The Colman's story timeline: 1804-1865

1804

Jeremiah Colman moved his first milling business from Bawburgh, near Norwich, to Jeckall's windmill, close to Magdalen Gates in Norwich.

1814

Jeremiah Colman leased a mill at Stoke Holy Cross, four miles south of Norwich. A few years later, in 1823, he took on his nephew James Colman as partner in the firm of J. & J. Colman. The firm focused on the production of mustard.

1832

The manufacture of starch from wheat began at the mill at Stoke (rice starch would be produced and patented in 1849).  

1836

James' brothers Jeremiah (II) and Edward began acting as the company's agents in London. The London branch of the firm soon became known as Colman Brothers. 

1850

Land was purchased from the Norfolk Railway Company. The plot included a railway siding that was to form the basis of the Carrow site. Further land purchases followed soon after. 

c.1850

Experimentation with tins and bottles for mustard packaging.  

1851

Colman's starch won an award at the Great Exhibition in London. 

Death of Jeremiah Colman, the founder. Jeremiah James Colman, the son of James Colman, became a partner. 

1852

First evidence of Colman's advertising indigo and Prussian blues for laundry. These were manufactured externally by George Crick of Bristol.  

1854

Jeremiah James Colman became the sole manager of the company following the death of his father, James Colman. 

First mustard mill was built at Carrow and the move from Stoke to Carrow began. The move was completed in 1862 when the lease at Stoke expired. 

1855

First record of the bull's head trademark on Colman's product packaging. 

1854-59

Permanent production of starch began at Carrow. 

1857

Caroline Colman, wife of Jeremiah James, began a first school for the workers' children. Elementary education for children did not become compulsory until much later, with the Education Act of 1880.  

1860

Experiments were conducted in papermaking, using waste materials from the factories.  

1861

Flour production started at Carrow. 

1862

Jeremiah James was elected Sheriff of Norwich.  

Introduction of a sickness benefit scheme for the Carrow workers. 

Independent production of laundry blue began after the opening of the Blue Mill at Carrow. 

Prize medals were awarded for Colman's starch and mustard at the International Exhibition in London. 

1864

A dispensary opened at Carrow Works, staffed by a doctor and nurse. Medical staff visits to sick workers and their families were instituted in 1878.

c.1865

A paper mill was established at Carrow Works. The paper was used for packaging and publicity materials.