Joseph Terry of York: A Confectionery Legacy

In 1823, Joseph Terry embarked on a journey that would leave an indelible mark on the confectionery industry. Joining the established business of Bayldon and Berry, founded in 1767 by William Bayldon and Robert Berry, Terry contributed to a lineage of sweet craftsmanship. However, fate intervened as Bayldon departed and Berry passed away, leaving Terry at the helm. Undeterred, he transformed the enterprise, eventually christening it Terry’s, in partnership with Berry’s son, George, operating from the quaint premises of St Helen’s Square in York.

The advent of railways catapulted Terry's confections to over seventy-five towns across the Midlands and northern England, igniting a fervor for their delectable treats. To accommodate burgeoning demand, Terry relocated the manufacturing hub beyond the city walls in 1862, a strategic move that propelled growth.

In 1886, Joseph Terry Jr. steered the family legacy toward chocolate, a visionary decision that would redefine the brand. Post-World War I, the Terry lineage expanded with the inclusion of his sons, heralding an era of innovation and excellence. Notably, Terry’s of York became synonymous with iconic creations like the Chocolate Orange and All Gold chocolates, cherished by connoisseurs worldwide.

Pioneering a commitment to quality, the Terrys ventured to Venezuela, acquiring a plantation to secure a premium cocoa supply, ensuring unrivaled taste and consistency in their products.

Despite changes in ownership, including acquisitions by Forte in 1963, Colgate-Palmolive, and United Biscuits in 1975, Terry’s resilience endured. However, it was the acquisition by food giant Kraft in 1993 that marked a significant shift. As the company bid farewell to its York roots in 2005, after gradually scaling down operations, a chapter closed in the annals of confectionery history.

Joseph Terry's legacy transcends the confines of time and geography, embodying the essence of craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit that defined an era. Though the factory may have relocated, the sweetness of Terry’s confections continues to linger in the collective memory of generations, a testament to enduring excellence and innovation.
Joseph Terry of York: A Confectionery Legacy

Samuel's Antique Business Expansion

In 1833, Marcus Samuel, a British Jew from the East End of London, established an antique store in the city. Leveraging the Victorian craze for shell-boxes, he had already accumulated substantial wealth by acquiring exotic shells from returning sea captains and converting them into fashionable household items through his company, M. Samuel & Co.

Exhibiting an entrepreneurial drive, Marcus Samuel took the initiative to welcome ships returning to England from India, Japan, Africa, and the Middle East, where he offered to purchase intriguing trinkets and curios collected by sailors during their voyages.

News quickly spread among sailors that they could increase their earnings by selling their collectibles to Samuel. As a result, his business flourished, leading him to open large warehouses on the docks to amass and resell these items. Among the various goods he acquired were exotic shells, which he skillfully affixed to wooden jewelry boxes. These boxes found a ready market among young women seeking holiday souvenirs at the beach. The demand grew significantly, prompting him to import shells from the Far East and laying the groundwork for an import-export enterprise.

In 1870, Marcus Samuel passed his business on to his sons, most notably Marcus Samuel, 1st Viscount Bearsted (born on 5th November 1853 and passed away on 17th January 1927), who spearheaded its expansion. Eventually, his grandson assumed control of the family legacy, further expanding the import/export operations and establishing offices in Japan and London.

During the 1890s, the French Rothschild family ventured into the oil business, taking advantage of the emerging oil fields in Baku, Russia. Seeking assistance in transporting and selling the oil, they entered into a partnership with Marcus Samuel.

In 1891, Samuel secured an exclusive nine-year deal with the Rothschilds, granting him the rights to sell Benito's kerosene east of Suez. In response, he invested in designing and constructing safer tanker ships specifically tailored for navigating the Suez Canal. The first of these tankers, named Murex, embarked on its maiden journey from West Hartlepool to Batum on 22nd July 1892, where it loaded its cargo of kerosene.

In 1907, Sir Marcus Samuel and Henry Deterding orchestrated a merger, combining the Shell Transport and Trading Company with the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, resulting in the creation of Royal Dutch/Shell.
Samuel's Antique Business Expansion

Philip Morris (1835–1873) - British tobacconist

Philip Morris was born in Whitechapel, Middlesex, England in 1835 to Barnard Morris and Betze Morriss. Philip Morris married Margaret Corner and had one child.

In 1847, Philip Morris's family opened a shop on Bond Street in London, which sold loose tobacco and pre-rolled cigarettes.

By 1854, he had started making his own cigarettes. In 1870, Morris began to produce Philip Morris Cambridge and Philip Morris Oxford Blues (later called Oxford Ovals and Philip Morris Blues).

Morris passed away on 24 Jul 1873 in Marylebone, London, England. His widow Margaret and brother Leopold Morris carried on his cigarette trade.

In 1881, Philip Morris' son, Leopold Morris, established "Philip Morris & Company and Grunebaum Ltd" with Joseph Grunebaum. In 1885, the company changed its name to "Philip Morris & Co. Ltd”.
Philip Morris (1835–1873) - British tobacconist