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 1677 - 1760 (83 years)
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| Name |
Owen Thomas |
| Prefix |
Reverend |
| Born |
27 Mar 1677 |
Gwrgodllys, Cilmanllwyd Parish, Pembroke, Wales, United Kingdom  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
12 Nov 1760 |
Yellow Springs, Chester County, Pennsylvania |
| Buried |
Vincent Baptist Churchyard, Pikeland, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. |
| Notes |
- Joanthan Davis & Joshua Thomas, "History of the Welsh Baptists," (Pittsburgh, PA: D.M. Hogan, 1835), pp. 109-110:
"Owen Thomas was born at Gwrgodllys, Cilmanllwyd parish, County of Carmarthen, in 1691. He went to America in 1707, and took the pastoral care of the church at Welsh Tract, [upon] the death of Enoch Morgan; in which he continued until 1748, when he resigned to go to Vincent [Township], where he died in 1760, aged sixty-nine."
Find-A-Grave:
"Edwards, ibid., Vol. I, pp. 12-14; Asplund, ibid., p. 22:
After resigning the pastorate of the Welsh Tract Church, he removed with his family to Vincent Township (where there was a branch of the Great Valley Baptist church), and there he lived until his death in 1760. He was one of the elders of this church (The Vincent or Yellow Springs branch was not constituted a church until 1771).
Edwards, ibid., Vol. II, p. 56:
Both Owen and David Thomas were members at the Vincent or Yellow Springs branch of the Great Valley Baptist church, but frequently preached elsewhere. David Thomas preached at Upper Spotsylvania, Virginia, in 1766, from which time Lewis Craig numbered his first convictions.
[Christian, ibid, Vol. II, pp. 194-195.]
David Thomas remained a member at Vincent until 1760 when he removed to become a member of the Baptist church at Opeckon, Virginia.
Two years later he removed to Fauquier County, Virginia, where he became pastor at the constitution of the Broadrun Baptist church. [Edwards, ibid., Vol. II, pp. 35-36; Benedict, History of the Baptists, pp. 644-645.] During his years at Broadrun, several other churches were constituted out of this one. Later he removed to Kentucky. But at the time he constituted the Opeckon Baptist church, David Thomas was a member of the Great Valley Baptist church of Chester County, Pennsylvania, and was its representative in this matter.
His children: Elizabeth, Morris, Rachael, Mary, David, Sarah and Owen."
"Inscription on stone:
Here lies the body of the Rev. Mr. Owen Thomas, who departed this life Nov. 12th 1760, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
In yonder house I spent my breath,
And now lie slumbering here in death;
Those lips shall wake, and then declare
Amen! to truths they published there."
http://www.hbchurch.info/about/our-history/
"Hephzibah Baptist Church is celebrating it's 290th anniversary the 3rd weekend in May, 2010. The prominent Chester County historians Futhey and Cope describe Hephzibah's humble beginnings in their book 'History of Chester County, Pennsylvania' in the following way:
'About 1720, Rev. Owen Thomas, who had come from Wales . . . in 1707, was the first Baptist minister laboring regularly in Newlin Township. He preached at John Bentley's house. After the death of John Bentley the meetings were held at the house of his son, Jeffrey Bentley, who in 1752 gave a lot of ground and built a meeting house.'
That meeting house is gone now but the cemetery associated with it still exists just three miles down the road just across the Brandywine. This was the original site for the gatherings of Baptist believers who would years later relocate to our present site on Hephzibah hill."
http://www.newrivernotes.com/other_states_delaware_religion_welshtractbaptistchurch.htm
"History of the Welsh Tract Baptist Church
Pencander Hundred, New Castle County, Pennsylvania (now Delaware)
[NOTE: This is the text of a published history of this church, prepared in 1952 (no copyright claimed).]
PREFACE
In sending forth this short history of Welsh Tract Church, (The oldest Old School Baptist church in America) it is with the desire that our people may be better informed as to the early days of the church in this country.
The minutes, church covenant, rules, etc., that are republished are copied from the original, just as recorded in the early days. . . . May this book be of much interest, and a source of information to our readers is our humble desire. D. V. SPANGLER.
