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.
© 2004 Deana Schultz