© Copyright 2005 by Mike Moore
Denis Julien’s name found near the Green River
NAMES OF PEOPLE IN THE WEST DURING THE FUR TRADE
Have you ever wondered how many people were in the early American west? I have. Over the year, figures anywhere between 2500 to 4500 people have been put forward. The early west was a wild, adventurous place, which drew many individuals to it for various reasons like: money, adventure or health. This list, far from complete, will hopefully recognize those who are found in the journals of the day. These individuals, whether they were well known or not, led interesting lives, had grand adventures and many stories to tell. I guess in a way, this list is for the unknown. Ones who came out, maybe for a short time, saw the west as it was, but never made a list of “famous” men who helped tame the west.
So for you, the viewer, here is my list in its latest form. This updated edition of where to find individuals is taken from 85 of the most common journals and diaries of the American fur trade. The total number of people recorded here is about 2570 and along with these names are approximately 4650 entries on where to find them in these books. This large group is far from the total number that actually was in the early west. Some names might never be found, as the people they were with may not of written any record of their events or the men and women surrounding them. Or the only record of an event or group may have been lost, destroyed or misplaced.
I do hope this data base of names will be a help to you; either as a way to find a long lost relative or to search for information an individual. May it shed a little more light on this time period and help you in your knowledge of a time frame that I love. All the pictures shown here were taken by me of places where some of these men left their names.
Mike Moore
Independence Rock
REFERENCES AND ABBREVIATIONS:
… More than four references in a book
abert Lieutenant James William Abert, Expedition to the Southwest, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1999.
across John Kirk Townsend, Across the Rockies to the Columbia, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska), 1978.
Adams David Adams, The David Adams Journals, Charles E. Hanson, Jr. ed., (Chadron, The Museum of the Fur Trade), 1994.
advent James Josiah Webb, Adventures in the Santa Fe Trail, 1844-47,Univeristy of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1995.
alex George Hammond, Alexander Barclay, Mountain Man, (Denver, Old West Publishing Company), 1976.
Am1 Hiram Chittenden, The American Fur Trade of the Far West, Volume one, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1986.
Am2 Hiram Chittenden, The American Fur Trade of the Far West, volume two, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1986.
Aud John Woodhouse Audubon, Audubon’s Western Journal 1849-50, (Tucson, University of Arizona Press), 1984.
baker Leighton Baker, Jim Baker, the Redheaded Shoshone.
beck The Life and Adventures of James P. Beckwourth University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1972.
bents David Lavender, Bent’s Fort, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska), 1972.
bonn Washington Irving, The Adventures of Captain Bonneville, U. S. A., Edgeley Todd, ed., (University of Oklahoma Press, Norman), 1986.
book the name by this authored a journal or narrative and is a large part of it
Brown David Brown, Three years in the Rocky Mountains, Ye Galleon Press, Farifield, 1982.
Cam A Narrative of Col. Robert Campbell’s Experiences in the Rocky Mountain
Fur Trade from 1825-1835.
Cat2 George Catlin, Letters and Notes on the North American Indians, Volume II, (JG Press, North Dighton), 1995
Clark F. A. Chardon, Chardon’s Journal at Fort Clark, 1834-1839, Annie Heloise
Abel ed., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1997.
Crossed The Mountains We Have Crossed, diaries and letters of the Oregon Mission, 1838, Clifford Drury editor, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1999.
Denig Edward Denig, Five Indian Tribes on the Upper Missouri, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1961.
duke “Paul Wilhelm, Duke of Wurttenburg-Travels in North America 1822-24”
Ermatinger Francis Ermatinger, Fur Trade Letters of Francis Ermatinger, Lois Halliday
McDonald, ed., (Glendale, The Arthur H. Clark Company), 1980.
grand William Fairholme, Journal of an Expedition to the Grand Prairies of the Missouri, 1840, Jack B. Tykal, ed., (Spokane, The Arthur H. Clark Company), 1996.
Gregg Josiah Gregg, Commerce of the Prairies, Milo Quaife editor, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1967.
Father Nicolas Point, Wilderness Kingdom, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, New York, 1967.
Ferris Warren Angus Ferris, Life in the Rocky Mountains, LeRoy R. Hafen, ed., (Denver, Old West Publishing), 1983.
Field Matt Field, Matt Field on the Santa Fe Trail, John E. Sunder, ed., (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press), 1995.
