BENJAMIN H. THOMAS SR. was born in Pennsylvania around 1835. A ship joiner by trade, he does not appear to have served in the military during the Civil War. His wife, the former Rebecca Pratt was born in New Jersey. The Thomas family lived in Pennsylvania in the early 1860s. Daughters Beulah and Deborah were born there around 1862 and 1864, according to the 1880 Census. Shortly after Deborah was born, the family moved to what was then Newton Township, New Jersey, setting up house at the corner of what would later be called South 7th Street and Ferry Avenue. Newton Township was dissolved in 1871 and portions were incorporated into Camden in 1871, forming the Seventh and Eighth Wards. When house numbers were assigned to Ferry Avenue, the Thomas home was given the address of 697 Ferry Avenue. Benjamin Thomas lived out his days at this address. Two more children were born prior to the 1870 Census, James and Benjamin H. Jr., daughter Sallie and son Clarence were born in the 1870s.

Benjamin H. Thomas worked almost exclusively as a ship joiner, i.e., a carpenter who works in shipbuilding and repair through 1885, with only one exception noted in the City Directories, in 1878, when he ran a grocery. He involved himself in local politics, and by 1887 had been appointed to the Camden Police Department.

Benjamin H. Thomas Sr.'s political activities were very much a family affair. His wife Rebecca was the sister ofJesse W. Pratt, who served as Mayor of Camden from 1896 to 1892. Benjamin H. Thomas Sr.'s son, James Thomas, married Madeline Rouh, daughter of Eighth Ward Justice of the Peace F. Joseph Rouh.

Benjamin H. Thomas Sr. served as a Camden policeman until his passing on May of 1893 when he was forced to resign due to political considerations.

Benjamin Thomas passed away from "brain fever" on November 23, 1893. He was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

The house at 697 Ferry Avenue was next occupied by Isaac C. Shute, who is listed in City Directories at that address from 1894 through 1905. Interestingly enough, Isaac C. Shute was appointed to the Camden Police Department and is noted as serving in Directories from 1901 through 1911.