Thomas Archer was the son of William Archer, timber merchant, sometime of Perth, Scotland, and later of Larvik, Norway, and his wife Julia, nee Walker. Of their thirteen children, nine spent time in Australia. Thomas Archer came to Australia in 1838 and with his brothers David and William, took up land at Durandur station in the Moreton district in 1841, the most northerly station at that time. In 1847 he made exploring trips to the Fitzroy Downs and in 1848 to the Burnett. In 1849 he left Australia for the California gold fields, returning in 1854-55, after which he left on account of ill health, returning again in 1872-80. In 1880, he settled in London, England and was agent-general for Queensland in 1881-84 and 1888-90. He died in 1905.