Cuthbert James Grant (1793 – July 15, 1854) was a prominent Métis leader of the early nineteenth century. 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... July 15 is the 196th day (197th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 169 days remaining. ... 1854 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Métis (pronounced MAY tee, IPA: , in French or , in Métis ) are one of three recognized Aboriginal peoples in Canada. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Grant was the son of a Scottish father and Métis mother. He was born in 1793 at Fort Tremblant, a Northwest Company trading post located near the present-day town of Togo, Saskatchewan, where his father was a manager. In 1801 at the age of eight, he was sent to Scotland to be educated. It is not known exactly when he returned to the West, but in 1812, he entered the service of the Northwest Company at the age of 19. He then travelled with the spring brigade to Pays d'en haut, the "high country" of the Northwest. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1793 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The North West Company was a fur trading business headquartered in the city of Montreal in British North America. ... The trains whistle still blows as it chugs its way through the village of Togo, as it has for the past century. ... Motto: Nemo me impune lacessit (English: No one provokes me with impunity) Scotlands location within Europe Scotlands location within the United Kingdom Languages English, Gaelic, Scots Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow First Minister Jack McConnell Area - Total - % water Ranked 2nd UK 78,782 km² 1. ... Western Canada normally refers to three or four Canadian provinces: British Columbia (a few exclude the coast) Alberta Saskatchewan Manitoba (possibly) Western British Columbia adjoins the Pacific Ocean but both Alberta and Saskatchewan are landlocked. ...

He was recognized as a leader of the Métis people, and became involved in the bitter struggle between the 'Norwesters and the Hudson's Bay Company. His activities were directed toward the destruction of the Red River Colony, sponsored by Lord Selkirk. This led to the bloody encounter known as the Battle of Seven Oaks, where Robert Semple and 21 colonists were slain. The Hudsons Bay Company (HBC. TSX: HBC) is the oldest commercial corporation in North America and is one of the oldest in the world. ... The Red River Colony was a colonization project set up by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk in 1811 on 300 000 km² of land granted to him by the Hudsons Bay Company under what is referred to as the Selkirk Concession. ... Categories: People stubs | 1771 births | 1820 deaths | Peers ... The Battle of Seven Oaks (known to the Métis as la Victoire de la Grenouillière, or the Victory of Frog Plain) took place on June 19th 1816 during the long dispute between the Hudsons Bay Company and the North West Company, rival fur-trading companies in western... Robert Semple, born 26 February 1777 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, was Governor of the Hudsons Bay Company from 1815 until his death June 19, 1816 at the Battle of Seven Oaks. ...

Despite this, when the two rival companies merged in 1821 under the name the Hudson's Bay Company, the new governor, Sir George Simpson, requested Grant to head a Métis settlement of some 2,000 people situated some 16 miles west of the Red River settlement on the Assiniboine River. The settlement was to be known as Grantown for many years, but in more recent times was renamed St. Francis Xavier after the patron saint of the town. George Simpson (Manitoba Museum) Sir George Simpson (1787 – 7 September 1860) was a Scots-Quebecer governor of the Hudsons Bay Company (HBC) in British North America (now Canada) from 1821 to 1860. ... Junction of the Assiniboine and Red rivers in downtown Winnipeg. ...

By 1825 wheat was becoming an important food crop and although there were several windmills in operation in the area, Cuthbert Grant was the first to undertake the construction of a watermill. His mill was completed on Sturgeon Creek in 1829. While the exact location is not known, it is probable that it was close to where the Portage Trail crossed the creek; and it is altogether likely that the dam was used as a bridge for crossing the creek during the season of high water. Unfortunately the dam proved unequal to the spring floods and for three successive years it was washed out. Grant finally abandoned the site and moved his machinery to Grantown where he constructed a successful windmill. Pitstone Windmill, believed to be the oldest windmill in the British Isles A windmill is an engine powered by the wind to produce energy, often contained in a large building as in traditional post mills, smock mills and tower mills. ... Watermill of Braine-le-Château, Belgium (12th century) A watermill is a structure that uses a water wheel or turbine to drive a mechanical process such as flour or lumber production. ... Sturgeon Creek is a former provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. ... Scrivener Dam, in Canberra, Australia, was engineered to withstand a once-in-5000-years flood event A dam is a barrier across flowing water that obstructs, directs or retards the flow, often creating a reservoir, lake or impoundment. ...

In 1828, the Hudson's Bay Company placed him in charge of the defence of the Red River Settlement. He later became a sheriff and magistrate in the District of Assiniboia. 1828 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... The Red River Colony was a colonization project set up by Thomas Douglas, 5th Earl of Selkirk in 1811 on 300 000 km² of land granted to him by the Hudsons Bay Company under what is referred to as the Selkirk Concession. ... Sheriff is both a political and a legal office held under English common law, Scots law or U.S. common law, or the person who holds such office. ... A magistrate is a judicial officer with limited authority to administer and enforce the law. ... The District of Assiniboia was a regional administrative district of Canadas Northwest Territories. ...

On July 15, 1854, Cuthbert died from injuries sustained after falling from his horse.

Family and Descendants

Cuthbert Grant was known to have been married three times. In all, he was the father of many children.

His first wife was Elizabeth "Bethsy" McKay, the sister of John Richards McKay and daughter of John McKay and Mary Favell. Grant and Bethsy courted through correspondence; the pair were married on May 22 1814 at Fort Gibraltar. Their marriage produced one son, James (b. circa 1815). However, while Cuthbert was on trial for his part in Seven Oaks, both Bethsy and their son James disappeared. Their fate was, and remains to be unknown.

In 1820, Cuthbert was involved in a mariage du pays with Marie-Madeleine Desmaris. From this union, a daughter, Maria was born (b. July 15, 1820). (Maria would later marry Pascal Breland, a magistrate for the St.-Francois-Xavier territory.) The union between Cuthbert and his second wife was said to have ended shortly after Maria's birth.

Around 1823, Marie-Marguerite McGillis became Mrs. Cuthbert Grant #3. The daughter of Angus McGillis and an aboriginal woman named Marguerite. Cuthbert and Marie-Marguerite were the parents of eleven children: Elise, Charles, Pierre, Elizabeth, Marguerite, Cuthbert Louis Marie, Cuthbert, James, Sophia, Caroline, Jessie, and Julie Rose Marie Grant.

In circa 1831, a daughter, Nancy Grant, was born, supposedly the product of a union between Cuthbert and a Sioux Indian woman.

Marie-Marguerite survived her husband, and lived on for another 1-1/2 years. She was buried on April 30, 1856 in St.-Francois-Xavier.

External links

• Biography at the Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online