Haf Mountain Men and the Fur Trade (ten volumes), LeRoy Hafen, editor (references on this one will be volume/page number)
hand Prince Maximilian zu Wied, People of the First Man, Life Among the Plains Indians in Their Final Days of Glory, The Firsthand Account of Prince Maximilian’s Expedition up the Missouri River, 1833-34, Davis Thomas and Karin Ronnefeldt, editors, (New York, Promontory Press), 1982.
Hobbs James Hobbs, Wild Life in the Far West, (Rio Grande Press, Glorieta), 1969.
Is John Irving, Jr., Indian Sketches, university of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1955.
Jacob Jacob Fowler, The Journal of Jacob Fowler, Elliott Coues ed., (Minneapolis, Ross & Haines, Inc.) 1965.
Joel Joel Palmer, Journals and Travels over the Rocky Mountains, Readex Microprint, 1964.
John John Fremont, A Narrative of the Exploring Expedition to Oregon and N. California, Hurst and Company, New York, 1885.
Kane Paul Kane, Wanderings of an Artist, Charles Tuttle Company, Rutland, 1968.
kit Kit Carson, Kit Carson’s Autobiography, Milo Quaife, ed., (University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln), 1977.
Larpenteur Charles Larpenteur, Forty Years a Fur Trader on the Upper Missouri,
the Personal Narrative of Charles Larpenteur 1833-1872, Milo Milton Quaife, ed., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1989.
Letters “Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs and Conditions of North American Indians” George Catlin (volume 1)
life George Ruxton, Life in the Far West, LeRoy Hafen editor, University of Oklahoma press, Norman, 1985.
Mtn James Clyman, Journal of a Mountain Man, Linda M. Hasselstrom, ed., (Missoula, Mountain Press Publishing Company), 1984.
Man Zenas Leonard, Adventures of a Mountain Man: The Narrative of Zenas Leonard, Milo Milton Quaife, ed., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1978.
nae John Fremont, A Narrative of Adventures and Explorations, Hurst and Company, New York, 1885.
new F. A. Wislizenus, MD., A Journey to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1839, (Fairfield, Ye Galleon Press), 1989.
nw Narcissa Whitman, My Journal, Ye Gallon Press, Fairfield, 2000.
ogden Peter Odgen, Traits of American Indian Life, Ye Galleon Press, Fairfield, 1998.
Oregon Francis Parkman, The Oregon Trail, Doubleday and Company, Garden City,
1946.
Os Osborne Russell, Journal of a Trapper, Aubrey L. Haines, ed., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1986.
overland George Brewerton, Overland with Kit Carson, (University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln), 1993.
Pattie James O. Pattie, The Personal Narrative of James O. Pattie, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1984.
p/h/g Janet LeCompte, Pueblo, Hardscrabble, Greenhorn, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1978.
Pitts Stephen Long, From Pittsburgh to the Rocky Mountains, Major Stephen Long’s Expedition 1819-1820, Maxine Benson ed., (Golden, Fulcrum Inc.), 1998.
Provost Jack Tykal, Etienne Provost, Man of the Mountains, Eagle’s View Publishing, Liberty, 1989.
PSP Albert Pike, Prose Sketches and Poems Written in the Western Country, David J. Weber, ed., (College Station, Texas A & M University Press), 1987.
Reck Robert Cleland, This Reckless Breed of Men, Alfred Knoff, New York, 1963.
Rocky William Marshall Anderson, The Rocky Mountain Journals of William Marshall Anderson, Dale L. Morgan and Eleanor Towles Harris, eds., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press) 1987.
road George Sibley, The Road to Santa Fe, The Journal and Diaries of George Champlin Sibley, Kate L. Gregg, ed., (Albuquerque, University of New Mexico Press), 1952.
ross Alexander Ross, Adventures of the First Settlers on the Oregon or Colombia River, 1810-1813, (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1986.
RR “Rendezvous Reader”,
Ruxton George Ruxton, Ruxton of the Rockies, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1982.
Sage Rufus Sage, Rocky Mountain Life, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1982.
Susan Susan Magoffin, Down the Santa Fe Trail and Into Mexico: The Diary of Susan Shelby Magoffin 1846-47, Stella M. Drumm, ed., (New Haven, Yale University Press), 1962.
