The land that would become Purchase College was first settled by the Thomas family in 1734.
John Thomas served as an assemblyman in colonial New York from 1743 to 1776.
He served as a judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Westchester and a Muster-Master.
Judge Thomas was an early supporter of American independence.
Robert Bolton wrote in History of Westchester County that Thomas was "a warm Whig" who gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York at the White Plains courthouse on July 11, 1776.
On March 22, 1777, Thomas was imprisoned by the British and died on May 2, 1777.

John Thomas' sons, John Thomas, Jr. and Thomas Thomas, also fought for American independence.
Thomas Thomas was later appointed a General.
He is buried at the Thomas family graveyard, which is located behind the Neuberger Museum of Art on the campus of Purchase College.
A tall, white stone obelisk commemorates General Thomas and his family.

In 2019, Thomas J. Schwarz announced that he was stepping down from his role as President after 18 years of service.
State University of New York Board of Trustees has appointed Dennis Craig as interim president of Purchase College effective on August 1, 2019.
The land that would become Purchase College was first settled by the Thomas family in 1734. John Thomas served as an assemblyman in colonial New York from 1743 to 1776. He served as a judge for the Court of Common Pleas in Westchester and a Muster-Master. Judge Thomas was an early supporter of American independence. Robert Bolton wrote in History of Westchester County that Thomas was "a warm Whig" who gave the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence in New York at the White Plains courthouse on July 11, 1776. On March 22, 1777, Thomas was imprisoned by the British and died on May 2, 1777.
John Thomas' sons, John Thomas, Jr. and Thomas Thomas, also fought for American independence. Thomas Thomas was later appointed a General. He is buried at the Thomas family graveyard, which is located behind the Neuberger Museum of Art on the campus of Purchase College. A tall, white stone obelisk commemorates General Thomas and his family.
In 2019, Thomas J. Schwarz announced that he was stepping down from his role as President after 18 years of service. State University of New York Board of Trustees has appointed Dennis Craig as interim president of Purchase College effective on August 1, 2019.
State University of New York at Purchase