Biography

George Bailey 1849–1922

George Bailey was born in Worcester, England on 26 April 1849. He was the second child, his sister being named Rozana. His father was George, who is recorded as being a Tinman in the 1851 Census. His mother was Elizabeth (née Raby).

He was married to Miss Maria Cullis in December 1871 in the Baptist Church, Sansome Walk, Worcester. In his young days he took an active part in athletics, competing against some of the champion sprinters of his day.

George came to New Zealand from Worcester, England, in 1876, and remained for two years, returning later for his wife and two children, whom he brought back with him in 1879 by the SS Stad Harlem, from Plymouth. A large number of children being on the boat, Mr Bailey was appointed schoolmaster. He started a tailoring business in the Octagon in the early eighties and returned home in the nineties, retiring from a successful business career in 1897. He was a North-East Valley councillor for eleven years, and was a keen fighter for works that he considered would better the borough. Mr Bailey worked strenuously for the Y.M.C.A. during the war period.

The children were: Frank, Mabel, Alfred, Emily, Maria, Bessie, Rose, Raby, Harry and George. Alfred died of convulsions when he was a month old and is buried in Worcester, England. Emily died aged 6 years, of nephritis and pneumonia. Rose died of ‘General Debility’. Raby died of pneumonia.

George lived at 30 Montague St, North-East Valley, near the top of a steep hill, and a little creek ran through the garden. His daughter Bessie lived there until 1970 after he died.

George Bailey outside his shop
Source: Janice Donnelly