Page:History of Adelaide and vicinity.djvu/404

 378 ADELAIDE AND VICINITY Mr.G.FA„gas from a long line of religious men who strove zealously to weave Christian teachings into their everyday life. He was also member of a branch of the house of the b^arls of Angus, who trace back their lineagt; beyond the reign of Elizabeth. His father, Caleb Angas, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, an extensive coach manufacturer and shipowner, was, says Hodder, " a shrewd, intelligent, and far-seeing man, with a cool head and a warm heart." At the age of si.x years, George was sent to an elementary school. At the age of 12 he lost his mother; and shortly after this sad event he entered a boarding-school at Catterick. In 1804, when 15 years old, he was afforded the choice of a profession, his father desiring that he should study for the Bar. But the youth preferred a commercial career and was accordingly apprenticed to coach-building. Being careful, accurate, and industrious, he quickly mastered the trade. While yet an apprentice he gae evidence of that large interest in his fellows that became a distinguished feature of his character ; and thenceforth, during a life full of years and works, his nature compelled him to devote him.self to philanthropic and religious efforts. In 1807 he originated the Benevolent Society of Coachmakers in Newcastle, to provide for sick members, and to promote economy and temperance ; and the institution was eminently successful. At the end of four years at his trade, he went to London, and, unknown, presented himself at the office of a large manufacturer with the request for work. He was taken on, and succeeded well. In 1809 he returned to Newcastle, and became overseer of his father's business. In the meantime he had become a member of the Baptist Church. On April 8, 18 1 2, he married Miss Rosetta French, daughter of a friend of his father who resided at Hutton in Essex. Within a few years Mr. G. F. Angas, with his brothers, became a partner in the parental business ; but years later the partnership was dissolved, a brother taking over the coachbuilding manufactory, while the subject of this memoir removed to London and entered into business as a merchant and shipowner, under the style of G. F. Angas & Co. Mr. Caleb Angas had established an extensive trade in imjwrting mahogany, dye-woods, and other products, from British Honduras. With his brother William, a man of vast and romantic experience among the islands, who subsequently devoted himself wholly to the cause of poor seamen, Mr. G. F. Angas resolved that everything he undertook should be for " the highest good of mankind." At Honduras there continuously occurred numerous instances of injustice and oppression in the laws and usages. The slaves, Mr. Angas declared, were held in illegal bondage, and to improve the morality of the serfs and to prepare the way for great changes, he sent out agents for the firm who were also missionaries. He chose as officers for his vessels men who were required to zealously watch over the interests of the islanders as well as of those of the firm. But devoted sailors and agents were not enough, and a missionary was despatched by the Baptist Missionary Society upon his representations. He largely contributed to the support of the missionary station, and gave free passages on his vessels to all ministers of religion who were bent on the good work. Then he " exerted himself to bring about the abolition of slavery in the Mosquito Coast territory, and to obtain other desirable advantages for the aborigines, and besides carrying on a correspondence upon the subject