George Weldon (Deputy Governor of Bombay) facts for kids
George Weldon (who died in 1697) was an English merchant. He also held an important position as the Deputy Governor of Bombay.
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Who Was George Weldon?
George Weldon was known as a "gentleman well descended," meaning he came from a good family. He became the Deputy Governor of Bombay, which was a very important trading port in India for the British.
When Did George Weldon Serve?
There are different ideas about exactly when George Weldon became Deputy Governor. Some records say he started in 1688, taking over after Sir John Wyborne passed away. Other records suggest he became Deputy Governor in 1690. Before him, John Vaux and George Cooke might have held the position.
George Weldon's Mission to Vasai
In 1689, George Weldon, who was working as a factor (a kind of business agent), was sent on a special trip. He traveled to Vasai (also known as Bassein) with Abraham Navarro. They were sent by Sir John Child, 1st Baronet, who was the Governor at the time.
Their mission was to talk with the Mughals, who were powerful rulers in India. They needed to discuss peace terms because there had been a war between the Mughals and the East India Company. Sadly, Governor Child died in 1690 before Weldon and Navarro returned to Bombay. The Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb, finally ended the war with the East India Company in February 1690, but he set very strict rules for peace.
George Weldon's Death
George Weldon died in 1697 while he was sailing back to England. He was buried on the island of Mauritius.
George Weldon's Family Life
In 1692, George Weldon married Susannah. She was the widow of Sir John Child, the former Governor. Susannah's father was Captain John Shaxton (or Shackstone), who had also been a Deputy Governor before Weldon.
George Weldon's Lasting Mark
Susannah Weldon had a monument built on George's grave in Mauritius. This monument was so noticeable that sailors used it as a landmark to help them navigate their ships. The area where he was buried became known as Baie du Tombeau, which means "Tomb Bay." This name might refer to Weldon's monument, or it could be linked to an earlier event in 1615 when some Dutch ships were lost there.
