The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1905-11-17
LIFE or COLONEL JOHN
THOMAS.
By Mrs. Robert J. Hern-
don, king'S Mountain
Chapter, D. y. r. q
Great Great Grand
Daughter of Col. John
Thomas.

hes 'iueu SuCl Sio'ious ShoPeo'o w
the History of South Carolina during
the period Of tn Revolution, there
are none to surpass in patriotism uno
devotion to country this distinguish.
ed soldier, Col John T. thomas.
Ills s"vvice and leadership IN the
cause OF liberty and independent"
ard the story Of the deeds and ex-
ploits enacted by the mtn AID wom-
en Of this family adj fu many pages
OF the history OF our State.
1t may be OF interest, at this tine,
when the ID. A. II Of Spartauburp
have just unveiled Il splendid monu'
ment of granite and bronze, erected
in honor OF Col. Thomas and his hero
ic wito. to learn something of his life
The following facts Of Col Thomas
are taken from the Memoirs Of Maj
JOSEPH McJunkin," (nlso Of Revolu
tio,. fame and family tradition, and
the >k' tches are in possession OF thr
wliu,r OF this article.
The youth of the country were
chiefly indebted to him for their first
military discipline and in the public
affairs of his district he became an
acknowledged leader. He raised the
standard OF independence among his
people, and with strong appeals
aroused his fellow countrymen to put
down British oppression.
The father of Col. Thomas was
English. and an officer in the kings
army. During the oppression Of the
Prcsbyterians in England, he removed
to Wales, where Col. Thomas was
born, ard some years later in COM
pary with his brother, Rev John
Thomas, noted Presbyterian minis
ter, and u,her friends, came to Amer
ica and settled in Chester county,
Pennsylvania.
Col Thomas was brought up in
country and educated in England.
He married Jano Black. a sister OF
the R-v. John Black, the first presi-
dent Of Dickinson college, Carlysle,
Pa II !S said that she was woman
Of rare intelligence and varied accom-
rl;sbmer.s, possessing many charms
of mind and heart, She was su-
perb hors rsewomaD, Of which she gave
practical proof of her skill and en-
durarce, the day she made the fam
Gus ride from NinetyS Six to Cedar |
Springs, which will be referred to
later.
Col. Thomas moved to South Caro- |
lima and resided on Il commanding
eminepce in the beautiful region Of
bold ard lovely stream, which. when
the travellers beheld it in all it's beau
ty Of forest and Hover and golden
sunlight and sparkling cascades sur
rounded by grand hills with their
coronets Of pines, one of them ex-
claimed, "What fair forest this,'
which still bears the name of Fair
Forest creek.
Col. Thomas was one of the found
Of Fair Forest church, and his wife
one OF it's most active and Jealous
members. Here he was residing be-
fore hostlites commenced with the
mother country. He was militia
captain and magistrate under the
royal government, He was enter
prisiDg intelligent and patriotic,
owned large possessions in lands,
slaves, horses and cattle, and was
highly distinguished for his devotion
to the public welfare. He is de-
scribed by his contemporaries as be-
ing man of splendid appearance,
above the average stature. His feat
ures were regular, his nose straight,
his head finely formed and set firmly
upon his shoulders. He had dark
blue eyes, which in moment OF sc-
tion cleaned with fire and emotion,
His hair was brown and his hands
and feet we'll formed. His express
sion was that Of a student rather
than Of soldier.
Col. Thomas death occurred soon
after the war. His lonely grave lies
not far from the city Of Spartsnburg
in the fair valley Of White Stone
Springs. Near by can be seen four
rooms OF the house in which he died
And over and above all rises the
granite hills on whose SUBMITS the
battles OF liberty were fought and