z/1 fo.1) Click to enlarge Click to read a transcript

Unfortunately, there was no happily ever after for Cecile and Jean Baptiste. Less than a year after the wedding, on 19 February 1834, Jean Baptiste renounced his wedding vows and divorced Cecile, shown in the document signed at Fort Halkett and witnessed, once again, by fellow HBC servants. Not only did Jean Baptiste end his marriage, he also made it clear that he would no longer be responsible for the financial promises he made to both Cecile and her father.

Search Keystone for more information about these records and others documenting events at HBC posts, including Fort Halkett and Fort Liard.

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