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Thomas Honey was born c.1829 in Lerryn, Cornwall - the second of five children born to Samuel Honey and Jenny Best. He was baptised on 6 June 1829 in St Veep. Throughout his life he found employment as an agricultural labourer, gentleman's servant and cab proprietor. On the 1841 census, he was working as a farm labourer for a Mr.Strang at Landlooe Cottage in St. Martin by Looe. Ten years later - on the following census - he was still working in agriculture, but appears with his parents and brother, William at Penhale Cottage (also in St. Martin by Looe).
On 2 September 1855, Thomas married Jemima Stephens, a dressmaker and daughter of William Stephens. One of Jemima's brothers, John Stephens, was witness to the marriage, as was John's brother-in-law, John Pangelly. Thomas and Jemima only appear together on one census: the 1861, when they were living at Church Bridge, St. Martin by Looe with their daughters, Bertha and Leah.
The 1871 census shows a recently widowed Thomas looking after his children and working as a gentleman's servant.
By 1881, Thomas had remarried and was living in Antony village. His new wife Elizabeth was 10 years his junior. Thomas' eldest son, Richard and daughter Eva were still living at home at this time. The 1891 census shows the family living at 7 Waterloo Street, Antony.
Thomas died on 29 March 1897 of unnatural causes. An inquest was held on 30 March and the following verdict on cause of death appears on his death certificate issued 2 April 1897: Injuries received by reason of the carriage which he was driving during the night having collided with a wagon. He was 65.
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