Son of Eleazer Givens and Jane Robertson of Kentucky. Husband of Catherine de Lafayette Richards. Father of:
* Robert Robertson Givens 1825-1892
* Eleazar T Givens 1828-1910
* Matilda Louise Givens 1830-1853
* Jane Robertson Givens Pool 1832-1907
* Catherine A Givens Gregary 1833-1856
* Thomas Roberson Givens Jr 1835-1888
* John Hurton Givens 1838-1912
* Mary Richards Givens Thrift 1840-1911
* Samuel Louis Givens 1842-1928

It was on December 24, 1852, that the Givens family left their home in the Eastern States and started for California, reaching New Orleans on January 1, 1853, from which port they embarked on board the Pampero for Greytown, which they reached twelve days later. They crossed the Isthmus on the backs of mules and then took passage on the Brother Jonathan for San Francisco, reaching that city on February 2. The Brother Jonathan disappeared on its next trip and was never heard from again. The family proceeded to Mariposa County by way of Stockton on the mail stage and arrived at their destination in due time over some very bad roads, as it was a wet season. Mr. Givens bought the possessory rights of the Texas Ranch, comprising 1040 acres, which ranch is now owned by our subject (son Samuel). Here the father (Thomas R) died on September 12, 1860. Mariposaresearch.net

COLONEL THOMAS GIVENS
Mariposa Gazette, September 18, 1860

DIED: Col. THOMAS GIVENS, an old and much esteemed resident, died at his ranch (known as the "Texas Ranch") near Hornitos, last Wednesday, Sept. 12, 1860, of Congestive Fever.

Col. Givens was born in Kentucky in 1798, consequently he was sixty-two years old. He had held positions of responsibility and honor in his native state and no one here was regarded with greater respect or was shown greater deference, socially or publically.
He came to this state 1853 with his family, which singularly, has been decimated by death beyond that of any other with whom we have ever been acquainted. His funeral occurred Friday the 14th, and his remains were followed to the grave by the whole community. The Hornitos Fire Company appeared in the procession, and other associations would have appeared had a knowledge of Col. Given's death been more generally known.
To his last home is thus consigned another brave old Kentuckian. Two in two weeks – Col. Givens and Squire Watts. Not numerous in the State are men of their age, experience and respectability.

GIVENS, Thomas
April 14, 1888 Mariposa Gazette

Another Pioneer Gone.
About the hour of 3 o'clock, Thursday morning last, after a painful illness, Thomas Givens breathed his last. It is but a short time since he was here in town, visiting among his old friends and acquaintances, appearing quite cheerful and much improved in health. He had previously suffered from
asthma, and had been informed by his physician that he was subject to heart disease, which at length caused his death. He was surrounded by a loving family, a wife and five children, who have lost a devoted husband and father. The deceased is one of five brothers, Robert, Eleazer, John and Samuel Givens, who came to this State and county, with their parents early in the fifties, and settled in Hornitos, which is yet the old home belonging to the family, and where they have a family burying ground, where the old folks are laid peacefully away. Mr. Givens was an honest man, highly esteemed for his many virtues, by all who knew him. He was a good father and will be greatly missed by all. Peace to his ashes.