Thomas Westbrook Waldron (1814–1844) was a captain's clerk"Evening Journal", "Exploring Expedition", June 13, 1842, accessed May 30, 2014 on the Wilkes Expedition, and the first United States consul to Hong Kong."Ceremony Recalls Fallen Diplomats", State Magazine (Oct 2009), p.8. Accessed September 5, 2010 His service to the U.S. consular service was honored by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a ceremony in 2009."American Foreign Service Association's Memorial Plaque Ceremony" Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, C Street Lobby, Washington, D.C., May 1, 2009
Family Waldron was born May 1, 1814, the youngest of eight children of Daniel Waldron and Olive Huske Sheafe Waldron of Dover, New Hampshire. He was named after his grandfather, Thomas Westbrook Waldron. An older cousin of the same name had moved away prior to his birth.
Wilkes Expedition With his older brother Richard he joined the Wilkes Expedition, which explored a portion of the coast of Antarctica, some of the Pacific islands, and the coast of what is now Washington state. Waldron Glacier in the Antarctic is named after him. Waldron Island is named after him or his brother.‘was probably intended for Thomas W. Waldron, Captain’s Clerk of the brig Porpoise of the expedition. However, it is possible that two men were honored in the one name as R. R. Waldron was Purser of the Vincennes, another vessel of the expedition.’ (Meany, E. S. (1923)). Origin of Washington Geographic Names, University of Washington Press, Seattle. as cited in Patrick J. M. Waldron, "Waldron Family History", June 30, 2009, pp.5, 8 at: http://www.binary.co.nz/WALDRON3.PDF accessed September 5, 2010
U.S. Consul to Hong Kong and Macau In December 1843 he was nominated by President John Tyler to the office of United States consul to Hong Kong.United States. Congress. Senate Journal of the executive proceedings of the Senate of the United ..., Volume 6 accessed November 21, 2010 He traveled to neighboring Macau on official business, where he died on September 18, 1844 after contracting cholera. He is buried in the Old Protestant Cemetery in Macau.Speeches and Articles by Former Consul General Joseph R. Donovan Jr. Macau-U.S. Relations--A Retrospective --Joseph R. Donovan Jr. Consul General of the United States of America
For the University of Macau's Distinguished Diplomatic & Consular Speakers' Series Thursday, May 14, 2009 After Signing Ceremony of Renewal of the UMac-USCG Letter of Understanding on the American Corner at the UMac Library At: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/cg_jd2009051401.html accessed September 6, 2010
2009 ceremony On May 1, 2009, as part of a ceremony honoring several diplomats who died on duty, he was honored by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. A second ceremony occurred the same month at his burial site at the Old Protestant Cemetery, Macau.
Landmarks Waldron Glacier is named after him. Waldron Island in the San Juan Islands off of Puget Sound is named either after he or his brother Richard. Waldron Island 'was probably intended for Thomas W. Waldron, Captain's Clerk of the brig Porpoise of the expedition. However, it is possible that two men were honored in the one name as R. R. Waldron was Purser of the Vincennes, another vessel of the expedition.' (Meany, E. S. (1923). Origin of Washington Geographic Names, University of Washington Press, Seattle. as cited in Patrick J. M. Waldron, "Waldron Family History", June 30, 2009, pp.5, 8 at: http://www.binary.co.nz/WALDRON3.
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