Thomas Spencer was christened on 2 Jan 1833 at the church of St Mary the Virgin in Prescot, Lancashire. He was the son of William and Catherine Spencer. His father's occupation was recorded as schoolmaster, and the family's address as Prescot.
By June 6th 1841, the family were living in Hackley Moss, Eccleston, with Thomas' maternal grandmother, who was of independent means. Thomas' father was a schoolmaster.