The Blandy Family in Madeira: Investments and Business Strategies in the 19th Century (Overview)

Abstract

This study focuses on the action of the Blandy family in Madeira and its impact on the economy of the Archipelago throughout the 19^th century. The first member of this family who arrived in Madeira, John Blandy, established himself in rua de S. Francisco, as a wine shipper, in 1811. With the profit obtained, he acquired several properties, especially in Funchal and Santo da Serra. Later, John Blandy’s successors extended the activity of the firm John Blandy & Sons to other areas, namely quarrying in Porto Santo for subsequent lime production and a shipping agency. Due to the decline of the wine trade around the 70s, this English family business turns its attention to supplying coal and water to shipping and consolidates the coastal shipping service, with the purchase of steamboats.

Keywords

Blandy; Madeira Wine; Shipping Agency; Charcoal; Coastal Shipping.