George Greenhow (1776–1839), merchant, was born into a large mercantile family in Williamsburg. He studied at the College of William and Mary in 1795. By 1800 Greenhow had moved permanently to Richmond, where he lived on Shockoe Hill, operated a store, and rented and sold property. He also owned a farm in Henrico County. Greenhow’s fluctuating fortunes included at least two insolvencies. He owned four slaves in 1810 and 1830 and nine in 1820. In 1819 Greenhow became a director of a company that proposed to establish a turnpike between Richmond and Hanover Courthouse (Sheila R. Phipps, Genteel Rebel: The Life of Mary Greenhow Lee [2004], 15, 19, 21; Greenhow family Bible [ViWC]; William and Mary Provisional List description begins A Provisional List of Alumni, Grammar School Students, Members of the Faculty, and Members of the Board of Visitors of the College of William and Mary in Virginia. From 1693 to 1888, 1941 description ends , 19; Richmond Virginia Argus, 10 Feb. 1807; DNA: RG 29, CS, Richmond, 1810–30; Acts of Assembly description begins Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia (cited by session; title varies over time) description ends [1818–19 sess.], 127–8; The Richmond Directory, Register and Almanac, for the Year 1819 [Richmond, 1819], 48; Vi: Business Records Collection, Mutual Assurance Society Declarations, no. 9808; Richmond Whig and Public Advertiser, 30 July 1839; gravestone inscription in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond).