John Buttery Explained

John Buttery (c. 1829/31 – 29 November 1912) was a merchant operating in the Straits Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. He was, at the time of his death, the senior partner of Sandilands, Buttery & Co. (Penang and Singapore), and John Buttery & Co. (London, transferred from Glasgow in 1875).

It is uncertain exactly when John Buttery arrived in Straits Settlements or when he left, but his coming may have had to do with Walter Scott Lorrain, whose signature he (or his father) stood witness for, in Glasgow, when Lorrain gave notice of withdrawing from his partnership in Brown & Co., Penang, on 6 November 1847.[1] [2]

James Scott and David Brown, 1800–1808

Brown & Co. was established by David Brown, a qualified lawyer from Longformacus (Berwickshire, Scotland) who, when he arrived in Penang in 1800, helped sort out the financial problems plaguing the spice business of James Scott, Francis Light's former partner, who had overextended himself. And while Brown managed to extricate Scott from his situation, it wasn't long before Scott overextended himself again. Scott died a bankrupt in 1808 and Brown acquired much of Scott's property and set himself up as a planter. Brown died in 1825.[3] [4]

Walter Scott Lorrain, 1834–1836

In 1834 Walter Scott Lorrain was in the employ of Douglas, Mackenzie & Co. of Singapore, as manager. He applied for land at Sandy Point to form docks, soon after someone else had applied for land at 'Blakan Mati,' for the same purpose. Later, he joined Brown & Co., Penang, as partner.[5] At the end of 1836, together with James Stephen, he served, in Singapore, as attorney to Elizabeth Poynton, the administratrix to the estate of John Poynton (deceased).[6]

John Buttery's Origins, 1829–1852

John Buttery was born either in 1829, as suggested by the notice published at the time of his death,[7] or 1831, according to the research of Mackintosh Architecture (Univ. of Glasgow).[8] He was the son of John Buttery Sr. (c1766–1842) who, together with his brother A.W. (c1815–1877), successively owned the Monkland Iron and Steel Company. His father-in-law was Alexander Kay of Cornhill house, Biggar.[8] If it was John Buttery Jr. who witnessed Lorrain's signature, and not John Buttery Sr., this would have meant he would have been either 18 years or 15 years of age at the time he witnessed the signature. If it was, indeed the same Buttery who would go on to join Lorrain as a partner in Lorrain-Sandilands later on, then it is more likely for him to have been born in 1829 rather than 1831. These dates and sequence of events also suggest his arrival at the Straits Settlements would have been after, rather than before, 1847, and it is possible that Lorrain, then well established in business after his experiences at Douglas, Mackenzie & Co. of Singapore, and Brown & Co. of Penang, sent for Buttery to join him at Lorrain-Sandilands. There is an entry in Allen's Indian Mail, showing that a J. Buttery, together with a "Dr. Lorain" (possibly a typographical error for what might have been "Mr. Lorrain") departed Southampton for Penang on 20 February 1852.[9]

Grand Jury, Penang, 1853

According to an entry in The Straits Times, Buttery was a member of the Grand Jury in 1853. Under the foremanship of Stuart Herriot, he served alongside other prominent members of Penang like John Rodyk, Henry Smith, George Combe, Alexander Ramsay Clarke, Andrew Creem James MacLaine Fraser, Samuel Nicholson Greene, William Charles Spencer Padday, Charles Stevens, William Taylor, Charles Le Bouche De Lisle, James Lamb, Michel Jules Moniot, George Scott, Alexander Stuart Brown, Thomas Ferrao, Duncan Clerk Presgrave, Walter Scott, and George Evans Lidiard Dawson. Together, they considered cases placed before them from the island and Province Wellesley.[10]

Expansion to Singapore, 1856–1858

By 1856 Lorraine, Sandilands & Co. was transacting business in Singapore. In 1858, John Buttery was in charge of Singapore, Sandilands was in charge of Penang and Lorrain was in Glasgow.[11] [12] Buttery is likely to have been 29 at the time. The entry in Allens Indian Mail (1852), The Straits Times (1853), coupled with the subsequent geographic expansion of Lorrain, Sandilands & Co.'s sphere of business operations, and the plans that Lorrain had for himself, together, suggest that Lorrain had, indeed, brought Buttery over in 1852. Buttery is recorded as having departed the Straits Settlements for Europe towards the end of 1859.[13]

