George Lees Underhill

George Lees Underhil (20 May 1813—24 January 1881) was a successful iron merchant who became thirteenth Mayor of Wolverhampton (1861/62).

George Lees Underhill
Born(1813-05-20)20 May 1813
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
Died24 January 1881(1881-01-24) (aged 67)
Wolverhampton, Staffordshire, England
NationalityBritish
OccupationIron merchant
Known forMayor of Wolverhampton, and Queen's Visit

Early life

George Lees Underhill was born 20 May 1813 in Wolverhampton, the son of ironmonger Joseph Underhill and Sarah.[1] George and his wife Caroline lived in Dudley Street and had three children,[2] but only their son Joseph survived beyond infancy.[3] Caroline was 29 when she died[4] leaving Underhill a widower with one son, who became a barrister-at-law.[3] Underhill did not remarry.

Politics

Underhill was elected thirteenth Mayor of Wolverhampton from c. 27 November 1861[5] to 1862.[6]

Queen's Visit
Prince Albert Statue – Queen Square

Following the death of Albert, Prince Consort in 1861, Underhill led a subscription to raise funds to erect a statue in Wolverhampton. The statue by sculptor, Thomas Thornycroft, was completed in 1866. Underhill, along with three other civic dignitaries, travelled to London to petition the Queen to unveil the statue. This was despite the Queen having turned down invitations to public appearances in Liverpool and Manchester. Surprisingly she agreed and visited Wolverhampton nine days later, on 30 November 1866. The Queen was impressed by her reception and borrowing a sword from the Lord Lieutenant, knighted the then Mayor, John Morris, on the spot.[7]

  • Obverse of 1866 medallion
    Obverse of 1866 medallion
  • Reverse of 1866 medallion
    Reverse of 1866 medallion

Personal life

Underhill died in Wolverhampton on 24 January 1881[8] and was buried on 2 February[9] in Merridale Municipal Cemetery.[10]

References
  1. "Wolverhampton St Peter's Baptisms 1813–1875 To-Z" (PDF). Wolverhampton City Council. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  2. England Census, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton. The National Archives, 1841
  3. England Census, Staffordshire, Wolverhampton. The National Archives, 1871
  4. "Wolverhampton & District Burials 1813–1992 Sp-Y" (PDF). Wolverhampton City Council. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  5. "Congratulations of the Wolverhampton Benevolent Society to George Lees Underhill Esquire on his elevation to Mayor of Wolverhampton". blackcountryhistory.org. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  6. "Mayors of Wolverhampton 1848 – 1948". Wolverhampton Archives and Local Studies and Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Services. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  7. "Queen Victoria's Visit". wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  8. "Wolverhampton Chronicle, 24 January 1881". blackcountryhistory.org. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  9. "Wolverhampton Chronicle, 2 February 1881". blackcountryhistory.org. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  10. "Joseph Underhill grave monument details". Gravestone Photographic Resource. Retrieved 21 November 2012.


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