Born in 1829 in the village of Ince Blundell, Lancashire, England, Thomas was the youngest child in the Baines family and grew up on a farm alongside his four older siblings. Aged twenty-two, he immigrated aboard the Camilla, arriving in Victoria where he later farmed at Irrewillipe. Having worked in agricultural labouring jobs for much of his life, by the time of his death he was employed as a rabbiter.
In 1885, Thomas Baines’ life changed overnight when, on May 19th in Ballarat, he married Eliza Hadler. A widow, Eliza had seven surviving children from her marriage to George Hadler, while two others had died. Although most were now young independent adults, Florence, the youngest, was only ten years of age. Thus, after fifty-six years as a bachelor, Thomas began embracing a new role as husband and stepfather. Unfortunately, he was given little time to enjoy family life.
Like many working men of the era, Thomas occasionally found himself before the courts, yet he also made a substantial contribution to civic life. He took a keen interest in council affairs and was elected municipal representative for the West Ward. Sadly, he died not long after taking up the position.
In 1886, he was admitted to Colac Hospital for an operation to relieve a stricture. The surgery initially appeared successful, but the following morning he developed rigor and died of cardiac arrest.
Eliza never remarried and later moved away from the district with her family. Today Thomas lies in an unmarked grave in Colac Cemetery.

Research by Merrill O’Donnell
Story by Lynne Johnston

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