Departure of Walter Scott Lorrain, 1863

The partnership went on well for just over ten years and then something happened, possibly a disagreement over the direction the business of the firm was to take. This partnership involving Lorrain, Sandilands and Buttery was dissolved on 12 February 1863. Lorrain, still in Glasgow, established a new business, Lorrain, Gillespie & Co., together with Walter Gillespie, William Lorrain Hill (W. S. Lorrain died less than ten years later in 1871). Buttery, too, was in Glasgow at the time when he signed the instrument of dissolution as himself and as attorney for Sandilands who was handling the liquidation at Penang. Alexander Allan was appointed to manage the liquidation at Singapore. And Sandilands and Buttery admitted John Allan as their new partner.[14] [15] [16] By 1874 James Gibson and Arthur George Wright had been added as partners.[17] [18] [19] Lorrain, Sandilands & Co. was no more and Sandiland's and Buttery's new partnership operated under the names, Sandilands, Buttery & Co., and John Buttery & Co. His name became part of the firm's name upon the departure of Lorrain and not upon his entry into the partnership as some believe – he was already a partner of Lorrain Sandilands before it was dissolved.

Formation of Straits Settlements Association (Penang), 1868

On 25 April 1868, John Buttery joined other British members of Penang's mercantile community in the formation of the Penang chapter of the Straits Settlements Association, which had already been formed in Singapore, and, more importantly, in London.[20] Just two months after, his son was born.

Birth of his sons, 1868–1875

After the birth of his son, John Alexander Buttery, on 22 June 1868, in Penang, John Buttery returned to Britain. Two years later his son, Alexander Kay Buttery was born in Glasgow on 10 March 1870. John Alexander Buttery would grow up to be a successful engineer with his own business in Britain while his younger brother, Alexander Kay Buttery, would eventually return to Penang in 1894, and run the business there following the death of John Allan.[8] [21] [22] [23] He was listed in the Post Office Glasgow Directory for 1872 as, "Buttery, John (of John Buttery & Co.), house, 12 Kew Terrace."[24] John Buttery & Co. in Glasgow moved to London in 1875.

The Penang Association and the Prye River Docks, 1878

John Buttery was back in the Straits Settlements by 1878. He attended a meeting of the Penang Association, of which he was a member, in May. His contemporaries in The Association at that time included, among others, James Montague Bent Vermont, L. C. Brown, R. Klunder, V. Krieger, C. C. Wiget, A. C. Padday, P. J. C. Rosa, W. S. Peterbridge, J. A.Anthony, D. Comrie, W. Allen, M. A. Anthoony, Shaik Eusoof, W. A. Main, Hon. Walter Scott, David Brown, W. L. Hill and Foo Tye Sin. In May 1878 The Association met to discuss, among other things, the levying of tools at the "Sunghy Rambie" bridge, and the state of Penang's finances.[25] On 12 July he attended the opening of the Prye River Docks in Penang where he received a toast from James Montague Bent Vermont, which Buttery returned on behalf of the mercantile community there, remarking the benefits that the new Prye River Docks would bring to Penang's port, and help extend and develop shipping there.[26]

Sandilands, Buttery & Co., and the Penang Land Reclamation Scheme, 1880–1883

We know Buttery was still in the Straits in 1880 from a comment made by W. G. Gulland, during the 20 August session of the Legislative Council. Gulland had brought up the matter of the purchase of Sandilands, Buttery & Co.s land in Penang that Government had recently bought, and was arguing that the $185,000 paid had been too high, and that the Secretary of State ought not to have bypassed the Council in executing the purchase. He said that Buttery, when he was in Penang three years earlier, could not find a buyer for $100,000. The firm had originally purchased the land for $20,000 to $23,000 and, with the buildings on them, could not be worth more than $40,000, he said, citing Sandilands' own words, spoken publicly. The Colonial Secretary replied that if the land were meant solely for the construction of Government buildings, as suggested by Gulland, then the Government would not have bought the property. This, was not the case. The land had been bought to improve the town – the construction of a jetty, and for the approaches from the jetty to the town. Government buildings would, indeed be built, but it was intended to sell a part of or the whole of it, and the cost of this purchase would be recouped from the proceeds of that sale. The Colonial Secretary went on to explain the methodical approach adopted in arriving at the price they felt was appropriate. Several others spoke and the Council ended, divided on the matter.[27]

Sir Frederick Weld's Dinner, 1884

In November 1884 he was present at a dinner in Singapore thrown for Governor Sir Frederick A. Weld, at which occasion was also present Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, former Governor Sir William Orfeur Cavenagh, former Governor Sir Harry St. George Ord, former Governor Sir William Cleaver Francis Robinson, Chief Justice Sir Thomas Sidgreaves, Rajah Brooke of Sarawak, Perak's British Resident Sir Hugh Low, former Colonial Secretary Sir John Douglas, and former Attorney-General Thomas Braddell, among others.[28] As was common with men of his standing, Buttery attended the important social events of his time. These allowed him to network and deal directly with people "at the top" in an informal, unofficial manner.

