Born 1800 in Yorkshire, England. 1830 to USA. Dairy farm for Detroit. Died 1848 in Detroit, Michigan.
BIRTH
According to his tombstone, Thomas Calvert was born 1 July 1800 in Old Malton, Yorkshire, England.
Parents of Thomas Calvert are not known, but appears that father may be John Calvert.
There are reports that Thomas had a brother, William.
BAPTISM
MARRIAGE
Thomas Calvert married Mary Beal 4 December 1828 in Kirkby, Moorside, Yorkshire, England.
Marriage solemnized in the parish of Kirby-Moorside in the County of York; Thomas Calvert of this parish and Mary Beal of this parish by banns 4 December 1828; witnesses Mary Wood/ John Coulson/ Wm Birkley No. 283 Page 95
SOURCE: Bishop’s transcripts for Kirkby-Moorside, 1600-1854; FHL film 990901
from Church of England. Parish Church of Kirkby-Moorside (Yorkshire)
CHILDREN
The children of Thomas and Mary Calvert included:
Mary Calvert 1829
Mary Ann Calvert 1831
John Calvert 1834 DIRECT LINE ANCESTOR
Mary Calvert 1836
Harriet Ann Calvert 1839
Note that there was another child in the household. William Beal was the child of Mary Beal born in 1822, six years prior to her marriage to Thomas Calvert.
FROM ENGLAND TO MICHIGAN
Thomas and Mary Calvert and William Beal (aged 8 yrs) migrated in 1830 to USA. They traveled first by wagon from Old Malton, Yorkshire to Hull, Yorkshire, England, then sailed on ship Victoria [actually Victory] (Captain Simpson & 300 passengers) for six weeks to Quebec, Canada. They then went to Troy, New York, then to Schenectady, New York (for 18 months), then on to Detroit, Michigan in 1832. This may or may not be entire accurate, as is from memory of a young boy reported 60 years later.
Affidavit of William Beal [son of Mary Beal Calvert] mentions the migration details.
Affidavit of Elizabeth Walker [long time friend of Thomas & Mary Calvert] mentions she lived with the Thomas Calvert family for six months in 1832 in Detroit. Note that Elizabeth’s maiden name was Elizabeth Lee.
Found the ship mentioned in the above story about the ship from Hull to Quebec…
barque Victory with Master Simpson left Hull, Yorkshire, England 18 May 1830 and arrived 3 July 1830 at Port of Quebec, Canada
NOTE: A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts having the fore- and mainmasts rigged square and only the mizzen (the aftmost mast) rigged fore-and-aft.
SOURCE: Ship Arrivals at the Port of Quebec, 1830; TheShipsLists
Found the next piece of the family’s 1830 trip…
Steamboat Chambray traveling between Quebec and Montreal, 15th trip July 5, 1830
Ticket# // Passenger Names // Steerage // Montreal // Amt of fare £/s/d
246-248 // T Calvert & wife & one child under 12 // S // M // -/18/9
This validates family traveling was Thomas Calvert & Mary Beal Calvert and young William Beal
261-262 // William Belt & wife // S // M // -/15/-
Interesting to discover William Belt & wife (Nancy/Anne Beal Belt — sister to Mary Beal)
SOURCE: Chambly passenger list for 5 July 1830; TheShipsList
It is probable that the family used waterway travel from Montreal, Canada to Troy, New York — using the St Lawrence River, Oswego Canal and Erie Canal. It would then be short trip from Troy south on the Hudson River to Schenectady, New York.
Timeline:
May 1830 left Old Malton, Yorkshire, England by wagon to reach port
18 May 1830 ship left port at Hull, Yorkshire, England
3 July 1830 ship arrived in Port of Quebec, Quebec, Canada
5 July 1830 left on steamboat to reach Montreal
July 1830 left Montreal [assume traveled by St Lawrence River to Ogdensburg, New York to Oswego Canal to Erie Canal] to reach Troy, New York – and stayed there about three weeks
August 1830 left Troy [assume traveled down Hudson River] to Schenectady, New York – and stayed there about 18 months
17 December 1831 birth of daughter in Schenectady, New York
early 1832 left Schenectady, New York to relocate to Detroit, Wayne, Michigan – where family put down roots
FAMOUS SHIP
We suspect that William Beal was a typical eight-year-old boy who was reluctant to leave everything he knew and felt coerced to travel with his mother and step-father across the ocean to a new land. Then, when he boarded the ship, he discovered that it was the most beloved ship of that time, the HMS Victory. Can’t you imagine what an amazing adventure he had for the six weeks on this famous ship? Sixty year later, when William was asked to describe the trip, he included his memory “that said vessel had been in the Navy as a Man of War, but was then engaged in the Merchant service.”
For history buffs, the HMS Victory is best known as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. She was also Keppel’s flagship at Ushant, Howe’s flagship at Cape Spartel and Jervis’s flagship at Cape St Vincent. Click here for more.
