PHILIP THOMAS (1841-1936)
Philip THOMAS was born on Apr 10, 1841, probably in St Peters and probably the son of an Indian named Jane and John THOMAS born around 1815. ** MORE ABOUT JOHN THOMAS
Marriage to Sophia CADOTTE
Around 1860 Philip married Sophie CADOTTE, daughter of Nancy COCHRANE & Michel CADOTTE (b-1811). Around 1862 daughter Fanny was born.
Chief PEGUIS dies and Henry PRINCE becomes the Chief of the St Peters Indians
In 1864 Chief PEGUIS (1774-1864) died, and his son, Henry PRINCE, or RED EAGLE (1819-1902) as he was known to the Band, became Chief of the Saulteaux.
Left: St Peters Anglican Church Rectory built in 1865 Right: St Peters Stone Church
On Aug 19, 1865 Reverend Abraham COWLEY (1816-1887) moved into the newly built St Peters Anglican Church Rectory shown above. On Sep 10, 1865, Philip’s children, Fanny, Jeremie, Jane and Mary Elizabeth were baptised at the St Peters Church.
Canadian Confederation and a Red River Rebellion
On July 1, 1867 the British colonies in North America were united under the British North American Act to become the Dominion of Canada. Sir John A MACDONALD (1815-1891) was appointed as Canada’s first Prime Minister.
On Oct 11, 1869, Louis RIEL (1844-1885) placed his foot on the surveyors’ chain to tell them their work was finished! This marked the beginning of another Red River Métis Rebellion. Most of the conflict related to the rebellion occurred in the southern parts of the Red River region and involved French speaking Métis who were supported by the North West Company (NWC) in opposition to the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC). The half-breed population north of Kildonan was mostly English speaking people who supported the HBC.
The Rebellion ended when RIEL’s Provisional Government accepted the terms of the Manitoba Act and on July 15,1870 Manitoba became the fifth province of Canada, the Canadian Government having acquired the territory previously governed by the HBC.
In 1870 Philip’s family was recorded in St Peters Parish with children as Fanny (age 8), Jeremie (4) and Jane (age 2).
Treaty Number One
In 1871, Treaty Number One, also known as the ‘Stone Fort Treaty’ or the ‘Selkirk Treaty’, was signed by Chief Henry PRINCE or RED EAGLE (1819-1902) on behalf of the Indians of St Peters Parish.
Boundaries of the new St Peters Reserve after the signing of Treaty One
St Peters Band Members in 1871:From Daily Free Press (Winnipeg) regarding Henry PRINCE being declared at Chief of the St Peters Band. Philip THOMAS is the first band member mentioned.
From the1881 Census: Philip (age 45), Sophie (age 40) with children as Fanny (age 20), Elizabeth (9), Sophia (6), Henry (age 3) and baby Edward.
Around 1881 daughter Fanny married Edward COCHRANE, son of Jessie CUMMINGS & William COCHRANE (1811-1894).
1882
In the New Year of 1882 Alexander MUCKLE (1844-1908) became Indian Agent for the St Peters Band. That year William PRINCE replaced Henry PRINCE as Chief. On June 15, 1882 the Town of Selkirk was incorporated. The first Mayor was James COCLEUGH (1841-1918).
In 1883 the Rural Municipality of St Clements was formed. Without going to a lot of detail, essentially the RM of St Clements now referred to the East side of the Red River and Lake Winnipeg all the way from Winnipeg to Grand Beach, extending eastward as far as Garson. Hereafter, St Andrews only referred to the west side of the river.
Western Land Grants (undated): Philip THOMAS on SE 28-17-7-Epm. (Balsam Bay)
In 1902 son Henry married Margaret STEVENSON (or THOMAS?). Vital Stats: on Jan 9, 1902, Henry Curtis James THOMAS married Margaret THOMAS in St Clements. ** I need help with this one. I would like to know more about Margaret’s origins.
When the 1906 census was taken in the St Peters Reserve, Philip was recorded as age 64; wife Sophia (age 62) and son Benjamin (age 21).
Surrender of the St Peters Reserve
On Sep 20, 1907 Government officials Hector HOWELL (1842-1918) and Frank PEDLEY (b-1858) and the Chief and Councillors of the St Peters Band agreed to a Surrender of the St Peters Reserve. The surrender was accepted by Order in Council dated October 14, 1907.The same month, the Band and representatives of the department selected the site of the new Reserve, near Fisher River.
The New Peguis Reserve
By 1909 most of the native residents of St Peters had moved to the New Peguis Reserve at Fisher River, north of Hodgson, MB. When the census was taken there in 1911, Philip was recorded as age 70, wife Sophia as age 66.
In 1914 Sophia THOMAS died at the New Peguis Reserve. In 1916 Philip was recorded there as a 75 year old widower. On Mar 23, 1936, Philip THOMAS died in the Dynevor Hospital (St Peters).
Please post comments & queries at this link: FORUM DISCUSSING the PHILIP THOMAS FAMILY
========================== Family Details ==========================
Children: ** MORE ABOUT HENRY CURTIS THOMAS 7. Jun, 1880 EDWARD THOMAS
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