The Straits Settlements Benevolent Association and its fund, 1884

He was in London too, in 1884. It has been recorded that the Seniors in London of several of the old Straits Merchants Firms foresaw the necessity of establishing a fund, the object of which was to assist the dependents of former members of the Straits mercantile community who might find themselves stranded upon the loss of their loved ones. The signatories to the original Trust Fund were Edward Boustead, W. W. Shaw, Jasper Young, Thomas Cuthbertson (of Edward Boustead & Co.), William Adamson (of Adamson, Gilfilan & Co.) and John Buttery (of John Buttery & Co.). The association formed was to be known as The Straits Settlements Benevolent and its fund, The Straits Settlements Benevolent, accordingly.[29]

Sultan of Johore's farewell in London, 1866

Buttery was in Britain in 1886. The Straits Times reported him attending the Sultan of Johore's farewell banquet, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sir Rutherford Alcock and former Governor Cavenagh.[30]

Death of G. M. Sandilands, 1887

George Macfarlane Sandilands died towards the end of 1887.[31] but the firm continued to be known as Sandilands, Buttery & Co. in the Straits Settlements.

London, 1890

John Buttery was in England in 1890, evidenced by news reports of activities that mention his name. In the early part of the year he joined together with W. H. M. Read, J. Guthrie, M. F. Davidson, C. A. Rigg, W. McTaggart, H. M. Simons, J. M. Little, M. Little, J. Young, W. W. Shaw and William Paterson, as original subscribers to Singapore's Town Hall Building Fund, to protest Colonel Dunlop's seizure of the Town Hall building from Singapore's community, and the subsequent changing of its name from "Town Hall" to "Municipal Buildings."[32] In the middle of the year he attended the Annual Straits Settlements Dinner in London.[33] Regular attendance at these functions allowed him to network and keep a finger on the pulse of things back in the Penang and Singapore.

The Silver Problem and the Straits Settlements Currency, 1893

On 3 July 1893 he attended a meeting of the Straits Settlements Association held at the offices of the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company at Whittington Avenue, London E.C., to consider the question of silver and the currency of the Straits Settlements. After the meeting The Association was invited by the Colonial Office to give evidence before Lord Herschell's Committee on the Indian Currency, in an inquiry "into the question whether any action should be taken by the Indian Government in closing the mints against free coinage of silver." Through meetings such as this, Buttery continued to exert influence over the policies to be adopted in the Straits Settlements, and by extension, the Malay States under British protection at that time.[34]

The Military Contribution issue, 1894

John Buttery was in England at the beginning of 1894. He is reported to have attended a meeting of the Straits Settlements Association in London, on 11 January.[35]

Death of John Allan, 1894

John Allan died on 28 September 1894.[36] It is possible that James Gibson had already been in charge and running things since 1893 – Gazette notifications show him appointed to the Municipal Commission whose members were usually nominated by important firms to represent their interests there.[37] Nevertheless, with two partners gone, Sandilands in 1880 and Allan in 1894, it was clear that new blood was required. On 5 October 1894, John Buttery and wife, set off from London, on the Caledonia, heading for Penang.[38] Shortly after, on 3 March 1895, John Buttery and wife departed Penang aboard the Ganges, headed for Hong Kong.[40] It is uncertain but it would make sense that he had brought his son, Alexander Kay Buttery, over with him at that time, and if he did, his son would have been around 24 years of age.

Admittance of new partners – Daniel Gilchrist Junior and Alexander Kay Buttery, 1899

In 1899, on 1 January, two new partners were admitted to the business. Daniel Gilchrist Junior, and Buttery's son, Alexander Kay Butter, now 29 years old.[41] By the second quarter, a new Mrs. Buttery had joined the family when Alexander Kay Buttery married Ethel Mary Horne.[42] They had a child a few years later.[43]

