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Contributions by Nancy Anderson, The Dorsey Family, and the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum

      A pioneer history has been published by writer Nancy Marguerite Anderson. The chapter on her grandfathers, Alexander Caulfield Anderson and James Birnie, is a fascinating history of the pioneers in the U.S. Northwest.



James Birnie, Washington State Pioneer and HBC Fur Trader

         The book, Beach of Heaven, by Irene Martin. This is a wonderful history of the pioneer families in Wahkiakum County, including our irascible pioneer, James Birnie. (ISBN 0-87422-156-0).

 The special centennial edition (1846-1946) of The Eagle . The  front page newspaper article reads: James Birnie, Father of Cathlamet, Landed Family, Servants and Chattels From Fleet of Canoes Here in 1816 . From his marriage to Charlot, to his song of independence from England, this is a must have edition. Inquires: The Eagle Newspaper, Cathlamet, Washington, USA.

We also recommend a visit to the Wahkiakum County Historical Society Museum and suggest a wee donation to their conservation program.

   James was born in Aberdeen, Scotland and joined the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) as a trading clerk. He married, Charlot, the daughter of a French Voyager and a princess of the Kootayae Indian tribe. Charlot's skill with native languages and James affable personality, contributed to their excellent relations with local Indian tribes. Although James was noted for his unusual and under appreciated management style, his career spanned 30+ years with the HBC. Induded in their houshold were 15 native slaves, well treated, and crucial to their establishment of Birnie's Retreat, a trading post at the future Cathlamet village site.

   As noted in James Birnie's service record, most of his appiontments were in the Columbia River Valley. He settled in the valley and founded the village of Cathlamet, Washington, USA . When the British and Americans settled their dispute over the lower Columbia Valley, it became part of what is now Washington State, USA.

   James Birnie was stationed at Port Simpson, B.C., a Hudson Bay fur trading post on the rugged B.C. coast. Originally settled and claimed by Russia, the British considered it as part of their (disputed) Oregon territory. A journal kept at the post recounted the lives of the Tsimshian and the Haida (Indian) clans. 1835:

“The most impressive of all the harbor scenes must have been the annual departure of the canoes for the oolichan fishery on the Nass (River). They assembled during February and early March. Then one day the seagulls would give the signal and the canoes would sweep across the Bay out of sight beyond Birnie Island* . More than seven hundred canoes took part in this flitting which might occupy two or three days. March 08,1835 - About 100 canoes started for the Nass this morning tho’ it was raining heavily.” * named after James Birnie

-- Aug. 1, 1844: The first Sisters set foot in Oregon. At Astoria, they were entertained in the home of Mr. James Birnie of the Hudson's Bay Company and the Sisters completely captivated the seven daughters of this family.

 -- Dec. 26, 1848: Father J. Lionet was sent by Archbishop Blanchet to establish a mission at Astoria which was to be called Immaculate Conception. Father Lionet chose instead a site on the north side of the Columbia River and here he founded a mission he called Stella Maris, Star ofthe Sea. From this place he made periodic visits to Indians in the north. After his departure, Stella Maris was visited periodically from Vancouver.

 -- December 1849: Father Toussaint Mesplie, later a pioneer missionary among the whites in Idaho, opened a mission among the Chinook Indians at the mouth of the Columbia River and attended various tribes in the neighborhood as well as C Astoria.

 -- October 1871: The first church at Cathlamet, Washington Territory, was built by Father Richards from Cowlitz Prairie. Located on ground donated by Mr. Birnie , it measured 46 by 22 feet. It was dedicated by Bishop Blanchet on September 26, 1875, under the title of St. Charles Borromeo. This first church was replaced by a new one in 1910. This was dedicated in honor of St. Catherine.

Excerpts courtesy of Catholic Diocese of Spokane, Washington

Pioneer Service Record with the The North West Company (Hudsons Bay Company)

NAME: BIRNIE, James PARISH: Aberdeen, SCOTLAND ENTERED SERVICE: 1818 (NWC) DATES: b. 1799-d. 1864

Outfit Year: (1 June to 31 May)  Appointments:  HBC Post  HBC District

1821 -1823  Fort George (Astoria) Columbia

1822 -1823   Clerk, Spokane, Columbia (Washington)

1824 -1825   Clerk,  Fort Okenogan  Columbia (Washington)

1825 -1826   Clerk,  Spokane House,  Columbia (Washington)

1825 -1826   Clerk,  Fort Colvile, Columbia (Washington)

1825 -1826   Clerk,  Slave Lake Brigade to Edmonton and back. ( Now Alberta and N.W. Territories, CAN)

1826 -1829   Clerk,  Columbia,  Columbia (Washington)

1829 -1831   Clerk,  Fort Vancouver, Columbia (Washington)

1832 -1834   Clerk, Fort Colville, Columbia (Washington)

1835 -1837   Clerk, Fort Simpson, Nass  (British Columbia)

1837 -1838   Clerk, Umpqua Fort, Columbia (Washington)

