Biography
The merchant banking firm of Matheson & Co. was founded in 1848 to manage the London interests of Jardine, Matheson & Co. It succeeded Magniac, Jardine Co., which had fulfilled this role since 1839, and took over its premises at 3 Lombard Street, where it remains. It became a limited company in 1908.
Matheson & Co.'s varied responsibilities were undertaken by a number of different departments. The Companies Department oversaw its work as the secretaries and registrars of various public companies associated chiefly with Jardine, Matheson & Co. and Jardine Henderson Ltd of Calcutta (formerly Jardine, Skinner & Co.). The companies under its remit included the British & Chinese Corporation Ltd, Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. Ltd, Mountain Copper Co. Ltd, Chamber Wharf & Cold Stores Ltd and Ch. Goldrei, Foucard & Sons Ltd.
The Export Department bought capital goods and a wide range of manufactured goods, textiles, metals and chemicals, principally for Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s Import Department and the Jardine Engineering Corporation. It acted as Agents for the Hongkong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co. Ltd, Hongkong & Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd and Hongkong Tramways Ltd in Hong Kong, and for the Ewo Cotton Mills Ltd, Ewo Breweries Ltd, Shanghai & Hongkew Wharf Co. Ltd, Shanghai Dockyards Ltd and Shanghai Power Co. in Shanghai. It bought for Jardine Henderson Ltd, Calcutta, and represented that firm in the handling, buying and shipping of exports from the U.K. and the Continent. It also dealt with industrial concerns in the United Kingdom and the Continent which were represented by agencies in the Far East belonging to Jardine, Matheson & Co.
The Produce Department was concerned chiefly with Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s China Produce business. It handled large quantities of all types of produce shipped from the Far East on Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s behalf, including bristles, eggs, stillingia oil, teaseed oil, wood oil, and sheep and camel's wool. The Tea Section sold tea for Jardine, Matheson & Co. Ltd and the Indian tea companies managed by Jardine Henderson Ltd.
The Insurance Department's main business was underwriting for the Canton Insurance Office Ltd, which was managed by Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong. The firm was also underwriter for the Lombard Assurance Co. Ltd and Triton Insurance Co. Ltd, and had a close association with the Alliance Assurance Co. Ltd.
The Banking and Finance Department arranged the finance of Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s import and export business throughout the United Kingdom and Europe, and financed the trading of Matheson & Co.'s own subsidiary companies throughout the world. It also provided assistance to present and retired members of staff of Jardine, Matheson & Co., as well as the staff of Matheson & Co., with the handling of their investments.
Lastly, the Shipping Office handled the interests of Jardine, Matheson & Co.'s two main shipping companies, the Indo-China Steam Navigation Co. Ltd and the Australia China Line Ltd.
Over time Matheson & Co. acquired a number of subsidiary trading companies. These included Bradley British Overseas Ltd; Durant, Bevan & Co. Ltd; Huth Produce Sales Ltd; Huth Coffee Sales Ltd; Huth Produce Sales (Overseas) Ltd; Huth Trading Co. Ltd; Lombard Assurance Co. Ltd; Miles & Kitson Ltd; and Mathesons Nominees Ltd.
Found in 39 Collections and/or Records:
Series
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JS/1
Scope and Contents
An incomplete numbered series of files of letters from various correspondents to Jardine, Skinner & Co. Although some letters are fixed inside the files, most are loose, and are held in place by strings attached to the files. There are also a few modern typescript excerpts from the letters, undated. The absent files are also listed in this catalogue.
Dates:
1843-1909 (with some modern copies)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
sub-sub-subseries
sub-sub-subseries
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/D3/2/3
Scope and Contents
Copies (mostly press copies) of letters from Jardine Matheson, Shanghai, to Matheson & Co., London.
Dates:
1878-1881
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/D2/1/5/8
Scope and Contents
Press copies of letters from Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong, to Matheson & Co., London. The wrapper describes the letters as 'Press Copies of Piece Goods Letters from 27th August to 24th Novbr.'.
Dates:
1875
Conditions Governing Access:
Unavailable due to condition.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/110/5
Scope and Contents
The documents include memoranda regarding shipping insurance, including one with a bill from Jardine, Matheson & Co. to Howard & Co., Hong Kong; a memorandum on the settlement of a charter party; stationery bills from S.W. Ronsell; a memorandum of an amount debited to Jardine, Matheson & Co. for legal expenses for Freshfield, Newman & Co.; and memoranda of recoveries. The documents include reference to the 'Hellespont'.
