John Holt & Company (Liverpool) Ltd.

John Holt was born on the 31 October 1841 in Garthorpe, Lincolnshire, England. In June 1862 he sailed from Liverpool to Africa after being offered the post of secretary to James Lynslager in Fernando Po. Two years later James Lynslager died and John became manager of the business. In April 1867 he bought out the business and began trading in his own right.

At the end of 1867, John returned to England where he appointed Irvine and Woodward of Liverpool to act as his sole agents. Whilst John was in England his affairs in Africa were managed by his brother, Jonathan, who had joined him in Fernando Po earlier in the year; shortly later they were joined be a third brother, Thomas.

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