Rabone Brothers
Rabone Brothers of 297-299 Broad Street, Birmingham.
“Foreign Merchants” (exporters) of cutlery and guns to Central & South America, and a principal supplier of materials for Cuba’s railway.
Founded by a successful Birmingham merchant by the name of 'Rabone' who had romantic views towards Laetitia Taylor who was married to Abraham Dixon Senior. Rabone tried to keep in touch with Laetitia by offering employment to her second son, Abraham and later, her fourth son George.
Abraham and George Dixon were to become partners of Rabone Bros.
Business initially imported wines from Spain and Portugal but later exported various metal goods from Birmingham and surrounding areas. Items such as nails, guns, railway bolts and components, chain cables, pens etc.
Rabone Brothers focussed on the Central and South American markets, with trade to the West Indies too.
- Note: Further Reading: Abraham Dixon's Involvement with Leatherhead - An Update By James Dixon (pp 284-294)]