Jane Thomas

Jane Thomas (c. 1720–April 16, 1811) was the wife of John Thomas, a colonel in South Carolina who fought for the rebels in the American Revolution. She passed key intelligence that thwarted an ambush of Whig forces.

William J. Bennett and John T. E. Cribb state that Jane Thomas' intervention before "the Battle of Cedar Springs helped launch a resurgence of Patriot fortunes in South Carolina, and brought a much-needed boost in morale." Patriots, also called rebels, were dedicated in the opposition to being ruled by the British. For them, the conflict was a War of Independence. Thomas and her family attended the Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church.

In 1762, they moved to what is now Spartanburg County, South Carolina, settling near where Fairforest Creek Thomas was one of the first members of the Fairforest Presbyterian Church, the church that she was affiliated with for much of the rest of her life. The building was made of logs in the 1770s. Thomas and her husband owned enslaved people.

At the Thomases' house, Ferguson took what he could, including enslaved people, household goods, and their livestock. The result was that anything that the soldiers could carry away was taken, and they attempted to destroy their home and farm. On July 12, 1780, the day after hearing the news Jane Thomas resolved to notify the rebels of the news, and left quickly from Ninety Six, riding 60 miles to relay the information to her son of the impending attack. She arrived at night, having evaded the enemy.

A marker for "Col. John and Jane Thomas" is located in Greer, South Carolina. For Jane, the marker says,