David Thomas

Missionary to Virginia and Kentucky

by Thomas Ray

David Thomas was unique among early 18th-century Baptist preachers, especially in Virginia, in that he received a classical education under the eminent Baptist pastor and educator, Issac Eaton, at Hopewell Academy, New Jersey. Thomas’s educational achievements were recognized by Rhode Island College (Brown University), which awarded him a Master of Arts Degree in 1755.

David Thomas was born August 16, 1732, at London Tract, PA. Thomas possessed a missionary evangelistic heart, and in an attempt to determine God’s will for his life, he made several preaching tours into what was known as the Virginia Frontier. In 1760, in his 28th year, he moved to Berkeley County, VA. During the next 18 months, he preached extensively to the scattered settlers. At the same time, Peter Cornwell of Fauquier County, a dedicated Baptist layman, had been speaking to his friends and neighbors about how to find peace with God. However, superstition and ignorance blinded their minds to the truth of the gospel. Cornwell, in an attempt to gain the services of a Baptist minister, traveled 60 miles over the mountains to Berkeley County. Upon his arrival, he met David Thomas and after hearing him preach and speaking with him personally, Cornwell invited Thomas to settle in Fauquier County. Thomas believed this was the will of God, and acting upon that belief, he moved to his new field of labor.

His preaching and message astounded the people, and his fame began to spread not only throughout Fauquier County but the surrounding areas. People would travel 50 to 60 miles to hear him preach. However, especially in the early days of his ministry, he was exposed to the worst kind of bigotry — being assaulted by individuals and mobs. Once, while conducting a service, he was dragged from the house and was brutally attacked. On another occasion, while Thomas was preaching, a man pointed a gun at him, and just as this man was prepared to fire, another man grabbed the gun and overpowered the assailant. If not for the quick thinking of this unknown hero, David Thomas would have been assassinated.

December 3, 1762, Thomas organized Broad Run Church with ten members. This church would become the mother of five or six additional churches. Thomas remained as pastor of Broad Run for 26 fruitful years. In 1788, he returned to Berkeley County and became the pastor of Mill Creek Church. The church prospered and the people rejoiced in his ministry. But, as Thomas approached his 65th year, some of his members “became wiser than their pastor” and accused him of preaching false doctrine. Thomas was disgusted with this turn of events and in 1796 he, as did many of his fellow Baptist ministers, moved to Kentucky.

His fame preceded him, and even though he was 65 years old, he was called as pastor of Washington Church. As David Thomas approached his 70th year, his missionary evangelist heart still burned brightly. He travelled extensively proclaiming repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. In about 1800, what is known as the Great Revival struck the frontier of Kentucky, and David Thomas was one of its major participants and supporters. Growth among Baptists was truly amazing — in 1800 Kentucky had 106 churches with 5,119 members and by 1803 they had 219 churches with 15,495 members.

By that time David Thomas was beyond his 70th year and he had lost his eyesight. During his final days, young Baptist preachers would often make their way to Thomas’s little log cabin to have the saintly old warrior pray for them. Jeremiah Vardeman related the experience of kneeling beside Thomas’s chair while the patriarch prayed, recalling, “Such a prayer I never heard from mortal lips.”

David Thomas’s death came peacefully and quietly. He lay on his pallet and went to sleep and awoke in the presence of his Savior.