SW Jedediah S. Smith, The Southwest Expedition of Jedediah S. Smith, George R. Brooks, ed., (Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press), 1989.
Ties Sylvia Van Kirk, Many Tender Ties, Watson and Dwyer Publishing, Winnipeg, 1980.
Trail Edward and William Glasgow, Brothers on the Santa Fe and Chihuahua Trails, University Press of Colorado, 1993.
tour Samuel Parker, Journal of an Exploring Tour beyond the Rocky Mountains,
Idaho Yesterdays, Moscow, --------.
taos David Weber, The Taos Trappers, University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1982.
trappers Trappers of the Far West, LeRoy Hafen, ed.,University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1983.
wah Lewis H. Garrard, Wah-to-Yah and the Taos Trail, (Norman, University of Oklahoma Press), 1987.
wagon Where Wagons Could Go, Clifford Drury editor, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1997.
Wishart David Wishart, The Fur Trade of the American West, 1807-1840, University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, 1979.
Wooten Uncle Dick Wooten,
1839 “A Journey to the Rocky Mountains in the Year 1839”, F. A. Wislizenus,
1844 The Wagon Trains of ’44, Thomas Rumer
3yrs “Three Years Among the Mexicans and Indians” Thomas James,
How to use this data base:
Think of a name you would like to find out some information on. For example let’s use:
Joseph Barnett trappers 157
Mtn 74 85 107-9
We have his name and two books where he is mentioned. The notes given are the book title (see list on complete titles and their associating shorter name) and the page in the book to find him. The only exception is “haf”, where the volume and page is given. I have tried to make this as easy as possible, but I need to give the viewers some helpful hints:
-look for various spellings of a last name, specially if it is French or Spanish. Americans sometimes spell them phonically or incorrectly.
-try the first name or last name only, as in some journals they are called by that and not the full name.
-if they have a nick name or have the name “Baptiste” or “Pierre” as part of their recognized name be sure to see what I have listed on them on with their first and last names.
-Know the American/ French/Spanish versions of names. John/ Jean/ Juan is just one example of this.
-if you see the note “book”, he or she has written a journal or dairy. I will note the abbreviated title after this.
-when you see “…”, this means there are more places in the book than I can note here and you would want to see the index at the back of the book for all of them.
- The title Captain, Colonel or major doesn’t mean they were in the army in any form. The title was some times given to a party leader or organizer.
-I included all the original spellings, some which are phonic, and if a name is spelled differently I have tried to keep that with the reference it is found at.
-if a job title or description, tribe affiliation or important note is shown with the places they are mentioned, I included this in between the name and places found.
Lastly, any lapses, incorrectness or errors are my fault. Forgive me, this is and always will be an ongoing project. If you find any need of correction, let me know as it will help with the next time I update it.
Some of the names engraved at Independence Rock
_____ Abbot trapper rr 127
Charles Abbot mtn 65-6
Samuel Abbott provost 45
C. Am1 315 319 321
George Abernethy 1844 238-9
Gov. Abernethey joel 86 95
James William Abert Lt. Army pueblo/h/g 58 85
Ruxton 106
Lt. topographic engineers book (abert)
Trail 27 31 151-2
Alex 76 184 189 199
Aud 142
Ezekiel Able cam 54
Jose Abreau alex 167
Santiago Abreau alex 207
John Aching Adams 19
Father Acolti Jesuit kane 133 134
Acosta trapper taos 213
Mr. Adams pilot joel 15
Bernard Adams Clark 53 61 73 76
David Adams clerk Adams 103…
Pitts 149 308 311-2
Beck 247-8 250-1
Rocky 78
alex 45-7 71 131
bonn 150-2 381
James Adams Adams 103
3yrs 259 26
Phillip Adams cam 54
T. M. Adams mtn 74
Isaac Adamson alex 176-80 182
William Adamson p/h/g/ 138 143 160
Alex…
Mr. Aikens ross 80 83 161
Thomas Aird abert 105
John Aits wagons 47
Nw ..
