Furnis, James

British army officer, James Furnis, was the commissary of stores and paymaster to the Royal Artillery, stationed at Albany in 1755. He became comptroller of ordnance in North America in 1756, with headquarters at New York City, a post he held until at least 1763. During the French and Indian War, the British Board of Ordnance was charged with managing and replacing military stores throughout the colonies. In 1757, Furnis inspected Forts Edward and William Henry, near Lake George, and while there, witnessed the French capture of Fort William Henry.

From the guide to the James Furnis letter book, Furnis, James, letter book, 1755-1759, 1755-1758, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)