Thomas was born to Henry and Hannah Richard in Trefin, Pembrokeshire. His brother, Ebenezer Richard, was also a Methodist preacher. He married Bridget Gwyn of Maenorowen in 1819, niece to the second wife of David Jones of Llan-gan, also a famous Methodist. Richard pursued a farming life after marriage before retiring to Fishguard in 1825 until his death. He is buried at Maenorowen.