Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Gaffney, Thomas
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bensalem Township


THOMAS GAFFNEY farmer, P.O. Bensalem, was born in County 
Meath, Ireland, in 1822, and is a son of John and Mary 
(McCoe) Gaffney, natives of Ireland.  His father was a 
farmer in that country, and left Ireland in 1849.  He came 
to America and lived in Bucks county with Thomas until his 
death.  He had five children, all of whom came to America:  
Joseph, deceased; Thomas, Michael, residing in Philadelphia; 
Catharine, deceased; and Mary, wife of William Penley.  They 
were all born in Ireland, and the mother died in the old 
country.  Thomas was the first of the family to come to 
America.  In May, 1844, he bade farewell to his father and 
friends and took passage on a sailing vessel, landing in 
Philadelphia after a nine weeks' voyage.  He remained only a 
few days in Philadelphia, and then came to Bucks county and 
hired out with Joseph Hellings for one year.  He worked out 
for 13 years, 11 years for one man, and by economy 
accumulated enough money to buy a farm, which he did in 
1857, and moved on the place and has since occupied it.  He 
now owns two good farms, well improved.  In 1845 he married 
Elizabeth Flynn, a native of Ireland, by whom he had six 
children:  Mary, wife of Richard Landis; Maggie, deceased; 
Elizabeth, Anna, Susan, and Theresa.  Mr. and Mrs. Gaffney 
are members of the Catholic church.