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The Appleby family were of the gentry: the class of landowning people in Great Britain ranking just below the nobility. The gentry were not permitted to marry into the Royal Family. Some Applebys were barons: members of the lowest rank of the British hereditary peerage.
The town of Appleby is located in Lancashire, Westmorland County, England. Three Appleby brothers emigrated from there in the first half of the 19th century: Thomas (who settled near New Castle, Delaware), John (Wilmington) and William (Chester, Pennsylvania).
Thomas Appleby arrived in the New World in the year of 1831, and remained here for two years. He was betrothed to Rachel Ann Bolton at some time during his stay. Her parents were of English descent.
Thomas went back to Appleby. When he returned to this country he brought with him the following articles: a chest of drawers, a lowboy, a dinner set of blue willowware, pewter, and silverware (including two dozen hammered spoons).
Thomas and Rachel were married August 4, 1837. The couple were devoted members of the Episcopal Church in New Castle, where their twelve children were christened. The youngest was Lizzie Gemmill Appleby.
Rachel's husband Thomas died January 6, 1864 while he was driving on a road near his home. At that time he was the tax collector of New Castle County.
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