Lewis Thomas (1832-1913)

Lewis Thomas known as the Coal King could easily have been considered to be be the "Father of Blackstone", much like George Thorn was known as the "Father of Ipswich".

Ipswich had a distinct Welsh community for many years and there is still a United Welsh Church at Blackstone and a St David’s Society (St David is the patron saint of Wales.

There were a few Welsh people among the early arrivals in Ipswich. One of the best-known was Lewis Thomas who arrived in 1859 and, after working for a short time on railway construction, went into partnership in a coal mine. He later bought out his partner and in 1866, began to mine the rich Aberdare seam of coal at Blackstone. A Welsh community began to establish itself in the 1880s when a group of young men arrived from Wales and started to work for Lewis Thomas.

The community started a Welsh Church and choirs such as the Cambrian Choir which is still in existence. The first Welsh singing competition (eisteddfod) was held in the Welsh Church on New Year’s Day 1887. A junior eisteddfod is still held in Ipswich every year.

Blackstone School opened in 1887. The Welsh people had requested a headmaster who could speak Welsh and English but the Minister for Public Instruction refused the request. A school inspector was later to comment on the difficulties experienced by the children who often spoke English at school and Welsh at home.