Born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1815, George Watt learned the mechanics of agricultural machinery while apprenticed at Haw's Shop from 1831 to 1836. He moved to Alabama in 1836, where he began designing and building plows. Watt filed for his first patent in April of 1842 in Gainesville, Alabama.

Returning to Virginia later in 1842, Watt settled at Haw's Shop (today the town of Studley) where he manufactured plows and machinery, then finally established his own business in Richmond in January of 1846: Geo. Watt & Co was located at 1450 Franklin Street.

Over the next three decades, George Watt patented or markedly improved over 20 ingenious agricultural implements. Made wealthy through his heroic efforts, in his later years Watt was known to be sympathetic and generous to those in need. The Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was organized in no small part thanks to his donations.

Mrs. George Watt's obituary was in the Central Presbyterian, October 1911.