Porteous, John, -1799

A native of Perth, Scotland, John Porteous came to Detroit in 1762 and engaged in the fur trade between Mackinac and Albany. As a loyalist, he carried on business in St. John's, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia. In c.1789, Porteous settled in Little Falls, New York and became an American Citizen. Here he carried on an extensive business with merchants of New York City, Philadelphia, Schenectady, New York, etc. He died in 1799.

From the description of John Porteous papers, 1761-1873. (Detroit Public Library). WorldCat record id: 294847571

John Porteous, a Scotsman by birth, arrived in America from Perth, Scotland, in 1762. In 1764, he was hired as a clerk by John Duncan, a Schenectady fur trader. The next year, he began working for James Sterling in Detroit and at Fort Michilimackinac in present-day Mackinaw City. His duties included selling goods, buying furs, and extending credit, and collecting debts. In this role, Porteous also made occasional travels to Canada and New York. He was also associated with the merchants James Phyn and Alexander Ellice, and before the start of the Revolution, established himself as an important trader in Montreal.

During the American Revolution, Porteous worked as a merchant in New York City, and helped to supply the local garrison with British goods. He was also part-owner of the British privateer Vengeance . At the time of the British evacuation, he returned briefly to Scotland, before settling in Nova Scotia, and subsequently, Little Falls, New York. There, he continued to work as a merchant and also operated a flour mill. He died in March 1799.

From the guide to the John Porteous letter book, Porteous, John letter book, 1767-1769, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)