A. Alanard taos 169
Blanco Alarid trapper taos 199
John Albert bent’s fort 184-5 304-5
p/h/g 193-4 195
Ruxton 219 224
trappers 257
baker 164
alex 77 146 147 200
haf 2/21
Isaac Wesley Alderman mtn 81 85
1844 17 229
Alec ____ Ruxton 56
Jose Alejo alex 161 164 166
_____ Alexander Ferris 213
trappers 168
Beck 123 125 555
Cyrus Alexander psp 31
Haf5/23
152 204-5
Edmund Alexander alex 99 214
Antonio Alire alex 172 174
____ Allen trapper RR 32
Alfred Allen provost 35
Ethan Allen provost 4
Gabe Allen Hobbs…
Gabriel Allen alex 84 185
James Allen alex 74
Jose Manuel Allen (Hiram?) taos 96 182 186
William Allen Os …
Samuel Allis rocky 208 212 218 222
Wagons 53 188
Manual Alvarez provost 35
Ferris 262-3 281 …
bent’s 204-5 208 211
p/h/g/ 95-7 104
trappers 280-96
trader advent 97
new 29
alex 75 107 162 197 212
haf 1/17
taos …
Lousie Ambroise haf 8/ 27
Luis taos 110 186
Anastasio alex 178
_____ Anderson ross 58
James Anderson Ermatinger 140
rr 110
trappers 61
Clark 16 20 76 78
Taos 148-9
Louis Anderson 60yrs 94
Paul Anderson road 133 262
Pablo taos …
William Julian Anderson 59-63 99
William Marshall Anderson book
rr 11-2 17-8 61
trappers 10
road 133
Os 166
Rocky …
____ Andrew interpreter Larpenteur 180
Andrew _____ wah 258
Andy Negro Hobbs 86-9
Francis Noel Annance Ermatinger 57 141 157
Scott J. Anthony bent’s 379 382-4
Antonio _____ guide PSP 46-7 54 57
alex 136 138 140-2 158 195
Jesse Applegate 1844 44 47
Arapooish Crow Chief bonn 169-70 306 164-5 366-7
Matthew Arbuckle gregg 178
Albert Archibald alex 91 128
Bernabe Archuleta alex 59 62 92 161-4 211
Diego Archuleta alex 77
Ramon Archuleta alex 92 211
Gov. Armilo gregg…
Manuel Armijo alex 75 84 197 222
trails 85 87 91
Mrs. Manuel Armijo trails 91-2
Salvador Armijo trails 85
Major Armstrong Indian Agent cat2 93
Capt. James P. Arthur mtn 204
Don Jose Asero fur buyer Trappers 59
William Ashley Ferris…
rr…
trappers...
Life 45
1839 24
3yrs 7 34
am1 …
Beck…
Mtn …
Os 49 155
Am2 785 910
Rocky…
Denig 54-5
Cam…
Bonn 88 166 383
Haf 7/23
1844 132 136 146
reck …
taos …
____ Ashworth traveler across 145-6
Mr. Astor ross 161 228
John Jacob Astor Ermatinger 47 247 RR…
1839 22
am1 …
Beck 179
Man 262
184 33 132
taos …
kane 164
William B. Astor taos 83 207-8
Henry Atkinson general bent’s 28 43
trappers 166 204
Pitts 155
Am1 274
Rocky 71 106 198
Jonathan Atwood p/h/g 234 251-2
Francis Xavier Aubry alex…
John Audubon provost 173 178-9
rr 197
trappers 13
am1 279
abert 47
John Woodhouse Audubon book (aud)
James Auld Susan 4 24 247
Rocky 70 158
Jane Auld wife of James ties 120 189 274
William Auld Ermatinger 43
James Aull merchant trail…
Reck 137
John Aull trail 150 159
Robert Aull merchant trail 150 159
Reck 137
Pleasant Austin taos 148
Charles Autobees bent’s 112 267 304
p/h/g 55 196 264
trappers 242-58
baker 120 164
alex…
haf 4/21
taos 228
Tom Autobees ( see also Tom Tobin) p/h/g 195-6
trappers 244
alex…
____ Ayer 3yrs 36 73-5
nae 166
Alex Ayot john 190
Honore Ayot nae 72
F. R. B. trapper taos 213
Bartolome’ Baca taos …
Marcelino Baca p/h/g 59 64 83
alex…
haf 3/21
Jacob H. Backman aud…
Juan Baco road 133 140
Francois Badeau nae 72
John 190
Capt. Baggshaw man …
Paul Baillio taos …
