Captain Thomas Cunningham was the first master of the clipper ship Ocean Express. He oversaw her construction, and sailed her twice from Boston around Cape Horn to Peru.
With Maria Caroline Ingalls, he had only one child Harriet "Hattie" Cunningham, who kept an almost daily diary of the trips with her father and mother.
After the death of Maria, Thomas married his wife's niece, Rebecca Anne Ingalls, who perhaps cared for him in his later years.
Boston Daily Globe; Aug 11, 1896; pg 5.
MADE HIS LAST RALLY.
Somerville's Great Loss in Capt Cunningham — Was Gaining Strength When Intense Heat Laid Him Low.
Capt Thomas Cunningham, for years one of the most familiar figures in Somerville, died yesterday afternoon at his residence on Oak st. A few months ago he received a stroke of apoplexy. He rallied from its effects, however, until Sunday. Then the extreme heat brought about a succession of ill turns and weakened him beyond his strength.
Capt Cunningham was born in Groton, Jan 3, 1815. He came to Boston in 1823 and attended the Fort Hill and Hawkins st schools until 1828, when his father died, leaving to his care a mother and five children.
He worked at various occupations until April, 1832, when he began to follow the sea. In February, 1857, he gave up his life upon the ocean and went to Somerville to reside. Upon the sea he served in the capacities of sailor, second officer, first officer and then captain.
He last served as captain of the large ship "Ocean Express," that was built under his personal supervision. He was elected a selectman of Somerville in 1860, and held that position through the most trying time of the war.
He was town treasurer from 1863 to 1872. When the war broke out he became recruiting officer of the town. He enrolled the town for the draft in 1863, and from 62 to 72 he paid out all the state aid, beside the finances of the "soldiers' relief fund." He visited the front three times with soldiers' goods, and visited Washington several times in regard to Somerville's quota.
Capt Cunningham was assessor for 33 years and overseer of the poor for 10 years. He was representative to the general court. in 1877 and 78, under speaker Long.
He gained considerable notice in the first year of his service as representative when he advocated a bill providing aid for veterans, and widows and children of soldiers. In his second year he secured the registry of deeds building in East Cambridge.
Upon his retirement from the overseers of the poor department he was appointed to the position of inspector of milk and vinegar. He resigned his position last year.
Capt Cunningham was a member of the Ancient and Honorables, Boston Commandery, Knights Templars; Royal Arch chapter and John Abbott lodge of Masons, and the Oasis lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a director of the Cambridge national bank.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3, from the Prospect Hill Congregational Church, of which he was a prominent member.
With Maria Caroline Ingalls, he had only one child Harriet "Hattie" Cunningham, who kept an almost daily diary of the trips with her father and mother.
After the death of Maria, Thomas married his wife's niece, Rebecca Anne Ingalls, who perhaps cared for him in his later years.
Boston Daily Globe; Aug 11, 1896; pg 5.
MADE HIS LAST RALLY.
Somerville's Great Loss in Capt Cunningham — Was Gaining Strength When Intense Heat Laid Him Low.
Capt Thomas Cunningham, for years one of the most familiar figures in Somerville, died yesterday afternoon at his residence on Oak st. A few months ago he received a stroke of apoplexy. He rallied from its effects, however, until Sunday. Then the extreme heat brought about a succession of ill turns and weakened him beyond his strength.
Capt Cunningham was born in Groton, Jan 3, 1815. He came to Boston in 1823 and attended the Fort Hill and Hawkins st schools until 1828, when his father died, leaving to his care a mother and five children.
He worked at various occupations until April, 1832, when he began to follow the sea. In February, 1857, he gave up his life upon the ocean and went to Somerville to reside. Upon the sea he served in the capacities of sailor, second officer, first officer and then captain.
He last served as captain of the large ship "Ocean Express," that was built under his personal supervision. He was elected a selectman of Somerville in 1860, and held that position through the most trying time of the war.
He was town treasurer from 1863 to 1872. When the war broke out he became recruiting officer of the town. He enrolled the town for the draft in 1863, and from 62 to 72 he paid out all the state aid, beside the finances of the "soldiers' relief fund." He visited the front three times with soldiers' goods, and visited Washington several times in regard to Somerville's quota.
Capt Cunningham was assessor for 33 years and overseer of the poor for 10 years. He was representative to the general court. in 1877 and 78, under speaker Long.
He gained considerable notice in the first year of his service as representative when he advocated a bill providing aid for veterans, and widows and children of soldiers. In his second year he secured the registry of deeds building in East Cambridge.
Upon his retirement from the overseers of the poor department he was appointed to the position of inspector of milk and vinegar. He resigned his position last year.
Capt Cunningham was a member of the Ancient and Honorables, Boston Commandery, Knights Templars; Royal Arch chapter and John Abbott lodge of Masons, and the Oasis lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a director of the Cambridge national bank.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3, from the Prospect Hill Congregational Church, of which he was a prominent member.
Captain Thomas Cunningham was the first master of the clipper ship Ocean Express. He oversaw her construction, and sailed her twice from Boston around Cape Horn to Peru.
With Maria Caroline Ingalls, he had only one child Harriet "Hattie" Cunningham, who kept an almost daily diary of the trips with her father and mother.
After the death of Maria, Thomas married his wife's niece, Rebecca Anne Ingalls, who perhaps cared for him in his later years.
Boston Daily Globe; Aug 11, 1896; pg 5.
