Thomas was born in year 1827 in St Eval, Cornwall, England. Thomas' father was Joseph Vivian and his mother was Mary Leverton. His maternal grandparents were John Leverton and Sarah Cockin. He was the second of eight children. He had three brothers and four sisters, named Henry, Stephen, Richard, Sarah, Sarah, Fanny and Isabella. He died, at the age of 4 years, in May 1831 in St Eval, Cornwall, England.