Calhoun-Cleburne County AlArchives History .....Thomas Gaines Roberts - Oxford, Calhoun County, Alabama 1870-1941 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/al/alfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Shirley Mellon Dewberry dewberry@cableone.net July 28, 2010, 11:08 pm ThomSource: Postcard From: Milan, Italy Date: Oct. 1, 1895 To: Roberts Family, Oxford, Alabama Please meet me this evening at 7:30 behind Harry Gunnels law office. No pistols. Love, T. Gaines Roberts P.S. Bring something to eat. ********************************************* Source: The Anniston Republic Anniston, Alabama Date: June 13, 1903 OXFORD NEWS DEPARTMENT Men of Merit Have Gone Forth From Oxford College A former resident of Oxford and a graduate of the college at that place is Mr. T. Gaines Roberts. He went through the Academy at Annapolis and was three years a government student at Paris. He is now with the naval force at Mare Island and is second in command. *********************************************** Source: Newspaper Article Date: Between 1903 and 1906 A press special from San Rafael, Cal., give the following interest account of a dinner given in the honor of General Joseph Wheeler and Miss Annie Wheeler by Lieut. T. Gaines Roberts, of this city: General "Joe" Wheeler was the central figure and guest of honor at the informal dinner given at the Hotel Rafael this evening by Lieutenant T. Gaines Roberts of the Naval Construction Corps, who is now in charge of the building of all Government vessels at the Union Iron Works. Fifteen persons were present and a pleasant time was passed in small talk and repartee. General Wheeler, his daughter and Lieutenant Roberts came to this city on the train arriving at 6 o'clock, and were met at the depot and escorted to the hotel by General Warfield. The banquet began at 8 o'clock and the guest did not arise from the table until an hour and thirty minutes later. The large dining room of the the hotel was tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, and the American flag was largely in evidence. During the dinner Lieutenant Roberts proposed a graceful toast, "To the idol of the South and to his idol," the latter expression referring to Miss Wheeler. The toast brought an outburst of applause. General Wheeler responded by thanking his host and guest for the kindly feeling manifested and said the occasion would not soon be forgotten. Nothing of an administrative on military nature was touched upon during the evening. After the dinner the party repaired to the dance hall and was joined by the other guest at the hotel. General and Miss wheeler were introduced to all present and the reminder of the evening was whiled away in dancing. Those present at the dinner were: General Wheeler and Miss Annie Wheeler, General and Mrs. Warfield, Mrs. Silas W. Terry, Miss Ellinor Terry, Miss Grace Barton, Baron Alex Von Schroder, Lieutenant T. Gaines Roberts, Miss May Bowen, Mr. C. Bocqueraz, Mr. T. Cayler Smith, Mrs. F. E. Buch and Mrs. and Mrs. A. J. Hepburn. ******************************************** Source: Navy History K-6 (SS-37) was launched 26 Mar 1914, by the Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass., under a subcontract from the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by MRS. THOMAS GAINES ROBERTS; and commissioned 9 Sept at Boston. Lt. J. O. Fisher. ********************************************* Source: Newspaper Article Date: Unknown THOMAS GAINES ROBERTS RECEIVED PROMOTION The recent promotion of Commander T. Gaines Roberts, of this city, to the rank of captain in the navy, will be gratifying to his many friends in Anniston and surrounding section. The rank of captain in the navy corresponds to the rank of colonel in the army, the next higher grade being rear-admiral. With the promotion of Capt. Roberts he has been transferred for duty as construction officer of the Boston Navy yard, which is the largest in the country, and where there is a great amount of work involving the building of ships, conversion of German liners to troop ships and the repairs to the fleet. Captain Roberts has just finished his fourth year at the Fore River Shipbuilding plant at Quincy, Mass. Prior to this he was four years at Newport News, Va., two fo the largest private shipyards in the country. Captain Roberts has supervised the building of a great number of naval vessels of all kinds, and his records is one of which all his friends and acquaintances are proud. ************************************************** Source: Newspaper Article Anniston, Alabama Date: Sunday, April 3, 1927 CAPT. T. GAINES ROBERTS, VETERAN SUPERVISOR OF SHIPBUILDING, RETIRES Possessor of Five College Degrees Visits Friends and Relatives