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Daniel Budd Thomas
Daniel B. Thomas was born on 4/3/1917 in the small town of Rye, New York. He lived at 2 School Street with his father James , his mother Irene, his brother Harold, his sister Irene and her husband Stanley Benard. The house that James Thomas owned was valued at $10,000 ($190,000 current day ). Daniel's father was born in England and worked as a carpenter while his mother and the rest of the children were all born in New York.
Growing up in Rye, Daniel and his family were members of Christ Church. He was a graduate of the class of 1937 from Rye High School, where he was a member of the Track Team, the Self Reliant Club and the Fingerprint Club.
He would work assisting his father as a carpenter until 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S Coast Guard and served as a Petty Officer First Class.
After his service in the Coast Guard, he was married, Miss Ruth Drummond and Daniel B. Thomas Marry They would build a home together in Greenwich, CT in 1949 and would live there for the next 45 years.
Daniel might have moved but his heart was still in Rye, he worked with the Historical Society for years on many projects.
In the 1960's he was still working as a master carpenter and building consultant, assisting in the restoration of the Square House in Rye.
He was direct descendent of the former and most famous owners of the Square House, the Havilands, when it was a colonial tavern.
In an article from the Rye Chronicle September 18, 1969 we find the following: Historical Society To See Color Film
"Daniel B.
Thomas, restoration carpenter at
the Square House, will discuss antique woodworking tools from his
large collection and illustrate how
he has used them in restoring the
building. The program as a whole
ties in with the exhibit on antique
woodworking and blacksmith tools
now showing at the Square House
Museum.
Mr. Thomas is a master craftsman through interest and also
through tradition. His father was
a carpenter; and the contracting
firm of his grandfather and great
uncles built the Rye Presbyterian
Church, railroad bridges and stations for the old New Haven railroad and the home in Pocantico
Hills of the original John D. Rockefeller."
FINDING CLUES ON STRUCTURE RYE HISTORIC SQUARE HOUSE
Daniel would pass away on September 17, 1988. He was survived at the time by his wife Ruth, his two sons, David and Daniel and his daughter Mellissa.
Matthew Franco RHS 2021
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