Hello Jeanne
Sorry it's taken me a few days to reply I had a look at the Lawrence Purfield b 1820 Ireland living with sons Thomas b 1849,James b 1852,and Joseph b 1854 (no mention of a wife?although states married on the census return)their address Philadelphia ward 18 Lawrence's occupation weaver I take it this is the same family belonging to you I also looked at the census for England found a John Purfield from Ballbrigan Ireland b abt 1831 and at the time of the census return he was onboard a ship named the cumberland as an AB this was in 1861 I'm not sure if he is connected to this same family I will carry on searching and if I come up with anything I will let you know
my perfield/purfield/parfield family are still a mystery to me my gggrandmother was Julia Anne b 1825 and her father was Nicholas b abt 1795 they lived in Liverpool from abt 1851
well sorry I'm not much help but good luck
CHEERS LYNNE