OUR BEGINNING AS A CHURCH
In the year 1701 some of us (who were members of the churches of Jesus Christ in the countys of Pembroke and Caermarthen, South Wales in Great Britain, professing believers baptism; laying- on-of-hands; election; and final perseverance in grace) were moved and encouraged in our own minds to come to these parts, viz. Pennsylvania; and after obtaining leave of the churches it seemed goed to the Lord and to us, That we should be formed into church order, as we were a sufficient number: and as one of us was a minister: that was accomplished and, withal letters commendatory were given us, that if we should meet with any congregations or christian people, who held the same faith with us, we might be received by them as brethren in Christ.
Our number was sixteen: and, after bidding farewell to our brethren in Wales, we sailed from Milford-haven in the month of June, the year above mentioned, in a ship named James and Mary; and landed in Philadelphia the eighth of September following.
After landing, we were received in a loving manner (on account of the gospel) by the congregation meeting in Philadelphia and Pennepek who held the same faith with us (excepting the ordinance of Laying-on-of-hands on every particular member) with whom we wished much to hold communion at the Lord's table; but we could not be in fellowship with them in the Lord's supper; because they bore not testimony for God touching the fore-mentioned ordinance.
There were some among them who believed in the ordinance: but it was neither preached up, nor practiced in that church: for which cause we kept separate from them for some years. We had several meetings on this account, but could not come to any agreement; yet were in union with them (except only in the Lord 's-supper, and some particulars relative to a church).
After our arrival we lived much scattered for about a year and a half, yet kept up our weekly and monthly meetings among ourselves: during which time it pleased God to add to our number about twenty members, in which time we, and many other Welsh people purchased a tract of land in New Castle County, on Delaware, which was called Welsh Tract: in the year 1703 we began to get our living out of it, and to set our meetings in order, and build a place of worship which was commonly known by the name of, The Baptist meeting house by the Iron-hill.
In the year 1706 we, and the congregation (meeting in Philadelphia and Pennepek) appointed a meeting to come together once more, in order to try at union in the good ways of the Lord setting up our prayers and supplications on this great occasion and purposing to do as the Lord should give us light.
The following considerations induced us to come to the above appointment.
(1) Because they and we were desirous of union in the privileges of the Gospel.
(2) Because we were not like to gain them by keeping asunder from them.
(3) Because they without were taking occasion to mock because of so much variance among the Baptists.
(4) Because some of our members were far from us, and near them; and some of theirs near us and far from them; and that these members might sit down in the meetings next to them.
(5) Because, as we all came to the yearly meetings, we might have a general union at the Lord's-table.
In the said meeting (after seeking God by prayers and supplication) we came to the following conclusion. viz.: That they with us and we with them might hold transient or occasional communion; but that we might not be obliged to receive into membership any that were not under laying-on-of-hands.
This agreement was set down in writing as follows:
'At the house of Richard Miles in Radnor, Chester County, and province of Pennsylvania, July 22, 1706. The agreement of many persons met together from the congregation under the care of brother Thomas Griffith, and others, from the congregation (late under the care of our Church --
[Two pages missing in the text at this point]
Communion and the truth of grace (as we hope) in some good measure upon one another spirits. We do solemnly join ourselves together in holy union and fellowship, humbly submitting to the Discipline of the Gospel and all holy duty required of people in such a spiritual relation.
lst. We do promise & engage to walk in all holin'ss, godliness, humility and brotherly love, as much as in us lieth to render our communion delightful to God, and comfortable to ourselves and to the rest of the Lord's people.
2nd We do promise to watch over each others conversation, and not to suffer sin upon one another so far as God shall discover it to us, or any of us, and to stir up one another to love and do good works, to warn, rebuke and admonish one another with meekness according to the rules left by Christ in that behalf, &c.
3rd We do promise in an especial manner to pray for one another and for the glory and increase of His church and for the presence of God in it, and the pouring forth of His spirit on it, and His protection over it to His glory.
4th. We do promise to bear one anothers burdens and infirmities, to cleave to one another and to have fellow feeling with one another in all conditions both outward and inward as God in His providence shall cast any of us into.
5th. We do promise to bear with one anothers weakness and failings with much tenderness not discovering to any without the Church, nor within unless according to Christ's rule and the order of the Gospel provided in that cause.
6th. We do promise to strive together for the truths of the Gospel and purity of God's ways and ordinances to avoid causes, occasions of divisions and endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Eph. 4:3.
7th. We do promise to meet together on Lord's days, and at other times as the Lord shall give us opportunities to serve and glorify God in the way of his worship, to edifie one another and contrive the good of His Church, &c.
