Eleazer Pickwick

Eleazer Pickwick (2 Feb 1748 – 8 December 1837) was a British businessman. He became very rich and funded the local canal.

Life

Pickwick's grandfather, Moses, was a foundling who was discovered in an area of Corsham known as Pickwick. This Pickwick was baptised Feb 2, 1748 in Freshford, Bath, UK.

He started a coaching business that came to be based at The White Hart inn opposite the iconic Pump Room. Pickwick's nephew, Moses Pickwick, managed the inn.

In 1794 Pickwick was on the board of the company that was created by the Somerset Coal Canal. Pickwick invested tens of thousands of pounds in the canal business after its bankers refused to lend any more capital.

Pickwick bought Bathford Manor House in 1798.

Pickwick died in Bath in 1837 and was buried in Bathford.