Death

He was once Chairman of Larut Tin Mining Company Limited,[44] and had long-time interests in the Tanjong Pagar Dock Company.[45] By 1908 his firm's business was varied and diversified. Its imports ranged from "cotton goods, iron ware and machinery to wines and spirits." It represented estates in Batu Puteh (Kedah) and the Alma Estate (Province Wellesley) whose flake tapioca it exported. It dealt in spices and traded in rubber, and sent tobacco from Sumatra to its brokers in Amsterdam for sale. It shipped tin all over the world and consigned Province Wellesley sugar to England and Scotland for refining. It held agencies for the National Bank of China, Ltd., National Bank of India Ltd., Clan line of steamers, Ben line, Union line, Mogul line, Warrack line, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, Toyo, Kisen, Kaisha, Portland and Asiatic Steamship Company, Lloyd's, Liverpool Underwriters Association, Glasgow; Underwriting Association, London; Imperial Fire Office, Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company, Commercial Union Insurance Company, Ltd., Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, Standard Life Assurance Company, Merchants' Marine Insurance Company Ltd., Union Insurance Company of Canton Ltd., Yangtze insurance Association Ltd., City of Glasgow Life Assurance Company, Globe Marine Insurance Company, World's Marine Insurance Company, Italia Soc. Asicurazioni, Paya Jambu Tobacco Estate, and Larut Tin Mining Company.[23]

Allen and Donnithorne (2003), in describing John Buttery & Co. of Penang, which handled the estates, and Sandilands, Buttery & Co. of Singapore, which handled the mercantile business, wrote that Buttery's business, in just a few decades, "became associated with one of the earliest tobacco, planting and mercanting businesses on the east coast of Sumatra. It was also a pioneer in shipping rubber from Malaya."[46]

John Buttery died on 29 October 1912, by all estimations, a successful man.[7] New partners were admitted but the firm kept its name.[47] Buttery's name continued to survive for about another fifty years or so.[12]

