Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

THOMAS McVEA

Thomas McVea was the third son of James and Mary (Warnock) McVea, both natives of County Down, Ireland, who migrated to the United States in 1852, first stopping in Chicago.

In 1856 Thomas McVea, wife and oldest daughter, came from Chicago, accompanied by Mr. McVea's parents, three brothers and two sisters, all settling on the Lake Shore and owned the farms now belonging to Mrs. Trumbull and Mrs. Bryan; Thomas bought the place which included The Homestead and Beachmont section of today.

Mr. McVea was a sailor and sailed vessels trading in lumber between Chicago and Singapore and I am told the reason the brothers located along the lake was because it reminded them of their boyhood home in Ireland which was on the seashore.

When the family came the lake shore was a solid wilderness with only a wagon track along the shore. Saugatuck's name was "The Flats", Douglas was Dudleyville.

Mr. McVea learned the tailor's trade in Manchester, England, and when not engaged in sailing made clothes for Saugatuck's fashionable young men, one of whom was Ami Coates.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas McVea are Mary (Mrs. George Morgan), William, of Beachmont, and James, all deceased and living at the Homestead today are Elizabeth and Samuel.