Patrick Thomas

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 2749
• Residence: 1870, Rockville, Parke, Indiana, USA
• Residence: 1880, Rockville, Parke, Indiana, USA

Notes:

THOMAS, Patrick, barber, Rockville, was born at Vincennes, Indiana October 9, 1840. He was the eldest son of John and Margaret (WHITEMAN) Thomas. His mother was born at Natchez, Mississippi. In 1840 his parents moved over into Lawrence County, IL and are still living on the same place on which they originally located. Patrick worked on his father's farm until he became of age, and then began doing for himself, following farm work two years longer. In 1864-65 he was in Chicago attending the Jones school. In December1865, he came to Rockville, looking around for a location, and the next month bought property and took up his permanent residence here. At this time there was but one colored family in the place; they soon moved away, which makes Mr. Thomas the oldest colored resident in Rockville. From the first he devoted himself closely to his business, and during the two first years was not once away from Rockville. By industry and frugality he has accumulated some property; at the same time he has found it in his power, as well as in harmony with his inclination, to dispense his means liberally in private aid and public contribution. In 1865 he heard Frederick Douglas lecture in Chicago in the interest of the Ladies' Loyal League, and having for a number of years read his paper and been in correspondence with him, he at length became deeply interested in the settlement of some of his people here, and as early as 1872 began to encourage a colony of them in NC to emigrate to Rockville. In this same year the exodus began, the first arrival numbering 49 persons and since that time there has been a steady increase of their numbers, perhaps not fewer than 200 having been added in the last 15 months. These people find a ready demand for labor, and they are proving themselves to be an honest, frugal and industrious element of the population. They are developing great interest in their education and in the extension and support of their churches. There can be no question that a bright future awaits them, if they but persevere in the methods they have adopted. To these people Mr. Thomas has been the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. He has engaged in the work of inviting them here and of assisting them after they came, with a truly unselfish zeal. Mr. Thomas was the founder of the African ME Church of Rockville; he organized, also, their first Sabbath school, and was for two years its superintendent. He has been equally active in promoting the interests of the colored public school. It was by his own exertions that Frederick Douglass was secured to lecture in Rockville on one occasion to raise money to extend the school from four to six months. Mr. Thomas is a Good Templar and a Mason. He has belonged to the latter order since 1861 and holds his membership in Darn's Lodge at Terre Haute. He was married May 15, 1866 to Angeline BASS daughter Nelson Bass of Vigo Co. She was born November 19, 1844. Their three living children are: Anne B., born October 18, 1868; Margaret born April 4, 1875; Earnest born May 3, 1879.

Patrick married Angeline Bass 15 May 1866, Indiana, USA. Angeline (daughter of Nelson Bass and Nancy Smith) was born 19 Nov 1846, Vigo, Indiana, USA; died 1933, Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, USA; was buried , Cedar Rapids, Linn, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet]

1. Annie B Thomas was born 18 Oct 1868, Indiana, USA.
2. Margret Thomas was born 4 Apr 1875, Indiana, USA.
3. Ernest Thomas was born 3 May 1879, Indiana, USA.