Fonds
The son of Donald McGillivray and Anne McTavish (sister of North West Company magnate Simon McTavish), Simon McGillivray (1783?-1840) was the partner and heir of his wealthy uncle. Simon entered the London firm of McGillivray, Fraser and Co. in 1805, and in 1813 became a partner in the Montréal-based McTavish, McGillivray and Co. He played a leading rôle in the merger of the Hudson's Bay and The North West companies in 1821, but his business affairs did not prosper thereafter, and in 1825 his firm went bankrupt.
From 1830 to 1835 he worked as a commissioner of the United States Silver Mining Co., organizing its operations in Mexico. In 1835 he returned to London and became one of the owners of the Morning Chronicle. In 1837 he married Ann Easthope, daughter of Sir John Easthope, one of his partners. He was survived by his wife and two daughters, Anne and Mary.
(Source: Guide to Archival Resources at McGill University: Private Papers at McGill University. McGill University Archives. 1985. Vol. 3, p. 333.)
Scope and Content
The McGillivray family fonds covers the private lives of the McGillivray family. It contains the correspondence of Ann Easthope McGillivray, her daughters Anne and Mary and a diary of her sister Louisa Easthope for the years 1835-1840. It also contains information about the sale of Simon McGillivray's collection of art by Christie's in May 1825, including a list of artworks and their value.
The fonds is divided into two series: Auction by Christie's and Correspondence.
(Source: Guide to Archival Resources at McGill University: Private Papers at McGill University. McGill University Archives. 1985. Vol. 3, p. 333.)
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This project is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Azrieli Foundation and Canadian Heritage.