1851 Census says he was born in Lexton, Essex.

He was known as Tommy, or Tom, to his family.

1838, George Hills, father of Thomas, in a "Deed of Arrangement", received an advance of 3300 British Pounds against the settlement (of his marriage to Diana) from 1814. This was in agreement with his brother-in-law Charles Hammersley, Trustee. George's handwritten notes state that this advance was to pay Cambridge University expenses for his second son, Charles as well as expenses for his youngest son, Thomas, who was leaving home for India. (In 1838, Thomas would have been 12 years old! In actual fact he left six years later in 1844 - see below)

1841 England Census, Thomas is 15 living in the Parish of Ashen, Hinckford Hundred, Essex with:

George (60) - Navy H.P. (half pay), Diana (55), Diana (25), Lydia (25), Caroline (20), Charles (20), Emily (19), Hariet (16)

1844 Commissioned as Officer in the service of the East India Company Military Service in India. His father, Rear-Admiral George Hills, wrote a 14 page letter of advice (in Angela Tugwell's possession) to 18 year old Thomas upon his departure from England, not expecting him to return for 5-6 years: "You are now then entering as it were a world where trials and difficulties will beset you on every side in a Profession which is universally deemed the most honourable that a gentleman can devote himself to - and in which your advancement will very materially depend on your exertions, and good conduct."

In April 1850, his father died. Presumably Thomas then left the East India Service, but confirmation of this is in the 1851 Census:

1851 Census, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England

Thomas Hills (24) - Army late Ensign EICS (East India (Military) Company Service) - born Lexten, Essex Also George M.A. Hills (34) - Brother and Head of Household - Incumbant of Gt Yarmouth - born Eythorne, Kent (7.3 miles NNW of Dover) Diana Hills (68) - Mother - Fundholder, Annuitant - born St. James, Westminster, Middlesex. Diana Hills (37) - Sister - born St. James, Westminster, Middlesex. Lydia Hills (35) - Sister - born Tunbridge Wells, Kent Emily T. (should be S.) Hills (29) - Sister - born Colchester, Essex

Later on in 1861, Thomas was involved in banking.