Charlotte Small was the Métis wife of David Thompson (explorer) (m. 10 June 1799, at Lac Isle à la Crosse). She was the daughter of North West Company partner Patrick Small and an unnamed Cree woman. Sister to North West Company clerk Patrick Small, Jr. Sister of Nancy Small, who was married to North West Company partner John McDonald of Garth. Charlotte Small had 13 children with David Thompson. She and the children often travelled with Thompson on his expeditions ranging from the Rockies to Quebec. Small travelled 3 1/2 times[1] farther on these expeditions with Thompson than did the American explorers Lewis and Clark.[2]
The couple were married for 58 years until Thompson's death in 1857. Charlotte Small died a few months later on May 4, 1857.
Notes
- ^ From research by Leanne Playter, depicted on map created by cartographer Andy Korsos titled "Moccasin Miles - The Travels of Charlotte Small Thompson 1799-1812" copyright Arcturus Consulting
- ^ Aritha Van Herk, Travels with Charlotte, Canadian Geographic Magazine, July/August 2007, p. 57
Works
- "Moccasin Miles - The Travels of Charlotte Small Thompson 1799-1812" Contemporary and Historical Maps: Charlotte Small (S. Leanne Playter & Andreas N. Korsos|Publisher: Arcturus Consulting)
- "Thompson in Alberta 1787-1812"; "David Thompson on the Columbia River 1807-1812"; "The Explorations and Travels of David Thompson 1784-1812"; "Posts and Forts of the North American Fur Trade 1600-1870" Contemporary and Historical Maps: David Thompson (Andreas N. Korsos|Publisher: Arcturus Consulting)
External links
- Contemporary and Historical Maps Maps depicting Charlotte Small's travels, David Thompson's travels, Posts and Forts of the Canadian Fur Trade 1600-1870, and other explorations (Published Arcturus Consulting)
- The 2008 David Thompson Brigade Recreational canoe expedition following David Thompson and Charlotte Small's routes. Join us for the adventure of a lifetime!
