George Marlow was the second (known) son of Robert Marlow and Ann Robinson. He was born in Desborough in 1828 and baptised in the Wesleyan church.

Until he was in his thirties he worked as a silk weaver, like his father and several of his brothers.

By 1871 silk weaving was dying out and, like many others, George had moved into the shoe trade.

In 1853 George married Lucy Ginns, the daughter of Thomas and Mary Ginns. Lucy was an embroideress before their marriage. Afterwards she was a lace runner then a shoe fitter.

George and Lucy had three sons: Robert, Jesse, and Robert A.