Dates:
1861-1862
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/111/10
Scope and Contents
The documents include memoranda of recoveries, including one with a 'Statement of Claim under the running-down-clause on Policies effected on the Steamer "Carthage"'; a register of sales of produce effected for account of Jardine, Matheson & Co.; a memorandum of interest in silk winding apparatuses; and a memorandum of general average on interest per the 'Raleigh' from Shanghai to London.
Dates:
1863-1865
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/K40
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous correspondence (including press copies) of Jardine, Matheson & Co. sent from Hong Kong, London, New York, Shanghai, Scotland, Yokohama and elsewhere. The correspondents include Jardine Matheson, Hong Kong, New York and Shanghai; C.E. Anton; Carlo Beer; F.H. Bugbird; Chabrières, Morel et Cie; C.W. Dickson; F.B. Eastwood; Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation; Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Company Ltd; Sir R.W.B. Jardine; John Johnstone; Henry Keswick; William Keswick;...
Dates:
1905-1911
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
Sub-Series
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/I21
Scope and Contents
This series contains papers produced or collected by Matheson & Co. Ltd. I21/1-8 are comprised of correspondence and related documents. I21/9-14 contain other papers, including material relating to Jardine, Matheson & Co. Ltd and other companies and organisations associated with Matheson & Co. Ltd.
Dates:
1861-1969
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/L11/11
Scope and Contents
Manuscript and typescript papers regarding Jardine, Matheson & Co.; Jardine, Skinner & Co.; and Matheson & Co. The largest part of the material consists of extracts from correspondence of David Jardine; William Jardine; Jardine Matheson, Canton; Andrew Johnstone; Alexander Matheson; James Matheson; Donald Matheson; C.B. Skinner; and James Hope Stewart, 1837-1856. The remaining papers include family trees; a typescript note on Jardine, Skinner & Co., 31 August 1938; a list of...
Dates:
circa 1938
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/L15/3
Scope and Contents
Typescript copies of documents regarding Matheson & Co. Ltd: articles of agreement of Alexander Matheson, Andrew Jardine, Hollingworth Magniac, William Fraser, Hugh Mackay Matheson and Charles Magniac of Matheson & Co., 1 January 1854, followed by amendments to the agreement of 21 March 1879 and 21 December 1882; notes on the partnership agreement (2 copies); a balance sheet of Matheson & Co. Ltd, 31 December 1889 (2 copies); a page of notes on Matheson & Co. Ltd; and a...
Dates:
circa 1895 (copies of originals of 1854-1895)
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/B1/10
Scope and Contents
The correspondents include Aldridge and Blackwell; John H. Alley; John Lavicourt Anderdon; William Henry Anderson; Alexander Forbes Angus (tea inspector for Jardine, Matheson and Co.); [ ] Armstrong; Samuel Ball; Baring, Brothers and Co.; Samuel George Bonham; Boorman, Johnston and Co.; John Bowring; [ ] Brown; Francis Bulkeley Bulkeley-Johnson (also Francis Bulkeley Johnson, afterwards Bulkeley-Johnson); Charles John Canning, Lord Canning; Lieutenant-Colonel Francisco de Castro; Samuel W....
Dates:
1814-1882
Conditions Governing Access:
The original letters are not available to readers, but microfilm copies may be ordered in the Manuscripts Reading Room - Reel 463.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/59
Scope and Contents
Sales accounts and registers of sales accounts of Matheson & Co., with a few related documents; dated London. The documents include reference to London Dock.
Dates:
1865-1875
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/60/1
Scope and Contents
Sales accounts and registers of sales accounts of Matheson & Co., with a few related documents; dated London.
Dates:
1876-1881
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/53
Scope and Contents
Sales accounts and registers of sales accounts for Matheson & Co., with a few related documents; dated London. The documents include reference to London Dock.
Dates:
1859-1864
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
File
File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS JM/A8/54
Scope and Contents
Sales accounts and registers of sales accounts for Matheson & Co., with a few related documents; dated London. The documents include reference to London Dock.
Dates:
1863-1872
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Access to the collection is subject to special conditions and is at the discretion of Matheson & Co. Ltd, part of the Jardine Matheson Group. A statement of the conditions and an application form are available in the Manuscripts Reading Room. Printed copies of the form are available by post (please contact the University Library). An electronic version can also be found at https://www.lib.cam.ac.uk/files/jm_permission_form.pdf.
Records described in the catalogue as being in a bad condition are in a fragile state that precludes them being made available to readers.
Access to some records may be restricted under the terms of the Data Protection Act, 1998.
