Baillie, James, & Co

Sectors:

  • Merchanting & trade, international & inland General trading & trade
  • Agriculture & fishing Plantation management, sugar
  • Merchanting & trade, international & inland Sugar trading & trade

Notes:

Leading Scottish merchants in the West India trades. Traced origins to Evan Baillie and James Baillie, d1793, both of whom started out in the West Indies. Evan returned to establish an important merchant house at Bristol, Evan Baillie & Co, where he became an MP. James returned in 1776 to establish a London firm and by 1790s he was one of leaders in the sugar trade as planter, merchant and MP. His successor in the West Indies was George Baillie. By 1793 both London and West Indies houses were in difficulties. George reorganised the London business as George Baillie & Co but it collapsed in 1795. The resulting controversy led to Baillie publishing a narrative of its circumstances and a defence of his conduct. It gives insight into the nature of his business and his business network. However the Baillies were to remain active in the sugar trade until the 1860s

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