The family firm was established in 1750 when a small optical workshop was opened in Spitalfields. The growing demand for high quaility optical apparatus necessitated several moves in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The business became a limited company in 1907 and amalgamated with the firm of Aitchison in 1927. The House of Dollond: two hundred years of optical service 1750-1950 by Henry Charles King was published in 1950.
Arthur William Dunk (c 1871-1942) served in the City Imperial Volunteers during the Boer War 1899-1900.
Sir John Whittaker Ellis was born in Petersham in 1829. He was an auctioneer and estate agent, as well as holding local government posts including alderman of Broad Street Ward, 1872-1909, sheriff of London and Middlesex, 1874-75, Lord Mayor of London, 1881-82, and mayor of Richmond, 1890-91. He was also a Member of Parliament for Mid-Surrey, 1884-85 and for Kingston Division, 1885-92; a Justice of the Peace; Governor of the Irish Society, 1882-94, governor of various hospitals and the High Sheriff of Surrey, 1899-1900. He was made 1st Baronet in 1882 and was awarded the Order of Mercy in 1900. He died in September 1912.
Information from 'ELLIS, Sir (John) Whittaker', Who Was Who, A and C Black, 1920-2008; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2007 [http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/article/oupww/whowaswho/U185738, accessed 2 June 2011].
William Emery (1798-1867) was a lighterman who became master of the Feltmakers' Company in 1848. His son William (1825-1910) was ordained as a priest in 1853, having been encouraged in religion by his father. In 1864 Emery was appointed archdeacon of Ely, and in 1868 was made a minor canon there. He died at Ely in December 1910.
Kathleen Isabella Garrett was principal cataloguer at Guildhall Library until 1970.
Maria Hackett (1783-1874) was a philanthropist who campaigned for the better treatment of choristers in Anglican cathedrals. The boy choristers often lived in poor conditions without proper education or supervison, and could be hired out by their singing master to perform at public concerts. Hackett studied documents at St Paul's to determine the ancient responsbilities of the cathedral regarding the choristers; wrote campaigning letters; and initiated legal proceedings. Her efforts resulted in reform and the establishment of a new choir school attached to St Paul's. She also formed a committee dedicated to the restoration of Crosby Hall, a medieval hall adjoining her house.
Cedric Jagger was a historian of horology, publishing works including:
Paul Philip Barraud : a study of a fine chronometer maker, and of his relatives, associates and successors in the family business, 1750-1929 (1968, supplement 1979);
Clocks (1973 and 1975);
The world's great clocks & watches (1977);
Royal clocks: the British monarchy and its timekeepers, 1300-1900 (1983);
The artistry of the English watch (1988).
According to a review of The world's great clocks and watches in The Times, Jagger worked in the chemical industry for thirty years while devoting his spare time to horology. He became so expert that the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers asked him to take care of their collection. The Times, Friday Nov 25, 1977, page XIX, issue 60170, column A.
William Mawhood was a woollen-draper of the Catholic faith. He lived in Cloth Fair, in the parish of St Bartholomew the Great, West Smithfield.
William Newton (1786-1861) was a patent agent of Bloomsbury and Herne Bay in Kent.
Moses Levy Newton was a West India merchant of 5 Great Prescott Street, Goodmans Fields, who died in 1823.
No biographical information has been found for Otto Heinrich.
George Rae was a founder, Vice President and trustee of the Chartered Institute of Bankers. He was also chairman and managing director of the North and South Wales Bank, which was acquired by the Midland Bank in 1908.
The Reverend Charles John Todd was a Naval Chaplain, 1881-99, and Master of the Wax Chandlers' Company, 1888-91, 1916-18 and 1934-36.
The 49th (Post Office) Rifle Volunteers were formed in 1867 during the Fenian troubles from Special Constables recruited within the Post Office during that period. They later became the 24th (Post Office) Rifle Volunteers.
To alleviate its continuous shortage of cash, the Stuart dynasty issued loan tallies and tickets for future bill settlement. Dealers and tally-brokers carried on a market in these items, whose value depended on the prospect of repayment, first at the Royal Exchange and then in the City coffee houses. Later, these dealers turned to the stocks of new commercial companies. In 1762, 150 substantial brokers attempted to take over Jonathan's Coffee House in Change Alley, Cornhill, for their exclusive use but, thwarted by a law suit, they moved, in 1773, into their own premises in Sweetings Alley, Threadneedle Street, at whichtime the name "Stock Exchange" was formally adopted. A further move was made in 1802 into purpose-built accommodation on the corner of Throgmorton and Old Broad Streets. Further expansion on this site occurred, the premises being rebuilt in the 1880s and 1970s.
