Biography
George Head Head was born to a successful banker (J.M.Head) who had a private bank called J.M.Head and Co.. His father had started the banks in his grocers shop and it was passed on to George who continued to run it at its original location on Botchersgate in Carlisle. Eventually Head had the first building built that was intended to be a bank.
In 1840, Head journeyed to London to attend the World's Anti-Slavery Convention on 12 June 1840. The picture above shows him in a painting made to commemorate the event which attracted delegates from America, France, Haiti, Australia, Ireland, Jamaica and Barbados.
He was the High Sheriff of Cumberland in 1851 and Deputy Lieutenant in 1852.
Head married Sarah Gurney on 1 May 1858 in West Ham. Sarah's late father was Samuel Gurney ("The Bankers' Banker") or Upton, Essex
His bank was demolished in 1865 when Head's bank was amalgamated with the Cumberland Union Bank.
He owned Rickerby Hall which today stands in the public area called Rickerby Park. He is particularly noted for commissioning a large octagonal tower. This folly is an important local landmark.
Head was interested in book collecting and supported the anti-slavery movement. He died in 1876 and Mile MacInnees, a justice of the Peace, succeeded to the 940 acres (3.8 km2) of Rickerby where he owned all the land.
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