Watson-Taylor, George, 1771-1841

George Watson-Taylor (1771 – 6 Jun 1841), of Saul's River, Jamaica, was the fourth son of George Watson. From 1810 he was the husband of Anna Susana Taylor, the daughter of Jamaican planter Sir John Taylor, 1st Baronet, and heiress of her brother Sir Simon Richard Brissett Taylor, 2nd baronet. Suffixing his name with that of his wife's family, he would become the richest planter on Jamaica. He used the proceeds to purchase a house on Cavendish Square, Middlesex and Erlestoke Park, near Devizes, Wiltshire, becoming the Liberal MP for Devizes, an ardent campaigner for the retention of slavery,[1] and a renowned fine art collector.[2] Following the abolition of slavery his finances collapsed, and he died on 6 June 1841, in Edinburgh.[3]

bap. 12 May 1771,1 4th s. of George Watson of Saul’s River, Jamaica and Isabella, da. of Thomas Stevenson. educ. L. Inn 1788; St. Mary Hall, Oxf. 1791. m. 6 Mar. 1810, Anna Susanna, da. of Sir John Taylor, 1st bt., of Lyssons, Jamaica, 4s. (1 d.v.p.) 1da. Took additional name of Taylor by royal lic. 19 June 1815, his w. having suc. her bro. Sir Simon Richard Brissett Taylor, 2nd bt., 18 May 1815. d. 6 June 1841.
Offices Held
Dep. teller of exch.; commr. of excise 1805-15; capt. Excise Office vols. 1806.