Tom Thornhill
Tom Thornhill | |
|---|---|
 Tom Thornhill is the namesake of Thornhill, British Columbia. | |
| Born | |
| Died | July 15, 1910 |
| Burial place | Old Prince Rupert Cemetery |
| Monuments | Thornhill Landing, Thornhill, British Columbia |
| Citizenship | England |
| Spouse | Eliza Wright (m. 1982) |
Tom Thornhill (1855–1910) was an English settler and one of the first non-Indigenous residents in the Skeena River Valley, British Columbia.[1][2][3] He is the namesake of Thornhill, an unincorporated community located east of Terrace.[4] Thornhill is celebrated for his significant role in early settlement and as a representative of the unique cultural interconnections between European settlers and Indigenous peoples in the late 19th century.[5]
Early Life and Background
[edit]Tom Thornhill was born in Kent, England, in 1855.[3] He emigrated to Canada with his family at the age of three, settling in Victoria, British Columbia.[3] Thornhill came from a family of some means, and his father was actively involved in church affairs.[3] Tom is believed to have trained as a blacksmith, but a lung disorder, possibly caused by his trade, led him to seek a different way of life.[3]
Marriage to Eliza Wright
[edit]While traveling in the Fraser Valley, Thornhill met Eliza Wright, a member of the Kitselas Tsimshian nation and sister to Kitselas Chief Walter Wright.[3] Eliza was considered part of the “royal family” within her community.[3] The couple married and moved to the Skeena River Valley in 1892, settling on land near the Kitselas Canyon.[3] Their marriage represented a rare union at the time between an English settler and a prominent Indigenous woman.[3]
Life on the Skeena
[edit]Upon settling near the Skeena River, Thornhill and Eliza established themselves on a prime fishing site granted by Eliza's lineage.[3] The area, known as Thornhill's Landing, became a stopping point for riverboats traveling up the Skeena River.[3] While Eliza hunted, trapped, and traded furs, Tom farmed the land, producing vegetables and flowers for the riverboats.[3] The couple's cabin also served as a host site for travellers.[3]
Legacy and Death
[edit]Tom Thornhill passed away in 1910, three years after Eliza's death in 1907.[3] He is buried in the Garden Island Cemetery, near Prince Rupert.[3] Thornhill's 186-acre homestead, claimed under the Homestead Act of 1906, was later sold and contributed to the development of the Skeena River Valley.[3]
Commemoration
[edit]Thornhill's contributions are honoured through various memorials and landmarks:
- In 1993, a monument dedicated to Tom and Eliza Thornhill was installed on Queensway Drive, close to the site of their original cabin.[1]
- The community of Thornhill bears his name, symbolizing his enduring legacy in the region.[4]
- Thornhill Landing Park, located at the site of the couple's homestead, offers access to the Skeena River and commemorates their pioneering spirit.[1]
Cultural and Historical Significance
[edit]Tom and Eliza's story highlights the intersection of European settler and Indigenous histories in British Columbia.[6] Their partnership exemplifies early intercultural relationships and their role in shaping local communities.[7] Eliza's significant contributions as a trapper and community member also emphasize the often-overlooked role of Indigenous women in settler history.[8]
The couple's memory continues to be celebrated as a symbol of the historical ties between Indigenous peoples and settlers in the Skeena Valley.[7][8] Efforts to rename local landmarks, such as restoring the name of Sockeye Creek to Eliza Creek, further underscore the importance of their legacy.
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Facilities & Parks". www.rdks.bc.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Thornhill Official Community Plan". www.rdks.bc.ca. 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Watmough, Les. "Tom Thornhill". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b "Terrace History". www.terrace.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Thornhill Fire Lookout Recreation Site: Visitor Map and Guide" (PDF). www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca. 2012. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Historic Couple Remembered". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b Massey, Josh (2013-04-14). "Creek name change investigated in Terrace, B.C. area". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b Massey, Josh (2013-07-18). "More support for creek name change". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.