In 1838, the Stapley family left England for Australia and made their home near Sidney, Australia. This is where he was born. In 1853 all of their family (5 sons and 3 daughters and parents) were baptized in the LDS Church. In 1854, the Stapleys with about 70 other LDS, under the direction of William Hyde, chartered a sailing vessel, the Julia, and sailed for the United States and landed at what is now called San Pedro Harbor on June 2, 1854.
In 1857, President Brigham Young called for all LDS to move to Utah, for the reason that Johnston’s army was enroute to extermintate the Mormons. Thomas’s father sold out his interest and started for SLC with all of his family except 2 daughters who had married and was staying in California. The Stapley family joined the Starling Driggs ox team company. They arrived in Southern Utah, near Cedar City and were advised to remain there and make their home because the war had ended. In November 1858 word was received from church authorities that they were to serve in the Dixie Mission and their assignment was to settle Toquerville, Utah. As the Stapley party arrived at the top of Black Hill, which overlooks a vast valley of red sandstone stretching southward, Sarah Bryant Stapley (Thomas’s mother) proclaimed, "Neither God nor the Devil will ever find us here."
In 1838, the Stapley family left England for Australia and made their home near Sidney, Australia. This is where he was born. In 1853 all of their family (5 sons and 3 daughters and parents) were baptized in the LDS Church. In 1854, the Stapleys with about 70 other LDS, under the direction of William Hyde, chartered a sailing vessel, the Julia, and sailed for the United States and landed at what is now called San Pedro Harbor on June 2, 1854.
In 1857, President Brigham Young called for all LDS to move to Utah, for the reason that Johnston’s army was enroute to extermintate the Mormons. Thomas’s father sold out his interest and started for SLC with all of his family except 2 daughters who had married and was staying in California. The Stapley family joined the Starling Driggs ox team company. They arrived in Southern Utah, near Cedar City and were advised to remain there and make their home because the war had ended. In November 1858 word was received from church authorities that they were to serve in the Dixie Mission and their assignment was to settle Toquerville, Utah. As the Stapley party arrived at the top of Black Hill, which overlooks a vast valley of red sandstone stretching southward, Sarah Bryant Stapley (Thomas’s mother) proclaimed, "Neither God nor the Devil will ever find us here."
Family Members
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Charlotte Stapley Hawker
1823–1913
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Charles Stapley Jr
1824–1904
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Hannah Maria Stapley Buck
1826–1909
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Henry Stapley
1829–1847
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Thomas Stapley
1832–1912
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Seymour Stapley
1833–1858
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Harriett Stapley
1836–1847
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James Stapley
1838–1920
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Robert Dent Stapley
1841–1919
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William Stapley
1841–1847
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John Stapley
1846–1859
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Sarah Jane Reeves
1860–1861
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Mary Francis Reeves
1862–1869
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Josiah Franklin Reeves
1864–1909
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William Charles Reeves
1867–1959
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Elizabeth Reeves Roundy
1869–1937
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John Robert Reeves
1872–1912
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Annetta Rebecca Reeves Davis
1873–1938
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Phebe Ann Reeves Davies
1874–1976
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Samuel Henry Reeves
1876–1878
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James Angus Reeves
1881–1882
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Amanda Ellen Reeves Williams
1883–1964
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Hannah Augusta Reeves Davis
1885–1969
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