George Shedden

Eldest son of Robert Shedden (q.v.) and partner in Robert Shedden and Sons (q.v.).

1. Born Virginia 1769 to Robert Shedden and Agatha Wells (daughter of John Goodrich of Nansemond Plantation). Married 04/09/1799 his cousin Mary, also born in Virginia 02/02/1776, elder daughter and coheir of William Goodrich of Spring Hill East Cowes and his wife Catherine Cole. George Shedden's daughter Agatha Wells Bridger (1802-1865) married 02/11/1824 Robert Hawthorn (son of John Hawthorn and grandson of John Hawthorn of Oulton, Co. Wigton). His daughter Margaret Bridger Goodrich (1804-1847) married 02/07/1827 the Rev. James Galloway (born Jamaica 1801-1874), only son of James Galloway of Jamaica with Elizabeth his wife. Additional addresses for George Shedden given as Knockmarloch Co. Ayr and Hardmead Co. Buckingham.

2. Left £140,000 in personalty. Mercantile fortune in London. His father was an eminent merchant of 36 Gower Street who had previously lived in New York. (Although Rubinstein said that '[i]t is unclear whether our man was ever in trade', the will of Robert Shedden senior described George Shedden as co-partner in business.) '6 Bedford Square and then Spring Hill, East Cowes, Isle of Wight. He also had residences at Paulersbury Park, Northants; at Knockmarloch, Ayrshire and at Hardmead Bucks.' 'His fortune clearly derived from his father's mercantile business in London.'

1. England and Wales Visitation, Volume 11, 'Shedden of Spring Hill Isle of Wight and of Paulsers Pury Park Co. Northampton' available at www.ancestry.co.uk [accessed 22/12/2010].

2. William D. Rubinstein, Who were the rich? A biographical dictionary of British wealth-holders Volume Two 1840-1859 (MS) reference 1855/4.