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. The London Gazette, Issue 20793. 16 November 1847: 4108. Print: "[Extract from the Edinburgh Gazette of November 9, 1847.] Glasgow, November 6, 1847. The undersigned hereby intimates, that, from and after the 31st December 1845, his interest and responsibility ceased in the firm of Messrs. Brown and Co. Penang. W. S. Lorrain. James Stephen, Witness. John Buttery, Witness."
  2. It is possible that the Lorrain had left the colony for some time, and not hearing anything from him for months, Brown decided to terminate their relationship; The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1835–1869) 7 May 1846: 1: "Notice. The Interest and responsibility of Mr. Walter Scott Lorrain inour Firm ceased on 31st December, 1845. Brown & Co. Pinang, 24th March, 1846."
  3. Denham, James. Village Kirks of the Borders of Scotland. Scotland: J. Denham, 2011: 154. Print
  4. Gale, Bruce. 1837, Tales of Pioneer Traders in the East. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Chamber, 1989: 42. Print.
  5. Buckley, Charles Burton. An Anecdotal History of Old times in Singapore: From the Foundation of the Settlement ... 1819 to the Transfer of the Colonial Office ... 1867. Vol. I (1). Singapore: Fraser & Neave, 1902: 240 Print.
  6. Singapore Chronicle and Commercial Register 24 December 1836: 1. Print.
  7. "Death." The Straits Times [Singapore] 2 December 1912: 8. Print: "Buttery – On November 29, John Buttery, of John Buttery & Co., London, and Sandilands, Buttery & Co., Penang and Singapore, age 83. By cable."; "Domestic Occurrences. DEATH." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 2 December 1912: 6. Print: "John Buttery of John Buttery & Co., London and Sandilands, Buttery & Co., Penang and Singapore on the 29th November, age 83. By cable."; The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 24 December 1912: 1. Print: The "L. and C. Express" says: "We much regret to report the death of Mr. John Buttery, senior partner of the firm of John Buttery and Co., London, and of Sandilands, Buttery and Co., of Penang and Singapore. Mr. Buttery, who had been in his usual good health up to yesterday, passed away quietly from heart failure at 3 a.m. this morning (Nov. 29th)."
  8. "Hall-Brown, Buttery & Co." Mackintosh Architecture: Biography. The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, n.d. Web. 11 April 2015.
  9. "Shipping. Passengers Departed." Allen's Indian Mail, and Register of Intelligence for British & Foreign India, China, & All Parts of the East Vol. X.-No. 192. [London] 9 March 1852: 147. Print.
  10. "Pinang" The Straits Times [Singapore] 25 October 1853: 5. Print.
  11. Buckley, Charles Burton. An Anecdotal History of Old times in Singapore: From the Foundation of the Settlement ... 1819 to the Transfer of the Colonial Office ... 1867 Vol II (2). Singapore: Fraser & Neave, 1902: 672. Print: "In this year [1858] the firm of Busing, Schroder & Co. commenced business; also Lorrain Sandilands & Co. in which the partners were G. M. Sandilands in Penang, and John Buttery in Singapore. Mr. Walter Scott Lorrain was in Glasgow."
  12. Chia, Joshua Yeong-Jia, and Fook-Weng Chan. "Sandilands Buttery and Co. Ltd." Singapore¡Infopedia: An Electronic Encyclopedia on Singapore's History, Culture, People and Events. National Library Board (Singapore), 2007. Web. 11 April 2015. . References Buckley, C. B. (1984). An anecdotal history of old times in Singapore 1819–1867 (p. 672). Singapore: Oxford University Press; Singapore International Chamber of Commerce. (1979). From early days (pp. 90–91). Singapore: The Chamber; and Wright, Arnold. (1908). Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya : Its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources (pp. 793–794) [Microflim no.: NL2645]. London : Lloyd's Greater Britain Pub: According to this, Sandilands, Buttery and Company Limited can trace its origins to the earliest trading operations in British Malaya, Lorrain-Sandilands, the first firm of British traders, established in Penang by Francis Currie Lorrain and George MacFarlane Sandilands in the 1830s. They began business in Singapore in 1856 but it was only in 1859 that a branch was established there in Malacca Street. Lorrain-Sandilands was renamed Sandilands and Company in 1862 and, in 1863, changed its name to Sandilands-Buttery following the admittance of John Buttery.
  13. The Straits Times [Singapore] 8 October 1859: 2. Print: He was listed as a passenger departing Singapore on 7 October for Marseilles.
  14. The London Gazette, Issue 22721. 27 March 1863: 1781. Print, The Edinburgh Gazette, Issue 7312. 24 March 1863: 414. Print: "The Partnership which has existed between Walter Scott Lorrain, George Macfarlane Sandilands, and John Buttery, at Penang and Singapore, under the Style of Lorrain, Sandilands, & Company, at both places, was dissolved by the effluxion of time on the 12th February 1863. The liquidation of the Affairs of the Firm will be conducted at Penang by Mr. George Macfarlane Sandilands, and at Singapore by Mr. Alexander Allan. Signed at Glasgow, this 18th day of March 1863, W. S. Lorrain. Wm Whyte Witness, Jas. Stewart, Witness. John Buttery, as Attorney for George M. Sandilands. John Buttery. Will. M. Muir, Witness, John Knox Jr. Witness (Witnesses to the signatures of John Buttery)."
  15. The Straits Times [Singapore] 28 February 1863: 3. Print: "Advertisement. The Partnership hitherto between Walter Scott Lorrain, George MacFarlane Sandilands and John Buttery, at this place and Singapore, under the Style of Lorrain, Sandilands & Co., at both places, is this day dissolved by effluxion of time. The liquidation of the affairs of the Firm will be conducted here by Mr. George Macfarlane Sandilands, and at Singapore by Mr. Alexander Allan. Penang 12th February 1863. The undersigned beg to intimate that they have this day established themselves as General Commission Agents at this place under the Firm of Sandilands, Buttery & Co. George M. Sandilands, John Buttery, John Allan. Penang, 13th February 1863."
