Thomas Burrows prospered as a civilian. The fact that he had earlier been promoted to the rank of corporal while in the military and that he came highly recommended for a civilian post suggests that he was intelligent, hard-working and conscientious. That was certainly the reputation that followed him into private life and, years later, when he was living in Kingston Mills, he was appointed to positions of public trust as justice of the peace and postmaster.

In 1874, William Pittman Lett wrote a long poem about people he had known as a child in early Bytown. He gives us a poetic snapshot of Burrowes as a respected member of the young community:

And there stands Thomas Burrows [sic], too,
As he appeared before my view,
Leaning upon his garden gate
Beside the Creek in ’28;
He held of trust, an office high
Under the reign of Colonel By.