Barclay, Alexander, 1810-1855

A young Englishman, Barclay traveled to Upper Canada in 1833, settling at the Maitland Concession. In 1836 he moved on to St. Louis, and two years later went out to Bent's Fort on the Arkansas as superintendent of stores and bookkeeper. He continued at the fort until 1842, then became a trader, and by 1844 had located at the Hardscrabble Settlement in present Colorado. After the American conquest of New Mexico in 1846, he was made alcalde for the upper Arkansas area. In the spring of 1848 he founded Barclay's Fort in New Mexico, at the junction of the Mora and Sabello rivers, and in partnership with Joseph B. Doyle continued this establishment until his death. Some papers for 1856-1858 reflect the efforts of his brother George to settle his estate.