8th. We do promise according to our ability, or as God shall bless us with the good things of this world to communicate to the necessity of the church.
These and all other Gospel duties we humbly submit unto promising and purposing to perform. Not in our own strength being conscious of our own weakness, but in the power and strength of the blessed God, whose we are, and whom we desire to serve, to whom be glory now and forevermore. Amen.
We whose names are under written, endeavored to adhere to the foregoing rules:
Thomas Griffith Thomas Wild
Elisha Thomas Samuel Wild
Enoch Morgan Thomas John
James James Thomas John
Evan Edmond Lewis Philip
Griffith Nicholas John Devonald
Edward Edwards Samuel Griffith
Richard Owen David Thomas
Hugh David Rees Jones
John Griffith Mary Wallace
John Philips Elinor John
Antony Matthew Elinor Morris
Rees David Hannah Mileher
Thomas Evans Mary David
Thomas Edmond Jane James
Thomas Morris Elizabeth John
Arther Mileher Luce Edmond
Jenkin Jones Joan Morgan
John Bolton Rebeka Edward
John Edward Caterine Edward
Hugh Morris Rebeka John
As the Church was composed of Welsh People, the preaching for about one hundred years was in the Welsh language.
This was one of the five original churches forming the Philadelphia Association in 1707, and according to history was for many years the most influential member of that body.
Ministers who have served this church as pastors are as follows in order:
Thomas Griffith, Elisha Thomas, M. E. Thomas, Enoch Morgan, Owen Thomas, . . .
THOSE WHO WERE EXCOMMUNICATED
The names of those who were excommunicated from the church together with the various reasons thereof:
In the year 1714 Magdalen Morgan because she withstood the advice of the church relative to unscemingly dress which even the world thought to be unbecoming and which she wore and because the brethren learned that she neglected the church meeting and worship and because she refused to listen to the church through the messengers sent to her that she might not bring reproach on the church.
Joseph James because his associates are godless men and he spends his time with loud talkers and in the midst of disorderly nights carried to a great extreme. These two above mentioned were excommunicated by the decision of the church from its membership at the monthly meeting of the church Ap: 4, 1714.
In the year 1714 Evan Edmonds and Cathrine Edwards were excommunicated because they persisted in giving cause for men to judge and carry the scandal that they misbehaved themselves together in keeping company too often and too unseemiy, and because they withstood the advice of the church that they should not keep company together until they should be able to clear themselves from the scandal that they were bringing upon themselves: after waiting two years, without any change manifesting itself in their relations, it was determined in the monthly meeting of the church to excommunicate them from the church membership until such time as they should become blameless and should clear themselves of the scandal.
It was so announced July 3, 1714.
In the year 1716 Griffith Nicholas was turned out of the church for the following reasons:--
Hebroke his promise which he had made relative to a matter of business that existed between him and Brother Thomas John from Bryn. For this reason they both asked the church to arbitrate between them and they both promised to abide by the decision of the church in the settlement of the matter between them. Griffith Nicholas after making this compact broke it through disobedience of every single judgment of the church and not only that but he brought reproach on the church by asserting that the judgmen of the church was unrighteous. At this time in 1726 Griffith Nicholas, repenting his action, fulfilled his obligation.
In the year 1717 Richard Lewis was turned out of the church because he kept unseemly company with his neighbor's wife and because he withstood the counsel of the church in urging him to clear himself from a reproach such as he was under. He was excommunicated until he acquainted himself with his faults and cleared himself satisfactorily to the church.
On April 4, 1717 John Pain was turned out of the church for gross misconduct in his life and for disobeying the rules of the church. John Pain afterwards repented in 1723.
In the year 1720 Richard Scary was cast out of the church the crimes against him as followeth:
May 31st, 1713 there were laid to his charge by the church two things (1) that the said Richard fakely accused this congregation of charging him with asserting that he expected salvation by his works.
(2) Affirming that the signing the articles of this congregation was partly imposed on him, which two accusations were found to be scandalous and therefore he to be under the censure of the church till penitent.
(3) And after that in the time following absenting himself from the meeting and disorderly communing with other people without giving the least notice to the church of which he was a member.
(4) About a year and one-half after when called by the church he was examined again about the aforesaid things but he lightly regarded the church and its counsel.
