George Gordon (merchant) facts for kids
George Gordon was a Scottish businessman and wealthy landowner. He owned a large piece of land called Gordon's Rock Creek Plantation, which was about 300 acres. This land later became part of what we know today as Washington, D.C.. In the 1740s, Gordon built a special house on his plantation. This house was used to inspect tobacco, which was a very important crop at that time.
Who Was George Gordon?
George Gordon was a Scottish merchant. This means he was a person who bought and sold goods, often traveling to do so. He was also a very wealthy landowner, owning a lot of property. His land played a big role in the early history of the United States.
His Land and Business
Gordon's Rock Creek Plantation was a large farm where tobacco was grown. Tobacco was a major product in the American colonies. The inspection house he built was important for checking the quality of tobacco before it was sold or shipped. This shows he was involved in the business side of farming.
The Founding of Georgetown
Part of George Gordon's land was known as "Knave's Disappointment." In 1752, this area was looked at as a possible place for a new town. This town would eventually become George Town, which is now a famous part of Washington, D.C.
The government of Maryland wanted to buy some of Gordon's land to build the new town. They offered him two plots of land within the new town, plus money for his property. This payment was called "price of condemnation," which means the government paid him for land they needed for public use. George Gordon agreed to this offer and received two plots, numbered 48 and 52. Maryland paid a total of 280 pounds to buy land from both George Gordon and another landowner named George Beall. This deal helped create the historic area of Georgetown.