  16. The Straits Times [Singapore] 27 February 1864: 42. Print: "Notice. The partnership hitherto existing between W. S. Lorrain, G. M. Sandilands, and John Buttery, at this place and Singapore under the style of Lorrain, Sandilands and Co. is this day dissolved by effluxion of time. The liquidation of the affairs of the firm will be conducted here, by Mr. G. M. Sandilands, and at Singapore by Mr. Alex Allan. Penang, 12th February, 1863. The undersigned have this day associated themselves under the firm of Lorrain Gillespie and Co., for the purpose of conducting a General Commission business in this place. (sd) Walter Scott Lorrain, Walter Gillespie, William Lorrain Hill. Penang, 13th February, 1863. (l. y. w)"
  17. The Directory & Chronicle for China, Japan, Corea, Indo-China, Straits Settlements, Malay States, Siam, Netherlands India, Borneo, the Philippines, &c. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Daily Office, 1874: 734. Print.
  18. Oldfield, Paul. Victoria Crosses on the Western Front, August 1914 – April 1915: Mons to Hill 60. Barnsley (South Yorkshire): Pen and Sword, 2014: 168 Print.
  19. "Mainly About Malayans." The Straits Times [Singapore] 28 April 1940: 8. Print: "A. G. Wright. A warm tribute to the late Mr. Arthur George Wright, who died at Mayfield, Sussex on Mar. 14, is paid by a friend writing in the April issue of British Malaya, magazine of the Association of British Malaya in London. Arthur Wright, who was 80 years old, was for many years a partner in the firm of John Buttery and Co. He had been in failing health for the last two years, and although his death was not unexpected, his loss (writes British Malaya's correspondent) will be mourned by all those who knew him. He first joined the firm of John Buttery and Co., Penang, in the early 'eighties, and was in charge of the head office when it was moved to Singapore in 1899. In 1901 he left Malaya to become a partner in the London office, and retired from the firm in 1925. 'A.g.' will be remembered as a most popular personality, and a good all-round sportsman. He was a very good cricketer and a pretty bat. He played for the Straits team for several years and captained it in one of the inter-colonial matches against Hong Kong."
  20. "Penang." The London and China Telegraph 15 June 1868: 285. Print: Citing the Penang Gazette [Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle], the L. & C. Telegraph described a meeting held on 25 April 1868 by residents of Penang to form an association, the Straits Settlements Association of Penang, to aid and act in concert with the "Straits Settlements Association," already existing in London and Singapore. Present were M. F. Davidson, J. Buttery, J. Macfarlane, M. A. Anthony, H. J. D. Padday, L. Nairne, J. Allan, W. C. S. Padday, A. Gentle, C. C. Wiget, S. A. Anthony, C. O. Harbin, H. R. Reid, W. H. Foston, and F. C. Bishop.
  21. "Births, Marriages and Deaths." Allen's Indian Mail and Official Gazette (Registered for Transmission Abroad) Published Every Thursday Vol. XXVI. – No. 826. [London] 13 August 1868: 807. Print: "Births. ... ... Buttery – At Penang, June 22, wife of John Buttery, a son."
  22. Tod, A. H. Charterhouse Register 1872–1900. Godalming (Surrey): R. B. Stedman. 1904: 213. Print: "Buttery, Alexander Kay. b. 10 March 1870. (Pageites); Left C.Q., 1886.—Partner in firms of Messrs. Sandilands, Buttery," Co., (Penang, Singapore); & "Messrs. John Buttery & Co., London (East India Merchants). A. K. Buttery, Esq., Penang, Straits Settlements."
  23. Wright, Arnold. Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya. 1908: 793. Print: "The firm of Messrs Sandilands, Buttery & Co. was established at Pinang in 1854–55 by Messrs John Buttery and G. M. Sandilands, both of Glasgow, on the site of the present Government buildings. The partners commenced business as East India merchants with an office in Glasgow, but transferred in 1875 to London. Early in the history of the firm Mr. John Allan was taken into partnership. After the death of Mr. Sandilands, at Hampstead, in 1880 and of Mr. Allan in 1894, the firm consisted of J. Buttery, James Gibson, Arthur George Wright, Daniel Gilchrist and A. K. Buttery, the last named two being at Pinang. The London offices are No. 5, Mark Lane, and there is a branch at Singapore. At the present time the firm are general exporters and importers. Their imports comprise all imaginable articles, from cotton goods, iron ware and machinery to wines and spirits. Flake tapioca forms the principal article of export, the firm being agents for the well-known tapioca estates of Batu Puteh in the Kedah district and Alma estate in Province Wellesley. Pepper, nutmegs, cloves and isinglass are dealt in, while Rambong rubber from Sumatra, as well as estate-grown Para rubber was also traded in extensively. Tobacco grown on the famous Paya Jambu estate at Deli, Sumatra, was sent direct by the firm to their brokers in Amsterdam and there sold. They also ship tin largely to all parts of the world, whilst sugar in its raw state from Province Wellesley is consigned to the London and Greenock refineries. Among the agencies held by the firm are those of the National Bank of China, Ltd., National Bank of India Ltd., Clan line of steamers, Ben line, Union line, Mogul line, Warrack line, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Occidental and Oriental Steamship Company, Tokyo, Kisen, Kaisha, Portland and Asiatic