Thomas Wight (Bandon) facts for kids
Thomas Wight was an important Irish writer who lived from 1640 to 1724. He was born in a town called Bandon in County Cork, Ireland. Thomas Wight is famous for writing the very first History of the Quakers in Ireland.
His father, Rice Wight, was a minister in the Church of Ireland in Bandon. His grandfather, also named Thomas Wight, A.M., was a minister too and came from Guildford, Surrey in England.
How Thomas Wight Became a Quaker
When Thomas Wight was young, he was learning to be a clothier. This meant he was training to make and sell clothes. One day, he went to a Quaker meeting. He was just curious about it at first.
At the meeting, he heard a powerful speech by a man named Francis Howgill. Francis Howgill said, "Before the eye can see, it must be opened; before the ear can hear, it must unstopped; and before the heart can understand, it must be illuminated." This message really made Thomas think.
Another person who helped Thomas understand the Quaker faith was Edward Burrough. Because of these influences, Thomas Wight decided to leave the Church of Ireland and become a Quaker himself.
His Life and Work
Thomas Wight got married in 1670 and had many children. He was very dedicated to his work, not just making clothes but also working as a commission agent. This meant he helped people buy and sell things for a fee. He was doing very well and might have become quite rich.
However, Thomas Wight had a big change in his life. He felt a strong spiritual calling that made him rethink his focus on money. He realized he couldn't chase both worldly wealth and his spiritual path at the same time. He decided to put his faith first.
Because he was a very good writer, he was chosen to be the clerk for the Quaker meeting in Cork. He also worked as a clerk for the whole region of Munster.
Thomas Wight also put together a detailed history of the Quaker movement in Ireland. He wrote it like a yearly record, called "annals," covering events up to the year 1700. This book became a very important record of the early Quakers in Ireland.
