Jakson’s Essential Oils
With the celebration of World Homeopathy awareness this week, we can’t fail to mention Croydon’s Jakson & Co Oils.
Jakson & Co grew peppermint and lavender in big farms near Mitcham. Their essential oils were extracted in a distillery situated in Philpot Lane, Mitcham Road & near West Croydon. The company was started by a Frenchman called Philip Lelasseur. Monsieur Lelasseur wanted the company to have a very English name. Unfortunately he spelt it wrongly, but it didn’t stop the company having worldwide success.
An image of Mitcham from our Croydon Art Collection - Cricket on Mitcham Green, Surrey by unknown artist. M/1993/1097
A description of Jakson’s Lavender Water in ‘The Queen’ newspaper dated 18th July 1896 reads:
“One ounce of their Lavender Water contains more perfume than one pint of ordinary Lavender Water. This lavender in addition to its delicious perfume possesses a remarkable and valuable quality for ladies toilet use. It is astringent, stimulating, improves the complexion and renders the flesh firmer”
Image: Best Micham John Jackson & Co Lavender Water bottle from The Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser.
Ironically, three days after the above was printed, a fire broke out at the distillery in Mitcham Road. The Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser recorded the following on Saturday 25th July 1896:
Mitcham Distillery Destroyed
On Tuesday morning what proved to be a very disastrous conflagration broke out at Mitcham Villa, Mitcham Road, at which place Mr Philip Lelasseur carriers on the business of a lavender and peppermint distiller. The premises were apparently quite secure when Mr Lelasseur retired for the night, but shortly after three o’clock the large brick and timber building at the rear of the dwelling house was discovered to be in flames, the discovery being made by a lamplighter. This man at once raised the alarm, the Fire Station at Thornton Heath being communicated with at 03.22, that in Katharine Street at 03.33 and that at Broad Green at 03.34. The Firemen from the latter station arrived with a horse cart at 03.44, being followed two minutes later by men from the Central Station, the latter accompanied by Supt. Thompson. By this time the flames had obtained a firm hold of the building and it was quickly seen that all that could be hoped for was that the fire might be confined to this portion of the distillery.
The structure involved was used for stables and stores, and contained among other things a large quantity, some 3,000 or 4,000 pounds (for it is reckoned by weight) of valuable essence oil, used in the extraction of perfume. This oil naturally served to feed the flames, and so fiercely and brilliantly did they burn that the whole sky was lit up for miles around. The firemen set to work with great vigour, the steamer from Central Station being brought into play, and the flames were practically conquered. Supt. Thompson succeeded in the chief part of his task, i.e., preventing the spread of the fire, and after nearly three hours of hard work, he and his men had the satisfaction of seeing the outbreak subdued.
An image of an Old Mitcham lavender water bottle from the Museum of Croydon Handling collection HC/2005/03
Towards the latter end of the time they had the assistance of the Mitcham Steamer. The damage done was very considerable, the largest item of destruction being of course the valuable oil above mentioned. The building in which the fire originated was practically destroyed, and the damage has been estimated at about £4,000. This we believe is fully covered by insurance in the Norwich Union. The owners of the property are Messrs. J. Jakson and Co. The cause of the fire is unknown.
The insurance must paid out, as the Jakson’s & Co essential oil business continued to flourish until the outbreak of the Second World War when the export of oil to all European countries was stopped.
By Mandy Smith
Collections Access Officer
Sources: Museum of Croydon & British Newspapers Archives