George Nelson

Chemist and Industrialist

Born Nottingham 1800 - Died Milverton 1850

Compiled for the benefit of Warwickians and others by Anthony James Leahy 2009

   Mr. George Nelson, the founder of the firm, was born in Nottingham early in the year 1800, and both his father and uncle, were ruined by the American war.

   Of his Younger years little is known but that having shown a disposition to the study of chemistry, he was placed under the care of an eminent chemist at Nottingham, to whom he was afterwards apprenticed. After he had served his time and fully mastered his business, he removed to Leamington, where he started business on his own account, and later on migrated to the Rock Mills, where he started his gelatine factory. Here he was joined by his friend and cousin Mr. Thomas Bellamy Dale, who became a partner in the great business which is inseparably connected with their names.

George Nelson and Family listed on census 1841 residing at Rock Mill

Photography by Christopher Capewell 1973

   In the year 1837 the firm applied for a patent for their gelatine, which had caught the public taste and was getting in great demand, but it was not until the following year that the patent was granted. It was at this period that Mr. Nelson introduced his "Opaque" gelatine, which immediately "caught on," for it was seen at once that a great step in advance had been made in dietetic economy. Since then great improvements have been made in its manufacture, and we have no hesitation in say that Nelson's gelatine is, in every respect, the purest gelatinous substance in any market in the world.

extract from "Round About Warwick" Alfred Barnard 1899

Rock Mill Leamington Spa

Photography by Hugh Jones

  George Nelson was named after his father, the third child and first son of nine siblings. He married Sarah Philbrick. They lived in the small hamlet of Milverton, situated between Leamington Spa and Warwick. In 1841 George (aged 40) along with his wife and family were listed as living at Rock Mill. Their first son George died within six months of his birth. By 1851 (after the death of George) Sarah and family are listed as being resident at the Lawn in Emscote. George and Sarah are buried in St James churchyard Old Milverton, overlooking Guys Cliff House and The Saxon Mill. In the Gentleman's Magazine Vol. 78 page 877of 1795 is a record of marriage between G Nelson and a Miss D Dale under the heading of Marriages of Remarkable Persons Nottingham July 1795. Dorothea Dale was probably the Aunt of Thomas Dale. A George Nelson was also recorded as being the Sheriff of Nottingham  covering the years from 1800-01 & 1803-04. It is possible that this was either George's father or Grandfather who were also named George.

Probate of the Will of George Nelson - Dated 14th October 1850

Photography by ajl - from CR2999 - by kind permission of Warwickshire County Records Office

Probate Document Housed -Warwick Records Office

Photography by ajl - from CR2999 - by kind permission of Warwickshire County Records Office.

St James Church Old Milverton

George Nelson's Grave at Milverton

Overlooking Warwickshire Countryside towards The Saxon mill & Guys Cliffe House

Walkway from the Saxon Mill to Old Milverton

Bridge at Saxon Mill and view to Guys Cliffe House

Walk to the riverbank opposite Guys Cliffe House and Walkway to Saxon Mill

Visiting the area is best accessed from The Saxon Mill Coventry road Warwick

Photography by Anthony James Leahy unless otherwise stated (exception G Nelson image)

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 A Walk in Warwick

3 The Butts