Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1872-1970 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
150 bound volumes; 122 folders
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lawes Chemical Company was founded by Sir John Bennet Lawes. He set up a factory for manufacture of super-phosphates at Deptford Creek, London, in 1843, and bought in 1857 100 acres at Barking Creek, Essex, on which the main factory and workmen's cottages were built. The business was purchased from Lawes by a group of businessmen in 1872 and incorporated with limited liability as Lawes Chemical Manure Co. Ltd, to manufacture artificial fertilisers, sulphuric acid and other chemical fertilisers. Branches were established in Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, and the company traded overseas in North and South America, India, New Zealand, Australia South Africa and the Middle East. Lawes also established several subsidiary companies as artificial fertiliser merchants. Including: Gwalia Fertilisers (Briton Ferry) Ltd., Neath, Glamorgan (inc 1934), A Nightingale and Sons Ltd, Bedford (inc 1937), Thomas Fenn. Ltd, Ipswich, Suffolk (inc 1947), Seabright Chemicals Ltd (inc 1967), Jersey Trading Co Ltd (inc 1914) and Jersey Trading Co (1948) Ltd, as fruit and vegetable traders. The company became Lawes Chemical Company Ltd in 1935 and went into liquidation in 1969, the business continuing to trade under the name of Seabright Chemicals Ltd.
Archival history
BD24 1872-1970 Fonds 150 bound volumes; 122 folders Lawes Chemical Company
Lawes Chemical Company was founded by Sir John Bennet Lawes. He set up a factory for manufacture of super-phosphates at Deptford Creek, London, in 1843, and bought in 1857 100 acres at Barking Creek, Essex, on which the main factory and workmen's cottages were built. The business was purchased from Lawes by a group of businessmen in 1872 and incorporated with limited liability as Lawes Chemical Manure Co. Ltd, to manufacture artificial fertilisers, sulphuric acid and other chemical fertilisers. Branches were established in Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, and the company traded overseas in North and South America, India, New Zealand, Australia South Africa and the Middle East. Lawes also established several subsidiary companies as artificial fertiliser merchants. Including: Gwalia Fertilisers (Briton Ferry) Ltd., Neath, Glamorgan (inc 1934), A Nightingale and Sons Ltd, Bedford (inc 1937), Thomas Fenn. Ltd, Ipswich, Suffolk (inc 1947), Seabright Chemicals Ltd (inc 1967), Jersey Trading Co Ltd (inc 1914) and Jersey Trading Co (1948) Ltd, as fruit and vegetable traders. The company became Lawes Chemical Company Ltd in 1935 and went into liquidation in 1969, the business continuing to trade under the name of Seabright Chemicals Ltd.
The collection was received via Copper and Lybrand, liquidator of Lawes Chemical Company Limited in 1981. This was organised through the Business Archives Council, Survey Manager Lesley M. Millar to Valence House Museum.
This collection comprises the minute books, articles of association, account ledgers, financial journals, wages books, cash books, newspaper cuttings and liquidation papers of Lawes Chemical Company (1872-1970), as well as records of subsidiary companies, including: Acides et Superphosphates Standairt Societe Anonyme (1929-1938), Gwalia Fertilisers (Briton Ferry) Limited (1934-1969), Jersey Trading Company (1948) Limited (1914-1963), Alfred Nightingale and Sons Ltd (1937-1963) and Thomas Fenn Limited (1947-1961).
Material arranged as received taking into consideration the format and chronology of the material.
The material within this collection is open to research by appointment at the Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Centre. For further information about visiting the reading room please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Material within this collection can be reproduced at the discretion of the Borough Archivist. For further information about conditions governing reproduction please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
English
For additional information on the content of this collection please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Catalogued on Adlib in 2008. Description added to Aim25 in April 2014. Manufacturing industry Lawes Chemical Company Chemical industry Company record Industry
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The collection was received via Copper and Lybrand, liquidator of Lawes Chemical Company Limited in 1981. This was organised through the Business Archives Council, Survey Manager Lesley M. Millar to Valence House Museum.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection comprises the minute books, articles of association, account ledgers, financial journals, wages books, cash books, newspaper cuttings and liquidation papers of Lawes Chemical Company (1872-1970), as well as records of subsidiary companies, including: Acides et Superphosphates Standairt Societe Anonyme (1929-1938), Gwalia Fertilisers (Briton Ferry) Limited (1934-1969), Jersey Trading Company (1948) Limited (1914-1963), Alfred Nightingale and Sons Ltd (1937-1963) and Thomas Fenn Limited (1947-1961).
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Material arranged as received taking into consideration the format and chronology of the material.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
The material within this collection is open to research by appointment at the Barking and Dagenham Archives and Local Studies Centre. For further information about visiting the reading room please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Conditions governing reproduction
Material within this collection can be reproduced at the discretion of the Borough Archivist. For further information about conditions governing reproduction please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
For additional information on the content of this collection please contact localstudies@lbbd.gov.uk or telephone 020 8227 2033.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English