Thomas Blinkhorn

Who was Thomas Blinkhorn?

Thomas Blinkhorn was a pioneer farmer on Vancouver Island, today part of British Columbia.

Blinkhorn was one of a small number of settlers who were independent of the Hudson's Bay Company. He, his wife Ann and her 16-year-old niece Martha Cheney, arrived at Fort Victoria on June 10, 1851 aboard the Tory. Also onboard were Captain James Cooper--a former HBC employee--his wife and family. Cooper's father, George Cooper Sr., had married Thomas Blinkhorn's sister Sarah in 1831. This family connection led to a business partnership between Blinkhorn and James Cooper under which Blinkhorn would develop, and act as superintendent of, Bilston Farm, a 300 acres parcel of land that Cooper had purchased from the HBC. The land was at Metchosin and formed a rough square fronting on Parry Bay, between Witty's Lagoon and Happy Valley Road. Thomas took charge of Bilston farm while Cooper engaged in commercial trade.

Governor Douglas made him a magistrate and justice of the peace in 1853 which was a minor position but an important step for the colony. Blinkhorn died from a lung infection which may have been caused by his travel to perform these duties.