tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post7353314325583866726..comments2024-03-18T18:05:25.821-07:00Comments on VISIONS OF THE NORTH: Franklin's Arctic VoyageursRussell Potterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-24633813067840519322011-03-03T05:52:23.660-08:002011-03-03T05:52:23.660-08:00Bonjour Mr. Stein,
Fascinating stuff. Thank you v...Bonjour Mr. Stein,<br /><br />Fascinating stuff. Thank you very much for taking time to look it up.Laurent Veilleuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051495911506832725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-91501245339096670992011-03-02T10:12:24.985-08:002011-03-02T10:12:24.985-08:00Glenn, thanks so much for clearing this up! I won...Glenn, thanks so much for clearing this up! I wonder whether there may be any descendants, and whether this medal might be preserved ...Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-70312465500366325632011-03-02T10:03:55.149-08:002011-03-02T10:03:55.149-08:00The medal roll for the Arctic Medal 1818-1855 (ADM...The medal roll for the Arctic Medal 1818-1855 (ADM 171/9)has him as "died" and there is nothing to indicate the medal was ever issued. <br /><br />However, Poulsom & Myres' "British Polar Exploration and Research" (2009, p. 114) states that "a Solomon Bellanger also appears in the Company's Medal Roll for both 1824 and 1825 for an unknown period of the Arctic Land Expedition under John Franklin 1825-27. As there is a receipt in the Company's records signed by Solomon Belanger (one 'l')for the medal presented to him by Sir George Simpson for the expedition under Sir John Franklin in 1821 - "having accompanied that Expedition as far as the Arctic Sea" - he clearly did not die!"..."he evidently received one from amongst those issued through the Company for the later expedition."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-55402204410051167092011-02-28T14:15:13.638-08:002011-02-28T14:15:13.638-08:00Solomon Bélanger, dit “Le Gros” is certainly a ver...Solomon Bélanger, dit “Le Gros” is certainly a very interesting character. <br /><br />According to Lanoue and Courteau (“Une nouvelle Acadie: Saint-Jacques de l'Achigan, 1772-1947”) , after retiring from the voyageur life, he became an HBC agent in St-Jacques de l’Achigan and started a very profitable business of “Ceintures Flechées” aka “Assomption or Achigan Sashes”, supplying the raw material to weavers and coordinating the distribution of the finished goods.<br /><br />What’s more interesting is that, according to the online HBC archives, he WAS recognized for his participation to the Arctic exploration. I don’t have a copy of Poulsom’s to verify if this is correct, but if I understand right, he signed a certificate of acceptance for an Arctic Medal on November 12, 1859, along with Peter Warren Dease, John Corrigall, Richard Turner and George Sinclair. I don’t have the details on this award, but if true, this shows that he was not completely forgotten by his contemporaries.Laurent Veilleuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09051495911506832725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-4655168268566859342011-02-22T20:15:53.513-08:002011-02-22T20:15:53.513-08:00M. Belanger, many thanks for your kind words! Wer...M. Belanger, many thanks for your kind words! Were you to be related to Solomon, that would surely be an honour.Russell Potterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11023313195827310776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3873756940955163469.post-53859163953892453472011-02-19T21:19:34.567-08:002011-02-19T21:19:34.567-08:00Dr. Potter,
I just finished Dan Simmons' The ...Dr. Potter,<br /><br />I just finished Dan Simmons' The Terror, and upon quick research, I found this site, and mention of your book and travels. Very interesting stuff. Your blog posts are succinct and informative. Congratulations on your successes with this subject!<br /><br />--Steven E. Belanger (possible relation to Solomon?)Steven E. Belangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11029874769975843685noreply@blogger.com