Thomas Chilton (July 30, 1798 – August 15, 1854) was a U.S. Representative from Kentucky, a prominent Baptist clergyman, and the ghost writer of David Crockett's autobiography.
[1] In 1834 a Philadelphia publisher released a book titled Narrative of the Life of David Crockett of the State of Tennessee.
It had indeed been crafted by Chilton, from Crockett's written material and in response to questioning, but the agreement between these friends was absolute public silence on the matter.
After a century of historical suspicion the details were unearthed during research by Crockett biographer, James Atkins Shackford.
The first letter, written to his son John and dated January 10, 1834 says: I am ingaged in writing a history of my life and I have completed one hundred and ten pages and I have Mr. Chlton [sic] to Correct as I write it.The second letter, written to Messrs Cary & Hart, publishers, and dated February 23, 1834 says in part: I wish you also to understand that the Hon.
During a revival meeting, Chilton led to conversion his maternal cousin Robert Emmett Bledsoe Baylor.
After his first wife died in September 1842, he married a woman from his Talladega congregation and accepted a call to pastor the First Baptist Church of Montgomery, Alabama.
While delivering a sermon on August 15, 1854 he suddenly clutched his chest, collapsed, and died of a heart attack before the congregation.
It has been reported, incorrectly, that Thomas Chilton's gravestone in Montgomery County, Texas bears the middle initial "B".