John Henry Thomas was born in Hastings, a suburb of Freetown of Recaptive parents, and his father died when he was three years old.
He promoted trade between Colony and "up-country", served as Mayor of Freetown eight times, and became an unofficial member of the Legislative Council in 1907.
Malamah Thomas started school in 1845, but the family's straitened circumstances made it necessary for him to spend the better part of his time helping his mother in her bid to make ends meet.
Bringing his twenty-three years of commercial experience to bear upon the running of the business, it quickly expanded and prospered, and Thomas became one of the leading merchants in the city.
The beautiful "Malamah House" he built at East Street stands today as an eloquent monument of his commercial prowess and success.