FROM GLORY TO GLORY: SELECT ADDRESSES ON THE CALLING, HOPE. AND MANIFESTATION OF THE ELECT OF GOD / Telith Entroduction by J. R. Caldwell / Contains Biblical Articles (doctrinal and practical), Questions and Answers, Correspondence

Thomas Neatby was born at Worsborough, near Barnsley, August 1, 1835 to William (1807-1880) and Anne Mossforth (1795-1858) Neatby, named after his father's brother (1804-1876). He had five brothers, two of which died in infancy: Joseph M. Neatby (1830-1900), James M. Neatby (1832-1832), John M. Neatby (1833-1834), and Samuel M. Neatby (1837-1910). Curiously, according to Ancestry.com his brothers all had a middle name of Mossforth, but Thomas either did not, or it's not recorded. The furthest ancestor back is William Neatby (or Nateby) born prior to 1626 in Barlborough, Derbyshire, England.

His parents were fervent Methodist Christians.  Thomas came to Christ at the age of nine, along with his elder brother, during a revival held in a local Wesleyan chapel.  About 1846, the family moved to Barnsley where his father had taken over a timber merchant's business.  There, Thomas was introduced to Hudson Taylor and Benjamin Broomhall, founders of China Inland Mission.  

At the age of seventeen, Thomas began to preach in the Wesleyan Reform before being introduced to the Brethren (presumably thru Taylor and Broomhall). He began to study medicine with the intent of joining them in China. He was apprenticed to doctors in Hull and Banbury, and afterwards studied at Edinburgh University and St. Bartholomew's Hospital. He graduated M.D. at St. Andrews University about 1861.