Welsh Colonising Company shareholders register, 1871-1873

Reference: NLW MS 4617E

A register of shareholders of the American Branch of the Welsh Colonising and General Trading Company, 1871-1873.

In the 1860s, Michael D. Jones, along with others who were dissatisfied with the social conditions in their home country, set out on a venture to establish a Welsh colony in Patagonia, South America.

The Welsh Colonising and General Trading Company was founded, and Michael D. Jones was elected Chairman. He invested financially in the scheme but was declared bankrupt because of the debts that he had incurred, which resulted in the sale of his home.

The objectives of the Welsh Colonising and General Trading Company

Among the objectives of the Welsh Colonising and General Trading Company Limited, based in Record Street, Ruthin, Denbighshire were:

• To charter, purchase, or build sailing or steam ships or boats.
• To convey passengers or goods to and from the Welsh Colony or Colonies in the Argentine Territory of Patagonia, South America, and to and from all such other parts or places wheresoever [sic.] as the Directors may from time to time appoint, at such fares and freights
• To obtain land by purchase or concession, in the Welsh Colony or Colonies or elsewhere, and to purchase, all agricultural stock and implements whatsoever, and to re-sell the same upon any conditions beeneficial [sic.] to the Company.