Until 1802, the Stock Exchange was open to anyone who paid the 6d a day subscription, but in March 1802 a deed of settlement formalised its constitution and the Exchange was closed to non-members. By its new constitution, a Board of Trustees and Managers (representing the owners) was established to regulate financial affairs and manage the building, while a General Purposes Committee was elected to regulate membership and all aspects of business. Sub-committees were appointed from amongst the members to undertake the detailed work. This arrangement lasted until 1946 when a reorganisation took place to solve the difficulties caused by the two separate bodies. The Stock Exchange became a members' society and the Council for the Stock Exchange assumed responsibility for every aspect of its government. Until 1986, the London Stock Exchange was unique amongst world exchanges in its distinction between dealing and broking. Dealers, or jobbers, offered stocks and shares for purchase or sale, and brokers acted as middlemen between them and the public, with the Settlement Department acting as a clearing house for all transactions. Rules and regulations to ensure fairness and eliminate fraud became numerous and complex. In cases of a member's financial failure, two members known as Official Assignees were appointed to administer the assets of the defaulter. In 1950, a Compensation Fund was established to provide further protection from losses caused directly by members.
The Federation of Stock Exchanges in Great Britain and Ireland was formed in 1965 with the Federal Committee as its governing body with representatives from all the regional stock exchanges. Its objectives were to increase the efficiency of dealing arrangements in the country as a whole and to achieve a common standard for the admission of shares to the market.
The Banco Nacional Ultramarino was founded in Lisbon, Portugal in 1864. In 1955 the Banco Nacional Ultramarino described itself as a bank of issue in the Portuguese overseas provinces of Cape Verde, Guinea, S. Tome and Principe, Mozambique, India, Macau and Timor. It had 57 branches and town agencies in Portugal, and 20 branches in overseas provinces. It established a branch in London in 1919 which was to subsequently become the Anglo-Portuguese Colonial and Overseas Bank. The memoranda and articles of association for the company were registered in 1929.
The name of the bank was shortened in 1955 to Anglo-Portuguese Bank Limited. In 1957, the bank described its main activity as the "financing of international trade of a self-liquidating nature". It became a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwich Union Life Insurance Society in 1975 and was renamed AP Bank Limited in 1977. In 1984 the bank was purchased by Riggs Bank Limited and became known as Riggs AP Bank from 1987. In 2004 Riggs Bank was taken over by PNC and the next year Riggs went into liquidation.
The company was formed in 1897 as a holding company in St Petersburg controlling the Petroffsky and Spassky Cotton Spinning and Weaving Companies, and the Schlusselburg Calico Printing Company. It had offices at 4 St Helen's Place, Bishopsgate, London, 1897-ca. 1912, then at 17 St Helen's Place, ca. 1912-1934, 91 Wool Exchange, 1934-6, 35 Wool Exchange, 1936-7, and 157 Wool Exchange from 1937.
Arthur H Brown founded a company in 1860 trading in naval stores, turpentine, tallow etc. The firm is first listed in the trade directories in 1864 at 15 Rood Lane, before moving in 1867 to 44 Eastcheap. In 1871 the firm was bought by William Thompson Burningham, and moved to 26 Great St Helen's. It is listed as a firm of petroleum and colonial brokers. On Burningham's death the firm was taken on by his son, W J Burningham. It moved successively to 95 Bishopsgate Street (1880-9), 70 and 71 Bishopsgate Street (1890-1910), 91 and 93 Bishopsgate Street (1911-14), 36 Camomile Street (1915-18), 126 Bishopsgate Street (1919-25), Bevis Marks House (1926-35), Staple Hall, Stone House Court (1936-41), Bishops Avenue, N2 (1942-5), Bevis Marks House again (1946-62) and Lee House, London Wall (1963-7). Its primary concern was the trade of oil petroleum and wax. The firm expanded significantly after World War I when they became one of the first importers of Russian oil. In 1968 ABCO Petroleum Ltd, as it had become known, became a subsidiary of the Sinclair Oil Corporation.