SOURCE: Image from HMS Victory; Wikipedia
AFFIDAVITS
There were a number of affidavits in 1890 when the U.S. Calverts were documenting relationships to a branch of the family in England — related to inheritance matters in England. The goal appears to be to prove that John Calvert was the only surviving child of Thomas Calvert and Mary Beal Calvert. Each offers interesting personal information about the Calvert family history.
Affidavit of John Calvert [son of Thomas Calvert]
Affidavit of William Beal [half brother of John Calvert; son of Mary Beal Calvert]
Affidavit of Elizabeth Walker [long time friend of Thomas & Mary Calvert]
Affidavit of Robert E. Walker [husband of Elizabeth; long time friend of Thomas & Mary Calvert]
Affidavit of John B. Mussche [stone cutter for cemetery tombstones]
DETROIT LOCATIONS
The Thomas Calvert family has been connected to numerous different locations in the greater Detroit, Michigan area.
- On arrival in the area in 1832 there are multiple reports in affidavits that the family lived in a log cabin at corner of Congress and Brush in the developing village of Detroit. Today this is downtown Detroit. On the map below see blue dot.
- In 1835 we we find purchase of 126 acres. This area seems to be in Hamtramck Township at that time, then in 1846 it became Grosse Pointe Township (according to Grosse Pointe Historical Society at www.gphistorical.org/timeline.html).
- Family has deed showing 1839 purchase of a lot on Catherine Street just east of St. Antoine (north of Mullet) from Antoine Beaubien. Address for home built there became 8 Catherine Street. On the map below see red dot. This is so close to Gratiot, might this be what is reported to be the Gratiot home?
- When reviewing the affidavits, we find reports of the Thomas Calvert family living up to eight years on Gratiot between living in the log cabin and living on the dairy farm. John Calvert’s affidavit reports that the family lived on the dairy farm in Grosse Pointe from about 1845 through 1851. This means that about three years after death of Thomas in 1848, his wife, Mary, and daughter, Harriet, are reported to have left the farm and moved into Detroit. These dates do not blend with the property purchase dates.
- Robert Walker reports he had farm next to Thomas Calvert in Grosse Pointe, yet Robert seems to be in Hamtramck Township in 1850 US Census and Calverts in Grosse Pointe.
DETROIT LOCATION #1
On arrival in Detroit, the Thomas Calvert family is reported to have initially lived in a log cabin on Congress Street near Brush Street.
SOURCE: Historic Map Works Residential Genealogy; Detroit 1835 City Map
DETROIT LOCATION #2
Thomas Calvert purchased land in Wayne County for his dairy farm in 1835. As this was land bought directly from the U.S. government, it is considered a cash value land patent. Note that Michigan is listed as Michigan Territory (not state).
Michigan, Homestead and Cash Entry Patents, Pre-1908
Name: Thomas Calvert
Land Office: Detroit
Document Number: 718
Total Acres: 126.16
Signature: Yes
Canceled Document: No
Issue Date: 2 Sep 1835
Mineral Rights Reserved: No
Metes and Bounds: No
Survey Date: Sep 1835
Statutory Reference: 3 Stat. 566
Multiple Warantee Names: No
Act or Treaty: 24 Apr 1820
Multiple Patentee Names: No
Entry Classification: Sale-Cash Entries
Land Description: 1 SW MICHIGAN-TOLEDO STRIP Yes 1 S 12 E 11
Location of Thomas Calvert 1835 Land Patent in relationship to Detroit
Thomas Calvert 1835 Land Patent
SOURCE: United States, Bureau of Land Management. Michigan Pre-1908 Homestead & Cash Entry Patent and Cadastral Survey Plat Index.
General Land Office Automated Records Project, 1994.
DETROIT LOCATION #3
On 22 June 1839 Thomas Calvert purchased Lot 3 on Catherine Street. This lot fronted 50 feet on Catherine Street and extended back 115 feet deep. This land was originally part of the Antoine Beaubien Farm.
In the 1970s the deed was in the possession of Janet Calvert Clissold (daughter of Elmer Crebbin Calvert, son of John Calvert, son of Thomas Calvert.)
Copy of deed for 8 Catherine Street
SOURCE: Historic Map Works Residential Genealogy; Detroit 1835 City Map
VISITING FAMILY FROM ENGLAND
Thomas’ brother, William Calvert, visited for a year, then returned to England.
Mary’s brother, Daniel Beal, visited, then returned to England.
1840 FEDERAL CENSUS
Detroit, Wayne Cty, Michigan
Thomas Culvert (s/b Thomas Calvert)
Males 5-9 yr 1 John (1834 6 yr)
Males 10-14 1
Males 15-19 1 William Beal (1822 18 yr)
Males 40-49 2 Thomas Calvert (1800 40 yr)
Females under 5 1 Harriet Ann (1839 1 yr)
Females 10-14 1
Females 40-49 1 Mary Beal (Calvert) (1798 42 yr)
Don’t know who the three unaccounted for mystery people are.
