FAR FETCHED BITS ON NOBLE FAMILY - probably worth discounting:

In spite of hunches, I cannot yet prove any family or other such connection between NOBLE and JACKSON nor whether George Edward NOBLE had any Irish roots. The only birth evidence we have suggests that he was born at Dulwich, England (just south of London) - but as mentioned, we can't find a birth certificate (one may yet emerge).

If he does happen to be connected to the NOBLE family of Carrigallen, Co. Leitrim - and I wouldn't rule this out - (see beneath), then there is a very strong possibility that there was a connection between himself and Sir Thomas JACKSON that preceded his HSBC days - a connection of either geography and/or family . At this point, this is sheer speculation, but the NOBLE and JACKSON families both share roots that go back to Cromwellian times in Ireland. Several hunches about a NOBLE-JACKSON connection (Caution - they may all prove to be dead ends) include:

• THE CAVAN OBSERVER  AUGUST 6, 1864 In Bankruptcy Sale of part of the townland of Bredagh, situate in the barony of Carrigallen, and County of Leitrim. Court of bankruptcy and insolvency In the Matter of ALEXANDER NOBLE, of Carrigallen, in the County of Leitrim, Shopkeeper, a Bankrupt.
• Rev. William NOBLE (tutor and uncle of Oscar WILDE). His first name also needs to be authenticated since another source gives the uncle's name as Rev. G. NOBLE of St. John's Church Edgeworthstown. He presided at the funeral of Oscar WILDE's sister (1857-1867).(Many years later Oscar wrote the poem Requiescat in her memory.)
• John NOBLE (b. 1829) and his brother James - both involved in banking internationally with descendants in Australia may prove to be interesting.
• Thomas NOBLE of Newry who worked for the Bank of Ireland at 12 Trevor Hill in 1881.
• Wm. NOBLE who was a surveyor for Lord Charlemont who had a son named George. Both time and place would fit if there is a connection between himself and Sir Thomas.
• The Presbyterian Irish Diaspora post-famine was driven in part by foreclosures on unprofitable lands. Another possible NOBLE connection: William Alexander NOBLE Esq. was named as a trustee in the Court of Cavan concerning the court ordered sale of an encumbered estate on the 24th day of June, 1853 belonging to John Baker. It involved a number of properties, of which one was described as:The Mill of Drumcalpin, could, with little expense, be made double its present value, and the whole is worth attention, being situate about two miles from Belturbet, one from Butler'sbridge, and three from the town of Cavan, excellent Market and Post towns.SEE: Anglo-Celt Published in Cavan, County Cavan June 2, 1853
• Missionary work was another cause that impelled Protestant families to leave Ireland. In 1859, an Arthur NOBLE is mentioned as a Wesleyan minister in Dublin and he may have been connected to missions in the Far East. Certainly, there were NOBLE family members involved in missionary work in the Far East at this time (and it is worth remembering that families often have several members in the same occupation, in this case, the ministry). A Dr. NOBLE worked with the Protestant mission at Paoting-fu before the Boxer rebellion. Later in the century, other NOBLEs were involved in missionary work in the Far East.
• Joseph Noble had a dental practice in Hong Kong in the 1870s.
• John NOBLE had a watch and jewellery business in Hong Kong. I think he died there in 1883. SOURCE: HK PRO
• A JW Noble asked for land on the Peak to build garden. [Thanks to Eileen Scully]
• The Irish Presbyterian merchant class often were part of the ongoing Irish Diaspora, so they are worth looking at when name and geography connect. In 1845, a J.T. NOBLE Esq. of Russell Street, Armagh, County Armagh is mentioned as a flax merchant (his fifth daughter Lucy died age 6 on August 29th, 1845. A son John had died at age 19 in May.).

• Adam NOBLE is worth noting in conjunction with both JACKSONs and Urcher (the childhood home of Sir Thomas JACKSON. Thanks to Roisin Lafferty for this. Email March 10, 2007. Registry of Deeds abstract of wills 1746 to 1785. No 355 Johnston, Thomas, Dublin, major of the 56 regt of foot 4 Oct 1765 narrate 2pp 1765. His wife Angel, his son Jno Johnston, his son Henry Johnston, his brother in law, Adam Noble Longfield Co. Monaghan esq, his brother in law Jackson Wray Ballycastle Co. Antrim. and his brother John Johnston of Urcher Co. Armagh Esq trustees. His niece Elizabeth Johnston, Daughter of his brother Graham Johnston, the children of his sister Charity Shekelton, the children of his brother John Johnston. His estate of town and lands of Camilly, co. Armagh, and Coofoord, Co Meath his dwelling house at Suffolk St Dublin, Witnesses Thos Benson, Dublin clerk, Stephen Reynolds, Dublin apothecary, John Wolverston gent Dublin Memorial witnessed by John Wolverston, Jno hunter clerk to said John Wolverston. 241,183, 157946 Jackson Wray (seal)

• The Adam NOBLE of County Monaghan (mentioned above) was Captain Lieutenant in the Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Col Cadwallader BLAYNEY in 1756. The NOBLE family continued in the military vein. Adam NOBLE of Longfield, Co. Monaghan was JP Oct 3, 1758 & High Sherriff 1768. There may be a connection to Captain NOBLE, the captain of the Kite (see beneath). Need to check.
  • Anne Noble, etc. 1841 July 17 sailed Appolline for Lond. widow Cpt Noble of Transport Kite, imprisoned in China. China Repository Vol 1 April 1841 pp. 199-204, has narrative of her captivity and suffering. Feb 2 1843, died Amoy HMS Serpent 22 Jan, after a few days illness; Lt Edward Meadows Noble, son Rear Adm Noble. SOURCE: HK PRO Card 129685,
  • A narrative of the shipwreck of the "Kite" and of the imprisonment and sufferings of the crew and passengers as it was recounted in a letter from Mrs. Anne Noble to a friend was published at Macao, China (printed at the Canton Press Office, 1841). SOURCE: SAOS: CWML N304
• It is not yet possible to know if this is what Eliza JACKSON (mother of Sir Thomas JACKSON) is referring to in her letter of 1882, April 4: I hope the trip may do you good, but I dread sea voyages in those latitudes. The fate of Mr. Noble can never be forgotten by us.
• P&O had a ship called "George Noble".