Thomas Backhouse, born on 15th June 1792 (probably in Darlington), was the second son of the Darlington banker and Quaker James Backhouse (2) (born 1757, died 1804) and Mary (née Dearman).
In 1815, he joined his younger brother, James Backhouse (3) (born 1794, died 1869), in buying and managing the Telford plant nursery in York, England.
When his brother went abroad for 10 years, Thomas managed and developed the nursery by himself, and looked after James's two children.
Sources:
Davis, Peter. “Backhouse family (per. c.1770–1945).” In Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, edited by H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison. Oxford: OUP, 2004. http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/56500 (accessed 14th January, 2009).
Davis, Peter, 'The Backhouse Family: Bankers and Horticulturists' on Durham County Local History Society web site http://www.durhamweb.org.uk/dclhs/Backhouse-family.html (accessed 14th January, 2009).
Read more about the Backhouse Nurseries in our Historical Profile article: https://www.parksandgardens.org/explore/topics/176-historical-profiles/481-the-backhouse-nursery-of-york-1815-1955