Thomas, de jure 7th Lord Berners, was born February, 1656 at Ashwellthorpe, Norfolk, England and was christened at Darsham, Suffolk, England. He died September 28, 1693 unmarried and was buried September 30 in Ashwellthorpe.

During his lifetime, he represented 2 constituencies in Suffolk,
Dunwich, March 28, 1685,
Eye, January 10, 1689.

National Archives (UK)
Reference: HB26/412/134
Marriage settlement. Release of manor of Farm Hall in Dennington, with appurtenances, messuages called Farm Hall, Old Hall and Playford Hall, and another occupied by Robert Claydon, messuage and farm called Castell Feild and Badingham Feilds, Castell Feild Wood, and capital messuage called New Hall, with appurtenances, all in Dennington. Sir John Rous of Henham, baronet, to Thomas Knyvett of Darsham, Esq., William De Gray of Murten, Norfolk, Esq., and Thomas Bedingfield of Darsham, Esq. to the use of Sir John Rous for 99 (?) years, and then of him, Dame Philippa, his wife, and their children, (October 30, 1678).

Reference: HB26/412/321
Release of manor of Dennington and lands and messuages in Dennington, the site of the monestery of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Bruisyard, the manors of Reydon and Bruisyard, the rectories of Bruisyard and Sutton, advowson of Sutton, greater tithes of Reydon, Brusyard Hall, lands and tenements in Bruisyard, Reydon, Cransford, Badingham, Butley, Ash, Bargham, Sweffling, Peasenhall, Sutton, Blythburgh and Bulcamp, the manors of Henham, Sotherton, Bedfield Farm-hall and Brundish, Henham Hall with Park, and lands and tenements in Henham, Wangford, Sotherton, Uggeshall, Reydon, Blythburgh, Bulcamp, Shadingfield, Brampton, Stoven, Dennington, Brundish, Bedfield, Bruisyard, Cransford and Badingham. Sir John Rous of Henham, baronet, (Dame Phillippa, his wife, being dead) to Richard Palgrave of Henham, gentleman, to the use of Sir John Rous for 99 years or life, and then to the use of Thomas Knyvett of Darsham, Esq., and Thomas Leaman of Wenhaston, Esq. for 500 years, to the use of John, eldest son of Sir John Rous, for 99 years or life, and then to the use of his sons in order, etc. Thomas Knyvett and Thomas Leaman to pay from the said estates £40 per annum each to Hannah and Philippa, daughters of Sir John Rous, until they reach ages of 14, and thereafter £60 p.a. until they reach ages of 21 or are married, and to pay dowry of £4000 between them upon marriage, (April 20, 1687).

Reference: KNY 571 372 x 3 Copy of bailiff Edward Harrison's accounts for timber, underwood, quitrents and fines on the Ashwellthorpe estate belonging to the coheirs of Sir John and fines on the Ashwellthorpe estate belonging to the coheirs of Sir John and Colonel Thomas Knyvett, (1691-1720).

Reference: KNY 528 372 x 1
Will (copy) of Thomas Knyvett Esq. of Darsham Hall, (1693).