The son of Captain Thomas, named Thomas and known to Gadsden researchers as ‘the Founder’ (of the American Gadsdens) was born in Stepney, London, in 1688. He was only three years old when his father died of fever at Nevis in the West Indies after many years of trading between the New World and England.
Despite this setback, young Thomas clearly showed promise and in 1702, at the age of fourteen, he joined the British Navy as midshipman. To obtain such a position generally required a patron and this may well have been the case with Thomas. It could explain a curious relationship which developed later in his career.
Promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1707 he continued briskly up the ladder until his discharge on half pay in 1712. His years of service almost exactly span the War of the Spanish Succession. He was involved in a number of major naval engagements during that time, one being the capture of the Spanish treasure fleet at Vigo Bay, Spain. Another was the conquest of Gibralter.
gadsdensoftheworld 