The company was founded by James Kent Morris in 1869, when at the age of 22 he decided to leave home and set himself up in business as a grocer and candlemaker in Shrewsbury. He started out by leasing a premises that consisted of a house, three warehouses, a candle house, a stable and a shop. These he purchased in 1887 for £ 800.
In 1871, James married Sarah Jones and had five children. Sadly Sarah died giving birth to their fifth child. However, Sarah's sister, Elizabeth helped by taking care of the children and three years later married James, having a further three children of their own.
In 1872, James installed a steam boiler and two copper furnaces in his candle factory and employed more than 20 staff. At this time, most candles were made from tallow, but by experimentation it was found that paraffin wax gave an improved quality of light. By 1877, James was importing paraffin from the USA as competition from paraffin burners began to threaten the candle market. This was yet another example of his brilliant entrepreneurial mind. At this time paraffin was also being used for heating purposes in oil stoves, which enabled James to sell stoves as well as lamps.
In 1891, at the age of 44, James died following an accident with his pony and trap. The future of the company at this point was in doubt, but his eldest son, also called James, took up the reigns. James was only 18 at the time, but using the help of trustees, appointed by his father, kept the company trading. Later he was joined by three of his brothers and two of his sisters.
James then spent ten years as a travelling salesmen for the Anglo-American Oil Company, a firm of which his late father had been a customer. His area covered North Wales and he was responsible for developing sales of petrol and paraffin. In the meantime other areas of the family business were prospering with each brother being responsible for his area of the company. Additional grocers stores were opened throughout Shrewsbury and the two sisters opened and ran confectionery shops. James was still involved in the paraffin/petroleum business just as the motor car began to impact upon the commercial world.
The demand for lubricants began to increase rapidly and Morris's expanded their range to include substantial quantities of government surplus oils, purchased from the Disposal Board set up at the end of World War 1. These lubricants were of excellent quality and were readily sold throughout the country. This enabled the company to develop nationwide distribution for its own manufactured products.
After the post war boom, the company was incorporated in 1922 as a limited company and continued to prosper. Following the untimely deaths of two Morris brothers, the Board of Directors changed and Leonard Paterson, James's nephew, joined the Company in 1927. By 1930, Leonard and James were the only members of the family who had a thorough understanding of the lubricants division. Leonard had huge amounts of energy and initiative and was a hard worker. James died in 1935 and without any successors, Leonard Paterson was appointed Chairman of the Board. He held this position for forty years until his death in 1984. After this time Leonard Paterson's son-in-law, David Goddard joined the company as a Director. In the early 1990's, Leonard Paterson's grandsons, Edward and Andrew Goddard joined the company. Today, Andrew Goddard is the Managing Director of the Lubricants Division.
In 1871, James married Sarah Jones and had five children. Sadly Sarah died giving birth to their fifth child. However, Sarah's sister, Elizabeth helped by taking care of the children and three years later married James, having a further three children of their own.
In 1872, James installed a steam boiler and two copper furnaces in his candle factory and employed more than 20 staff. At this time, most candles were made from tallow, but by experimentation it was found that paraffin wax gave an improved quality of light. By 1877, James was importing paraffin from the USA as competition from paraffin burners began to threaten the candle market. This was yet another example of his brilliant entrepreneurial mind. At this time paraffin was also being used for heating purposes in oil stoves, which enabled James to sell stoves as well as lamps.
In 1891, at the age of 44, James died following an accident with his pony and trap. The future of the company at this point was in doubt, but his eldest son, also called James, took up the reigns. James was only 18 at the time, but using the help of trustees, appointed by his father, kept the company trading. Later he was joined by three of his brothers and two of his sisters.
James then spent ten years as a travelling salesmen for the Anglo-American Oil Company, a firm of which his late father had been a customer. His area covered North Wales and he was responsible for developing sales of petrol and paraffin. In the meantime other areas of the family business were prospering with each brother being responsible for his area of the company. Additional grocers stores were opened throughout Shrewsbury and the two sisters opened and ran confectionery shops. James was still involved in the paraffin/petroleum business just as the motor car began to impact upon the commercial world.
The demand for lubricants began to increase rapidly and Morris's expanded their range to include substantial quantities of government surplus oils, purchased from the Disposal Board set up at the end of World War 1. These lubricants were of excellent quality and were readily sold throughout the country. This enabled the company to develop nationwide distribution for its own manufactured products.
After the post war boom, the company was incorporated in 1922 as a limited company and continued to prosper. Following the untimely deaths of two Morris brothers, the Board of Directors changed and Leonard Paterson, James's nephew, joined the Company in 1927. By 1930, Leonard and James were the only members of the family who had a thorough understanding of the lubricants division. Leonard had huge amounts of energy and initiative and was a hard worker. James died in 1935 and without any successors, Leonard Paterson was appointed Chairman of the Board. He held this position for forty years until his death in 1984. After this time Leonard Paterson's son-in-law, David Goddard joined the company as a Director. In the early 1990's, Leonard Paterson's grandsons, Edward and Andrew Goddard joined the company. Today, Andrew Goddard is the Managing Director of the Lubricants Division.
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