Shute & Merchant
the Shutes and Merchants of Cape Ann
George Merchant
(1807 - 1899)
George Merchant was a fisherman and master mariner in Gloucester. He and Lucy Norwood (dau. John Norwood and Betsy Bray) married in 1826, when George was nineteen.
George spent his life working as a fisherman and sea captain, and during one of his voyages as a young mariner, he was unable to save his younger brother Benjamin as he was swept into the sea. He continued working in this trade until he was 85 years of age.
He and Lucy had thirteen children:
| Lucy Ann | 1827 - 1872 | |
| George, Jr. | 1828 - 1906 | |
| George | 1807 - 1899 | |
| Sarah Ellery | 1829 - 1912 | |
| Julia Ann | 1832 - 1891 | |
| Mary Elizabeth | 1834 - 1910 | |
| Sidney | 1837 - 1909 | |
| Miranda | 1839 - 1921 | |
| Edwin | 1842 - 1914 | |
| Isabell Bowen | 1843 - 1870 | |
| Emily Curtis | 1845 - 1923 | |
| Laura Jane | 1848 - ____ | |
| Gorham Alfred | 1850 - 1897 | |
| Albion Howard | 1853 - 1940 |
George was the last surviving child of Epes and Sally, outliving all of his siblings by 10 or more years. In addition to his skills as a mariner and sea captain, he possessed a remarkable native musical talent, the violin being his favorite instrument, which he began to play at the age of 14 years. He was a great favorite among his associates due to his musical abilities. George was said to have been born with a fidler's elbow, and was destined to be a musician. While out on fishing voyages, he would often be found playing his violin during the evening hours.