His early years are touched upon in his most famous book, Froudacity, where he states that he had been "familiar since childhood with members from every tribe in Africa".
In early 1860, he received his first job as a teacher and worked for five years teaching children in the towns of Couva and Savonetta in Trinidad and Tobago.
Thomas published a book called The Theory and Practice of Creole Grammar after needing to learn Patois, the language spoken in Savonetta, since the overwhelming majority were illiterate agricultural workers and their families.
Kingsley was impressed with Thomas and chose him as secretary to the Education Board and for the council of Queen’s Collegiate School.
Thomas was forced to retire from the civil service in 1879 due to being diagnosed with rheumatism of the eye and poor health in general.
His position did not last long, however, in 1888 he went to England for his failing health and to publish new editions of his two books, Froudacity and Creole Grammar.