GEORGE GREENWOOD
Greenwood was not one of the original group contracted by McKenzie for Craigflower. However, as a crew member - 'sail maker' - on the Norman Morison he too arrived at Fort Victoria, Jan. 16, 1853.1 Shortly after his arrival he married Isabella Russell, one of the single women destined for Craigflower.2 When their first child, Mary Crangle, was christened by Rev. Staines, Dec. 25, 1853, Greenwood was listed as a "sailmaker, HBC service."3 It was not until July 1855, that Greenwood actually 'removed to the Farm.' McKenzie had recently purchased a schooner - the 'Black Duck' - which he rechristened 'Jessie" and George Greenwood was "engaged to sail same."4 In September another Greenwood baby was christened in company with William Veitch's child, by the chaplain of HMS Monarch.5 Melrose's final entry for Greenwood noted that he was fighting with Andrew Hume.6
McKenzie's Daybook 1856 indicates that Greenwood not only ran the 'Jessie' but also worked at the farm:
Feb. 2, 1856, Credit to account the following for wages: George Greenwood, Farm, f 15/13/4.7
A daughter, Sarah Crangle, was christened in 1858 by Rev. Cridge; in April, 1859 another daughter, Isabella, was baptized. Although Greenwood was listed as a labourer at Craigflower in 1858, by the 1859 baptism he was registered as 'Farmer, Burnside';8 land sales accounts to July 30, 1858, show that Greenwood had purchased 80 acres, Victoria district.9 It is interesting to note that in February of 1859, McKenzie had entered the following against Greenwood's account:
1 Tweed Shooting Coat ..........$ 8.00
1 Shepherd's Plaid ............. 2.50
1 Pr. Tweed Trousers ........... 6.00
1 Bulcher Boots, no nails ...... 4.009
Such an account while providing a vivid picture of Greenwood's attire also indicates that although he was by that time a freeholder, he retained an account with McKenzie; possibly he worked occasionally as a labourer for him.
The remaining entry under Greenwood's name in the Christ Church Register records the burial of an infant daughter, Catherine, Sept. 23, 1863. By that time, Greenwood's other children would have been schoolage and if he remained in the Burnside area would have attended Craigflower. Their names do not appear, however, in reports of achievement or in Claypole's attendance record for 1864.
Endnotes:
1 Log of Norman Morison 1852-53, HBC Arch., c.1/615, fo. 1-1d.
2 Melrose, Diary, Feb. 8, 1853.
3 Baptismal Record. Ft. Victoria, 1851-58. Further research would reveal whether Greenwood continued "in service" aboard the HBC barque Norman Morison or was now working at Fort Victoria.
4 Melrose, July 30; Aug. 11, 1855.
5 Ibid., Sept. 5,1855.
6 Ibid., Oct. 12, 1855.
7 Repairs were also carried out on the 'Jessie' that year: "Jan. 28, 1856, Received from Victoria Depot by 2 sheets copper for Boat Jessie", Daybook 1856.
8 Christ Church Baptismal Register, 1858-72.
9 Gt. Britain, Col. Office, Miscellaneous papers relating to Vancouver Island, 1848-63. (507 of 1863, p. 524). Victoria district included the Craigflower/Burnside area.
GENEALOGY
George Greenwood m. Isabella Russell, Feb. 8, 1853
- Mary Crangle - baptized Dec. 25, 1853
- child - baptized Sept. 5, 1855
- Sarah Crangle - baptized 1858
- Isabella - baptized 1859
License Aug. 20/1885
Suffer the boat called the Jessie of Craigflower, Fort Victoria of Vancouver's Island, whereof Geo. Greenwood is master, clinker built, twenty eight feet no inches overal: eight feet six inches broad and three feet six inches deep: schooner rigged: whereof the Puget Sound Co. are owners - To pay without any Lett Hindrance _____________ or Molestation: provided it shall appear by certificate on the back hereof that the said owners have given bond as required by law.
Bond of f 20.00
Given under my hand at the Custom House of Fort Victoria this 20 day of August One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifty Five.
James Sangster
Kenneth McKenzie Collection 1811 - 1874 A/E/M 19/M 19.4 License Aug. 20, 1855