1838 -1840   Clerk, Fort George (Astoria), Columbia (Washington)

1840 -1842   Clerk, Fort Vancouver (Indian Trade), Columbia (Washington)

1842 -1845   Clerk, Fort George (Astoria), Columbia (Washington)

1845 -1846   Clerk,  Fort Vancouver (Indian Trade), Columbia (Washington)

1846 -1847   Settler, Cathlamet (Birnie's Retreat), Columbia (Washington)

1854 -1859   Settler’, Cathlamet (Birnie's Retreat)’ Columbia (Washington)

REFERENCES:

1860 census: Wahkiakum County, Washington: James Birnie, age 65, farmer - Wife, Charlotte: age 47. Children: James Jr.: age 27, fisherman (m. Julia A Stilwell: age 23, c. Richard H.: age 2), Alexander: age 18, Victoria: age 22, Catherine: age 15, Thomas: age 11.

"British Columbia Coast Names..." by Capt. John

T. Walbran, Ottawa, l909 p. 52 (Birnie Island, BC, named after him)

"Fur Trade and Empire," by F. Merk Cambridge, (H.B.C.A. Library FC32l3 M4)

Search File: “Birnie, James” H.B.R.S. Vol. XXX, p. 202. Filename: Birnie, James (1799-1864) (fl. 1821-1846) MD l8/l6/91

James Birnie: History, Family Tree Below

Family Tree: First Generation

1.  James BIRNIE was born on 18 Dec 1796 in Aberdeen City, Scotland.1 He appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. 1860 Federal Census of Wahkiakum County, Washington Territory

CENSUS YR:  1860  TERRITORY:  WA  COUNTY:  Wahkiakum  REEL NO:  M6531398  PAGE NO:  13
REFERENCE:  Enum. 3 July 1860 by Robert H. Espy Cathlamet PO sh73
 LN  HN   FN  LAST NAME      FIRST NAME     AGE SEX  RACE  OCCUP.       REAL VAL. PERS VAL.   BIRTHPLACE       MRD.  SCH.  R/W  DDB
===========================
 21  162  112 Birnie, James   65   M     Farmer         15,000    500       Scotland
 22  162  112 Birnie, Charlotte      47   F    I       Red River B. Possessions
 REMARKS:  Indian, Red River British Possessions now Manitoba, Canada
 23  162  112 Birnie         Victoria       22   F         Oregon
 24  162  112 Birnie         Catharine      15   F       Oregon
 25  162  112 Birnie         Alexander      18   M      Oregon
 26  162  112 Birnie         Thomas         11   M      Wash. Territory
 27  163  113 Birnie         James Jr.      26   M      Fisherman      Russia
 28  163  113 Birnie         Julia A.       23   F         New York
 29  163  113 Birnie         Richard H.     2    M      Wash. Territory


James Birnie was buried in 1864 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. James died on 21 Dec 1864 at the age of 68 in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. He was  in Pioneer Fur Trader Hbc, Farmer. Pioneer family of Washington, USA


James BIRNIE and Charlot BEAULIEU were married about 1827.2 Charlot BEAULIEU was born in 1811 at Red River, British Possesions in Manitoba, Canada. Parents: French trader &  Kootenai tribe princess. She appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. She was buried in 1878 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. Charlot died on 7 Jul 1878 at the age of 67 in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. She was also known as Charlot Birnie.


James BIRNIE and Charlot BEAULIEU had the following children:


 2 i. Eliza BIRNIE, born abt 1828, Washington State, U. S. A.; married Alexander Caulfield ANDERSON.

 3 ii. Susan BIRNIE, born abt 1829, U. S. A.; married James GRAHAME, 1847.

 4 iii. Rose BIRNIE, born 1830, U. S. A.; married Thomas LOWE, May 1849, Oregon, U. S. A.; died 8 Sep 1850, Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

  iv. Charlotte BIRNIE was born in 1833 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A.. She died in 1853 at the age of 20 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. She was buried in 1853 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

 5 v. James "Jr." BIRNIE, born 20 Nov 1834, Fort Simpson, British Columbia, Canada; married Julia Ann STILLWELL, abt 1857, Washington State, U. S. A.; died 1877, Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

 6 vi. Etienne BIRNIE, born abt 1835, Oregon Territories, U. S. A.; married Angelique Marguetite RONDEAU, Oregon, U. S. A..

  vii. Ann BIRNIE was born in 1836 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..

 7 viii. Victoria BIRNIE, born 20 Jun 1837, Oregon Territories, U. S. A.; married Mr ANDREWS, 1860; died 15 May 1925, Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

  ix. Mary BIRNIE was born about 1839 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..

