Alaska 150 2 (small) (custom)

Russian American Timeline

By ak150

  • Shelikov hired

    Alexander Baranov hired by Gregori Shelikov to manage his company's affairs in Alaska (Shelikov-Golikov Company) - date unknown

  • Baranov arrived in AK

    Alexander Baranov arrived in AK - Three Saints Bay, and moved headquarters to new site - St. Paul Harbor (Kodiak) - date unknown

  • Delegation of Russian Orthodox clergy

    Delegation of Russian Orthodox clergy arrive - Kodiak. First Ecclesiastical mission of 10 priests/monks/novices - to "convert heathen not by preaching but by personal example" - date unknown
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    Settlement at Yakutat established.

    Settlement at Yakutat established. Baranov and others surveyed SE AK Coast to expand and consolidate power/influence of Shelikov company. Dates unknown.

  • Russian American Company formed

    Russian American Company formed from restructured Shelikov company. First Charter between R-A Co. and Russian govt signed - for 20 years - granted monopoly for trade and govt representation in the R-A colony.

  • Aleut hunting party poisoned

    Aleut hunting party of 550 kayaks- shellfish poisoning. 135-140 men died (Russians and 100+ Aleuts) - Peril Strait - first documented occurrence of paralytic shellfish poisoning - summer date unknown.

  • Construction of outpost/settlement in Sitka area commenced

    Construction of outpost/settlement in Sitka area commenced - site named Novo-Arkhangel'sk. Baranov negotiated with three Tlingit leaders for est. of post. Russian ships Orel and Sv. Ekaterina brought building supplies.

  • Baranov presentation to Skautlel't

    Baranov presented Skautlel't (in Russian records Chief Mikhail) with imperial crest and written testimonial to cement relationship.

  • Baranov returns to Kodiak

    Baranov left Novo-Arkhangel'sk to return to Kodiak; Medvednikov left in charge; uneasy truce with Tlingits

  • Russian American Company charter issued

    First Charter issued to Russian America Company by Russian govt. - for 20 years - date unknown.

  • Conflict at Akoi (Dry Bay)

    Conflict at Akoi (Dry Bay) Russian, Chugach, Aleut vs. Tlingit from Yakutat, Hoonah, Kaknu, Angoon, Stikine areas

  • Novo-Arkhangel'sk and Kake attacked by Tlingit

    Novo-Arkhangel'sk attacked by Tlingit, as was a Russian/Aleut hunting party in the Kake area. 42 survivors at Novo-Arkhangel'sk, 23 of 200 survived the attack on the hunting party. Novo-Arkhangel'sk destroyed. Date unknown.
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    Campaign by Baranov to retake Novo-Arkhangel'sk

    Campaign by Baranov to retake Novo-Arkhangel'sk and punish Tlingit for events of 1802 "Battle of Sitka"

  • Baranov arrived in Novo-Arkhangel'sk to retake it.

    Baranov arrived in Novo-Arkhangel'sk to retake it. Fighting and negotiations ensue.

  • Tlingit leave stockade.

    Tlingit leave stockade. Baranov assumed control of Tlingit site - Novo-Arkhangel'sk rebuilt at present day Sitka.

  • First documented aid to navigation in Russian America

    First documented aid to navigation in Russian America - an oil fired light on a small island in harbor of Novo-Arkhangel'sk. Japanese ship (junk) wrecked near Novo-Arkhangel'sk. The sailors were quartered on Japonski Island. Date unknown.

  • Nikolai Rezanov arrived

    Nikolai Rezanov arrived in Novo-Arkhangel'sk (Sitka) with extravagant plans for reorganizing the colony. Date unknown.

  • Russian settlement at Yakutat destroyed

    Russian settlement at Yakutat (Slava Rossii) destroyed by Tlingit - nearly all Russians and Aleuts killed. Date unknown.

  • First vessel built in Novo-Arkhangel'sk

    First vessel built in Novo-Arkhangel'sk (Sitka) shipyard was launched, the Avos'; library established at Novo-Arkhangel'sk. Date unknown.

  • First trade agreement between the Russian America Co. and King Kamehemeha I of Hawaii.

