Tom Thornhill (1855 – July 15, 1910) was an English settler and one of the first non-Indigenous residents in the Skeena River Valley, British Columbia.[1][2][3][4] He is the namesake of Thornhill, an unincorporated community located east of Terrace.[3][5][6] 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.[2][7][8]
Tom Thornhill | |
|---|---|
 Tom Thornhill is the namesake of Thornhill, British Columbia. | |
| Born | 1855 |
| Died | July 15, 1910 |
| Burial place | Old Prince Rupert Cemetery |
| Monuments | Thornhill Landing, Thornhill, British Columbia |
| Citizenship | England |
| Spouse | Eliza Wright (m. 1982) |
Early life and background
editTom 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][6]
Marriage to Eliza Wright
editWhile traveling in the Fraser Valley, Thornhill met Eliza Wright, a member of the Kitselas Tsimshian nation and sister to Kitselas Chief Walter Wright.[2][3][5][7][9][10][11][12] Eliza was considered part of the “royal family” within her community.[3][9] The couple married and moved to the Skeena River Valley in 1892, settling on land near the Kitselas Canyon.[2][3][5][10][13] Their marriage represented a rare union at the time between an English settler and a prominent Indigenous woman.[3][9]
Life on the Skeena
editUpon settling near the Skeena River, Thornhill and Eliza established themselves on a prime fishing site granted by Eliza's lineage.[2][3] The area, known as Thornhill's Landing, became a stopping point for riverboats traveling up the Skeena River.[1][3][8][14] While Eliza hunted, trapped, and traded furs, Tom farmed the land, producing vegetables and flowers for the riverboats.[3][8][12] The couple's cabin also served as a host site for travellers.[3][9][10]
Death and legacy
edit
Tom Thornhill died in 1910, three years after Eliza's death in 1907.[3][9] 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
editThornhill's contributions are honoured through various memorials and landmarks:
- In 1993, a monument dedicated to Tom and Eliza Thornhill was installed on Queensway Drive, under the Dudley Little Bridge, close to the site of their original cabin.[1][3][9]
- The community of Thornhill bears his name, symbolizing his enduring legacy in the region.[3][5][6]
- Thornhill Landing Park, located at the site of the couple's homestead, offers access to the Skeena River and commemorates their pioneering spirit.[1][3][9]
Cultural and historical significance
editTom and Eliza's story highlights the intersection of European settler and Indigenous histories in British Columbia.[3][8][9] Their partnership exemplifies early intercultural relationships and their role in shaping local communities.[3][9][10][11][12] Eliza's significant contributions as a trapper and community member also emphasize the often-overlooked role of Indigenous women in settler history.[8][12][15]
The couple's memory continues to be celebrated as a symbol of the historical ties between Indigenous peoples and settlers in the Skeena Valley.[3][5][6][8][9][10][11][12][15] Efforts to rename local landmarks, such as restoring the name of Sockeye Creek to Eliza Creek, further underscore the importance of their legacy.[8][10][11][12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Facilities & Parks". www.rdks.bc.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d e "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 q r s t u v w Watmough, Les. "Tom Thornhill". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ "Terrace has done plenty of growing since 1892". Prince George Citizen. 1964-03-31. p. 57. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ a b c d e "Terrace History". www.terrace.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d Speirs, Margaret (2016-12-09). "New 'Welcome to Thornhill' sign being crafted". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ a b "Thornhill Fire Lookout Recreation Site: Visitor Map and Guide" (PDF). www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca. 2012. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d e f g Wiebe, Kelsey (2015-06-17). "There's far more to Terrace's history than white men". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Historic Couple Remembered". www.terracelibrary.ca. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d e f Massey, Josh (2013-03-02). "Push underway to change name of Terrace area creek". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ a b c d Massey, Josh (2013-04-14). "Creek name change investigated in Terrace, B.C. area". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ a b c d e f Massey, Josh (2013-07-18). "More support for creek name change". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
- ^ Bogstie, Ben (2020-08-25). "Proposed Eliza's Village development in Thornhill seeking zoning amendments". Terrace Standard. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Asante, Nadine (1972). The History of Terrace. Terrace Public Library Association.
- ^ a b Quezada, Dustin (2006-08-02). "Pioneer women, pioneer play" (PDF). Terrace Standard. p. 17.