Thomas Jones – Biography
Birth: December 24, 1810
Death: September 16, 1849
Native Place: Berriew
Country: United Kingdom
Place of Service: North East India
Thomas Jones was a missionary from England, best known for his pioneering work among the Khasi tribes in Assam and Meghalaya, India. He was born in Berriew, Wales, in 1810. From a young age, Thomas helped his father with carpentry to support their family. Because of financial difficulties, he could not continue his formal education. However, he was deeply involved in church activities and began preaching at the age of 25.
Jones offered himself to the London Missionary Society (LMS) for missionary work, but his request was turned down because of his weak health. Despite this setback, he was confident in his calling from God. In 1840, he helped establish the Calvinistic Methodist Foreign Missionary Society (CMFMS) to send missionaries overseas.
As he prayed and planned for his future mission, God opened a door for him to serve in North East India. Together with his wife Anne, Thomas sailed to India and reached Calcutta in April 1841. From there, they began a long and difficult journey to the Khasi Hills. With no friends or support, they traveled mostly on foot and finally reached Cherrapunji, which is about 4,000 feet above sea level.
In the beginning, it was not easy for Jones to build relationships with the local people. But he used his carpentry and farming skills to connect with them and share the Gospel in a practical way.
Ministry in India
Thomas Jones dedicated himself to learning the Khasi language, which had no written form at the time. He created a writing system for it and translated the Gospel of Matthew into Khasi. He also compiled and published the first Khasi dictionary. Through his preaching and social work, he helped start a new era of spiritual, cultural, and educational growth in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Jones faced many hardships during his ministry. Within four years of his arrival in India, he lost both his child and his wife. Despite the pain and the challenges of the tropical climate, he continued to preach tirelessly. Sadly, he fell ill with malaria and passed away at the young age of 39 in 1849.
Thomas Jones’s work left a lasting legacy. His contribution to the Khasi language and his service to the people of Meghalaya are still remembered with deep respect. The people of Meghalaya honor his arrival day, June 22, as “Rev. Thomas Jones Day”, which is observed as a state holiday. His life remains an inspiring example of faith, courage, and dedication to God’s mission.