Essential Oil and Spice Ltd. Records, 1953-70 | University of Illinois Archives

Description: Essential Oil and Spice Ltd. Records for the Darley and Whydah properties in Jamaica, which was operated under the names Darley Associates Ltd. and Essential Oil and Spice Ltd.  G.L.D. Thomson was managing director in St. Margaret's Bay and was in charge of plantation operations during most of the company's affairs from Kingston and most of the correspondence involves him. The company was partly owned by Fritzsche Bros. of New York, was supported by them and existed primarily for the purpose of supplying them with essential oils and spices. They later acquired full ownership and gave the property to the University. Most of the files cover the 1957-69 period and include correspondence concerning accounts and finances, banking, agricultural development, factory operations, fertilizer, field operations, relations with Fritzsche Bros., income tax, industrial development, insurance, electrical service, labor relations, land valuation, legal affairs, company management, government regulations, mortgage, transactions related to sales and purchases, planting, plantation operations, personnel matters and relationships with tenants. The series includes ledgers with data on petty cash, inventories of equipment and supplies, pimento leaf purchases, factory processing and plantation operations; government forms and certificates relating to the Factories Law and the National Insurance System; motor vehicle certificates and licenses; land and income tax documents; statistical statements; insurance documents; shipping documents; receipt books; rainfall records; information about growing and processing and landlord-tenant agreements.