Welch, Georgiana (1792–1879)

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Welch, Georgiana (1792–1879)

English radical. Name variations: Georgiana Ford; Georgiana Fletcher Welch. Born Georgiana Ford, 1792, in Staffordshire, England; grew up in London; died 1879; dau. of Francis Ford (Barbados sugar plantation owner and MP for Newcastleunder-Lyme, died 1801) and Mary Anson (granddau. of 1st Lord Vernon); sister of Sophia Chichester (1795–1847); m. Stephen John Fletcher Welch (heir to Ebworth Park estate in Sheepscombe, near Gloucester), 1816 (sep. 1820s).

Following separation from husband, lived with sister at Ebworth Park; became critical of state and church that upheld unjust marriage laws; corresponded with Richard Carlile and was mentored by the mystic, James Pierrepont Greaves; attempted to enlighten the villagers near Ebworth Park by issuing tracts; financially supported radicals, including Robert Owen and James E. Smith.