The success of the Fire Offices' Committee, which had been established in 1868 to consolidate existing rating agreements and to continue to supervise the rating of fire risk insured by the "Tariff Offices" (those insurance companies which had agreed to a common tariff of premiums), led its members to try to restrict competition through a similar tariff body for accident insurance - the Accident Offices Association. (An earlier attempt to regulate companies involved in liability insurance, the Accident Offices' Committee formed in 1894, had proved largely ineffective).
The Accident Offices Association was established on 11 June 1906. It was formed largely in response to the Workmen's Compensation Act of 1906 to advise manufacturers, traders and others about the new responsibilities and liabilities imposed by the act. The Workmen's Compensation Act of 1897 had introduced the principle of automatic compensation for all accidents in some categories of hazardous occupations; the 1906 Act extended the principle to all workers. Every employer was now at risk and became a potential policy holder. A tariff for workmen's compensation insurance was established in 1907 and subsequently other tariffs were issued: for private car insurance in 1914, for commercial vehicles in 1915 and for motor cycles in 1920; for fidelity guarantee insurance in 1914; and for plate glass insurance in 1920.
The Accident Offices Association provided executive and secretarial services for a number of other associations of insurance companies whose records have been preserved with its own archives. It managed the Livestock Offices Association (established 1912), an association of companies involved in livestock insurance which administered a livestock tariff from 1916 until it was transferred to the Accident Offices Association in 1939. The Engineering Offices Association administered a tariff for engineering insurance from 1920, the year it was formed. The association also managed the Aircraft Insurance Committee (established 1919 and apparently wound up in 1935), the Building Society Indemnities Committee (an association of companies involved with mortgage guarantee insurance established in 1925), the Coal Pool (established c 1907 for sharing and adjusting colliery claims; known as the Colliery Pool from 1935 when it seems to have been taken over by the Accident Offices Association), the Debris Clearance Pool (established in 1941 to rate the risks involved in the clearance of sites damaged by enemy action) and the Home Office Vehicles Pool (also set up in 1941 for the sharing of risks arising out of the issue of insurance policies for fire service and smoke protection vehicles).
Member insurance companies of the Accident Offices Association were also involved in accident business abroad. A Foreign Motor Committee was established in 1920 and this was absorbed into the Accident Offices Asssociation (Overseas) constituted in 1937. Insurance companies interested in the tariff situation in South Africa had formed their own association, the South African Accident Council, in 1915. Its records include copy minutes and papers of several South African bodies: local associations such as the Cape Accident Offices Association and the Transvaal Accident Offices Association which merged as the Workmen's Compensation Insurers' Association of South Africa in 1935; and national bodies such as the Accident Offices Association of Southern Africa (established in 1944) which replaced the Workmen's Compensation Insurers' Association, and absorbed the Southern Rhodesian Workmen's Compensation Insurers' Association and the workmen's compensation business of the Accident Insurance Council of South Africa (established by the South African Accident Council in 1925). The Accident Offices Association serviced both the Accident Offices Association (Overseas) and the South African Accident Council.
In addition to administering the various tariffs, the Accident Offices Association became a forum for member companies to exchange views on matters of common interest. The association also acted in a wider capacity, liaising with bodies such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, and also with government departments. The Accident Offices Association role with regard to tariffs ceased on 1 January 1969, when, under the threat of monopolies legislation, all tariffs were dissolved. This led to the emergence, on 3 July 1974, of a reconstituted organisation with a greater number of accident offices participating. The Accident Offices Association was abolished on 30 June 1985 and its functions transferred to the Association of British Insurers.
The Accident Offices Association was housed from 1906 to 1911 in the offices of a firm of chartered accountants. In 1911 it moved to 54 New Broad Street; in 1914 to Thames House, Queen Street Place; in 1928 to 60 Watling Street; in 1959 to 107 Cheapside; and in 1963 to Aldermary House, Queen Street.
The Debris Clearance Pool, also known as the Debris Clearance Pool Committee, was established in 1941 by the Accident Offices Association for the rating of site clearance risks in wartime. It was wound up in 1947.
The Engineering Offices Association was set up on 15 December 1920 by companies interested in engineering insurance. It administered a tariff for engineering insurance established at the same time. The Association met at the offices of the Accident Offices Association which provided it with executive and secretarial services.