    First trade agreement between the Russian America Co. and King Kamehemeha I of Hawaii. Expansion of trade contacts with Japan, Dutch in Java, Chinese at Canton, and Spanish in California (via American shippers). Date unknown.

  • Headquarters of Russian America Company officially moved

    Headquarters of Russian America Company officially moved to New Archangel (Sitka); shipment of smallpox vaccine brought to Novo-Arkhangel'sk on the Neva. Date unknown.

  • Assassinate plot against Baranov

    Plot by a few company workers to assassinate Baranov and steal boat/supplies was thwarted. Date unknown.

  • Fort Ross, CA established

    Fort Ross, California established as farthest south Russian outpost. Date unknown.
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    Neva shipwreck

    Shipwreck of the Neva off Cape Edgecumbe killed over 30 of 77 men, including the captain Baranov's replacement, as well as several women and children

  • Parish priest assigned to New Archangel.

    Parish priest assigned to New Archangel. Father Alexei Solokov. First Russian Orthodox church consecrated to replace existing chapel. Date unknown.
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    Term "creole" introduced

    Term "creole" introduced and officially defined by company and govt. as a person of mixed Russian-Native parentage - a distinct class equal to "burgher estate" - a Russian classification specific to those residing in the colony of Russian America. Dates unknown.

  • Baranov formally removed as chief manager

    Baranov formally removed as chief manager by Hagemeister, who became first of a series of naval officers as chief managers whose mandate was to represent the interests of the state and ensure economic success of the Russian America Company

  • Baranov left Sitka

    Baranov left Russian-America by ship, to return to Russia

  • Flu epidemic

    American ship, sailing from Java, arrived New Archangel with crew infected with flu; epidemic in Sitka and spread to Kodiak. DAte unknown.

  • Baranov died at sea

    Baranov died at sea on return to Russia; buried at sea

  • First physician

    First Russian America Company physician arrived - assigned to New Archangel. Date unknown.

  • Expansion of Russian exploration

    1820s: Expansion of Russian exploration in W and SW Alaska, AK Interior, Bering Strait, and NW coast of AK - to stem British interests. Expanded harvest of land mammals and conservation programs for sea mammals. Fox farms begun. Dates unknown.
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    First hospital on NW Coast

    First hospital on NW Coast -New Archangel - supported by 5% of profits of R/A Co.; public health programs started for company employees and Native population. Dates unknown.

  • Second Charter granted

    Second Charter granted to Russian America Co by Russian govt. 20 years. Imperial decree - trade with foreigners prohibited; resulted in lack of supplies. Date unknown.

  • Sitka Tlingits returned

    Under second chief manager Murav'iev, Sitka Tlingits returned and reestablished settlement adjacent to section of Russian palisade at N-A. Trade relations established. Date unknown.
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    Russia signed conventions with USA and England

    1824-Father Ioann Veniaminov arrived Unalaska. Russia signed conventions with USA and England which recognized specific Alaska boundaries and granted fishing and trade concessions to USA and Eng. Dates unknown.
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    Father Iakov Netsvetov's service

    Father Iakov Netsvetov served central/Western Aleutians, Kuriles, Commander Is. Netsvetov was first Creole to go to seminary in Irkutsk, Russia. Dates unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manage Baron Ferdinand Wrangell

    Tenure of Chief Manage Baron Ferdinand Wrangell; brought his wife Elizabeth to N-A. She expanded and refined the European cultural life of the colony. Relations with Tlingit improved. More conservation measures for sea mammals. St. Dionysius est. (near Wrangell) to neutralize expansion of Hudson Bay Co. Trade agreement written to benefit both.

  • First sawmill

    First sawmill on Pacific NW Coast - at New Archangel. Date unknown.

  • Father Veniaminov moved to New Archangel from Unalaska

    Father Veniaminov moved to New Archangel from Unalaska where he had been since 1834; first "lighthouse" oil lantern with 4 reflectors in cupola atop Governor's House. Date unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Kupreianov

    Tenure of Chief Manager Kupreianov; exploration continues. Dates unknown.
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    HMS Sulphur visits

    HMS Sulphur, first British warship to visit New Archangel 1837/1839; 1839 Veniaminov returned to Russia - became a monk - took name "Innocent". Dates unknown.

