Duffy family restoring property ancestors first purchased in 1832

Family plans to open Duffy Homestead for private tours in Spring 2023 

By Zachary Roman

A few years ago, Alan Duffy purchased a large plot of land on Emil Kolb Parkway just outside of Bolton.

It's land that first came into the Duffy family when Elizabeth (Eliza) Duffy made a down payment to purchase 100 acres of land from the Canada Company in August of 1832.

At that time, women weren't allowed to own property unless they were widows, and sadly Eliza had recently become one. In 1830, Eliza set sail from Ireland to Canada with her husband Andrew and four children: Robert, James, Jane, and Mary. It's believed that Andrew became ill and died at sea, leaving Eliza a widow. 

After connecting with other Irish families in Canada, Eliza and her children were able to clear land and put up a log home on the land Eliza purchased in 1832.

“They had to build to survive out here, they had to build something fast,” said Alan.

He explained that over the years, Eliza became very well known in the community, and she opened the first place of Methodist worship in the area.

Eliza's son James continued to clear the Duffy land as time passed and expanded the family's farming efforts on the property, and eventually built his own log home and raised his own family there.

James was known as a well-respected farmer and he had 12 children. The Duffys were successful on the land and it remained in the family until the mid-1950s, when it was sold by a man named Walker Duffy.

Fast-forward to 2018 and Alan, who was interested in his family history, naturally became interested in the property on Emil Kolb Parkway (formerly known as Duffy's Lane). Having built a successful career in the automotive industry, Alan said he was fortunate enough to be able to purchase back the Duffy land that year.

Thus began a long journey towards restoring his family's homestead and farmland.

Alan is working with his sister, Gail, and children Michael and Lauren, on the project which is now in its final stages. 

“The passion to do this came as I'm really into history and always have been… and this ties into family,” said Alan. “It also ties in with the pioneer community, the Irish community, and Bolton's history.”

The house on the property has been restored with great attention to period-accurate detail and different rooms in the house show how it would have looked in different historical periods.

“When you walk through one door, you're in 1850, and you go through another and you're in 1910,” said Alan. “This whole thing is multi-era.”

The barn on the property has been completely restored, and when its top-floor doors open, they offer a great view of the Duffy property which goes down to the Humber River and beyond.

The Duffys' farmland is beginning to be restored too, and the family has successfully grown cider apples and made what Alan said is the best apple cider he's ever had.

Alan's son, Michael, has begun beekeeping on the property and is making his own honey, and the family have started tapping sugar maples on the property to make maple syrup. 

Alan said he plans to open the property for private tours in the Spring of 2023. Those who are interested in learning more about the Duffy Homestead or reaching out to the family can visit duffyhomestead.ca.