The Glasgow Rate and Salvage Association was formed in 1847. Formerly known as the Agents Fire Rate Committee; Glasgow Fire Rate Committee, and Glasgow Fire Insurance Committee.
The Life Offices' Association was founded in 1889 by representatives of the major life assurance offices. It acted as a forum for consultation and combined action in response to problems arising from the expansion of life assurance business, geographically and in the new types of risk being rated. The Association was concerned in particular with the effects of insurance and tax legislation.
The Association had offices as follows: 1890: 19-20 Cornhill; 1891: 9-10 King Street; 1892-6: 25 Abchurch Lane; 1897-1906: 5 Lombard Street; 1907-10: 18 Bishopsgate Street Within; 1911-13: 28 Bishopsgate; 1914-29: 6 Broad Street Place; 1929-34: 15 Queen Street; 1935-54: 20 Aldermanbury; 1955-62: 33 King Street; 1962 onwards: Aldermary House, 10-15 Queen Street.
The Association ceased to exist in 1985 when its functions were taken over by the Association of British Insurers.
The National Conference of Industrial Assurance Approved Societies was formed in 1913, by the industrial assurance companies and collecting societies who had formed non-profitmaking "approved societies" to administer the 1911 National Insurance Act. The Conference met to consider the Offices' experience of National Insurance administration, and changes that could be recommended to the Insurance Commissioners. Under the 1946 National Insurance Act, approved societies were abolished, and the records of the Conference cease in 1948. The Conference does not appear to have held permanent offices; correspondence being directed as appropriate to the individual offices of Conference office-holders.
The Baltic Exchange was based successively at Threadneedle Street and St Mary Axe. It was founded in 1744 as the Virginia and Baltic Coffee House, established as a meeting place for merchants trading with Virginia or the Baltic. From 1823, it was known as the Baltic Coffee House; later becoming the Baltic Mercantile and Shipping Exchange Limited (1900-1981/2). In 1857 the Exchange formed the Baltic Company Limited to purchase South Sea House (wound up in 1899). In 1899 the Exchange formed a committee called the City of London Exchange Syndicate to purchase a site in Jeffrey's Square (wound up in 1900). From the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century, the Exchange became a worldwide centre for freight and records of many thousand ship charters are held.
The Bamboo Paper Company Limited was established in London in 1919 to manufacture and deal in paper pulp made from bamboo and fibrous substances. The company granted a licence to the India Paper Pulp Company to manufacture and sell bamboo pulp in British India and Burma. The company was linked to Morgan Grenfell via the involvement of one of the latter's partners - Charles F. Whigham. The offices were at 36 Paternoster Row from 1919.
Benjamin Charles Thomas Gray appears to have started in business in London as a West Indies merchant in about 1832. By 1846 he was already also acting as a North America merchant, and had taken his son Charles William Gray into partnership. The firm was known at this time as B.C.T. Gray and Son. By 1856 another son, Benjamin Gerrish Gray, was also a partner, and the firm was styled B.C.T. Gray and Sons. BCT Gray died in 1853, and in 1858 Benjamin Gerrish Gray resigned his partnership in favour of his brother Ambrose Gosling Wentworth Gray. The firm was then known as Charles William and Wentworth Gray until it disappeared c 1910. On Charles William Gray's death in 1880, he was succeeded in partnership by his son Lewis Gray. The firm traded successively from Upper Stamford Street; Great Surrey Street, Cornhill; Lime Street and Great St Helen's.
The Bordeaux Agents Association was based at 4 Lloyd's Avenue (in 1949). It was a group of wine sellers and importers.
Butterworth and Company (Publishers) of 7 Fleet street 1818-99, 12 Bell Yard 1899-1912, 4-6 Bell Yard 1912-53, 88 Kingsway 1955-94, Borough Green, Kent 1973-95, and Halbury House, 35 Chancery Lane 1994-.
The business was founded in 1818 by Henry Butterworth who sold both his own publications and many other law books. The firm was first known as Henry Butterworth, law bookseller and publisher; but from the 1850s was variously known as Messrs Butterworth, Messrs Butterworth and Co. and Messrs Butterworth and Son though it appears in London directories from 1853 as Henry Butterworth and Co. On the death of Joshua Whitehead Butterworth (Henry's son) in 1895, the firm was bought by Shaw and Sons, law printers and publishers. The new business was known as Butterworth and Co and owned by Charles Bond, soon succeeded by his son Stanley Shaw Bond. The company has been known colloquially (in the twentieth century at least) as Butterworths.
