On this historically significant day, the townspeople had a cookout and celebrated this noteworthy moment and what it meant for the future of Thomasville. Matthews explained in her book that John W. Thomas, the founder of Thomasville, made sure this was a celebrated event. In her book she wrote, “Mr. Thomas and his friends, his neighbors and their families, did all they could to render the happiness and pleasure of all that had assembled at their most beautiful and charming place.