MADE HIS LAST RALLY.
Somerville's Great Loss in Capt Cunningham — Was Gaining Strength When Intense Heat Laid Him Low.
Capt Thomas Cunningham, for years one of the most familiar figures in Somerville, died yesterday afternoon at his residence on Oak st. A few months ago he received a stroke of apoplexy. He rallied from its effects, however, until Sunday. Then the extreme heat brought about a succession of ill turns and weakened him beyond his strength.
Capt Cunningham was born in Groton, Jan 3, 1815. He came to Boston in 1823 and attended the Fort Hill and Hawkins st schools until 1828, when his father died, leaving to his care a mother and five children.
He worked at various occupations until April, 1832, when he began to follow the sea. In February, 1857, he gave up his life upon the ocean and went to Somerville to reside. Upon the sea he served in the capacities of sailor, second officer, first officer and then captain.
He last served as captain of the large ship "Ocean Express," that was built under his personal supervision. He was elected a selectman of Somerville in 1860, and held that position through the most trying time of the war.
He was town treasurer from 1863 to 1872. When the war broke out he became recruiting officer of the town. He enrolled the town for the draft in 1863, and from 62 to 72 he paid out all the state aid, beside the finances of the "soldiers' relief fund." He visited the front three times with soldiers' goods, and visited Washington several times in regard to Somerville's quota.
Capt Cunningham was assessor for 33 years and overseer of the poor for 10 years. He was representative to the general court. in 1877 and 78, under speaker Long.
He gained considerable notice in the first year of his service as representative when he advocated a bill providing aid for veterans, and widows and children of soldiers. In his second year he secured the registry of deeds building in East Cambridge.
Upon his retirement from the overseers of the poor department he was appointed to the position of inspector of milk and vinegar. He resigned his position last year.
Capt Cunningham was a member of the Ancient and Honorables, Boston Commandery, Knights Templars; Royal Arch chapter and John Abbott lodge of Masons, and the Oasis lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a director of the Cambridge national bank.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3, from the Prospect Hill Congregational Church, of which he was a prominent member.
With Maria Caroline Ingalls, he had only one child Harriet "Hattie" Cunningham, who kept an almost daily diary of the trips with her father and mother.
After the death of Maria, Thomas married his wife's niece, Rebecca Anne Ingalls, who perhaps cared for him in his later years.
Boston Daily Globe; Aug 11, 1896; pg 5.
MADE HIS LAST RALLY.
Somerville's Great Loss in Capt Cunningham — Was Gaining Strength When Intense Heat Laid Him Low.
Capt Thomas Cunningham, for years one of the most familiar figures in Somerville, died yesterday afternoon at his residence on Oak st. A few months ago he received a stroke of apoplexy. He rallied from its effects, however, until Sunday. Then the extreme heat brought about a succession of ill turns and weakened him beyond his strength.
Capt Cunningham was born in Groton, Jan 3, 1815. He came to Boston in 1823 and attended the Fort Hill and Hawkins st schools until 1828, when his father died, leaving to his care a mother and five children.
He worked at various occupations until April, 1832, when he began to follow the sea. In February, 1857, he gave up his life upon the ocean and went to Somerville to reside. Upon the sea he served in the capacities of sailor, second officer, first officer and then captain.
He last served as captain of the large ship "Ocean Express," that was built under his personal supervision. He was elected a selectman of Somerville in 1860, and held that position through the most trying time of the war.
He was town treasurer from 1863 to 1872. When the war broke out he became recruiting officer of the town. He enrolled the town for the draft in 1863, and from 62 to 72 he paid out all the state aid, beside the finances of the "soldiers' relief fund." He visited the front three times with soldiers' goods, and visited Washington several times in regard to Somerville's quota.
Capt Cunningham was assessor for 33 years and overseer of the poor for 10 years. He was representative to the general court. in 1877 and 78, under speaker Long.
He gained considerable notice in the first year of his service as representative when he advocated a bill providing aid for veterans, and widows and children of soldiers. In his second year he secured the registry of deeds building in East Cambridge.
Upon his retirement from the overseers of the poor department he was appointed to the position of inspector of milk and vinegar. He resigned his position last year.
Capt Cunningham was a member of the Ancient and Honorables, Boston Commandery, Knights Templars; Royal Arch chapter and John Abbott lodge of Masons, and the Oasis lodge of Odd Fellows. He was a director of the Cambridge national bank.
The funeral will be held Thursday afternoon at 3, from the Prospect Hill Congregational Church, of which he was a prominent member.
Inscription
There are 10 names, in addition to Capt. Thomas, inscribed on three sides of the monument. They are as follows, with their relationship to Thomas noted:
Backside of monument:
Maria Caroline --- his wife
Rebecca Ann Ingalls --- his second wife
(niece of his first wife)
Edge side:
Thomas T. Cunningham --- his father
Charlotte Cunningham --- his mother
Ann Maria Daniels --- his sister
Nathaniel Daniels --- his sister's husband
Opposite edgeside:
Rev. Wilson Ingalls --- brother of his first wife (and father of Rebecca Ann, his second wife)
Jane C. Ingalls --- wife of Wilson Ingalls
Rev. Edmond Ingalls --- son of Wilson Ingalls
Ella C. ingalls --- wife of Edmond Ingalls
Gravesite Details
The monument is about 7 feet tall, with a likeness of Capt Thomas on the front side.
Family Members
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