The First Home of Boultbees in Canada, located in Ancaster Township

THORNVALE, July 1874
Sketch by Mr. J. B. Kenrick

    Felix bought this home and farm in 1835 from Ebenezer Goodhew. The home was on the west side of Binkley's Sideroad, a few hundred yards south of the Governor's Road. It was known as Thornvale, although some called it Thorndale, and was named for its handsome blackthorn hedge. The original house was rectangular and was constructed of white pine logs resting on a foundation of field stones. It consisted of a large kitchen in the centre, a living room on the east side, and two sleeping rooms on the west side. Two wings were added as sleeping quarters either before or after Felix purchased the house. The wings were of frame construction of white pine, using timber rather than logs, and the availability of timber would date their construction. The doors were two or three boards with cross pieces to hold them together - some of the boards were 22" wide.

    Two consecutive Boultbee families lived at Thornvale, the family of Felix and Mary from 1835 to 1850, and the family of Washington and Eliza from 1850 to 1880. Fifteen children knew Thornvale as home, and many of their descendants knew it as a shrine to visit and request permission to see inside. Unfortunately, Thornvale is now gone -- it was pulled down in January 1984.