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Kennedy's recruitment

In 1798, John Ballenden, who was second-in-command at York Factory under Joseph Colen, made a special request to the Governor and Committee to hire Kennedy. The request was approved, and that July, 17-year-old Alexander sailed for North America aboard the King George along with Ballenden, the surgeon M.S. Fielding, and 21 Orkney labourers.

Letter from Alexander Lean, HBC secretary, to John Ballenden granting permission to engage Alexander Kennedy.
HBCA, A.5/4 fo. 35d.

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Find out more… search Governor and Committee correspondence in the Keystone Archives Descriptive Database.