Thomas Loy (9 January 182[5], christened 24 February 1825 Crosby Ravensworth, Westmorland Co., ENGLAND, U.K.— 24 May 1900 Ashtabula, Ashtabula Co., OH)
md. 6 December 1893 (Harbor, Ashtabula Co., OH)
Hannah Horn (June 1851 ENGLAND—19 January 1917 Ashtabula, Ashtabula Co., OH)
Thomas was son of James and Barbara (Langhorn) Loy.
During the late 1600s and early 1700s persecution of Huguenots along the modern France-Germany border, many Huguenot families would have found refuge in Great Britain. Thus, there were Loy families in what then consisted of Great Britain, including Ireland and Scotland, that likely had origins in modern France and Germany.
Brothers Thomas, John, and Robert Loy migrated to America about 1856. Through census, church, and other records found at FamilySearch.org, I was able to trace the three Loy brothers’ ancestry. Thus far, I have found no immigration records on these brothers. As Robert’s obituary and the 1900 census both give his year of immigration as 1856, I am listing all three with an 1856 arrival until I find definite sources for Thomas and John.
Thomas died before the June 1900 census, which would have listed his year of arrival to the U.S. His 1900 obituary states he arrived in America “nearly 40 years ago,” but this may have been off, just as Thomas’ birth year was. John’s 1900 census gives his own arrival in 1855, while the 1910 census gives year as 1854. It is possible, Thomas and John could have arrived in America a year or two before or after Robert did, or they may have all come together. Robert’s family tree at FamilySearch.org gives the following source: Foster Family History, page 17 – “Robert Loy, and brothers John and Thomas Loy came over together to Illinois, from near Shap and Maulds Meaburn, near Appleby, Westmoreland Co., Eng.” This book’s complete title is Foster Family History and Genealogy, by Elmer Thomas Randle (born 1888), published 1955, and is available for free download at FamilySearch.org. Although page 31 was cited as being the source of mentioning the three brothers’ immigration, the only LOY mention on that page was that of death of Robert and Alice’s son James. This online book from link above has a search function, which will result in numerous pages for a LOY search, including a transcript of the 1900 obituary of Thomas Loy.
Thomas is listed in the 1841 Westmorland Co., ENGLAND census with parents, but not in 1851 Westmorland Co., ENGLAND census, where Robert is the eldest son to still live in parents’ household. I could find neither Thomas nor John in England or U.S. records for that time period. However, Thomas first shows up in America in the 1865 Shelby Co., IL state census where his brother Robert was also enumerated, then he seems to be missing from the 1870 Shelby Co., IL federal census, but shows up again in the 1880 federal census. He died weeks before the official 1900 census date, so was not enumerated for that year.
According to newspaper articles at the time, Thomas’ brother Robert made several trips back to England, apparently to visit family. According to Randle’s book, Mr. Randle had been informed that Thomas remained a bachelor until he was 70 years old. He had been on a visit to England and on his return voyage had met Hannah and her sister, who were in his care for the journey. Later he and Hannah married. Although he and Hannah had no children, the 1900 Saybrook Twp., Ashtabula Co., OH census gives widow Hannah Loy with U.S. arrival in 1889, listed with 1 child, 1 living. But the only household member with her was 15-year-old servant Ethel Heath who was born in OH and having OH parents. In 1910 Ashtabula Co., OH census, Hannah was listed with 0 children, 0 living, and only household member with her was 40-year-old servant Edith Anderson, born in OH with father born OH and mother born VT.
Obituary of Thomas Loy, as transcribed by E. T. Randle. At the time, though he had the original obituary clipping, there was no date attached to it. I deduce it was from an Ashtabula newspaper, dated 24 May 1900. In this obituary, it gives Thomas’ birth as 9 January 1826. However, his christening records in England has christening date with 1825 year.
THOMAS LOY.
Thomas Loy suddenly passed away at 4:15 this morning at his home in West Walnut Street in Saybrook, caused by a sudden stroke of appoplexy, and the home which has been so bright for many years past, is now in sadness, caused by the departure of the above, who was one of Saybrook’s best citizens, having lived here for a number of years, making a wide acquaintance and gaining many friends who mourn his loss.For many years past, the deceased has not been enjoying very good health, although he was able to be out and around most of the time, and up to last week he was engaged in working in his garden at his home, which was so dear to him. Last evening he seemed to be as well as usual, and ate a very hearty supper, and retired in no worse condition. About four in the morning he was taken suddenly ill and a doctor was quickly summoned and on his arrival the deceased was rapidly passing away from the toils and troubles of this life to the brighter land above and breathed his last ten minutes after the doctor came.
Thomas Loy was born in Crosby Ravensworth, Westmoreland, England, Jan. 9, 1826. Nearly 40 years ago he cane to this country and resided in Illinois. He made frequent visits to this place and about eight years ago came here where he remained the rest of his life, building a comfortable home on West Walnut Street, Saybrook, where he died. The deceased was a heavy property owner at this place and has accumulated considerable wealth, which he used to good advantage, helping the poor and caring for the needy.
He leaves his wife, brothers-John Loy of St. Louis, and Robert Loy of Kansas, besides two sisters and a brother in England to mourn his loss, who have the sympathy of the entire community in their bereavement. The funeral will be held Saturday, the hour to be announced later.