Affidavit of Elizabeth Walker [long time friend of Thomas & Mary Calvert] mentions the following relatives came over from England and lived with Thomas and Mary:
Daniel Beal, brother of Mary Beal Calvert
William Belt & Nancy Beal Belt, sister of Mary Beal Calvert
William Calvert, brother of Thomas Calvert
1840 US Census: US; Michigan; Wayne; Detroit
Third from top: Thomas Culvert
Note: Culvert s/b Calvert. Need to research who the three mystery people are.
Source: 1840 US Federal Census; Detroit, Wayne, Michigan; Roll: 212; Page: 210;
Image: 1015; FHL Film 0014797 from The National Archives; Ancestry.com
DEATH
Thomas Calvert died 7 July 1848. He was only 48 years old. The situation was tragic. A hired farm worker murdered Thomas by splitting his head open with an axe. The worker was captured and arrested.
Newspaper clipping:
“Mr. Thomas Calvert, of Hamtramck, Wayne county, was brutally murdered
on Friday last. The murderer was a Negro, who was at work for Mr. C., and
killed him instantly by splitting his head open with an axe. The Negro was
arrested and sent to jail, to await trial.”
SOURCE: Friday, July 14, 1848; Coldwater Sentinel (Coldwater, Michigan) page 2; Genealogy Bank
BURIAL
In 1848 Thomas Calvert was buried at Clinton Street Cemetery in City of Detroit. Then, in 1856 the body was moved to Lot I27 in Section N in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.
Thomas Calvert born at Malton; Yorkshire, England; Died at Detroit July 7, 1848; Aged 48 years & 6 days
SOURCE: Tombstone for Thomas Calvert and Mary Beal Calvert; FindAGrave Memorial #119208740
WILL
WIFE DIED
Mary Beal (Calvert) died 30 September 1876 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan. It is believed she was 81 years old. Mary was buried in Lot I27 Section N in Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.
FAMILY
- Mary Calvert bpt 9 July 1829 in Kirby Moorside, Yorkshire; d before family left for America in May 1830
- Mary Ann Calvert b 17 Dec 1831 probably in Schenectady, NY; d 19 Aug 1834 in Detroit, MI 2 yr 8 mo 2 day
- John Calvert b 1 July 1834 in Detroit, MI; m Mary Threadgould 24 Apr 1867 in Detroit/ m Annie Walker Perkins 28 Aug 1908 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada; d in 11 Jan 1913 in Los Angeles, CA 78 years DIRECT LINE ANCESTOR
- Mary Calvert b 13 May 1835 in Detroit, MI; d 13 Jan 1836 in Detroit, MI 8 mo 2 da
- Harriet Ann Calvert b 23 Oct 1839 in Detroit, MI; d 29 Jan 1862 in Detroit, MI 22 yr 3 mo 6 days
ADDRESSES
RESEARCH FOR THOMAS CALVERT’S FATHER
- There was a John Calvert(1) born in latter part of 1700s who was a farmer. John Calvert(1) married (possibly Mary) and had a son, John Calvert(2), born about 1807/8 in Old Malton, York. We are looking for siblings of John Calvert(2). Specifically, we are looking at Thomas Calvert (born about 1800) and his brother, William Calvert.
- John Calvert(2) married Mary Duke in 1838 and they had a son, John Calvert(3) born about 1842. Mary Duke Calvert appears to have died in 1874. At death of John Calvert(2) in 1889 it appears that his only next of kin was John Calvert(3).
- John Calvert(3) never married and after his death in 1890 there was a court case to determine who would inherit.
Wills for John Calvert(2) and John Calvert(3):
CALVERT John(2)
Personal Estate £284
1889 7 March
Administration of the Personal Estate of John Calvert late of Scagglethorpe in the County of York Farmer a Widower who died 2 March 1882 at Scagglethorpe was granted at York to John Calvert of Scagglethorpe Farmer the Son and only Next of Kin.
CALVERT John(3)
Personal Estate £897 12 s
1890 28 August
Administration of the Personal Estate of John Calvert late of Scagglethorpe in the County of York Farmer a Bachelor who died 13 August 1890 at Scagglethorpe was granted at York to Robert Dukes of Scagglethorpe Farmer the Uncle and one of the Next of Kin.
ONGOING RESEARCH
- Purchase Detroit 1835 City Map from Historic Map Works Residential Genealogy ($5)
- Locate Wayne County, Michigan circuit court records for murder trial.
- Research parents and siblings for Thomas Calvert.
- Look for a will for Thomas Calvert.
- Research birth location for Mary Ann Calvert (as family did not arrive in Detroit until year after her birth). Might be Schenectady, New York.
- Research John Calvert court case records in England. Should have family relationships of our Calverts with those in the court case.
Please share with us any stories, photos, documents, etc. that could add to the stories of any of these ancestors. Send to suzan@genealogynirvana.com
