holidays

"I have been wondering about how holidays were observed and
celebrated in the HBC's Columbia Department so I thought I would
begin the discussion with an exerpt from a book written by John
Hussey that I checked out from the Fort's library. It appears that
feasting with a regale of rum issued to the engages and not working
that day were the observed customs. If anyone has information to
share (preferably 1st person accounts) please post and share.

(Exerpt from "Hudson's Bay Company Fur Brigades in the Columbia
Department" by John A. Hussey, pgs. 309-310)

"Christmas Day also often passed without any special recognition, at
least as far as the journals reveal. John Work's record was again
an
exception to the general rule when he wrote on Sunday, December 25,
1831: "Being Christmas Day we did not raise camp. Owing to our not
having fallen in with buffalo lately many of the people fared but
indifferently having only dry meat, and several not much of that."
On December 25 a year earlier, however, he made no mention of the
day
being Christmas.

"But there were two holidays that were almost always observed -- All
Saints' Day and New Year's Day. Work's journal entry for November
1,
1830, was typical: "This being All Saints Day and a fast & holiday
with the Canadians we did not raise camp." New Year's Day was the
most enthusiastically and universally celebrated holiday, however,
as
is shown by Work's note for January 1, 1832: "This being Sunday and
New Years Day neither our people nor the Indians went in pursuit of
buffalo tho' large herds were to be seen far off. The men and some
of the principal Indians were treated with a dram and some cakes in
the morning, and a small quantity of rum had been brought from the
fort for the occasion." A number of other journals attest to the
fact that this "treat" of rum and cakes was an established custom.

Almost never did the brigade members have an opportunity to observe
Easter properly. But in 1833, when Work's party was camped near
Sonoma in California, the leader noted: "This being Easter day we
did not raise camp. Some of the people went to the Mission to hear
divine service."