  • Russian Orthodox diocese formed

    Russian Orthodox diocese formed. Innocent became Bishop Innocent, First Lutheran Church est. under Uno Cygnaeus, who came to N-A with Etholen.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Adolf Etholen (Finn)

    Tenure of Chief Manager Adolf Etholen (Finn). Consolidation and improvement of company affairs; education expanded in church and company schools for both Creole and Native students. Dates unknown.

  • Fort Ross settlement sold

    Fort Ross settlement sold to John Sutter of California; Bishop Innocent returned to N-A. -began a period of flourishing of R-O and expansion of services. Date unknown.

  • Third Charter signed

    Third Charter signed - for another 20 years. Date unknown.
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    Construction and consecration of Cathedral of St. Michael and Russian Bishop's House

    Construction and consecration of Cathedral of St. Michael and Russian Bishop's House, New Archangel. Dates unknown.
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    Father Netsvetov's service

    Father Netsvetov served as priest/missionary on Yukon, Kuskokwim, and lower Koyukuk Rivers. Dates unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Teben'kov

    Tenure of Chief Manager Teben'kov- less skilled at operations and relations with Natives. Dates unknown.

  • Bishop Innocent became Archbishop

    Bishop Innocent became Archbishop; left New Archangel for admin. duties in Yakutsk. Date unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Rosenberg

    Tenure of Chief Manager Rosenberg. Dates unknown. 1850: During admin of Rosenberg, Tlingits in New Archangel storm the palisade surrounding the town. 1852: Sitka Tlingit had conflict with visiting Stikine Tlingit - Russians called to mediate; 250 tons of New Archangel ice shipped to California for $15/ton
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Rudakov

    Tenure of Chief Manager Rudakov. Dates unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Voevodskii

    Tenure of Chief Manager Voevodskii. Dates unknown.

  • Neutrality agreement signed between Russian America Co. and Hudson Bay Co.

    Neutrality agreement signed between Russian America Co. and Hudson Bay Co. - applied only to territory, not high seas (Crimean War period). Date unknown.

  • Response to Crimean War

    Response to Crimean War - Russian military troops stationed in New Archangel for the first time - 99 men and 2 officers of the Siberian Line Battalion. Date unknown.

  • Military presence increased

    Military presence increased to 155 - later maintained at 150-180 troop level. Date unknown.

  • Conflict between local Tlingit and Russians

    Conflict between local Tlingit and Russians at New Archangel. Tlingit fired upon New Archangel from Russian Orthodox Tlingit church built into palisade. Several killed on both sides.

  • Russian Orthodox changes

    Seat of Archdiocese transferred from New Archangel to Yakutsk, Russia. Seminary also transferred from New Archangel to Yakutsk. Dates unknown.
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    Tenure of Chief Manager Furuhjelm

    Tenure of Chief Manager Furuhjelm. Dates unknown.
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    Russian inspection team sent to Alaska

    Russian inspection team sent to Alaska to assess Russian America Co. affairs - found it to be financially healthy; other political/economic forces in Russia pushing for disengagement with the colony and liquidation of the company. U.S. Civil War precludes negotiations regarding sale. Dates unknown.

  • Launch of first steamboat

    Launch of first steamboat built in New Archangel and west coast on North America - "Baranof"
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    Smallpox outbreak

    Smallpox outbreak in Russian America - checked by vaccination program. Dates unknown.
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    Tenure of last Chief Manager - Prince Maksutov

    Tenure of last Chief Manager - Prince Maksutov. Dates unknown.

  • Archpriest Iakov Netsvetov died

    Archpriest Iakov Netsvetov died in New Archangel, buried there. Date unknown.

  • Treaty of Cession signed

    Treaty of Cession signed - Baron de Stoeckl and William H. Seward negotiators. Date unknown.

  • All Russian ports in Russian America opened for American shipping

    All Russian ports in Russian America opened for American shipping. Date unknown.

  • U.S. Revenue Steamer "Lincoln" dispatched to Russian America.

    U.S. Revenue Steamer "Lincoln" dispatched to Russian America. Date unknown.

  • Transfer ceremony of Russian America from Russia to USA

    Transfer ceremony of Russian America from Russia to USA - New Archangel (Sitka)