THOMAS⁴ RYAN (EDWARD³, THOMAS², EDWARD¹) was born October 10, 1771 at Ballinakill in County Kildare, Ireland. He married Mary Byrne, daughter of Edmond (or Edward) Byrne. He died in 1814 at the age of 45.

Following the granting of Catholic relief in April 1793, Thomas became a magistrate in County Kildare. On Monday, July 13, 1795, Thomas and others were ambushed while escorting prisoners from Kilcock to the jail at Naas. Thomas was shot and wounded in the head but managed to escape back to his home at Ballinakill.

Perhaps due to this incident, Thomas became involved in the pro-establishment Kildare Militia. He was a member of the Donadea Cavalry around 1797.

After his marriage in early 1798, Thomas and his new wife resided in Dublin at 4 Blackhall Street. Around 1806, he moved into the house at Ballinakill.

He died in 1814, leaving behind a widow and infant children. It is not known where he was buried.