• He sailed to America in 1851 on the ship Ellen.  No family members accompanied him.

John Tidwell Company (1852)

• Age at Departure: 24

Sources

• Andrew Jenson, "Copley, Thomas," Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia: A Compilation of Biographical Sketches of Prominent Men and Women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Volume 2 (Salt Lake City, Utah: The Andrew Jenson History Company, 1971), 260.
• Council Point Emigrating Company journal, 1851 November-1852 September.
• Find a Grave (Website)
• Index to LDS Members in Early Iowa 1839-1860 [electronic database].
• Utah, Territorial Militia Records, 1849-1877.