The
Thompson Farm began in 1815 when it was purchased by Richard
Williams as a part of the original Holland Land Company. The
farm passed through several successive owners and through
these times it is rumored that the house was a stagecoach
tavern, or way station, on the road between Buffalo and
Rochester. Charles Thornell, a Pittsford produce and coal
dealer, purchased the farm in 1896. Charles and his wife,
with their two sons, Charles W. and Arthur, and daughters
Clara and Florence, moved to the farm later that year. The
Thornells raised grains and vegetable crops such as peas,
tomatoes, cucumbers and potatoes. They also wintered beef
cattle and sheep for market.
In 1967, Lewis and Helen Thornell Partridge purchased the
farm from Helen’s father, Charles W., and in 1998, their
daughter, Kathryn and son-in-law, Jeffrey Thompson, took
over the farm.
The Thompsons currently milk 100 cows and grow corn,
forages and barley for the dairy operation. They are active
members of the Upstate Niagara Cooperative, and have
received numerous herd productions and Superior Milk awards.
Jeff and Kathy are members of Farm Bureau and 4-H. They have
two children, Kimberly and Brian, both married. Brian and
his wife, Kathryn are presently working along with his
parents on the farm, with hope to take over in the future.
The Thompson Farm received the Dairy of Distinction award
in 1996 and was also awarded the New York State Century Farm
award, presented by the NYS Agricultural Society in 2003.
With the fifth generation now on the Thompson Farm,
continuing with a positive attitude and eager for innovation
and success, hopefully the Thornell-Partridge-Thompson Farm
will be here for 100 more years.
