Isaac Batt

Isaac Batt (c. 1725 – 1791) was a fur trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company and the first record of him dates to 1754. At that time he had a contract to serve as a labourer at York Factory (Man.).

Batt quickly proved to be useful in the "Inland trade"' aspect of the company business and was influential amongst the Indians near present day The Pas, Manitoba. In 1776, he hired his services to Joseph Frobisher, one of the "Pedlars" who carried on trade competitive to the HBC. He did, however, return to company services the next year and finished his life in the inland trade. He died near Manchester House on the North Saskatchewan River, the victim of an Indian guide who shot him.

Batt epitomizes the type of service rendered by many of the early inland employees of the Company. Although illiterate, and therefore unsuited to keeping proper records and making written reports, he won the trust of the natives and married into their society. He left descendents in the country where he died.

External links

* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=1748 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]