freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~npmelton/sfbcav.htm
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, 19 Feb 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 daughters 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.
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