Steamship Company, Lloyd's, Liverpool Underwriters Association, Glasgow; Underwriting Association, London; Imperial Fire Office, Norwich Union Fire Insurance Company, Commercial Union Insurance Company, Ltd., Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Company, Standard Life Assurance Company, Merchants' Marine Insurance Company Ltd., Union Insurance Company of Canton Ltd., Yangtze insurance Association Ltd., City of Glasgow Life Assurance Company, Globe Marine Insurance Company, World's Marine Insurance Company, Italia Soc. Asicurazioni, Paya Jambu Tobacco Estate, and Larut Tin Mining Company. At the staff consists of three Europeans and a number of native clerks, storekeepers, coolies and others. The firms godowns extend in an unbroken block from Beach Street to Weld Quay. Mr. Alexander Kay Buttery, who was born in Glasgow and educated at Charterhouse and King's College, London, joined the office in Mark Lane and came to the East in 1894. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the committee of the Turf Club, and of the Pinang Association, a member of all local clubs, a Justice of the Peace, and was a member of the Municipal Council. He is a well-known patron of the turf, owning the horses Diamond Star and Evening Star, which did so well in 1906. His private residence is at "Highbury," Perak Road."
  24. Post Office Annual Glasgow Directory 1872: 92. Print.
  25. Straits Times Overland Journal [Singapore] 19 May 1878: 5. Print.
  26. "From the Daily Times, 22nd July. The Opening of the Prye River Docks, Penang." Straits Times Overland Journal [Singapore] 27 July 1878: 2. Print.
  27. "Legislative Council. Monday, 20th August, 1883." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 30 August 1883: 12. Print.
  28. "Dinner to Sir Fred. A. Weld, K.C.M.G. London and China Express." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 8 November 1884: 13. Print.
  29. British Malaya (The Magazine of the British Malaya Association) Volume 9. 1934: 118. Print. The British Malaya Association was formed in 1920 to replace the Straits Settlements Association which existed since 1868.
  30. "The Sultan of Johore's Farewell Baunquet to his Straits friends in London." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 3 April 1886: 13. Print: "On Saturday evening, (20th February), his Highness the Sultan of Johore gave a farewell banquet to his Straits friends at Bailoy's Hotel, Glouchester-road, South Kensington. The repast, which was served at eight tables in the large dining-room of this hotel, must have recalled to the minds of those present the cordial and abundant hospitality for which his Highness is so justly celebrated in his own country. The band of the Grenadier Guards was also in attendance, and performed an excellent programme of music under the conductorship of Mr. Dan Godfrey. The guest, who were graciously received on their arrival by his Highness, included Sir Rutherford Alcock, K.C.B; Major A. W. Anstruther, R.A.; Colonel and Mrs. W. J. Alt ... ...John and Mrs. Buttery, ..."
  31. The London Gazette Issue 25824 5 June 1888: 3149. Print: "GEORGE MACFARLANE SANDILANDS, Deceased. Pursuant to the Act of Parliament 22nd and 23rd Victoria, cap. 35, intituled " An Act to further amend the Law of Property, and to relieve Trustees." NOTICE is hereby given, that all creditors and other persons having claims or demands against the estate of George Macfarlane Sandilands, formerly of Glasgow and Penang, but late of No. 5, Mark-lane, in the city of London, and No. 55, Belsize-avenue, Hampstead, in the county of Middlesex, Merchant, deceased (who died on the 27th day of November, 1887, and confirmation of the nomination of whose executors, John MuirCumberledge, Charles Northey Glass, and Forbes Brown Sandilands, named in the trust disposition and settlement of the said deceased, was granted in the office of the Commissariot of the county of Edinburgh, on the 18th day of February, 1888, and was resealed in the Principal Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice, in England, London, on the 7th day of March, 1888), are hereby required to send in particulars, in writing, of their claims and demands to us, the undersigned, Solicitors for the said executors, on or before the 9th day of July, 1888, after which day the said executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased among the parties entitled thereto, having regard only to the claims and demands of which the said executors shall then have had notice; and that the said executors will not be liable for the said assets, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person of whose debt, claim, or demand they shall not then have had notice.—Dated this 1st day of June, 1888. PARKER, GARRETT, and PARKER, Rectory House, St. Michael's-alley, Cornhill, London, E.G., Solicitors for the said Executors."
  32. "A Protest from London in the matter of the Town Hall." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 4 March 1890: 5. Print.
  33. "The Straits Settlements Dinner." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 23 July 1890: 1. Print.
  34. "Straits Settlements Association. The Currency of the Straits. (L. & C. Express.)" The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 4 August 1893: 2. Print, "Straits Settlements Association. (L. & C. Express, July 7.)" Daily Advertiser [Singapore] 4 August 1893: 2. Print, "The Straits Currency. Straits Settlements Association." Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 8 August 1893: 6. Print.
