George Gaskell

Son of John Gaskell and Elizabeth Barrett and twin brother of William Gaskell

George was the fourth son of John and Elizabeth and twin brother of William Gaskell, whose name appears first in the wills of their father and mother, implying that George was the younger. George is also referred to by his mother as the youngest son. He was born on 21st July 1755.

He was baptised on 4^th August 1755 at St Peter the Great, Worcester.

At the age of 13, on 23^rd May 1769, George left Worcester for London to take up the position of an Apprentice with Messrs Harrap and Streatwells, Warehousemen, of George Yard, Lombard Street, London.  He arrived in London on 30^th May 1769. The Articles of Agreement were signed on 18^th July 1769 and George was bound on 31^st December 1769. 

George’s mother and sister wrote frequently to him from 1769 until June 1773 and the letters reveal - a constant supply of shirts and stockings being sent; lack of replies and whereabouts of brother John. She also commented on the health and death of George’s friends in Worcester. On 12^th June 1769, George’s mother wrote of a waistcoat given by Uncle Gaskell, who must have been John’s brother - Thomas of Uxbridge.

George was mentioned in his Mother’s will in 1772.

George’s Aunt, Ann Misenor, by her will of 1784, left half her considerable estate, after bequests to many relatives, to George and the other half to his twin brother, William.

By 1788, George, with a partner, Mr John Evans, had set up the company – Gaskell & Evans, Wholesale Linen Drapers of 33 Cateaton Street, London

George married an Elizabeth, but the marriage has not yet been found. George and Elizabeth had three sons, whose details and the details of their families can be found on the following page

In the 1790’s George received a number of letters, through an intermediary, from William Usher, the second husband of George’s Aunt Elizabeth, who writes about the brothers and sisters of George’s father, John and John’s mother Elizabeth. George also recorded the death dates of his parents, sister and brothers John and Thomas. The death dates of his Uncle, Thomas, and Aunt and Uncle, Mr and Mrs Misenor are also listed; George was clearly the first Gaskell to undertake research into the Gaskell family history and pay money for the research.

George died at 33 Cateaton Street, London and was buried on 1^st June 1796 in St Lawrence Jewry, London "going to the vestry door close the pew No. 4 Grave 8ft" (no longer there).

George’s will was dated 19^th May 1796. It refers to his occupation as a Linen Draper of Cateaton Street, London.  He left to his dear wife Elizabeth  “all my plate, linen, china and household furniture of what nature or kind soever and all my wearing apparel, books, pictures and prints, together with my store of wines and other liquors” plus an annuity for life of £100.  To a Mr William ?, schoolmaster lately of Manchester, he left the sum of 3 guineas per annum for his natural life. To his brother William Gaskell; Mr John Evans, his good friend and partner; and Mr Robert Price, a London wholesale grocer, he left the sum of 5 guineas.  All the residue of his estate is left to his executors on trust, John Evans, William Lewis and Robert Price, to administer on behalf of his sons George Gaskell and John Gaskell, plus a child which Elizabeth was expecting in May 1796 (William); he estate was then to be divided between the children as they reached 21. For the maintenance of the children until 21, Elizabeth was to be paid whatevert the executors thought proper. The balance was to accumulate for the benefit of the children at 21.  If all the children died before the age of 21, Elizabeth would be given £1000 and the annuity of £100 cancelled. In the case of this event the executors should “stand possessed” of £5000 to be invested and for the benefit of the children (not yet born) of his brother William and on those children reaching 21 the residue of the estate to them.  If William did not have children then, in trust to William, for the benefit of the children of George’s niece, Elizabeth Mobbs (daughter of Thomas Gaskell and wife of James Mobbs of Southampton).  If the above failed then to his nieces and nephew, Elizabeth Mobbs, Mary Gaskell and Thomas Gaskell (all the children of Thomas Gaskell, the name of another child of Thomas Gaskell is omitted on the copy will but must be on the original - either William or Ann) If the above also failed then to his nephew, Richard Taylor (the son of Elizabeth Gaskell).

The will was proved on 13^th June 1796.

George’s wife, Elizabeth, died on 26^th February 1803 aged 29.  The eldest son, George, would have been exactly 10 on his mother’s death; John and William were younger.  Who looked after the children and where, until they were adults, is not known