Tom Thornhill

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. The unincorporated community of Thornhill located east of Terrace is named after him. He is known 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.

Early life and background Tom Thornhill was born in Kent, England, in 1855. Their marriage represented a rare union at the time between an English settler and a prominent Indigenous woman. While Eliza hunted, trapped, and traded furs, Tom farmed the land, producing vegetables and flowers for the riverboats. Their partnership exemplifies early intercultural relationships and their role in shaping local communities.

The couple's memory continues to be celebrated as a symbol of the historical ties between Indigenous peoples and settlers in the Skeena Valley. Efforts to rename local landmarks, such as restoring the name of Sockeye Creek to Eliza Creek, further underscore the importance of their legacy.