By Dan Shine
Voice Columnist
Captain Thomas Boulevard
For years I have wondered about the origin of the name of Savin Rock’s primary thoroughfare; the following was found in the 1968 Annual Report of the West Haven Redevelopment Agency:
Many people have wondered about the change of the name for Thomas Street. Actually it is no change at all—merely a formalizing of what has always been.
Some people have expressed the opinion that the change to Captain Thomas Boulevard is an infringement on matters historical and a drastic modern departure from the comfortable old.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Thomas Street was originally named to honor the memory of Captain Amos C. Thomas, and the Agency is following the course of history.
Captain Thomas was an early West Haven shipbuilder and sea-faring man—born in 1785—whose sloops, including one commanded by him, sailed to the British West Indies for cargoes of rum, spices and molasses.
The old Thomas homestead was on First Avenue at the corner of what is now Willow Street (Willow Street didn’t exist then) and it is possible, on a clear day, to have an unimpeded view of Long Island Sound—down to the present Savin Rock section. Between the homestead and the Sound was one vast, flat expanse of salt marshes.
It is said that when Captain Thomas returned from his voyages, he sailed up the Sound and into the West River, heaving anchor in the shallows opposite the salt marshes which bordered his land.
The homestead, altered by remodeling still stands today.
Captain Thomas died October 31, 1858 at age 72, and was buried at Oak Grove Cemetery. We are indebted to William Brown of Sycamore Lane, Orange for the information on Captain Thomas. Mr. Brown is well informed on area historical matters and is a genealogist.
The Thomas name has not disappeared from the West Haven scene, although there is only one direct descendant left. She is Mrs. Harriet Thomas Crane North of 77 Center Street. Mrs. North, wed to Edward H. North, is a past president of the West Haven Historical Society; historian for the Connecticut League of Historical Societies; and member of the Antiquarian and Landmarks Society of Connecticut.
Mrs. North’s maternal grandfather was George Thomas, who served as Town Clerk of Orange and later in the same capacity when West Haven became a separate community, for some 35 years. In addition, he at various times held the posts of Tax Collector and Postmaster.
Mrs. North’s mother was Bertha Thomas, who married Russell J. Crane.
Ed note: We thank Rich Boshea for helping compile the information for this article.