| 1894 5 Jun |
Thornton Chase became a Bahá'í in Chicago. [BBD53; BFA1:35–6]
For some time before he heard of the Bahá'í Faith, he had been a follower of the noble and mystical teachings of Emanuel Swedenborg. [SEBW3]
He was designated by `Abdu'l-Bahá as the first American believer. [BBD53; GPB257]
See BFA1:35 for his own account of how he became a Bahá'í.
See BFA1:33–7 for other Americans who became Bahá'ís around the same time.
He was given the name Thábit (Steadfast) by `Abdu'l-Bahá. [BBD53; GPB257]
He had been invited to join the Hearst pilgrimage in 1898 but was unable to go to the Holy Land until 1907. [AY61] |
Thornton Chase; First Bahá'ís by country or area; Names and titles; Emanuel Swedenborg; Chicago, IL; USA |
First American Bahá'í |
Canada 
