Walsh, Thomas (1730–1759)

Son of an Irish carpenter, and raised Roman Catholic, Thomas Walsh was gifted in language study and for a while operated a school. Initially contemplating the priesthood, Walsh came to doubt some teachings of the Catholic church. In this time of questioning he found spiritual assurance among the Methodists. In 1750 he met JW, who convinced him to become a traveling preacher. Over the next nine years he would serve mainly in Ireland, but with stints in England and Wales as well. JW held a deep affection for him, and maintained that there was no word in the Hebrew or Greek of the Bible whose occurrence and meaning Walsh could not cite. See Atmore, Memorial, 438–43; DEB, 1154; EMP 3:11–292; and Vickers, Dictionary, 368.