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1842 - The Beginning
The business was founded by Robert Paul (1806-1864) in 1842. Previously the Paul family had owned a small brewery in Ipswich, with a tied estate of fifteen public houses and a wine and spirit trade. In 1842 the brewery, together with Robert’s Ipswich saddlery and his father’s Bury St Edmunds ironmongery were sold. Robert, maintaining his interests in the London and Ipswich United Shipping Company, continued as a wharfinger and maltster. From here he grew his family business into the 19th century.
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1864 - The Era of Brothers
Robert Paul passed away in 1864. His sons Robert aged 19 and William aged 15, were left as the successors of his growing business of eleven small maltings and six barges. Once the brothers were of age, they took control of the business. The brothers decided to join the Ipswich Corn Exchange, the Baltic Exchange, the Bury St Edmunds Corn Exchange and later, the London Corn Exchange. It was from this moment onwards the business began to grow rapidly. six barges evolved into an entire fleet of 45 barges alongside an array of steamers and tugs and a shipyard in Ipswich. Voyages to London and the Medway were most common. Stocks of barley, malted barley, wheat and oats sailed into the capital. The barges then returned with timber and imported grain up to the ship yard in Ipswich.
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1909 - Robert’s Passing
Robert passed away & his brother William took control of the business.