George Saywell was the son of Henrietta Saywell daughter of Richard Saywell (B 1754, M 13/10/1778, D 1821) and Mary Burgess (B 1754, D 28/1/1838). His father is unknown although the name Craden appears in some records. Henrietta's father,Richard, was the son of Richard Saywell (B 1730, D 1769) and Elizabeth ?

George married Susan Goatham at Chatham, Kent on 5 February 1827 and their marriage resulted in 15 children: Elizabeth Amy (1/5/1827-29/8/ 1827, George (6/7/1828-13/3/1832), William (21/6/1830-8/7/1881, Charles (6/2/1832-4/10/1897), Thomas Robert (18/3/1833-14/11/1914), Maria (2/8/1834-1907), Charlotte (13/1/1837-16/2/1840), Martha (23 /9/1840-24/1/1841, John (27/10/1844-23/7/1881), Samuel (6/11/1849-22/2/1850), Henrietta (13/2/1839-21/2/1885), Susan Quaife (14/12/1842-26/3/1901), Mary Ann (30/6/1846-12/11/1912), Rebecca (21/3/1852-19-7/1931), and Ellen (21/9/1853-6/2/1938).

Eight children were born in Bredgar, three died before leaving for NZ and another born about six weeks before arriving in NZ, and under the circumstances did not have much of a chance of surivial and died two months later. There first child Elizabeth Amy arrived on 1 May 1827 but lived only 3 months. The second child, George, born on died exactly 4 years after his birth. William arrived on 21 June 1830 and survived along with the next five children. Charlotte was born on 13 Jan 1837 but died in February 1840.

Before coming to NZ George & Susan worked on a farm called "Bicknor" close to Bredgar near Sittingborne in Kent. George & Susan bought a section of 25 acres in Wainuiomata, but sold it to a Mr Dick in 1847 and returned to Lower Hutt.

On 3 March 1840 George (35) and Susan (30) and their six children left their home at 'Bichor Farm' Sittingbourne, Bredgar, Kent and sailed on from Gravesend at 1600hrs on the 621 tons 'Martha Ridgeway' along with 225 emigrants. They arrived in Port Nicholson (now Petone) Wellington on 8 July 1840. There travel application was No 1267. The children were aged Boys 10 9 8 Girls 7 4 1 1/2. Susan who was 7 months pregnant gave birth to a daughter named Martha, (probably after the ship) during the voyage. Martha died two months after landing.

George was a carpenter's labourer by trade and was given a free passage out to New Zealand by B Duppa Esq. Under George and Susan's protection on the voyage was Mary Ashby aged 17.