About the Property
Ownership and Legacy
| Year | Proprietor | Agent | Resident Manager & Asst. Sup. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880-84 | Sir G.H.D. Elphinstone & J. Paterson Snr | Alstons Scott & Co. | J. Paterson, Snr |
| 1885-86 | Paterson Snr | Alstons Scott & Co. | J. Paterson, Snr |
| 1887-92 | Alstons Scott & Co. | Alstons Scott & Co. | J. Paterson, Snr |
| 1893 -1899 | G.A. Dick & Percy Bois | Bois Bros & Co. | G.A. Dick |
| 1904 | F.B.B. and G.W.B.Goodfellow | Bois Bros & Co. | H.A. Luke, F.B.B. & G.W.B.G. Goodfellow |
| 1905 -1909 | R.R. Jacques | Whittalla & Co. | R.R. Jacques |
| 1912-23 | J.I. Boswill | Galaha Cey. Ests & Agency Co. Ld., S.A. | C.J. Owen & J.I. C. Boswell |
| 1924-27 | Mrs. J.I. Boswill | C.J. Owen | C.J. Owen |
| 1930 - 54 | The Stafford Tea Co. Ltd | Bois Bros & Co. | H.C. Hinchliff |
| 1955-onwards | Hemas (Estates) Ltd |
The Histories
The history of Stafford Estate is closely linked to the history of Tea in Sri Lanka.
In 1867, James Taylor marked the birth of the tea industry in Ceylon by starting a tea plantation in Loolecondera estate in Kandy in 1867. He began the tea plantation on an estate of just 19 acres (76,890 m2).
In 1872 he started a fully equipped tea factory in the same Loolecondera estate and that year the first sale of Loolecondra tea was made in Kandy.
In 1873, the first shipment of Ceylon tea, a consignment of some 23 lb (10 kg), arrived in London.
In 1880, Stafford Tea Estate was initiated by Sir G.H.D. Elphinstone & J. Paterson Snr.
In 1889, The Golf Club of Nuwara Eliya was created.