Thomas Jefferson Golson
1849-1927

Biographical Sketch of Thomas J. Golson

Thomas Jefferson Golson was born in 1848, near Fort Deposit, Ala. He came from a strong Methodist family and was one himself. He was a man of strong convictions, very honest with himself and others. He was married in 1871 to Mary Ann Johnston at Morgan­ville, Ala., near McGee's Switch. About four years later he came to Strata and talked to the brethren there. In a few months he came back and obeyed the gospel. This showed Brother Golson did not make snap-shot decisions, but continuously studied the word of God, and then acted on what he learned to be the truth. His beloved wife was a great help to him in studying and preparing his early lessons.

Brother Golson had a gradual growth as a Christian. First he waited on the Lord's Table, and made short talks. Then he began to preach the gospel.

Brother Golson was a Dutchman and used the full accent of Dutch speech. This at the first hearing made it difficult to understand all the words he used. He was proud of being a Dutchman and with that splendid natural wit, he was always able to meet anything that might be said about his speech.

Brother Golson believed the whole truth. He proclaimed a full gospel, stressing obedience to every command. He always held up the sad fate of the will of the Lord. It is said that some good sister asked Brother Golson once why he did not preach more of the love and mercy of God, and not so much of hell fire and damnation. On his next appointment he related the conversation. and explained that the Bible still con­tained all these threats, and he believed them true, as he did the reward of eternal life to the faithful, obedient children of God. He also stated that he had a great fear of eternal fire, and earnestly begged men to obey God and not to be cast into the lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Brother Golson not only taught clearly and forcefully the first principles of the gospel, but was earnest in his appeal to the church to observe all things commanded them by Christ. He believed and taught that no man could be a Christian without making a sacrifice; that it cost time, effort, and money to be well pleas­ing to God. He was not afraid nor ashamed to teach and stress a complete obedience to all that God commanded.

Brother Golson possibly baptized more people than any preacher of his day in South Alabama. This convinces me that the positive style of preaching after all is the kind that carries conviction. There was no compromise in any preaching he did.

Brother Golson died at his son's, T. J., Jr., in Tharon, Ala., in 1927. So sleeps a faithful and beloved servant of the Lord, waiting the final and glorious day. It can be truly said of him, "He being dead, yet speaketh."

May this feeble effort to write of my beloved brother in Christ arouse many who knew him best to a more active life. May we still remember his plea for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.

-W.T. Grider, Under the column, Being Dead Yet Speaketh, Sound Doctrine Magazine, Sound Doctrine, page 7, Vol. ????, Year ????

Directions To Grave

Thomas Jefferson Golson, along with his wife Mary, and other family members are buried in the Fair Prospect Cemetery in southern Montgomery County, Alabama. If heading south on I-65 proceed past the I-85 interchange and take Exit 168 (Hwy.80) and go east (left if traveling south). Signs on this exit will also direct you toward Hwy 331. Go east about one mile and turn south on Hwy 331. Travel 28 miles south to mile marker 77. You will come up on County Road 68 (Naftel Rd.) on the left. Don't turn there. Less than 100 yards past the Naftel Rd. turn off on the right hand side is a driveway. The mailbox numbers showed 24730 & 24680, Hwy. 331. Note a little dirt road that heads back north up into a wooded area. At the end is the Fair Prospect Cemetery. In the middle of the cemetery you will find the grave of Thomas J. Golson.

Also buried at Fair Prospect: Col. M.L. Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick, along with J.M. Barnes and Samuel Jordan started a school together in 1881 called, Highland Home College. Kilpatrick was the brother-in-law of J.M. Barnes and co-proprietor in the college for a period of time. It was a school that served the brotherhood for many years. See more on this school HERE! 

Also Located In The Fair Prospect Cemetery Is This Monument Dedicated To 
The Person And Work Of J.M. Barnes - Contributed Photos By Ken Golson

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