_Of his birth and education._
THOMAS WALSH, was born in the year of our Lord 1730, at a place called _Bally Linn_, in the county, and within about ten miles of the city of _Limerick_ in _Ireland_. His father, _Edmund Walsh_, was by occupation a carpenter, a man of tolerable education, and strong natural understanding. His mother’s name was _Helena Nougham_, born of reputable parents. They were both members of, and entirely biggotted to the church of _Rome_.
When about eight years old, he was put to school to learn English (his mother tongue was _Irish_.) Afterwards he went to school to one of his brothers (of whom he had several) by whom he was initiated into the _Latin_ tongue. Having acquired its rudiments in some tolerable degree, he went afterwards into the neighbouring county of _Clare_, with a design to be put apprentice, his friends intending him to be of his father’s trade.
But God in his adorable providence and unsearchable wisdom, had, as the event shewed, other designs concerning him. Disappointed therefore in this he returned to school, and proceeded in his pursuit of learning; applying himself at present to the study of _Latin_, which he had but lately intermitted.
After he had made some considerable progress in this, he applied himself to the study of some parts of the _mathematicks_, for which he thought he had a better genius than for languages. He soon acquired the knowledge of arithmetic, both vulgar and decimal, measuring superficies and solids, &c. And afterwards went to the city of _Limerick_ in order to perfect himself in writing.
And now having continued at school till about the nineteenth year of his age, and having acquired such branches of literature as fitted him for being useful to others in the same way: he quitted school, and set up one for himself, wanting neither scholars nor ability to instruct them, which he did with success, during the time he continued his school.