Thomas McCall Cadwalader
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trenton, New Jersey
Thomas McCall Cadwalader | |
|---|---|
 Susan Macdowell Eakins, General Thomas McCall Cadwalader Seated at a Table, 1882 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 11, 1795 |
| Died | October 22, 1873 (aged 78) |
| Resting place | Friends Burying Ground Trenton, New Jersey |
| Spouse |
Maria Charlotte Gouverneur
(m. 1831; died 1867) |
| Relations | Gouverneur Cadwalader (grandson) |
| Children | 5, including John |
| Parent(s) | Lambert Cadwalader Mary McCall |
| Alma mater | Princeton University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Years of service | 1830–1858 |
| Rank | Major general |
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.
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]
