He was born in 1810 at Blackley, near Manchester. His parents being very poor, his lot was but a rough and hard one. His father died when Thomas was about nine years of age, leaving a widow and five children, of whom Thomas was the eldest. About this time he was turned upon the world, and, to use his own words, “’We were much dependent on other people. O how often have I been glad of a crust!" adding, "The people among whom I lived found that I was born in sin; for I lived as if I had no soul, and as if there was no God. As I grew in years, strength, and vigour, I spent all in sin; I hated to hear…