Here Capt. T. Gaines Roberts who has supervised the construction of perhaps more United States naval vessel than any other man in this country has voluntarily retired from the navy and is now spending a few weeks with friends and relatives in Anniston and Oxford. He left Anniston 37 years ago but is now "returning to his starting point." Capt. Roberts will however, sail from New York for Lisbon on April 11 for visits to Portugal, Spain, France and other European countries and to Morocco. He was stationed at Philadelphia during the last nine years of service where he ended his ship-building work as result of the disarmament conference of 1922. He had charge of the construction of naval war vessels at the four great shipyards of the United States, New York Shipbuilding Corporation Newport News Shipbuilding Corporation, Foree River Shipbuilding Corporation and Cramps Shipyard continuously for 14 years. During his years of service he supervised the construction of 136 naval vessels in whole or in part. While he obtained his first college degree from Oxford in 1890, he obtained his final degree just two years ago, graduating from the Temple University law school in Philadelphia in 1925 while pursuing naval duties. He became a member of the Philadelphia bar in the same year. Capt. Roberts in addition to these two degrees has also acquired degrees from Annapolis 1894, Paris Schools of Mines 1895 and Paris Ecole due Genie Maritime 1897. Capt. Roberts has one child, Gaines Trowbridge Roberts, a graduate of Yale University in 1925 and now Chicago representative of the Andale Engineering company. *************************************************** Source: Newspaper Article Date: Nov. 22, 1954 Anniston (Alabama) 25 Years Ago Nov. 22, 1929 Capt. T. Gaines Roberts sailed Thursday for Jerusalem, Cairo and interesting points as the first step on a cruise around the world. ************************************************ Source: New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Name: T. Gaines Roberts Arrival Date: 23 Sep 1929 Estimated birth: 1870 Age: 59 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Cherbourg, France Ship Name: Leviathan Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Alabama Birth Location: Alabama Birth Location Other: Oxford (Oxford, Alabama) ************************************************ Source: California Passenger and Crew Lists, 1893 -1957 Name: Thomas Gaines Roberts Arrival Date: 7 June 1930 Age: 59 Birth Date: 18 Aug 1870 Birthplace: Oxford, Alabama, United States (Born Riddle's Mill, Cleburne County, Alabama) Gender: Male Ship Name: Taiyo Maru Port of Arrival: Los Angeles, California Port of Departure: Yokohama, Japan ************************************************* Source: New York Passenger Lists, 1820 - 1957 Name: Thomas Gaines Roberts Arrival Date: 6 Nov 1937 Estimated birth: Abt 1870 Age: 67 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Le Havre, France Ship Name: President Harding Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Oxfordshire (Correction: Oxford, Alabama) Birth Location: Riddle's Mill, Cleburne County, Alabama near Oxford, Alabama) Birth Location: Ala USA Friend's Name: American Security & Rust Co. Port Arrival State: New York Port Arrival County: United States *********************************************** Source: Old Newspaper Article Date: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 1931 By T. Gaines Roberts Back in the days of my youth there was a daily newspaper published in Oxford and in it two writers, under assumed names, grew controversial with each other in poetry and prose. It developed that one of them was my uncle, Richard Gaines Roberts, and the other was myself. One day Professor Dodson, then president of Oxford College, said to me, 'Gaines, is that you who is writing that doggerel in the newspaper? I replied, "Yes, sir." He said, "You would better stop it; there is nothing in it." Then he reminded me that the Latin poet, Horace, had said Poet nascitur non fit (a poet is born, not made). I did not know until after his death, many long years afterwards, that Professor Dodson himself had written quite a collection of unpublished poems --- so he knew what he was talking about. That he was a real philosopher I now know. I have had the impulse to break out into poetry off and on ever since, and if that is any index to philosophy you may speculate on my --- THOUGHTS OF HOME Of home sweet home I never cease to ponder, Those words of cheer were ever dear to me; However much my wayward steps may wander Oer oceans far and lands beyond the sea. "Tis not the wealth of East or West that matters, "Tis not the foreign potentate or king That tunes the heart, nor man or woman flatters, So much