Limited companies were set up from 1910 onwards to trade in the empire and dominions but the principal UK firm was not set up as a limited company until 1927 when Stanley Shaw Bond changed the name of Butterworth and Company (Canada) to Butterworth and Company (Publishers) and increased the authorised capital to +250,000. Butterworths remained a group of separate companies with Bond as the sole shareholder of each company until his death in 1943. The company structure was then rationalised with the smaller companies becoming subsidiaries of Butterworth and Company (Publishers). In 1947 Butterworths became a public company and in 1967 it was bought by IPC.
This company was first known as Fuel Publications and was presumably the vehicle for publishing the journal Fuel. The name was changed in 1950/1 to Butterworths Technical Books.
In 1895 Charles and Richard Bond (known as Shaw and Sons) bought Butterworth and Company. In the next three years they divided up their business so that Charles Bond took over the law publishing side of Shaw and Sons as well as Butterworths. Charles Bond retained personal possession of some titles published by Butterworths on a commission basis and bequeathed them to his son Stanley.
The Coke Press, publisher of the Law Journal, was bought in 1924 by Stanley Shaw Bond, owner of Butterworth and Company (Publishers) Limited.
R J Acford Ltd (Acfords) were a printing firm, specialising in legal printing such as the Law Journal. They were bought by Butterworths after the Second World War and sold off in 1974.
The firm was founded by Henry Shaw in 1750. In 1895 when it bought Butterworths it was owned by two brothers Charles and Richard Bond who were described in the sale agreement as "carrying on the business of printers and publishers at 7, 8 and 9 Fetter Lane under the style of Shaw and Sons." Charles and Richard divided up their business between 1895-1901 so that Charles ran Butterworths and took over Shaw and Sons' law publishing.
A large number of Grahams companies, registered in Glasgow, were trading individually in Glasgow and elsewhere, including Portugal and India, as early as the late 18th century. Grahams Trading Company Limited, however, was incorporated on 29 July 1924, as general merchants and manufacturers all over the world, with a registered office at 7 St Helen's Place, EC3. It was an amalgamation of several of the older Grahams companies and the newly acquired "Portuguese companies". The latter, Abelheira Paper Mills Limited, Boa Vista Spinning and Weaving Company Limited and Braco de Prata Printing Company Limited, had all begun in the late 19th century and were registered in Glasgow but traded in Portugal through William Graham and Company, William and John Graham and Company, and William Graham Junior and Company, who acted as their agents and held title to the real estate in Portugal.
The Portuguese business of Grahams Trading Company Limited was held through West European Industries Limited. In 1947, the "Portuguese companies" went into voluntary liquidation, and the various mills and factories were gradually closed down and sold off in the 1950s. Grahams Trading Company Limited was taken over by Camp Bird Limited in 1957 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1960.
A large number of Grahams companies, registered in Glasgow, were trading individually in Glasgow and elsewhere, including Portugal and India, as early as the late 18th century. Grahams Trading Company Limited, however, was incorporated on 29 July 1924, as general merchants and manufacturers all over the world, with a registered office at 7 St Helen's Place, EC3. It was an amalgamation of several of the older Grahams companies and the newly acquired "Portuguese companies". The latter, Abelheira Paper Mills Limited, Boa Vista Spinning and Weaving Company Limited and Braco de Prata Printing Company Limited, had all begun in the late 19th century and were registered in Glasgow but traded in Portugal through William Graham and Company, William and John Graham and Company, and William Graham Junior and Company, who acted as their agents and held title to the real estate in Portugal.
An assets company was also formed in 1924, known as the Reserved Assets Company Limited. Its registered office also was 7 St Helen's Place. It was wound up in 1936 on the reduction and reorganisation of the capital of the trading company. West European Industries Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, was incorporated on 26 March 1930. Its registered office was 7 St Helen's Place, moving to 5 St Helen's Place in 1947. The Portuguese business of Grahams Trading Company Limited was held through West European Industries Limited. In 1947, the "Portuguese companies" went into voluntary liquidation, and the various mills and factories were gradually closed down and sold off in the 1950s. Grahams Trading Company Limited was taken over by Camp Bird Limited in 1957 and went into voluntary liquidation in 1960.
