 In stark contrast to Benjamin, Thomas preferred the voyageur lifestyle and was only ever in Montreal briefly.Joseph had a more varied experience, dividing his time between Grand Portage, other posts, and Montreal.When Benjamin died unexpectedly in 1787, as Joseph knew very little at that stage of the management side of the business (and Thomas nothing at all), the two brothers went into partnership with Simon McTavish; both firms being part of the North West Company.