Born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Thomas Ripley came to Upper Canada with his foster father Walter Davis in 1793 settling first in Augusta Township, Leeds County where the family remained until 1800 when they removed to South Crosby Township.

In 1812 Thomas Ripley married Walter Davis’ daughter Mary; shortly after the birth of their first child in 1813 he was balloted for militia service and served as a corporal in Captain William Jones’ Company of the 2nd Regiment Leeds Militia.

Thomas and Mary Ripley lived with her father where they farmed and operated a sawmill; they raised a family of five children. Mary Ripley d November 1861 in her 78th year; Thomas Ripley d 17 June 1870 at the age of 81 years.