The Rev. Thomas Barton
Memorial Stone to
The Rev. Thomas Barton
1730 – 1780
British Missionary who served for 19 years with distinction as third rector of St. James Church 1759-1778. True to his ordination vows, he remained loyal to the Crown during the American Revolution. Political differences between him and the Patriot members of his congregation caused the church to be closed in 1776 for the duration of the War. After his resignation as Rector in 1778, he was given military escort to a point within the British Lines in New York City and denied right of return to Penna. Separated from his children, parishioners and friends, he became incurably ill and died in 1780. He was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ and valiant soldier who, despite indescribable suffering and hardship, remained steadfast in his convictions even to the end.
Marker can be reached from the intersection of Orange Street and N Cherry Street, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