The Assam Frontier Tea Company Limited were based on Leadenhall Street and other City addresses. They amalgamated in 1977 with Budla Beta Tea Company Limited. They were taken over in 1982 by the Caparo Group Limited.
Dooars Tea Company began trading in 1885 as the operator of 4 estates in the Western Dooars, Bengal. It had offices at 36 Wood Street, 1885-91; 60 Gracechurch Street, 1891-1912, 2A Eastcheap, 1912-68 and 13 Rood Lane, 1968-71. In 1982 the company was acquired by the Caparo Group Limited.
The company began trading in 1896 from 60 Gracechurch Street. From 1912-1968 it was at 2A Eastcheap, from 1968-1971 13 Rood Lane, then in Isleworth and Kennington before being wound up in 1979. It was renamed Empire Plantations and Investments Limited in 1974, when the administration of its estates was transferred to India. The Caparo Group took over the records of the company in 1982.
Charles Cox first appears in Bailey's London Directory of 1784 as a merchant at 20 Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn. By 1799 he is described as a marine agent (Holden's London Directory) and later as simply an agent. In 1813 the business moved to 44 Hatton Garden and Charles Cox was joined by his son to become Charles Cox and Son, agents. From the 1830s they are described as either marine and navy agents or royal marine agents, and their last appearance is in the 1854 Post Office Directory. The 1855 Post Office Street Directory lists 'Tear Laming Warren (successor to Charles Cox and Son), marine agent' at 44 Hatton Garden.
The Fine Art and General Insurance Company Limited was established at 28 Cornhill in 1890 as the Fine Art Insurance Company specifically to handle fire insurance for fine arts, but it expanded into non-life insurance and, in January 1894, changed its name to Fine Art and General Insurance Company. In 1895 it moved to 90 Cannon Street, in 1905 to 89-90 Cheapside, and in 1924 to 64 Cornhill. It became a subsidiary of North British and Mercantile Insurance in 1917 and merged with Commercial Union Assurance in 1959.
This company was established in 1878. It changed its name several times, becoming the Imperial Accident, Live Stock and General Insurance Company in 1898, the Imperial Accident Insurance Company in 1907, the Imperial Live Stock Insurance Company in 1914, before returning to its original style as Imperial Live Stock and General Insurance Company in 1923. It had offices at 17 Pall Mall East before moving to 27 Cavendish Square. By 1934 it was at 24 Cornhill where it remained. In 1912 it was taken over by Commercial Union Assurance Company and wound up in 1948.
This company was established in 1824 as the Indemnity Mutual Marine Assurance Company in premises at 36 Great Winchester Street. By 1907 its address was 1 Old Broad Street and in 1958 4 Fenchurch Street. The company changed its name to Indemnity Marine Insurance Company in 1935, although its business covered both marine and aviation insurance. It became a subsidiary of the Northern Assurance Company in 1917 which in turn became a subsidiary of Commercial Union Assurance in 1968.
This company was established in 1887 for life and accident insurance. Its offices were at 3 Regent Street. In 1894 it amalgamated with Scottish Metropolitan Assurance Company; this became London and Scottish Assurance in 1912; Northern Assurance in 1923 and merged with Commercial Union in 1968.
This company was established in 1862 as London and Lancashire Life Assurance Company; it was a sister company to London and Lancashire Insurance. After 1910 it expanded into general insurance as well and became known as London and Lancashire Life and General Assurance Association, but it was renamed London and Scottish Assurance Corporation Ltd in 1919. It became a subsidiary of Northern Assurance in 1923 and Northern Assurance merged with Commercial Union in 1968. London and Scottish Assurance had their first offices at 73-4 King William Street; by the time of their amalgamation in 1919 their address was 66 Cornhill.
George Nicholas and Son were wine merchants of 27A Old Broad Street.
Francis Newton sailed from Gravesend to Madeira in 1745 and began trading there, at first while employed as a bookkeeper but from 1747-1748 on his own account. In the 19th century his successors, Cossart, Gordon and Company, claimed the year of foundation as 1745 (see printed circular issued in 1867, in Ms 32992/151). The earliest document among the papers now held at Guildhall Library is dated 1749.
