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A. L. Johnston & Company |
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Founded: |
1819? |
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Ceased: |
1892 |
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Updated: 2 July 2007
Notes:
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Alexander Laurie Johnston came to Singsapore in 1819 and the firm lasted to 1892 (also stated to have closed in 1890 – see Syme & Co.). Johnston was still active in 1880. The firm headquartered on Collyer Quay, had as agencies the Russian State Bank, Baring Bros., Comptoir d’Escompte de Paris, Banque de l’Indo-Chine, Franco-Egyptienne Bank, the British North Borneo Co., and the Government of Sarawak. [Additional information from John Wilson 20 November 2006. [M04]]
- Alexander Laurie Johnston, a confidant of Raffles [M01p236], arrived in 1819.
- Founded: An Agency House that was established in Singapore by March 1827 [L02p63] says 1819 or 1820 in [L02p64]
- Ceased: 1892 [G02p101]
- He was a Scotsman from Dumfrieshire in Scotland and a former ship owner and captain.
- A. L. Johnston was elected as the first Chairman of the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in 1837. [M01p176]
- He was the dean of the commercial community of Singapore who lead the European community up to 1841 when he left the East.
- Johnston died in 1850. [T01p15]
- They were the Singapore agents for Jardine, Matheson & Co. of Canton in 1820 [G03p154]
- Locally know as Tanjong Tankap [due to it being the godown nearest the mouth of the river]
- Johnston's Pier was named after him. I was replaced by today's Clifford Pier built in 1930. [B05p63]
On the web:
- The River Merchants - a Sculptor by Aw Tee Hong showing Alexander Laurie Johnston located in front of Maybank Tower on the Singapore River.
- Founders and Builders of Early Colonial Singapore
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