bent’s 66-7 402
Road …
Robert Bailey road 50-1
James Baird haf 3/27
provost 35 42 70
field 129
bent’s 55 71 402
trappers 108
3yrs 101-2
am1 502
trader Susan 54
reck …
taos …
Abel Baker chief factor HBC Adams 46
Wishart 195-6
bent’s 194-5 214 216
trappers 248
tour 100
rocky 187
haf 1/181
Jim Baker trapper/guide Wooten 157
60yrs 94
haf 3/39
reck 270
John Baker 60yrs 94
Thomas A. Baker 1844 149
Howard Bakewell aud 61 64 65 204
W.G. Bakewell aud 46 48
James Balanger hunter abert 95-6
William Baldwin Pitts…
Ed Bale mtn 198
____ Baley new 56
John Ball Larpenteur 61
rr 68/9
rocky 80-1
haf 5/31
James Ballard Pitts 232 384
Hubert Howe Bancroft 1844…
Mr. Banks wagons 258
Tom Banks PSP 25 61 280-2 286-7
Baptiste life 118-9
(Lajeunesse) beck 62 64…
Free trapper Letters 64-5 70…
Ogden 72 75
(Voyageur) Ogden 118
(different person than previous one)
Canadian psp 227
Cat2…
Baptiste Nez Perce bonn 304 307 321
Jean Baptiste Oregon 9
Wah 75
Ogden 60
Ross 179
John Baptiste bent’s 178 202-3
Hobbs 20-7 29…
Count Baranhoff ross 233
Bradford Barbee road 84 116 132
Barbu Barbo Jacob 4 17 84 138
Capt. Barbour 3yrs 118-9 214 263
Alexander Barclay bent’s 227
p/h/g 23 153 172-3
built post advent 133
Jacob 80
Book (alex)
Dr. Forbes Barclay crossed 213 188
George Barclay p/h/g 118 168-9 212
William Barclay aud 70 242
Julian Bargus trappers 61
Mr. Barlow joel …
Joel Barlow bent’s 50
Samuel Kimbrough Barlow 1844 186
_____ Barns Susan 2
James Barnes taos 173
Jessie Barns trail 83 143
_____ Barnett alex 173
aud 119 140
Davy Barnett abert 109
Joseph Barnett trappers 157
Mtn 74 85 107-9
Mr. Barnette 1844…
James Barney trail 132
Joseph Barnoy trappers 244
George Barnston Ermatinger 87 93/4 131/2
Ties …
____ Baronet provost 31
_____ Barriego alex 163
James Barry alex 69 80 137-42 185
Louis Barry rocky 76-7
____ Bartleson Baker 42
John Bartlett Ermatinger 275
Aud 75 195 197 242
Phinis Bartolett provost 97
Isaac Barton Clark 337
Edward Bartram Adams 46
____ Bascus trader joel 35
James Basey taos 148
Basil cook taos 170
Batiste PSP 227
Also look under various spelling of Baptiste
Joe Batonne 1844 232
_____ Baugus alex 162
Peter Baum provost 35
3 yrs 101 115
Bryan Baxter road 175 189
James Baxter road 175 189
William Baxter road 175 189
John Bazo rr 207
Lieut. Beale reck 191
Edward Beale SW 47
James Bean alex 148 202
Jonathan Bean bent’s 40 47
hand 27 28-99
rocky 106
Robert Bean taos 196-8
____ Beard Jacob 143
gregg 5-6 56-7
Beatte frenchman cat2 66 67 107
Charles Beaubien alex 72 122 151 204-5 209 212
Haf 6/23
Carlos taos …
provost 35
bent’s 59 175 316-7
p/h/g 20 17 102 105
trappers 291 244 38
wah 14
Narciso Beaubien Ruxton 191
baker 120 164
Taos 228
Joseph Beauchamp Clark 357-8
J. Beaugard Clark 357-8
Oliver Beaulieu john 190
_____ Beauvais Adams 54-5
_____ Beauvas Sioux trader wah 14 35
Geminien P. Beavais AFC trappers 244
Haf 35
Rev. Mr. Beaver (Church of England) wagons 104
Nw 50 53 54
Cat2 275
Edward Beavers taos 119
William Becknell trader trapper 51-2
Road….
Am1 499 501
Am2 975
Reck …
Taos …
provost 41 48 51
bent’s 54-6 6- 89
p/h/g 32 36
Jacob 167-8
Gregg 6-9
Dan Beckwith trappers 154
Mtn 50 54-5
Edward Beckwith alex 93 173 174 219