Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield

Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield (20 November 1782 – 23 February 1835)[5] was from a prominent family in Upper Canada. He was the fourth son of Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield and Janet Macdonell of Aberchalder (a sister of John Macdonell of Aberchalder and Sir Hugh MacDonell of Aberchalder). He was also the cousin and brother-in-law of Miles MacDonell, the first governor of the Red River Colony.

Alexander Macdonell of Greenfield
Member of the 8th and 9th Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for Glengarry
In office
January 31, 1821 – June 24, 1828
Preceded byJohn Cameron
Succeeded byAlexander Fraser
Member of the 12th Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada for Prescott
In office
January 15, 1835 – February 23, 1835
Preceded byDonald Macdonell of Greenfield, his brother
Succeeded byJohn Chesser
Sheriff of the Ottawa District
In office
1822 – February 23, 1835
Personal details
Born(1782-11-20)November 20, 1782
Greenfield, near Aberchalder, in Inverness-shire, Scotland
DiedFebruary 23, 1835(1835-02-23) (aged 52)
Toronto, Canada West
Spouse(s)Suzette (Cree)
RelationsMiles Macdonell, cousin and brother-in-law
John Macdonell of Greenfield, brother
Donald Macdonell of Greenfield, brother
ChildrenCaptain George Macdonell of Greenfield, Q.C., M.P. for Dundas County [1][2]
Lieutenant Angus John Macdonell of Greenfield [1]
John Macdonell of Greenfield[3]
Margaret Macdonell of Greenfield.[4]

Alexander worked as a fur trader and became a partner of the North West Company becoming very interested in the rights of the Métis (so called "Half Breeds") with whom he worked as well as having 4 métis children.[6] He was the first to refer to the Métis as becoming a nation when he wrote to Duncan Cameron that “The New Nation under their leaders are coming forward to clear their native soil of intruders and assassins”.[7] Additionally Alexander played a role in the development of Métis identity by "giving them shape and direction".[8] Alongside Cameron he was also instrumental in Cuthbert Grant initially being appointed as one of the "captains of the Métis", and eventually “Captain-General of all the Half-Breeds.” According to writer George Woodcock, prior to 1814 there was nothing to suggest that Grant saw the Métis as a nation, or gave any thought to their cause, or even identified himself with them.[9] During the Pemmican War Alexander dispatched Cuthbert Grant and 25 Métis to plunder the Hudson’s Bay Company’s Brandon House.

In 1814 Alexander gave the Métis peoples the Métis flag as a gift.[10] According to Peter Fidler the flag was first flown by the Métis at Fort Qu'Appelle the following year,[11] and was later flown in June 1816 at the Battle of Seven Oaks.[12]

In 1819 a book titled "A Narrative of the Transactions in the Red River Country from the commencement of the operations of the Earl of Selkirk till the summer of 1816" was published in London, England under his name.[13]

In 1821 following the forced merger of the North West Company with The Hudson's Bay Company Alexander returned to Upper Canada becoming a political figure.[14] He served in the 8th Parliament of Upper Canada and 9th Parliament of Upper Canada in the riding of Glengarry and in the 12th Parliament in the riding of Prescott.

Another Alexander Macdonell also served in the riding of Glengarry during several parliaments, including the 6th Parliament; he succeeded Alexander MacDonell of Greenfield's brother, John MacDonell.

In 1822 Alexander became the Sheriff of the Ottawa District, a position he held until his death in 1835.

Through his daughter Margaret he is a great-great grandfather of Métis Elder George R. D. Goulet.[4]

References
  1. "Obituaries". The Cornwall Observer. 23 March 1843.
  2. "Local News of All Sorts" (PDF). Glengarry County Archives. The Alexandria News. June 14, 1912. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  3. "Obituaries". Bytown Gazette and Ottawa Advertiser. August 1840.
  4. Ancestors of George R. D. Goulet. The Saint Boniface Historical Society, 1991. p. 18.
  5. Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography Volume VI, 1821-1835. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. pp. 445–6. ISBN 0-8020-3436-5.
  6. Laudicina, Nelly (November 24, 2012). "3". DROIT ET METISSAGES, Evolution et usages de la loi à la colonie de la Rivière Rouge, 1811-1869 (PDF) (Doctoral). UNIVERSITÉ PARIS IV-SORBONNE et UNIVERSITÉ D’OTTAWA. p. 65. Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  7. The Red River Colony - A Chronicle of the Beginnings of Manitoba by Louis Aubrey Wood. Glasgow & Brook, 1915. p. 91.
  8. Woodcock, George. Dictionary of Canadian Biography Volume VIII, 1851-1860. University of Toronto Press, Les Presses de l'université Laval. ISBN 978-0802034229.
  9. Blake, Raymond B. Conflict and Compromise: Pre-Confederation Canada, Volume 1. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-1-4426-3556-2.
  10. "Red Métis Flag".
  11. Bumsted, J. M. The Collected Writings of Lord Selkirk (1810-1820) Volume 2 in The writings and papers of Thomas Douglas, fifth Earl of Selkirk. The Manitoba Record Society. ISBN 9780969210122.
  12. "Manitoba Métis mark 200 years since the Battle of Seven Oaks". CBC News.
  13. "Manitoba Historical Society". Memorable Manitobans: Alexander Greenfield MacDonell.
  14. Lords of the North. General Store Publishing House, 1997. p. 60.
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