Summary

Located in Burford Township, John Fowler purchased the parcel of Crown land this farm is located on in 1803 and the plot stayed in his family until it was purchased in 1861 by William Bonney. The farm was purchased from a trust by Bruce Innes in 1940 after the farm fell into tax arrears.

Timeline

Pre-1803 – Crown Land

1803 – John Fowler Purchases/Granted Land

It is not known whether John Fowler purchased the land or was granted it. ¹

1840 – John Fowler Dies

1840 – Land Willed to Melza Fowler, Denis Fowler, and Eliah Fowler

1861 – William Bonney Purchases Land

Land Registry documents indicate that on December 6, William Bonney purchased 50 acres of land from Melza Fowler.¹

1865 – William Bonney Purchases Land

Land Registry documents indicate that William Bonney purchased a further 50 acres of land from Melza Fowler.¹

1865-???? – William Bonney Purchases Land

Land Registry documents indicate that over the next few years, a further 150 acres of land west of the "home farm" was purchased by William Bonney.¹

1895 – William Bonney Dies

William left the farm to his two sons: the home farm went to Wellington Albert Bonney, and the 150 acres to the west went to William Henry Bonney.¹

1927 – Wellington Albert Bonney Dies

Upon his passing, Wellington willed the "home farm" to his two sons: John Albert Bonney and William Gordon Bonney. John Albert would be responsible for the business and accounting end of the partnership, while William Gordon was to look after the day to day farming operation.¹

1928 – William Gordon Recedes from Partnership

In June, William Gordon signed over his share of the farm to John Albert for $1.00.¹

1933 – Farm Goes Into Tax Arrears

The farm was taken over by a trust company and the farm and/or house was rented out during that time.¹

1940 – Bruce D. Innes Purchases Farm

In February Bruce D. Innes bought the farm from the Commissioner of Agricultural Loans and operated it until his death.¹

1982 – Bruce D. Innes Dies

Bruce's son, Robert B. Innes, and his wife Nancy, have continued operating the farm to the present day. ¹

Architectural Features

The farm house is a two storey single-detached building with two single-stack chimneys located side-left and rear-centre. The dormer shape is a centre-gable with return and roof trim is boxed-plain cornice. The brick design above the windows and doors is a unique arch radiating voussoirs and the surrounding sides are plain. The porch originally on the home has been removed and siding has been added. An aerial photograph of the farm taken in 1948 can be found here and a photograph showing the porch can be found here.

Notes

1. Robinson, Rosaland. BONNEY/INNES FARM. Unpublished information, 2015

References

• Robinson, Rosaland. BONNEY/INNES FARM. Unpublished information, 2015

• Burford
  Ontario, Canada
  

  Latitude: 43.0834 Longitude: -80.49968