He was twelve years old in 1841 when he came to New Zealand with his parents on board the Amelia Thompson.

On nomination day, the contestants addressed the electors and at the end of the meeting, the returning officer requested a show of hands, which was declared to be in favour of Thomas King.

[5][6] The First Taranaki War was an armed conflict over land ownership and sovereignty that took place between Māori and the European settlers in the Taranaki Province from March 1860 to March 1861.

His farm, known as Woodleigh, was just outside the town of New Plymouth (what is now the suburb of Frankleigh Park) within sight of the garrison on Marsland Hill.

He could not escape in time and was killed by further shots fired at close range.