EWINGS, George (Grimwade p.390)

[buckler]

Thanks to Mike we know that George Ewings was almost certainly related to Isabella Elizabeth Maxwell (nee) Ewings, the [supposed] wife of John Maxwell , who he replaced at 10 Brook Street after Maxwell's death in 1796.
He may be the George Ewings christened 1747 at St Giles, Camberwell, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Ewings, and hence the sister of Isabella Elizabeth Maxwell.

23 January 1797
George Ewings entered a mark as bucklemaker at 10, Brook Street, Holborn. His first recorded mark

Moved to 27, Rosamon Row, Clerkenwell by 4 April 1803 and to 9, Ratcliff Row, City Road by 30 August 1804

Grimwade (page 505) speculates that George Davis Ewings, of 14 Yardley Road ,Clerkenwell may be his son.

[buckler]

The will of John Maxwell, see viewtopic.php?f=74&t=23453 indicates that Maxwell believed himself to be probably insolvent when left his estate to his wife, who he stated was born Isabelle Elizabeth Ewings. The administration of his will was however granted to an Ann Dove, whose part in the saga is unknown.

The will of Ann Dove, Widow of St George in the East. which was proved at PCC on 22 August 1811 [ TNA/ PROB 11/1525/233] shows her to be a wealthy lady with many properties. She left virtually everything to her daughter Ann Mary Dove and
" I give and bequeath unto George Ewings of Hollis Street, Clare Market, Middlesex, Working Goldsmith, the sum of ten pounds .. .. .. and appoint the said George Ewings and my said daughter Ann Mary Dove Executor and Executrix .. .. "
Both duly proved the will.
The probate refers to Ann Mary Dove as Wife of Michael Dove.
It is thus possible that Ann Dove was born a Ewings and that Ann Mary was what we would term her daughter in law and that Michael was Ann Dove's son. In the eighteenth century the difference between blood relatives and nuptial ones was often ignored . This would explain George Ewings getting the Maxwell premises .

Note also another address for George Ewings, after the Ratcliffe Row one.
Several sequential addresses are give for Ann Dove in her will, including one in Ratcliffe Highway.

It gets more like Dallas all the time

[buckler]

An examination of the Will of Richard Ewings (TNA/PROB 11/ 971/20) proved 11 September 1771 indicates more of the Dallas syndrome.
Almost certainly that of George's father, the will leaves one shilling only to his son George, the remainder to his wife Sarah, who he names as executrix. I believe that this was Richard's second wife, his first Elizabeth the presumed mother of George having died.

The clause
"my Executrix shall carry out her lawful Business without any of my Children meddling or making [ off ] with any Thing that shall belong to me" and the unusually strong revocation of prior wills
"I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all former Wills and Testaments and Legacies bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament " makes one think there may have been an earlier will prior to a re-marriage
leaving bequests and/or reversion to the children.
Does one detect a new, younger wife with whom the children did not get on ?