 8 x. Alexander D. BIRNIE, born 26 Aug 1842, Washington State, U. S. A.; married Melissa RAMSAY, abt 1859, U. S. A.; died 9 Sep 1922, Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

  xi. Catherine BIRNIE was born in 1844 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..2 She appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A..

  xii. Caroline BIRNIE was born in 1844 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..

  xiii. Archibald BIRNIE was born in 1847 in Washington State, U. S. A.. He died on 7 May 1850 at the age of 3 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. He was buried in 1850 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

  xiv. Thomas Lowe BIRNIE was born on 12 Aug 1851 in Washington State, U. S. A..2 He appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. He died on 3 Mar 1883 at the age of 31 in Washington State, U. S. A..


Second Generation

2.  Eliza BIRNIE (James-1) was born about 1828 in Washington State, U. S. A.. She was also known as Eliza Anderson.


Eliza BIRNIE and Alexander Caulfield ANDERSON were married. Alexander Caulfield ANDERSON was born about 1815 in Washington State, U. S. A..


3.  Susan BIRNIE (James-1) was born about 1829 in U. S. A.. She was also known as Susan Grahame.


Susan BIRNIE and James GRAHAME were married in 1847. James GRAHAME died.


4.  Rose BIRNIE (James-1) was born in 1830 in U. S. A.. She died on 8 Sep 1850 at the age of 20 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. She was also known as Rose Lowe.


Rose BIRNIE and Thomas LOWE were married in May 1849 in Oregon, U. S. A.. Thomas LOWE was born on 30 Nov 1824 in Tayside, Scotland. He died on 3 Mar 1883 at the age of 58 in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..


5.  James "Jr." BIRNIE (James-1) was born on 20 Nov 1834 in Fort Simpson, British Columbia, Canada.2 Disputed Russian, British Territory, He appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. He died in 1877 at the age of 43 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. Jr. was buried in 1877 at Pioneer Cemetary in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..


James "Jr." BIRNIE and Julia Ann STILLWELL were married about 1857 in Washington State, U. S. A.. They were divorced in Jan 1867. Clapsop County, Oregon. USA Julia Ann STILLWELL was born on 20 Apr 1837 in Poughkeepsie, New York, U. S. A..2 She appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. She died in 1906 at the age of 69 at The Dalles in Wasco, Oregon, U. S. A.. Julia was also known as Julia Ann Birnie.


James BIRNIE and Julia Ann STILLWELL had the following children:


  i. James H. BIRNIE was born on 19 Feb 1858 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..

 9 ii. Richard Hoyt BIRNIE, born 1858, Washington State, U. S. A.; married Mary SIMMONS; died 1931, U. S. A..


6.  Etienne BIRNIE (James-1) was born about 1835 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..


Etienne BIRNIE and Angelique Marguetite RONDEAU were married in Oregon, U. S. A.. Angelique Marguetite RONDEAU was born about 1835 in U. S. A.. She was also known as Angelique Marguetite Birnie.


7.  Victoria BIRNIE (James-1) was born on 20 Jun 1837 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..2 She appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. She died on 15 May 1925 at the age of 87 in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..  Wahkiakum, County, Washington Victoria was also known as Victoria Andrews.


Victoria BIRNIE and Mr ANDREWS were married in 1860. Mr ANDREWS was born about 1835 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A..


8.  Alexander D. BIRNIE (James-1) was born on 26 Aug 1842 in Washington State, U. S. A..2 He died on 9 Sep 1922 at the age of 80 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..


Alexander D. BIRNIE and Melissa RAMSAY were married about 1859 in U. S. A.. Melissa RAMSAY was born in 1843 in U. S. A.. She died in 1917 at the age of 74 in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A.. She was also known as Melissa Birnie.


Alexander D. BIRNIE and Melissa RAMSAY had the following children:


  i. Louisa BIRNIE was born on 20 Oct 1860 in Washington State, U. S. A.. She died on 13 Oct 1900 at the age of 39 in Portland, Oregon, U. S. A..3

  ii. Archibald BIRNIE was born on 19 Apr 1869 in Washington State, U. S. A.. He died on 23 May 1890 at the age of 21 at Wahkiakum County in Cathlamet, Washington, U. S. A..


Third Generation


9.  Richard Hoyt BIRNIE (James-2, James-1) was born in 1858 in Washington State, U. S. A..2 He appeared in the census in 1860 at Wahkiakum County in Washington Territory, U. S. A.. He died in 1931 at the age of 73 in U. S. A..


Richard Hoyt BIRNIE and Mary SIMMONS were married. Mary SIMMONS was born about 1860 in Oregon Territories, U. S. A.. She died in 1913 at the age of 53 in Oregon, U. S. A.. She was also known as Mary Birnie. Mary was also known as Mary Birnie.


Richard Hoyt BIRNIE and Mary SIMMONS had the following child:

  i. Ruth Victoria BIRNIE was born (Private). She died.


  Research:

 1. Old Parish Records: GRO Scotland, 168/0A 0090 0562.

 2. Census Canada 1871, 1860 Washington State Wahkiakum County M653-1398.

 3. Archives: USA, Portland County Records, Oregon, USA.

 4. Pioneer Cemetery, Cathlamet, Washington, Photos on file courtesy,  K.Birnie.