The company has traded under the following names: Francis Newton -1758; Newton and Gordon, 1758-77; Newton, Gordon and Johnston, 1777-91; Newton, Gordon and Murdoch, 1791-1801; Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Company, 1802-5, Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Scott, 1805-c 1833; Newton, Gordon, Murdoch and Company, c 1833-1839; Newton, Gordon, Cossart and Company, [1839-1864]; Cossart, Gordon and Company c 1864-1953; Cossart, Gordon and Cia. Lda 1953-
Although originally established in Madeira, from its earliest days the business maintained close links with London, and its principals were always British. In 1758 Francis Newton entered into partnership with Thomas Gordon. Newton returned from Madeira to London c 1767 (according to an account written in 1773, in Ms 32992/11) and thereafter appears to have acted in London as the company's senior partner. By the mid nineteenth century the company had a substantial presence in both London and Madeira, with a "London house" as well as the original "Madeira house". The "London house" traded as Webster Gordon, Cossart and Company in the 1840s, when it was based at 6 New Broad Street (1846). The name Cossart, Gordon and Company was used in London before it was used in Madeira, being applied to the London house from 1851. From c 1864, both houses traded under the same name.
The primary business of Cossart, Gordon and Company was the purchase of wine from local suppliers and its export to Britain, the United States, India and the West Indies. In the 18th and early 19th centuries it also traded in a range of other commodities such as cotton, soap, sugar, rice, grain, flour, meat, fish, fruit and dairy products. During the 19th century, however, as the demand for Madeira wines grew, Cossart, Gordon and Company withdrew from trading in general merchandise in order to concentrate on wines.
In 1913 a small group of Madeira wine shippers decided to work together and formed the Madeira Wine Association Limitada. The numbers in this group grew as the benefits of co-operation became clear. Cossart, Gordon and Company joined the Association as a partner in 1953. At the same time, the Madeira assets of the London company were put into a Portuguese company, Cossart, Gordon and Cia. Lda. which supplied the London company's requirements through the Madeira Wine Association (later the Madeira Wine Company).
A. S. Daniell (d 1873) appears to have conducted the business (management of coffee, coconut and cinnamon plantations) from a number of addresses in London, and from St Leonard on Sea, Sussex; Bath, Somerset; and Pau, France. Some of the business was conducted through the Ceylon Coffee Company of 17 Baker Street and through Henry Burnett, ship agent of 43 Fish Street Hill. After the death of A. S. Daniell, the business, under the name of Daniell and Company, was carried on from 25 Broad Street.
The firm of Dixon, Morgan and Company shipped wine and spirits, specifically from Oporto in Portugal, where it had considerable interests and where many members of the firm were based. It developed from the successive partnerships of numerous wine merchants, starting with Messrs Haughton, Langston and Dixon in the early 18th century. By 1785 the firm was known as Langston and Dixon. By 1800 this had become Dixon, Brett and Morgan, and was based at 13 Savage Gardens. in circa 1810 the name changed again to Dixon, Morgan and Company, which in turn became Morgan Saunders and Company in circa 1835, then Thomas Morgan & Company (moving to 11 Mark Lane) in circa 1840, Morgan jun and Ridge (of 24 Savage Gardens) from circa 1845, and finally Morgan Bros from 1858. It became a limited liability company in 1872, and moved to Clements House, 27 St Clements Lane in circa 1865; 39 Trinity Square in 1872, 16 Mark Lane in 1901, 14 Trinity Square in circa 1925; 20 & 22 Wellington Street, WC in circa 1940 and 23-29 Walbrook in circa 1950. The firm is believed to have been taken over by Crofts in circa 1970.
The East India Company was based at East India House, Leadenhall Street (Sir William Craven's mansion house, rebuilt in 1726 and enlarged in 1799, occupying 11-21 Leadenhall Street in 1842, demolished in 1862 and the site sold to Lloyd's of London).
Edmund Schluter and Company were general merchants (particularly in rubber, tea and coffee) with trading links in France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Italy, Austria, Poland, and the United States and Brazil. The business was founded in 1858. In 1988 the company moved to Switzerland, and the London office was renamed E.D.M. and Company. (London) Ltd. It was based at 35 Mincing Lane (1858-9), 24 Mark Lane (1860-1941), 4 Cullum Street (1942-1955), 15/18 Lime Street (1956), 30 Mincing Lane (1957-60), 37 Mincing Lane (1961-1975), and 20 Eastcheap (1976-).