A Tale of Two Traders: Merchandise Sourcing and Comparative Analysis from Two Nineteenth-Century Fur Trading Posts in the Grand River Valley

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2022 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

This study examines the history and artifact assemblages of the fur trade post sites of Rix Robinson (1789-1875) and Daniel DeMarsac (1812-1880). Operating in the Grand River Basin of the present-day state of Michigan between 1821-1857, these two traders are historical examples of independent enterprises competing with the incursion of the American Fur Company during the later period of the fur trade. Their relationships with the local indigenous populations, and their competition with one another for economic domination over the Grand River region are exhibited through several primary-source documents. Trade activity is further investigated through dating and sourcing of ceramics, gunflints, and other objects interpreted as diagnostic trade goods evidencing the competitive relationship between Robinson and DeMarsac. These interpretations promote continued analysis of collections of sites excavated in the 20th century relevant to the heritage of the Great Lakes region and the interactions between Euro-American fur traders and indigenous peoples.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2022 SHA Poster Submissions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2022

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology