Manitoba Historical Society |
|
Memorable Manitobans: William Kempt (?-?)
Surveyor.
Came from Scotland as a surveyor for the Red River Settlement at a salary of 100 pounds per year. He took up the work of surveying where Peter Fidler had left it. In 1822 he laid out lots on the Image Plain, and in February 1823, he drew up a plan of a village on the Assiniboine River. Governor Bulger wrote of him: “He is surpassed by no man that I have ever known in zeal and industry in the performance of his professional duties.” When Bulger left the colony in August 1823, Kempt was assigned the nominal charge pending the arrival of Governor Pelly. He was instructed to consult Chief Factor Donald McKenzie privately on all important matters. The conduct of Chief Factor Clarke during the previous winter had aroused the settlers to such a pitch that riots were feared from the view that the Hudson's Bay Company was undertaking the exclusive management. On 23 September 1823, Kempt held a meeting of the Council of Assiniboia by correspondence. The Selkirk Papers contain Kempt’s “Journal from the period of Governor Bulger’s departure until the arrival of Governor Pelly, August 6-Sept. 25, 1823.” Kempt subsequently resumed his professional activity in Scotland.
Sources:
E. H. Oliver (editor), The Canadian North-West, Its Early Development and Legislative Records, 2 volumes. Publications of the Canadian Archives, No. 9, 1914.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 7 June 2020
Memorable Manitobans
This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.
Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:
Custom SearchBrowse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | ZBrowse deaths occurring in:
1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024
Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.caCriteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements
Help us keep
history alive!
|
For queries on the above page, please contact the MHS Webmaster. Home | Terms & Conditions | FAQ | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Donations © 1998-2023 Manitoba Historical Society. All rights reserved. |