GEORGE HAWKS (1801 - 1863)

PREVIOUS PAGE

George Hawks was one of the six original councilor's chosen as Gateshead's first aldermen, and on 1st January, 1836 he became the town's first Mayor. It soon proved that he did not intend to devote much attention to Council matters and when a vote was to be taken he failed to attend.

He was Mayor in 1848 and 1849, however, he realised that this was due to the prestige of his family firm than to his own abilities

He lived most of his life at Redheugh Hall but died at his country house at Pigdon, near, Morpeth, on 13th October, 1863. He was buried in the family vault at St Cuthbert's, Bensham. A memorial to him was unveiled on the 3rd October, 1965 and his statue still stands on the Windmill Hills.

GEORGE HAWKS, FIRST MAYOR OF GATESHEAD

NEXT PAGE