Thomas McCall Cadwalader (September 11, 1795 – October 22, 1873) was an American who trained to be a lawyer but made his career in the military, retiring as a major general.
Early life
Thomas McCall Cadwalader was born on the family estate called Greenwood in Trenton, New Jersey on September 11, 1795. His father was Lambert Cadwalader and mother was Mary McCall.[1]
Through his mother, he was a descendant of the Schuyler and the Van Cortlandt families through her ancestors Stephanus Van Cortlandt and Gertrude Schuyler.[2] He was their only child, a brother having died in childhood.[3] His cousin Elizabeth Cadwalader (1774–1824) married his uncle Archibald McCall (1767–1843). Many of his cousins once-removed became military leaders, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather.[1]
He graduated from Princeton University and read law, but chose a career in the military instead.
Career
He was appointed deputy adjutant-general of the New Jersey militia on June 2, 1830. On April 10, 1833, he became Aide-de-camp to Elias P. Seeley with rank of lieutenant colonel. On July 30, 1842, he was promoted to brigadier general.
In 1856, he toured Europe to report on how the US military could be modernized.
He retired from the military on January 26, 1858. After his retirement he was given an honorary brevet promotion to major general.[4]
Richard McCall Cadwalader (1839–1918), who graduated from Princeton in 1860 and Harvard Law School in 1863 and who married Christine Biddle (1847–1900) on November 26, 1873.[4]
Maria Cadwalader (c. 1841–1921), who married John Hone (1844–1915) on April 29, 1880.[7] Hone's grandfather was Commodore Matthew Perry and his great-granduncle was New York City MayorPhilip Hone.[8]
Through his son Richard, he was the grandfather of Richard McCall Cadwalader, who married Emily Margaretta Roebling (1879–1941),[9][b] and Gouverneur Cadwalader.[10] Through his daughter Maria, he was the grandfather of Hester Gouverneur Hone-Bartol.[8]
^William Henry Rawle's first wife was Emily's cousin Mary Binney Cadwalader.[5] Emily's step-daughter, Mary Cadwalader Rawle (1850–1923) who was also her cousin twice removed, married the brother of Edith Wharton.[1]
^Emily Margaretta Roebling (1879–1941) was the daughter of Charles Gustavus Roebling (1849–1918), whose father John A. Roebling designed the Brooklyn Bridge.[9]
^ abEdwin Charles Hill (1922). "Charles Gustavus Roebling". The Historical register: A Record of People Places and Events in American History. Vol. 3. Lewis Historical Publishing Company. p. 64.