(5) And again at the same time the church condescended for to consider and contrive (if so be he was desirous for conscience sake in regard to those things in which he differed from the church in judgment, to transplant himself to another particular church which he liked best)-the most and best regular way in order for to have dismission from us and our commendation to that church. This also he slighted and regarded not.
(6) In consideration of the aforesaid particulars he was deemed to be a covenant breaker in regard to the church covenant.
Mary Rees was dismembered January 5th, 1723 the reasons being as follows: She withstood the advice of the church namely that she should not be attracted to a man who sought to speak with her relative to her marrying him. Withstanding this advice she listened to this man and married him in opposition to the advice and warning of her christian brethren and of her natural father. In this the church looks upon her as having broken the church covenant and also having broken her marriage vows with her other husband because neither she nor we know but he is yet alive. This terminates only on the death of one or the other."
http://www.pbministries.org/History/S.%20Hassell/church_of_god_18.htm
"The WELSH TRACT CHURCH, whose meeting-house is two miles from Newark, in New Castle County, Delaware, is the oldest Old School Baptist Church in the United States, and the only American Baptist Church that was regularly organized in Europe before emigrating to this country. It was constituted, in the spring of 1701, by sixteen Baptists in the counties of Pembroke and Caermarthen, in South Wales, with Thomas Griffith, one of their number, as their pastor. A 'Church Emigrant,' they embarked at Milford Haven in June, 1701, and landed at Philadelphia September 8th, 1701. They first settled about Pennypack, near Philadelphia, where they continued about a year and a half, and where their membership increased to thirty-seven. Then they procured land in Northern Delaware from Messrs. Evans, Davis and Willis, who had purchased upwards of 30,000 acres of William Penn, called the 'Welsh Tract,' and in 1703 they removed to that location, and built, near Iron Hill, a small meeting-house, which stood until 1746, and was then succeeded by the present substantial stone house of worship. In the yard around the house rest the bodies of many of the pastors and members who, during almost two centuries, have met and joined here in the service of God. The Welsh Tract Church was one of the five original churches that, in 1707, formed the Philadelphia Baptist Association (the oldest Baptist Association in America), and for many years it was the most influential member of that body. The Philadelphia Confession of Faith, published by this Association in 1742, was the old London Confession of 1689, with two other Articles, added principally through the influence of the Welsh Tract Church Article 23, Of Singing of Psalms (in Public Worship), and Article 31, Of Laying on of Hands (on all Baptized Believers). Until 1732 the Church Book was kept in the Welsh language; and for about seventy years the pastors were of Welsh extraction. The Welsh are the most conservative people in Europe, their language and customs having undergone no radical changes for some twenty centuries. Mr. David Benedict speaks, in strong terms, of 'the order, intelligence and stability of the Welsh Baptist Churches in America, and their sound, salutary and efficient principles.' The pastors of Welsh Tract Church have been as follows; Thomas Griffith, Elisha Thomas, Enoch Morgan, Owen Thomas . . ."
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| Person ID |
I41853 |
Complete |
| Last Modified |
30 Aug 2015 |
| Family |
Eleanor Unknown, b. Abt. 1680, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales , d. 9 Oct 1764, Vincent, Chester County, Pennsylvania (Age ~ 84 years) |
| Children |
| | 1. Elizabeth Thomas |
| | 2. Rachel Thomas |
| + | 3. Sarah Thomas, b. 2 Jul 1713, Willistown, Chester County, Pennsylvania |
| | 4. Owen Thomas, b. Abt. 1714, Pennsylvania |
| + | 5. Morris Thomas, b. 23 Apr 1718, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , d. 13 Jan 1796, Hardy County, Virginia, U.S.A. (Age 77 years) |
| | 6. Mary Thomas, b. Abt. 1720, d. Dec 1796, Loudoun County, Virginia, U.S.A. (Age ~ 76 years) |
| + | 7. Elder David Thomas, b. 16 Aug 1732, London Tract, Bucks County, Pennsylvania , d. Abt. 1815, Fayette, Fayette County, Kentucky, U.S.A. (Age 82 years) |
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| Last Modified |
4 Sep 2014 |
| Family ID |
F18044227 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Event Map |
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 | Born - 27 Mar 1677 - Gwrgodllys, Cilmanllwyd Parish, Pembroke, Wales, United Kingdom |
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 | Died - 12 Nov 1760 - Yellow Springs, Chester County, Pennsylvania |
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