According to his newspaper ads, Burling apprenticed with New York cabinetmaker Samuel Prince. Burling then worked, and later operated a ware-room, at the Sign of the Chair on Beekman Street (also called Chapel Street) from 1775-1791, when he went into partnership with his son, Samuel, as Thomas Burling & Son. Thomas retired in 1802, and the business was taken over by his two sons, Samuel & William Burling.