as home, like which there is no thing. Where is the heart, there home is ever also. My land of birth was ever home to me; And sweeter far than other haven, although To windward sailed my bark more than to thee. To Alabama then I'll aim my vision, My land of fullsome youth, and here we rest; My muse is ever ready with presion To sing the song of home I love the best. To Arbacoochee, birth-place of my father, I'll cling my glass on prohibition street; And Chulafinnee where I used to wander, With Tallapoosa meand'ring at my feet. Oakfuskee was the place I first remember, The birth of my mem'ry came while I was there; Sweet hills and brooks and flowers until September, Fond recollections of the yesteryears. How sing a theme without my Choccolocco? Most precious stream! My mem'ry turns apace; "This childhood's fondest dreams in life that hallow Man's recollections in life's strenuous race. Roll on ye brooks and streams that ever babble! O'er hills and vales and fields the moments ship; I love them still, and all the birds that warble Sweet sons down where the rippling riplets rip. ***************************************** Source: The Anniston Star, Anniston, Alabama Date: November 27, 2008 75/25 Years Ago November 27, 1933., in The Star: Members of the Roberts family of Oxford and relatives held a dinner party and reunion at the Mellon farm near Oxford yesterday. One of the special guest was retired naval Capt. T. Gaines Roberts, who took the opportunity to revisit scenes of his boyhood in Anniston and Oxford. Roberts was born in Oxford and graduated from the old Oxford College; subsequent education took him to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, to Paris and to Temple University law school in Philadelphia, with the result that he is certified in France as an American lawyer. Roberts retired from the Navy in 1917 and for many years supervised shipbuilding for the U.S. government. In fact, he directed the construction of 136 naval warships, the largest number ever credited to one man in the history of the country. ******************************************* Traveled in Marienbad, Czechoslovakia Source: Original Letter From: Monte Carlo, Monaco To: Oxford, Alabama Monte Carlo, Monaco 9 May 1935 Dear James (James Richey Roberts) Your letter gave me much pleasure. Congrats on the promotion, if such it is. Since last year this time I spent 1/2 May and June in Paris, July via Germany in Marienbad Czechoslovakia, August in Vienna and Austria. Sept in Budapest and Romania where I have a "sweetie" (Tirnisoara) which is really Hungarian, Oct in Venice 1/2 Oct and November in Monte Carlo, December & 1 /4 Jan in Paris, Jan. in Munich Vienna, Venice and to Monte Carlo Jan 21, Nice 1/2 March to 1/2 April, now two weeks back here, the winter beauty spot of the world and will spend 1/2 May to June 20 in Paris, then July in Germany, and Vienna, August in Marienbad, Sept in Vienna and Venice, then Oct & Nov. back here; so I now think you see, I manage to keep up the interest and keep occupied by change of scenery and travel. All branches of the family are well as far as I know. Let me hear from you from time to time, As ever, Your Coz, T. G. Roberts ********************************************** Source: The Anniston Star Anniston, Alabama Date: December 9, 1937 NEWS OF OXFORD Captain T. Gaines Roberts of Paris, France is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. (Earle Bassingame) Roberts and other relatives here. Roberts has been making his home on this continent since his retirement from the United States Navy. December 12, 1937 Mr. and Mrs. Gaines Roberts of Gadsden will spend today with Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Roberts and others relatives. ........ Mrs. Sam Mellon (Roberta Roberts Mellon) and Mr. and Mrs. Gaines Roberts were the guest of Gowan Roberts at the Kiwanis Club luncheon in Talladega (Alabama) Friday. *********************************************** Source: Newspaper Article Dated: March 26, 1941 Grim Mystery of War Shrouds The Passing of Talladegan's Kinsman The grim mystery of war hung today over the death of a distinguished retired United States naval officer who was the kinsman of a Talladegan. The man who died was Capt. T. Gaines Roberts, 71, first cousin of Gowan Roberts of Talladega, and during his 32 years of active duty, builder of many America's greatest fighting ships. Death came to him either at Cannes or Nice in occupied France on Jan. 26, 1941. That much information came Wednesday through the navy department and Congressman Sam Hobbs. But information as to the manner of his death has not yet been forth coming. His kins people in Alabama and other section of the United States do not know whether he