Edward Padelford facts for kids

Edward Nathaniel Packard Padelford (born April 30, 1799 – died June 27, 1870) was an important American businessman. He lived in Savannah, Georgia. He was one of the city’s longest-serving merchants. People respected him very much.

He was also a leader on the boards of many companies. When he died, he was one of the richest merchants. He lived in the American South. During the Civil War, he was a Confederate officer. Sadly, he lost both of his sons in the war.

Edward Padelford's Career

Edward Padelford moved to Savannah in April 1820. He came from his hometown of Taunton, Massachusetts. In Savannah, he worked with many important people. These included businessmen, architects, and church leaders.

He started a shipping business with Orrey Taft. It was called Taft & Padelford. This business lasted for thirteen years. It closed in January 1833. Later that year, he started a new business. It was a general commission business. He formed it with Samuel H. Fay and C. B. Carter. It was named Padelford & Fay Company. Joseph Fay joined the company later. The company stopped trading in 1861.

In 1833, Padelford helped ask for better mail service. This was for mail between Savannah, Macon, and Augusta.

His long career in banking started in February 1834. He was chosen as a director of the Marine and Fire Insurance Bank. He later became its president. He was also its biggest shareholder. Two years later, in 1836, he became a director. This was for the Georgia Insurance and Trust Company.

Padelford helped start the Georgia Historical Society in 1839. He was also chosen as a leader for the Jockey Club. In January 1831, he became one of Savannah's Commissioners of Pilotage. This job helped guide ships. That August, he was chosen for the grand jury.

In 1841, Padelford helped start St. John's Episcopal Church in Savannah. He was one of the first people to buy a family pew there. His son, Edward, got married there in 1855. His daughter, Marion, also married there in 1857.

Also in 1841, Padelford showed his interest in art. He brought a beautiful mosaic to Savannah. It showed the ruins of Paestum. He bought it for $5,000 during a trip to Rome.

In early 1842, Padelford was chosen for the Committee of Appeals. This was part of the Savannah Chamber of Commerce.

301 East Bay Street, built for Padelford between 1851 and 1854

Padelford had a building constructed at 301 East Bay Street. This happened between 1851 and 1854.

Because he was so busy, Padelford left his job as president. This was at the Marine and Fire Insurance Bank in June 1853. The month before, he bought the Fay House.

In 1854, Padelford became a director. This was for the Iron Steamboat Company. In December 1854, a train engine visited Savannah. It was named the Edward Padelford.

Padelford came out of retirement from banking in February 1855. He was again chosen as a director. This was for the Marine and Fire and Insurance Bank. In the same month, he became First Vice-President. This was for the Savannah Chamber of Commerce. That year, he also served on the grand jury. They suggested building a new jail.

Savannah Gas Company chose Padelford as a director in April 1856. In 1859, Padelford served on the grand jury for the City Court.

During the American Civil War, Padelford was a Confederate officer. He also had a business buying cotton. He worked with Randolph L. Mott.

After the war, he lost his two sons. Padelford was chosen to go to Washington, D.C.. He represented the people of Chatham County. He spoke to President Andrew Johnson.

In 1867, he became a director. This was for the Central Railroad and Banking Company. Four months later, he became an officer. This was for the Union Society at Bethesda.

Padelford took his last job in March 1869. He was 69 years old. He became a director for the Cotton States Life Insurance Company. In the summer of 1869, Padelford's health got worse. He stopped his many activities. A writer named Larry Tinker said Padelford was "seldom seen on the streets of Savannah."

Helping Others

Edward Padelford was very active in helping people. He gave money to the poor and those in need. He also supported several charities. Every spring, for many years, he gave $1,000 to the Union Society at Bethesda. In May 1869, he gave an even larger gift of $5,000.

He also gave $4,000 to the Episcopal Church's orphan home. This helped children who didn't have parents. He donated $10,000 to build a special place. This place was for "the sick, poor, aged and infirm colored people of Savannah." It was a place to care for people who needed help.

Edward Padelford's Family Life

Edward Padelford married Elizabeth Louisa Farnum. She was from Providence, Rhode Island. They married on November 11, 1823. In 1824, they had a daughter named Mary Elizabeth. She died a month after her first birthday. They had another daughter, Elizabeth, in 1826. She died when she was three months old.

They had four other children who lived to be adults. These were Carolina (1827–1858), Edward (1831–1863), Marion (1833–1923), and George (1835–1861). George Padelford, his youngest child, became a doctor in 1856.

After two of his children got married, his oldest child, Carolina, died in 1858. She was 30 years old.

During the Civil War, Dr. George Padelford served in the army. He died on July 28, 1861. He was 26 years old. He had been hurt before a battle. Edward Jr. joined the army in 1861 too. He quickly became a higher rank. He died on June 7, 1863, from typhoid fever. He was 32 and left behind a wife and two young children.

Padelford's wife of 46 years died on November 18, 1869. He died seven months later, on June 27, 1870. He was 71 years old. Marion, his only child who was still alive, was with him when he died. She lived for another 53 years. She died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1923, at age 90. Only one other family member lived longer than him. This was his sister Abigail, who died in 1873. He also had four grandchildren.

The Padelford family is buried in Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery.

What He Left Behind

After Edward Padelford died, Savannah named a part of the city after him. This area is called Padelford Ward. It is located between Park Avenue, Anderson Street, Atlantic Street, and Paulsen Street.

Images for kids

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  229–233 East Bay Street, built in 1853. This building is directly across Lincoln Street from 301 East Bay.