James Keiller and Son
of Dundee, Confectioners and Preserve Manufacturers
of 20 Soho Square, London, W1. (1929)
Ditto Address. Telephone: Gerrard 9261. Cables: "Keiller, London"
Makers of Keiller's Marmalade.
1797 Janet Keiller made the first batch, after her grocer husband brought a distressed cargo of Seville oranges in the harbour at Dundee. [1].
Janet's son, James Keiller, who was unmarried at the time, and his mother opened a factory to produce Dundee Marmalade - containing thick chunks of orange rind. The recipe was a new twist on the already well-known fruit preserve of orange marmalade. James Keiller set up his company to produce marmalade containing the bitter peel.
1813 Janet Keiller died
1818 James married Margaret Spence.
1828 Company became James Keiller and Son when James was joined by his son, James Junior.
1839 James Senior died and the business was then run by his second wife Margaret, her son Alexander (1822-1877) having not yet attained his maturity.
1850 Margaret died; her son Alexander took over the business. He became a master confectioner[2]
1864 Another of James' sons, Wedderspoon Keiller, obtained a patent for the process of preparing marmalade using machinery.
1876 By this time, the popularity of marmalades had increased.
1877 Alexander's son, John Mitchell Keiller, took over the business after his father's death in Gibraltar.
1893 Incorporated as a Limited Company
1899 John Mitchell Keiller (1851-1899) died at sea.
1899 The Board of the company is James Boyd (Chairman), William Boyd (Joint MD), Robert Just Boyd (Joint MD), Alexander Monfries and Edward W. Meredith [3]
1914 Also had a branch in Germany. Directors: James Boyd (Chairman), William Boyd (Managing Director, Dundee), R. Just Boyd (Managing Director, London), Ed. W. Meredith, John Keiller Greig. Secretary: H. Agnew.
1920 Acquired by Crosse and Blackwell[4] [5]
1929 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Chocolates, Confectionery, Jams, Marmalade, Jellies, Peels, Cakes. (Stand Nos. K.20 and K.33) [6]
1947 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair. Manufacturers of Dundee Marmalade, Preserves, Christmas Puddings, Mincemeat, Lemon Curd, Creme de Menthe, Nougat, Toffee Caramels, Butter Scotch, Boiled sugar Goods, Jelly Fruit Jubes, Lozenges, Toffees, Mint Pan Drops, Superior Mixed Gums. (Earls Court, 1st Floor, Stand No. 737) [7]
2008 The company brand and trademarks are currently owned by Centura Foods, part of Premier Foods. Centura also owns the trademarks for Robertsons Marmalade.
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ [1] Scottish Inventors
- ↑ 1851 census
- ↑ The Times, Monday, May 15, 1899
- ↑ The Times, Monday, Jan 13, 1919
- ↑ The Times, Saturday, Mar 13, 1920
- ↑ 1929 British Industries Fair p95
- ↑ 1947 British Industries Fair p154