Shortly after he moved and was employed grinding glasses for a maker of "watch crystals", then as a grocer’s errand boy before, in 1823, becoming apprenticed to a master painter.
As fast as he dared and finances allowed, he changed all this, introducing many academic subjects such as music, drawing and science whilst not forgetting the sports and swimming (at the council baths – and in the sea).
In the second year as headmaster, Thomas Haswell married Matilda Preston Armstrong (1821–1885) on 21 Sep 1840 in All Saints' Church, Newcastle upon Tyne and with her assistance his musical talent developed.
They had seven children: Amy, Alice Clara, George Handel, Sarah Hannah, John Tom, Henry Crawford and William Corlett Haswell.
Twelve months after his death, a portrait (painted by James Shotton) was presented to the Public Library at North Shields, paid for by colleagues and former pupils.