GEORGE THOM

Progenitor of The Thom Family In South Africa

George, the son of William Thom and Barbara Sherrif, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on the eighteenth of June 1789.

He joined the Congregational Church under Dr John Phillip, and later studied for service with the London Missionary Society at Gosport, under Dr Brogue. Ordained in 1812, he set off for India aboard the 'Isabella' traveling with Rev John Campbell. They arrived in Cape Town in October of that year and were met by John Moffat. He liked Cape Town, and saw the need for some Calvinistic leadership, so he wrote to the London Missionary Society asking for permission to stay in the Cape.

In 1814 he married Christina Louisa Meyer, who died giving birth to their only child, George Whitefield Thom. Three years later he married Cornelia Maria Vos. They had eleven children.

Amongst his more notable achievements were:

1) The publishing in 1818 of 'The Caves of Southern Africa' , with the proceeds going to missionary work. The book was subscribed by, amongst others, Burchell. 2) Proposals submitted to Lord Somerset and Col. Bird to educate the Slaves. 3) His appointment as Minister at Caledon in 1819 and then later in Tulbagh. 4) In 1820 (the year the British Settlers arrived at the Cape) he and his family set off for London aboard the 'Duke of Marlborough'. (His third son, James Nisbet Thom, was born in London.) While in the British Isles, he recruited Ministers and Teachers on behalf of the London Missionary Society for work in South Africa.

George died in Cape Town on the eleventh of May 1842, and he was buried under the floor of 'die Groote Kerk' (the big church).

Many of his ancestors had profound effects on the history of S.A and many became Ministers too.

A Simple Family Tree

William Thom m. Barbara Sherriff

son, George Thom (1789) --- Marriage 1 --- Christina L. Meyer

7George W. Thom

George Thom (1789) --- Marriage 2 --- Cornelia M. Vos

7William Thom

7James N. Thom

7John B. Thom

7Henry V. Thom

7Maria J. Thom

7Hester M. Thom

7David J. Thom

7Michiel C. V. Thom (my G.G.Grandfather)

7Anna Thom

7Georgina W. Thom

7Cornelius W. J. Thom

If anyone has any information on William Thom and Barbara Sherrif, please contact me (Craig Thom) at

PO Box 37295, Chempet, 7442, South Africa, as I have been unable to find their parents. (I have got the details of his brothers and sisters)

Also if you require a detailed Descendancy Chart, I will gladly send you one.

Regards,

Craig Thom

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