George Jackson and Co

1852

Tobacco manufacturer, Whitehaven, Cumberland.

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George Jackson was born in Ambleside in 1816 where he worked as a stonemason. He inherited £3,000 from an uncle which he was keen to use to enter into business himself. He moved to Whitehaven and was taken into the office of Messrs Randleson and Forster, druggists, chemists and colour manufacturers, to learn about business. In 1844 he entered into business in his own right as a tobacco manufacturer at 77 King Street, Whitehaven. At this time Whitehaven had a major trade in tobacco through strong trade links with Virginia and the Caribbean. Jackson brought his cousin Thomas Gill of Liverpool into the firm as an employee, though neither had any experience in the tobacco trade.

1847 George Jackson relocated his business from 77 King Street to 4 Tangier Street, Whitehaven. Described as Tobacco and Snuff Manufacturer, offering an extensive Assortment of Foreign and British Cigars, Fancy Snuffs, Meerschaum Pipes, &c.

1847 George Jackson, tobacco and snuff manufacturer 6 [sic] Tangier Street. Street number may be an error.

1852 Shop at 4 Tangier Street; manufactory adjoining (see image). Thomas Gill referred to as shopman in 1851 census and a newspaper article.

1858 Leased two tobacco warehouses called Queen's Tobacco Stores at rear of Custom House, Whitehaven, for term of four years at £10 annual rent.

1858 Directory entry - George Jackson, tobacco and snuff manufacturer, 4 Tangier Street.

1861 George Jackson resided 5 Tangier Street, tobacco manufacturer employing 14 man, 5 boys and 35 girls. Thomas Gill clerk to tobacconist.

1867 George Jackson, tobacco manufacturer, 5 Tangier Street, Whitehaven, took into partnership Thomas Gill, reported to have been manager of the works for some 22 years (though as seen above, this probably inflates his position), and William Dalzell. The firm was renamed George Jackson and Co. Dalzell was referred to as the travelling partner. How long he had been with the firm is not known, but certainly after 1861, when he was a grocer in Stainburn.

1871 Dwelling at 5 Tangier Street was occupied by Thomas Gill and his family. One of his daughters worked as a tobacconist’s assistant.

1873 Directory entry - George Jackson and Co., Wholesale and retail tobacco and snuff manufacturer, and importer of cigars. 5 Tangier Street.

1877 George Jackson retired. Partnership trading as George Jackson and Co., tobacco manufacturers of Whitehaven, between George Jackson, Thomas Gill and William Dalzell, dissolved by mutual consent in 1 Mar 1877 as far as George Jackson was concerned, who retired.

1880 Occupied 4 and 5 Tangier Street.

1881 Dwelling at 5 Tangier Street was still occupied by Thomas Gill and his family.

1881 Cumberland Agents for ‘’Richmond Gem’’ cigarettes, manufactured in Richmond Virginia.

1883 Directory entry - G Jackson & Co, tobacco manufacturer 5 Tangier Street and tobacconist 26 King Street.

1884 Thomas Gill retired. Partnership between William Dalzell and Thomas Gill as tobacco manufacturer trading as George Jackson and Co., dissolved through efflux of time, with Gill retiring from the business which was continued by Dalzell alone.

1887 George Jackson died 1 May 1887, aged 70.

1888 George Jackson and Co converted to a private limited company, George Jackson and Company Limited (company number 26030). The company was to be managed by William Dalzell and his former partner Thomas Gill A list of directors and subscribers is not to hand, but it is recorded that William Dalzell was managing director, William McCowan, iron master, was chairman and Thomas Gill was a director.

1889 William Dalzell died 24 Jan 1889, aged 49. After his death, Thomas Gill took an active part in the management of the company for several years.

1894-1897 Directory entries – George Jackson and Co Ltd., tobacco and snuff manufacturers, 5 Tangier Street and retail tobacconist, 30A Lowther Street

1895-1896 advert – “All who like a Mild, Sweet, Fragrant Tobacco should smoke “Sea Dog” Navy Cut, a High-class Brand of exceptionally Fine Quality. For a Full Flavoured Tobacco, try the Old Original, Jackson's Celebrated Smoking Mixture. Over 40 years before the public, and still a general favourite. Manufactured only by Geo. Jackson & Co. Whitehaven, Makers of all kinds of Fine Chewing and High Class Smoking Tobaccos, Snuffs, &c. Importers of Havana Cigars.”

1899 Manager of company shop in King Street, Mr W Paintin.

1901 Directory entry – Jackson and Co Ltd., tobacco manufacturers, 5 Tangier Street and 19 King Street

1904 Thomas Gill died in 27 Apr 1904, in retirement at Morecambe, aged 83.

1904 Disposed of their King Street shop, intended to confine themselves to manufacturing and wholesale trade only. Office 5 Tangier Street.

1905 Sole Manufacturer of newly introduced “Sea Dog Mixture” tobacco

1906-1914 Directory entries - George Jackson and Co Ltd., tobacco and snuff manufacturers, 5 Tangier Street.

1910 Occupied 4 and 5 Tangier Street.

1912 Joseph Kerr, director and chairman died 8 Apr 1912.

1916 Robert Henry Wilson, managing director and secretary, died 1 Jan 1916.

1916 By March 1916 the company was in voluntary liquidation. No notice of liquidation has been found, but the liquidator called a creditors meeting on 12 Apr 1916.

1917 28 Mar 1917, sale of company property, comprising:-

• Freehold manufactory, offices and premises, with dwelling, the whole known as 5 Tangier Street.
• All the plant, machinery, fixtures and fittings.
• The goodwill of the business and all trademarks.
• Two freehold lock-up shops/warehouses/dwellings, being 6 and 6A Tangier Street.

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