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theology and history. He was a deeply learned person, and a savant. His writings on
abstruse subjects show a mind imbued with faith and reason. He was the confidant and
adviser to the Bishops of Kottayam. He was one of the founders and the first Vice
President of the Knanaya Catholic Congress. He melded western philosophy and Eastern
thought.

Mariamma coped with this intellectual – no easy task, as he lived in a rarified world of
concepts and ideas. But she was the practical person who worried about daily living and
the upbringing of the children. Thomas insisted on education, regardless of obstacles.
And all their children ended up well educated. The eldest was Annamma, born on March
7, 1918, and married James Vellappally. They had no children. Annamma traveled with
her aristocratic husband, saw the world, and made numerous friends. She published two
travelogues in Malayalam on Europe and America, which were well received by the
reading public. She also wrote profusely, and helped charitable causes closest to her
heart. She died on March 7, 1980, and her husband died on December 27, 1984. The next
child, James, born on May 14, 1920, became a lawyer in his father’s footsteps. He
married Leelamma Vellappally. After practicing law for several years, he founded the
Kerala Planters Association, for which he was the Secretary General for many years. He
wrote books on Company Law which are considered definitive works in legal circles. In
addition to his professional writings, he has published numerous books on the Bible,
several tracts and pamphlets on issues that concern the community. He was the President
of the Knanaya Catholic Congress. He is revered as a public-spirited leader, who speaks
his mind fearlessly, and is sought as a speaker and supporter of worthy causes. James had
several bouts with cancer, which he has successfully overcome. He carries on
nonchalantly, ready “to board the plane”, as he euphemistically says about death. Baby
(June 11, 1924) married Mathew Kandarappally, a planter. He died in a jeep accident in
1970. Baby herself succumbed to cancer and died in Milwaukee in 1994. Jose (October
24, 1926) also became a lawyer, though he took slightly longer to get there. He married
Gracy Theranthanathu, and is practicing law in Kottayam. Pennamma (April 23, 1928)
married Thomas Tharayil, and came to Chicago in 1959. They are the pioneers among the
Knananites settled in North America. Mathew (Kunju) born on November 6, 1931,
obtained several postgraduate degrees, and was professor in St. Philomena’s College,
Mysore. He married Valsamma Makil Parasseril. Kunju died in 1991. Rajan (May 17,
1937) joined the Indian Civil Service. In 1965 he joined the United Nations in Geneva,
married Mona, recently retired. The couple is settled in Switzerland. The youngest –Mol-
, married to George Vettickat, is teaching in B.C.M. College, Kottayam.

Kunjanna: Kunjanna was born on February 6, 1904. Her marriage to Joseph Kooplikattu
on May 16, 1921, was arranged with the help of Abraham Pathyil and Thomas Makil.
Joseph became a prominent manufacturer of coir products in Alappuzha. Kunjanna died
prematurely with the birth of her second child. Their eldest daughter –Pennamma- was
born on August 11, 1924. Pennamma spent many years in her maternal house, and was
affectionately cared for by her eldest maternal uncle. Therefore when the proposal to
marry her to John Kaduthody was mooted, Kunjeppu was upset as he was averse to any
alliance with the Kaduthody family due to past history . But in time he was reconciled.
James (April 3, 1927) too studied in Kaduthuruthy for many years. He married Mary

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