Thomas and his family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Feb of 1848. A year later, he married Anne Higgins, where they had 8 children. It wasn't until 1869 when the Ashment family decided to leave England and live amongst the Saints in Utah. They originally moved to Ogden, Utah to find work and live. It wasn't until Thomas met Simon Webb, who was looking for his brother Samuel, and invited Thomas and his family to move to Richmond where they could find work. Thomas agreed, and with his family, moved to Richmond.