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Biography of Benjamin Gott 1762-1840

Paternal Family Tree: Gott

Before 24th June 1762 [his father] John Gott of Woodhall in West Yorkshire (age 42) and [his mother] Susanna Jackson of Bradford were married.

On 24th June 1762 Benjamin Gott was born to John Gott of Woodhall in West Yorkshire (age 42) and Susanna Jackson of Bradford at Calverley. He was educated at Bingley Grammar School until he was seventeen.

In or before 11th December 1785 Benjamin Gott (age 23) and Elizabeth Rhodes (age 17) were married. They had ten children.

On or before 11th December 1785, the date he was baptised, Joseph Gott was born to Unamed Gott at Calverley. His parentage appears subject to some confusion being described by some sources as the son of Benjamin Gott (age 23), some as his second cousin; we have adopted the former relationship.

In 1792 Benjamin Gott (age 29) bought a field known as Bean Ing, in open country next to the river, and began building a new mill (originally called Park Mill) where many of the processes of cloth-making could be brought together and mechanised, though weaving remained mostly home-based. He bought new machinery and installed one of the newly-developed Boulton and Watt steam engines - forging a lasting friendship with the inventors. He experimented with new dyeing methods and other processes. He encountered resistance (threats and broken windows) from some hand workers, particularly the croppers, but faced it out.

In 1793 [his father] John Gott of Woodhall in West Yorkshire (age 73) died.

Before 1795 [his son] V Gott was born to Benjamin Gott (age 32) and [his wife] Elizabeth Rhodes (age 26).

In 1797 [his son] William Gott was born to Benjamin Gott (age 34) and [his wife] Elizabeth Rhodes (age 29).

All About History Books

The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.

In 1799 Benjamin Gott (age 36) was elected Mayor of Leeds.

by 1800 the outbreak of war with France brought a sudden massive demand for army uniform cloth and blankets, while trade with the Americas and China boomed. Benjamin Gott's (age 37) mill as employing over a thousand workers but still could not meet demand, so he set up another vast mill at Armley.

In 1803 Benjamin Gott (age 40) bought an an estate in Armley, with wooded grounds plunging steeply down to the Aire valley. He employed the famous landscape designer Humphrey Repton to lay out the park and the architect Robert Smirke to build a grand mansion, Armley House, in the fashionable Greek Revival style, its colonnaded terrace overlooking spectacular views, on one side towards the romantic ruins of Kirkstall Abbey

Before 1830. Thomas Lawrence (age 60). Portrait of Benjamin Gott (age 67).

On 14th February 1840 Benjamin Gott (age 77) died. He was buried at St Bartholomew's Church, Armley [Map] where there is a monument to him sculpted by his son Joseph Gott (age 54). The pink veined marble base has a darkened plaque with tribute which includes the words: '...he maintained with inflexible uprightness the character of a merchant with impartial justice the office of a magistrate and with unshaken confidence the warmth of friendship he was always ready to promote the welfare of the town of Leeds...'

In 1857 [his former wife] Elizabeth Rhodes (age 89) died.

St Bartholomew's Church, Armley [Map].There is a sculpture by Joseph Gott at the west end of the north aisle, a memorial to Benjamin Gott of Armley House who died in 1839. In the south aisle there is Faith comforting the Mourner, commemorating the two sons of Benjamin and Elizabeth Gott who died in Paris and Athens.

Ancestors of Benjamin Gott 1762-1840

Great x 1 Grandfather: Unamed Gott

GrandFather: John Gott of Calverley

Father: John Gott of Woodhall in West Yorkshire

Benjamin Gott

Mother: Susanna Jackson of Bradford