  35. "The Straits Association Meeting in London. The Defence of Singapore." The Straits Times [Singapore] 5 February 1894: 3. Print: "A meeting of the Straits Settlements Association was held on Thursday, 11th January, to elect office bearers for the year and "to consider important communications from Singapore with regard to the Military Contribution and the Defences generally." Buttery, representing Penang, was constituted a member of a Standing Committee upon the Military Contributions, appointed with power to act on behalf of the Association in urgent matters. It was decided that the Association was opposed to the movement among the population in Singapore to ask Government to strengthen the defences at Singapore, which was in opposition to and inconsistent with that same community's desire for a reduction in Military Contribution. It was agreed to write to Singapore and inform the Association there not to support the movement. In considering the question of the desire to reduce the Military contributions of the mercantile community, it was noted that the Association in London had done all in its power to secure the attention of Parliament and there would be no opportunity of addressing the House of Commons again until proper estimates were in hand. It was agreed to confer with Sir Thomas Sutherland on the best way to obtain the support of the House of Commons."
  36. "The Late Mr. John Allan." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 3 October 1894: 2. Print: "The death of another old Straits man is reported we regret to say, in the case of Mr. John Allan, of Messrs. Sandilands, Buttery & Co., Penang, who died at home on the 28th ult. The news reached Penang by wire the following day. Mr. Allan had been ailing for a couple of months with an attack of fever contracted it is supposed during a recent visit to the East, when he was in charge for a time of the Sumatra tobacco estates, in which his firm had an interest. Mr. Allan came out to this Colony in a sailing ship nearly 30 years ago, and has been closely associated with Penang since that time. For a couple of years Mr. Allan represented Penang as a Member of Legislative Council having been sworn in on the 12th January 1880. Though not taking any prominent part in Council proceedings Mr. Allan always gave useful support to his unofficial colleagues."
  37. "Gazette Notifications." The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 11 November 1893: 2. Print: "Mr. James Gibson is appointed a Municipal Commissioner for Penang, vice the late Hon'ble D. Comrie..;" The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 11 November 1893: 2. Print: – "Mr. James Gibson of Messrs. Sandilands Buttery and Co., has been appointed by His Excellency the Acting Governor a Municipal Commissioner at Penang in place of the late Mr. Comrie."
  38. The Selangor Journal: Jottings Past And Present. Vol. III (3). Kuala Lumpur: Selangor Government Printing Office, 1895. Print: "No. 12—Vol. III.—22nd February 1895. Notes and News. ... ... Sir William B. Gurdon, C.B., K.C.M.G., who was a guest for a few days last week with the Acting Resident, is visiting the Colony and Malay States. He retired ten years ago from the post of Clerk in the Treasury, having served at one time as a Private Secretary to Mr. Gladstone and having gained his knighthood for services in South Africa. Mr. Buttery (of Messrs. Sandilands, Buttery & Co., Penang), Mrs. Buttery and Mr. Wegg Prosser are at present staying at the Residency."
  39. Buttery and his wife are reported to have stayed at the Residency in Kuala Lumpur, towards the end of February 1895.[38]
  40. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 4 March 1895: 2,3. Print.
  41. The Straits Times [Singapore] 31 January 1899: 2. Print: "Messrs Daniel Gilchrist Junr., and Alexander Kay Buttery were admitted partners in Messrs. John Butttery & Co. London, and in our firms in Singapore and Penang on 1st January 1899. Sandilands, Buttery & Co."
  42. Collard, Pierre. "RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project: Collard." RootsWeb's WorldConnect Project: Collard. Ancestry.com, n.d. Web. 11 April 2015. . Collard cites Free BMD – an Index of Birth, Marriages & Deaths in England & Wales Page: RD of Marylebone, Jun qtr 1899 – Vol 1a, Page 1300.
  43. The Straits Times [Singapore] 10 June 1905: 4. Print: "Births. Buttery:—On the 18th May, in London, the wife of Alexander Kay Buttery, of a daughter."
  44. The London Gazette Issue 27183. 17 April 1900: 2522. Print.
  45. Straits Times Overland Journal [Singapore] 5 September 1874: 12. Print; The Straits Times [Singapore] 8 September 1877: 1; The Straits Times [Singapore] 7 September 1878:7; Straits Times Overland Journal [Singapore] 8 March 1879: 1; Straits Times Weekly Issue [Singapore] 6 March 1886: 7. Print.
  46. Allen, G. C., and Audrey G. Donnithorne. Development Economics. London: Routledge, 2003: 55–56 Print.
  47. The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser (1884–1942) 3 January 1913: 2. Print: "Notice. Is hereby given that the partnership which has for sometime past been carried on by John Buttery, James Gibson, Arthur George Wright, Alexander Kay Buttery and Daniel Gilchrist under the style or firm of Sandilands Buttery and Company at Penang and Singapore and also under the style or firm of John Buttery and Company in London in the trade or business of Merchants was dissolved as from the 31st day of December 1912. And Notice is here by given that as from 1st day of January 1913 The said trade or business will be carried on at Penang and Singapore by Alexander Kay Buttery, James Gibson, Arthur George Wright, Charles Edward Craig and Albert Frere Goodrich in partnership under the style or firm of Sandilands Buttery and Company and in London under the style or firm of John Buttery and Company. Jan 3. 5—1."
  48. https://web.archive.org/web/20081121161915/http://www.cosgb.org/stset.htm (Archive)

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