It is probable he was born in Penzance, although that is not certain. He moved to Bodmin after the birth of his eldest son, Joseph Edyvean Commins, in 1804. He was a solicitor and after taking a partner the firm became known as Commins & Goode. The house at Bodmin was the house owned by his deceased father-in-law, and in which his wife grew up. It seems he had five sisters for whom he became the sole supporter when his parents died. He met his wife-to-be in Bodmin when he was there doing his articles.
He "was an honest lawyer; he never grew rich but wasted his money on farming of which he understood but little." (Emma Guy)