First identified in around 1820 there was a Thomas Cawte, a dairyman, born in Fareham in 1820.
With his wife Emma, (b.1830), they raised a son George (b.1856), who also married an Emma (b.1855).
Together they had 3 children, Charles George (b.abt.1876), Isobel (b.1882), and Fred (b.1883).
Census records show them in Hampshire up to 1891, but from 1901 the family was established in Corsham.
In 1906, Charles George married Catherine Harris, and they had 2 sons, Albert (b.1908) and Gilbert Clarence (b.1910).
The two boys were to become motor engineers.
There is a story, confirmed by Keith Baker a descendant, that Mr Cawte decided to go on a trip to America in 1912, at Southampton he was badgered by another prospective passenger, who was desperate to get across the pond, and paid him a considerable amount for his ticket. Mr Cawte did not travel – the ship was the Titanic.
Three generations of this family, having settled in Corsham, set up a business in the High Street as motor engineers, next door to the Methuen Arms.
The picture above shows the buildings with a for sale sign above, it is believed that this would have been around 1960. Ultimately the buildings were demolished to create an entrance to the present car park.
The family moved away, and Albert Cawte died in 1995 in Trowbridge, and Gilbert Clarence died in 1987 in Devon.