In the 1881 Census of Canada for Orford, Bothwell, Ontario, Thomas Tear was enumerated together with his wife Mary and twelve children: Albert S., Emma, Maria, George, Lizzie, James, Nellie, Maggie, Jessie, Esther, William, and Laura.
Thomas was a farmer in Orford Township and a member of the Methodist Church. He always spelled his surname and that of his children as "Tear", but his children later returned to the original spelling of "Teare". In at least one source his surname appears as "Sear".
A large rose granite/grey sandstone tombstone in McLean Cemetery is inscribed: Mary Barnum, wife of Thomas Tear, died April 10, 1884 (43 years old) / Sarah Chant, wife of Thomas Tear, died June 15, 1906 (55 years old) / Emma, daughter of Thomas & Mary, died Dec. 24, 1891 (31 years old) / Thomas, died May 27, 1921 (86 years old)