Their children were:[5] In 1860, Thomas erected a two-storey house in South Brisbane called 'Cumbooquepa' from the Aboriginal name for the waterholes on the land.

[3] Thomas died from congestion of the lungs, following some years of poor health following a serious illness in 1874, at his residence 'Cumbooquepa' on 26 August 1877 and was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery the following day.

The following year (1857) he purchased some adjacent land at Annerley and established a fellmongery and tanning business in Essie Street.

He served on a number of committees:[1] From 10 June 1863 to 13 May 1875 Thomas was the elected Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (lower house) for the electorate of the Town of South Brisbane.

[22] He held many senior positions in the government including"[22] In May 1875, he retired from public life due to an ongoing illness contracted in November 1874.

[11] On 22 July 1876, he was appointed a life Member of the Legislative Council of Queensland (upper house) until his death on 26 August 1877.