DCHP-1 Online

clerk Fur Trade

• 1 n. a junior officer of a company, often appointed to the charge of a small trading post; occasionally in charge of a substantial district.

  See also: commis  

  • 1765-75  (1933)  I had Nine Clarks which I Imploid in differant Rivers that fel into the River.
  • 1852  Many of the young men so educated have entered the Hudson's Bay Company service as clerks, and some have attained the rank of chief traders and chief factors.
  • 1905  (1954)  My present position was that of a $500 a year "clerk" in charge of a station of some importance. . . . The next highest grade was that of a chief trader. The next grade in the service, lower than that of "clerk" was "postmaster"--a class of non-commissioned officers, usually from the rank and file. . . .

• 2 n. Obs. the purser on a passenger boat.

  • 1834  All baggage and small parcels are to be considered at the risk of the owners, unless delivered on board in charge of the Clerk.