Charles Thomas was a native of Wales who emigrated to the American Colonies approximately 40 years prior to the Revolution and settled in Buckingham County, Virginia.  

Charles Thomas served under General Washington during the American Revolutionary War, and was in the army which secured the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781.  After the close of the war, he returned to his farm in Virginia and, a short time later, he moved with his family to Patrick County, Virginia where he farmed.  Charles also acted as Gentleman Justice for many years and was high Sheriff of the county two terms.  

Charles also hunted to help feed his large family and he kept a record of the animals he killed.  The list included 300 deer, 65 bears and 44 panthers.  

Charles married Judith Patterson Ripley and they had 8 children  One of his daughters, Mary Judith “Polly” Thomas, married John Whitt Nowlin in 1799. The spelling of the name Nowlin was later changed to Nolen.