died of natural causes or of some misadventure resulting from the over-running of France by German hordes. The mystery is intensified by the fact that no word has been received from Captain Roberts' widow, who now is believed to be in occupied France and unable to obtain passage. The first new that death had claimed Captain Roberts came through a young naval officer from Oxford, who wrote relatives there that a rumor of his death had been current in the United States Pacific fleet. Captain Roberts, who was reared in Oxford, and the younger officer were friends. The younger man once spent 10 days as the guest of the retired captain in Paris. Since the tragic collapse of France, relatives of Captain Roberts had tried steadily to communicate with him, but had been unable to get any sort of reply. The news of the rumor, plus the impossibility of establishing communication, caused Gowan Roberts to wire Mr. Hobbs. "Greatly regret that the navy department advises Capt. T. Gaines Roberts died Jan. 26, 1941 at either Cannes or Nice, France," Mr. Hobbs wired in answer. Although that information did definitely established the fact of Captain Robert's death, it left the cause wrapped in mystery and made no mention of the fate of the widow. Every effort will continue to be made to get in touch with Mrs. Roberts, Gowan Roberts said. Relatives last head from Captain Roberts on June 2, 1940, when he wrote that his address from then on would be Monte Carlo. Captain Roberts is survived by a son T. Gaines Roberts, Jr. who lived in Chicago. (Should be Gaines Trowbridge Roberts) The retired officer graduated from Annapolis with the class of 1904 and was sent to France for two years of study at a school of ship construction. On his return to the United States, he was assigned to duty at the navy ship yards and during his career he supervised the building of many of America's mightiest giants of the sea. During the World War he was stationed at Camden, N.J., where he directed the work of converting interned German vessels into transports. His last active duty before his retirement after 32 years of service was to supervise the construction of the airplane carried, "Saratoga." Captain Roberts was the son of Mrs. and Mrs. J.M. Roberts. His father enlisted in the 10th Alabama infantry, CSA., when it was formed at Talladega. Among his earlier construction assignments was that of supervising the building of the battleship Florida. The pilot wheel of that battleship now is among the exhibits at Elliott memorial museum. Captain Roberts usually returned to the United States for a visit every five years and would have been expected this year had not death intervened. On his last visit here, he addressed the Kiwanis club as the guest or Gowan Roberts. ********************************** Source: The Anniston Star Date: March 26, 1941 DEATH OF ROBERTS CONFIRMED BY NAVY Former Oxford Resident Died in France Captain T. Gaines Roberts, age 71, U. S. Navy, retired, died either at Nice or Cannes in Southern France January 26, according to unofficial reports reaching the Navy Department, it was reported today by the United Press. Captain Roberts had been living in Europe for several years, and had married a second time at Vienna a few years ago. The Navy Department reported his widow was attempting to get passage to the United States. Captain Roberts was born near Riddle's Mill in Cleburne County and was reared at Oxford. He was graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1894 being a member of the last class of this institution that studied in France. He was in the construction phase of Navy activity and his last assignment was the building of the airplane carrier, Saratoga. During the World War he was stationed at Camden, N.J., where interned German ships were converted into merchant ships. He also was in charge of building the dry docks at New Orleans. Captain Roberts was admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, New York and the District of Columbia. He obtained his law degree at Temple University after he was in the Navy. He is survived by a son, T. Gaines, Jr., of Chicago, two brothers and two sisters who reside in Texas, and a number of relatives in this section, including Earl Roberts of Oxford and Gowan Roberts of Talladega. as Gaines Roberts - Assorted Information regarding his life. Additional Comments: Thomas Gaines Roberts Born: August 18, 1870 Riddle's Mill, Cleburne County, AL (Childhood: Oxford,AL) Died: January 26, 1941 Father: James Madison Roberts Mother: Francis "Fannie" America Hayes File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/al/calhoun/history/other/thomasga42nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/alfiles/ File size: 19.1 Kb