Ira W. Thomas Papers
A collection of diaries, notes, and other memorabilia related to the life and work of Ira W. Thomas, a 20th century preacher in North Carolina. His diaries depict his work beginning in 1872 until his death in 1922. The collection includes sermons, notes, and accounting records from this same period. The collection also includes newspaper clippings mentioning Smith's work as well as articles announcing his death.
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Summary Information
- Repository
- Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives
- Title
- Ira W. Thomas Papers
- Date
- 1872-1922 (inclusive)
- Extent
- 1.68 Linear Feet / 4 legal letter boxes
- ID
- MS660
Biographical and Historical Note
Ira W. Thomas was a Baptist minister in northwestern North Carolina. Born in Hiddenite in Alexander County, N.C., Thomas was educated at Wake Forest College. After graduating in 1872, he began his ministerial career and his first diary. He married Julia Garvey in 1874, and with her raised nine children, all of whom survived to adulthood.
Thomas had a long career in Baptist churches and associations in western North Carolina. Beginning in 1872, he served as an itinerant minister and teacher for Sulphur Springs (Hiddenite) and other Baptist churches in Alexander and Iredell Counties. He eventually settled in Caldwell County and served as pastor of Lower Creek Baptist Church in Lenoir, N.C.; First Baptist Church of Lenoir, N.C.; and First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock, N.C., which he helped found. Thomas also served as itinerant pastor for many other Baptist churches in Caldwell County, including King's Creek, North Catawba, Fleming's Chapel, Blair's Fork, Second Baptist of Lenoir, First Baptist of Whitnel, Pisgah, and Drexel. In addition to his pastorates, Thomas served terms as Superintendent of Public Instruction for Caldwell County, and was moderator of the Caldwell County Baptist Association. His obituary in the Granite Falls News described him as "one of the best men who ever lived in the county. He was a big-hearted, broad-minded person and was a friend to all. His work has been of the very highest character and he is well know and loved throughout the entire county, as well as the State."
Collection Overview
The Ira W. Thomas papers (1872-1922) provide a glimpse into the daily life of a rural Baptist minister at the turn of the 19th century.In his diaries,Thomas describes baptisms, weddings, deathbeds, camp meetings, and Sunday Schools, and the effects of World War I on his community. He also describes the farming by which he and his family made a living, and his friendships and associations with other Baptist leaders and families. His sermons provide echoes of these same themes, referencing World War I in a discussion of peacemaking, and even providing a stance on one of the period's more controversial issues: prohibition. Additionally, the letters saved by Thomas from various Baptist conventions provide insight into the church hierarchy of that period. The collections features materials ranging from Thomas' early years as a minister up until his death in 1922. The majority of this collection consists of text in the form of diaries, sermon notes, and newspaper clippings.
Collection Arrangement
Organized into four series. Series 1: Diaries; Series 2: Religious Materials, with subseries Sermon Notes, Sermons/ Lectures, Eulogies, and Letters; Series 3: Printed Materials; Series 4: Records. Arranged chronologically. When no date, arranged alphabetically.
Administrative Information
- Publication Information
- Martha Fulton
- Revision Description
- Revised by Stephanie Bennett, March 2016
- Conditions Governing Access note
- This collection is open for use.
- Copyright Notice
- The nature of the WFU Z.Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The Archives and Special Collections of ZSR Library claims only physical ownership of most materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to the U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.
- Preferred Citation
- Ira W. Thomas Papers, MS 660, Z. Smith Reynolds Library Special Collections and Archives, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.