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THOMAS CHARLES CAVE
Thomas Charles CAVE. Even in the earlier years San Francisco was noted
as one of the most desirable residential cities of the world, and among its
older citizens were to be found representatives of almost every civilized
nation, many of whom were men of means who sought here the rest and comfort
life in this delightful climate would give. One of them, well remembered by
the older generation, was Thomas Charles CAVE, a retired officer of the
English navy, a man who had distinguished himself in different branches of
Her Majesty's service for many years. His descendants are now among the
prominent citizens of San Francisco.
Thomas Charles CAVE was born at Salisbury, England, February 19, 1824,
a son of Dr. Thomas and Julia Anabella (de STARK). Doctor CAVE was a
physician of note, who has had the privilege of being a house pupil of Sir
Benjamin BRODIE. Four sons and four daughter were born to Doctor and Mrs.
CAVE.
Growing up in his native country, Thomas Charles CAVE received naval
training and was in Her Majesty's service for many years. He was one of ten
naval officers sent to the Mexican navy by the English navy as instructors
to build up the navy of Mexico, and was decorated for honorable service for
cutting a ship from under the walls of Campeche. After his service in
Mexico was concluded he was recalled to England, but in 1852 he made a visit
to the United States, following which he was sent to the West Coast of
Africa, where for ten years he served as a captain in the English navy, and
in pursuit of his duties went further up the Congo River than had any white
man up to that time. During his service in African waters he commanded the
Thetis. After his retirement from the naval service in 1863 he located
permanently at San Francisco, where the remainder of his life was spent,
although he did not participate in any of the activities here, but lived
quietly as a retired officer. For many years he was a member of the Masonic
fraternity.
Thomas Charles CAVE was married at Albany, New York, to Alice CARR, who
was born in Lancastershire, England, but was a resident of the United States
from the age of two years, at which time her parents had come to this
country and settled at Albany. Two children were born of this marriage:
Thomas Charles, Jr., who is deceased: and Annie. She was married in 1881 to
George Loomis NORTH, who died eighteen years later, leaving two sons: George
Loomis and Chester L. After the death of her first husband Mrs. NORTH was
married to Capt. John METCALF, who died in 1913.
While he lived in retirement, as above stated, when he died in
February, 1880, Thomas Charles CAVE was missed by those who had known this
sincere, upright and honorable naval officer, and the influence of his
example still lives not only in the lives of his descendants, but those of
his associates, for no good man lives in vain, and his deeds produce
something of lasting worth to his fellow man.
Transcribed by: Deana Schultz.
Source: "The San Francisco Bay Region" Vol. 3 page 77-78 by Bailey Millard.
Published by The American Historical Society, Inc. 1924.