May 11

May 11 The Top 9 American Revolutionaries Named Thomas

Thomas was a common first name during the American Revolution.

Today, I thought it would be fun to look at some of the most important Founders named Thomas.

Did I leave someone off the list? Is there a Tommy here who you think should be higher? Let me know!!!

A quick note: There were several Revolutionaries with the surname Thomas, but this list only looks Tommy’s who had this as their first name.

9. Thomas Stone

After studying law under Thomas Johnson (see below), Thomas Stone signed the Declaration of Independence.

Stone helped create the Articles of Confederation and was one of the main forces in finally getting Maryland to ratify this government.

As his State was the last to join the new government, Stone’s work essentially created the first organized United States.

8. Thomas Lynch Sr/Thomas Lynch Jr

This stop on our list is a two-for-one deal.

Both Thomas Lynch Sr and Thomas Lynch Jr were representing South Carolina in Philadelphia when the Declaration of Independence was signed.

Sadly, Sr had a stroke and Jr was sent to take care of him/replace him in Congress.

Only Lynch, Jr signed the Declaration as his father was too weak to attend.

It’s a shame, as they would have been the only father/son duo to sign that document.

7. Thomas Conway

Thomas Conway is the one person on this list who is important for doing something most people frown upon.

He tried to persuade people to remove George Washington as Commander of the Continental Army.

Granted, Washington was having a rough go of it at the time, but this still wasn’t a good idea.

The result was the Conway Cabal, which is named after Thomas.

It didn’t go well and Conway was shot in the mouth during a duel (don’t worry, he survived).

6. Thomas Fitzsimmons

Thomas Fitzsimmons was an important leader for Philadelphia’s Irish immigrant community.

This Thomas fought in the Revolutionary War, helped establish and run Pennsylvania’s Navy and served in the Continental Congress.

Most importantly, Fitzsimmons was the only Catholic to serve as a Delegate to the Constitutional Convention. His presence alone indicates a changing attitude toward different religions during the American Founding.

5. Thomas Johnson

Thomas Johnson attended the First Continental Congress and signed the Continental Association.

Johnson helped create Maryland’s Constitution and was elected as the State’s first Governor.

He was chosen by President Washington as an early Associate Justice of the Supreme Court but resigned shortly thereafter.

Johnson had the shortest term in the history of the Supreme Court...163 days.

4. Thomas Pinckney

Thomas Pinckney served as an aide-de-camp to Horatio Gates during the Revolutionary War.

Afterward, he was elected Governor of Virginia and sat as the Chairman of his State’s Constitutional Ratification Convention.

Pinckney crossed the sea to serve as Minister to Great Britain before returning home and running for Vice President on a ticket with John Adams.

3. Thomas Mifflin

Thomas Mifflin served as an early aide-de-camp to General Washington followed by Quartermaster General of the Continental Army.

Mifflin was then chosen a President of the Continental Congress where, at the end of the Revolutionary War, he was the one who accepted Washington’s resignation. He was also the one to oversee the ratification of the Treaty of Paris which ended the war.

This Thomas would then go to the Constitutional Convention and sign the resulting document.

Mifflin followed this up by becoming Governor of Pennsylvania.

2. Thomas Paine

Good old Tom Paine.

One of the most important writers of the American Revolution.

His work defined what it means to be an American more than anyone other than perhaps Thomas Jefferson.

Speaking of...

1. Thomas Jefferson

No surprise here.

If you’re reading an article about the American Revolution, you know who Thomas Jefferson is.

Author of the Declaration of Independence.

First Secretary of State.

Second Vice President.

Third President of the United States.

Enough Said.

If you liked this list, you’ll love the one I did about FOUNDERS NAMED GEORGE:

Revolutionary Georges: Founders with a Familiar First Name

I’m not the first person to cover two Thomas’ in one publication.

If you’d like to read a comparison of the careers of Paine and Jefferson, you can pick up the book below which discusses just that!

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).