Thomas Bacon (priest) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Bacon
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Bacon when rector at All Saints' Church, Frederick
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| Born | 1711/1712 |
| Died | May 24, 1768 (aged 57) |
| Occupation | Educator, priest |
| Spouse(s) | widow (d. 1750) Elizabeth Bozman Belchier (surviving) |
| Children | 5 |
Thomas Bacon (1711/1712 – 1768) was an Episcopal priest, a talented musician, a poet, and a writer. He was also a publisher. Many people thought he was the smartest person in Maryland during his time. Today, he is best known for being the first person to collect and organize all of Maryland's laws.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Thomas Bacon was likely born around 1711 or 1712. He was the oldest child of William Bacon and Elizabeth Richardson. He had an older half-brother named William and a younger brother named Anthony. Thomas was probably born on the Isle of Man or in Whitehaven, England.
He received a good education for his time. By the mid-1730s, Bacon was living in Dublin, Ireland. He worked for the government's customs service. He had also managed ships that carried coal between Whitehaven and Dublin.
In 1737, Bacon published his first book. It was about Ireland's taxes and trade rules. This book was very impressive. It led to him becoming a free citizen of Dublin. This gave him special rights and privileges.
By 1741, Bacon was married. He started publishing a newspaper called the Dublin Mercury. He also held auctions and ran a coffeehouse. He even published the official Irish newspaper, the Dublin Gazette, for a short time.
Becoming a Priest
Instead of continuing his businesses, Bacon decided to become a priest. He went back to the Isle of Man. There, he studied with Thomas Wilson, who was the Bishop of Sodor and Man.
Bishop Wilson made Bacon a deacon in September 1744. Then, in March 1745, he became a priest. He was ordained so he could go to the American colonies.
Bacon's brother, Anthony, had already moved to Maryland by 1733. Thomas sailed to Maryland soon after becoming a priest. He arrived in Talbot County. He helped the older priest of St. Peter's parish. When that priest died in 1746, Bacon was chosen to take his place.
Helping the Community
Thomas Bacon became well-known in Maryland. People in Annapolis, the colonial capital, knew him for his musical talents. He was also known for his great knowledge.
His most important work was collecting Maryland's laws. He started this project around 1753. The laws were finally published in three large books in 1765.
Bacon also cared deeply about education. He especially wanted to help African Americans learn about religion. He owned enslaved people himself. Starting in 1749, he published sermons. These talks encouraged slave owners to teach religion to the people they enslaved. He believed it was their duty.
Bacon started a school to teach African Americans. He received books from an Anglican organization called Thomas Bray. Two collections of his sermons were published in London. These books showed his strong belief in religious education for all.
In 1750, Bacon started a plan for a new school. It would offer free training for children. This school was open to all children, no matter their race, gender, or social status. He raised money by giving concerts in Maryland and Delaware. He even traveled to Williamsburg, Virginia to get support. The Charity Working School was built in 1755. It operated for some time.
In 1758, Bacon moved to a new, very large parish. This was All Saints' Parish in Frederick County. It covered most of Western Maryland. Sadly, during the French and Indian War, Bacon lost his only son, John. John was a soldier and was killed near Fort Cumberland. Three years after moving to Frederick, Bacon opened another charity school there.
Family Life
Thomas Bacon was married twice. He sailed from England with his first wife and his son, John. After his first wife passed away, Bacon remarried. In 1756, he married Elizabeth Bozman. She was the daughter of a well-known person from Talbot County.
Later Years and Legacy
Thomas Bacon died in Frederick on May 24, 1768. He left behind his wife, Elizabeth, and three daughters: Rachel, Elizabeth, and Mary.
Bacon's collection of Maryland's laws became very famous. The Lord Proprietor, who was a very important leader, gave Bacon a special gold snuff box as a gift. This showed how much his work was valued.
His grave site in Frederick was lost as the city grew. It might be under the current city hall or a nearby park. The old graveyard was moved to Mount Olivet cemetery in 1852.
Bacon's work on educating African Americans was remembered. Later, in 1813, a Virginian named William Meade published some of Bacon's writings. These writings discussed the importance of educating African Americans.
Both St. Peter's parish and All Saints' Church still exist today. They are a reminder of Thomas Bacon's work as a priest and community leader.
Images for kids
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Thomas Bacon when he was a priest at All Saints' Church in Frederick.
