Thomas Safley

SAFLEY

Posted By: Kenneth D. Tyler (email)
Date: 3/22/2004 at 15:58:13

Thomas Safley, his wife Henrietta (Fenwick), and their three children arrived in the U.S. on board the ship "Ganges" on May 18, 1836.

For the 1850 federal census enumerated in August of that year, Thomas was listed in the town of Waterford (Saratoga County) New York. He was then a 47-year-old blacksmith. His real estate was then worth $1000. The record verified that he had been born in Scotland. Living with him was his wife Henrietta and their six children: Robert (24), Henrietta (15), John (12), Mary (10), Alexander (8), and Susan (5).

For the 1860 federal census enumerated in June of that year, Thomas was living in Linn Township (Linn County) Iowa in the Mount Vernon postal area. He was then a 57-year-old widowed blacksmith. The record verified that he had been born in Scotland. Living with him was his youngest daughter Susan. Also living in the home were Mary O'Conner (19) and her son Charles, 1 year old.

For the 1880 federal census enumerated in June of that year, Thomas was living with his daughter Henrietta (Safley), son-in-law, S. L. Dows, and family in Cedar Rapids (Linn County) Iowa. He was then 77 years old and widowed.

Thomas died in Cedar Rapids in June, 1881, at 79 years and 2 months of age.