ford's offices were at 8 henrietta street, covent garden, london; his residential properties were in stratton street, london and brunswick square, brighton. he was born in st clement danes, london, and in 1816 married hanna bramah (1795–1862) at st george's, hanover square, daughter of civil engineer joseph bramah. their children included sir theodore thomas ford, who became chief justice for the straits settlements, horace alfred ford, one of the greatest target archers of all time, and william augustus ford, who followed ford into the business and was a cricketer who played for the mcc. ford's grandchildren included francis ford, a good cricketer who played for his country, lionel ford who became headmaster of harrow and the painter henry justice ford.