Thomas Vernon signed a will on 11 Mar 1855 in Marple, Cheshire. His will stated that he was a coal dealer and that, after the funeral expenses and debts had been paid, his wife Bridget was to receive the household furniture, beds, bedding, plate, linen and china that "she was possessed of" and which belonged to her at the time of her marriage to Thomas plus "all my interest which I have in the Cooperative Society Stores in Marple".
To his son William's wife (Jane Vernon nee Derbyshire) he left a chest of drawers, corner cupboard and snap table. The other furniture and personal estate was left to his son William (a boat man) and Joseph Dean (of Stockport; Thomas' friend) who were to be executors.

Everything was to be auctioned and the money was to be divided into five equal parts. Four of the parts were bequeathed to his four children (William, Thomas, Samuel and Sarah) and the fifth part was to go to his granddaughter Hannah Sheppard when she became 21.
He also stipulated that he wished his son William to take up the running of the coal business and that he should take up the "coal wharf stock of coal, fixtures and utensils belonging thereto situate in Marple".