You can read my latest maple history contribution from the June 2024 issue of the Maple Syrup Digest newsletter at this link or by clicking on the adjacent image of the syrup bottle. The Maple Syrup Digest is the official quarterly publication of the North American Maple Syrup Council.
This article takes another look at the origins and development of the oval-shaped maple syrup bottle with little handle on the neck that is unique to the maple syrup industry. Some readers might recognize that I’ve previously written and posted an article on this website about the history of this unmistakable syrup bottle. This article presents an updated version of this research with a deeper look into where this bottle design came from and the 20th century evolution of glass bottles used for maple syrup.
You can read the article at this link or by clinking on the accompanying images.
Example of Old Colony Maple Syrup label from Quebec Maple Products, LTD, 1934 trademark registration.
In the history of maple syrup brand names, “Old Colony Syrup” was a label used for over one hundred years by as many as six different companies in both the United States and Canada. The Old Colony brand was first used in the early 1900s by two unrelated syrup blending companies in Chicago and Boston. The name was later used in Canada and the United States from the 1920s to the early 2000s, handed down through a series of related companies.
Printing block for Scudder’s Syrup Company’s Old Colony Syrup label (image reversed).
The earliest example of the use of the Old Colony was a blended cane and maple syrup from the Scudder Syrup Company of Chicago, Illinois. The Scudder Company offered a variety of brands of blended cane and maple syrup starting in 1894, with Old Colony Syrup first appearing around 1896. The Scudder Company was one of many syrup blending companies operating in Chicago at this time and the Old Colony brand was one of their minor labels compared to more widely sold Scudder’s Canada Sap Syrup and later Scudder’s Brownie Brand Syrup.
Undated paper label for Old Colony Brand Cane & Maple Syrup from Bay State Maple Syrup Company.
The next early example of the use of the Old Colony name as a syrup brand comes from the Bay State Maple Syrup Company owned by C.M. Tice, operating out of Boston, Massachusetts. Like with the Scudder Company, the use of Old Colony by the Bay State Company was a minor label among other more prominent and popular syrup brands, such as Verhampshire, Fleur-de Lys, Mount Washington, and Mount Mansfield syrups. Since research has only uncovered examples of the label and no dated advertisements or other references, there is little information on the Bay State Company’s use of the Old Colony name and what years it was in use. We do know that the Bay State Company was most active from around 1905 to 1920.
However, the most long-lived and significant use of the Old Colony brand for packaging maple syrup began in 1920 with the Canada Maple Products Company in Toronto, Ontario. Unlike the first two examples of Old Colony Syrup, which were blends of cane and maple syrup, the Old Colony Syrup of the Canadian Maple Products Company was 100% pure maple syrup.
Maples, LTD., advertisement for Lion Brand Pure Maple Syrup from Toronto Daily Star, March 19, 1912.
The Canadian Maple Products Company was a syrup packing and maple products company that began around 1911 under the name of Maples, LTD. Initially, the company sold pure maple syrup and maple butter under the name of Lion Brand, which was only available in Canadian markets. Beginning in 1915, they changed the name of the maple butter to “Old Tyme Maple Butter.”
Early advertisement from Canadian Maple Products, LTD, for Old Colony Maple Syrup – Canadian Grocer, December 16, 1921.
In 1920, the Thornton Huyck family purchased Maples, LTD. and changed the name to the Canadian Maple Products Company, LTD. At this time, the company introduced the name Old Colony syrup name along with a colorful label featuring a yellow background, blue bands, and a splash of red maple leaves.
Advertisement for Old Colony Maple Syrup and Old Tyme Maple Butter – Canadian Grocer. April 1,1921.
In 1929 Thornton Huyck sold Canadian Maple Products Company, LTD., and its Old Colony and Old Tyme brands to the Cary Maple Sugar Company from St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The Cary Company was undertaking a massive expansion in Vermont and Québec, buying smaller syrup companies and expanding their footprint across the region. One of the Cary Company’s efforts was the construction of a modern three-story plant in Lennoxville, Québec for the processing and bottling of maple sugar and maple syrup. In preparation for operating the Lennoxville plant, the Cary Company also acquired a number of other maple syrup businesses from the surrounding Eastern Townships region of Québec, including the Boright Brothers and the Jenne Maple Syrup and Sugar Company, both from Sutton, Québec. As part of their sale to the Cary Company, the Boright Brothers and the Jenne Company sold their syrup manufacturing and bottling equipment and shipped it to Lennoxville. In addition, both Robert M. Boright and Frank Jenne became managers and key employees of Cary’s new Lennoxville plant.
Three story Cary Maple Sugar Company plant in Lennoxville, Québec circa 1929.
The Cary Company’s rapid expansion became a factor in the firm becoming over extended, contributing to the Cary Company’s colossal failure and bankruptcy in 1931. With the Cary Company in the midst of a reorganization, Robert Boright was elevated from general plant manager to the role of President of the entire Cary Company in the United States and Canada. With Boright’s shift to President, Frank Jenne become the Lennoxville plant manager.
Colorful 1930s-era one gallon round can for Old Colony Pure Maple Syrup from Québec Maple Products, LTD.
After a year of year of overseeing the operations and getting the Cary Company back on its feet, Robert Boright resigned his position as President and in late 1932 started his own company called Québec Maple Products, LTD. Conveniently, the newly constructed Cary Company plant in Lennoxville was for sale, which Boright purchased along with the former Canadian Maple Products Company brands of Old Tyme and Old Colony Syrup, with Frank Jenne continuing on as plant manager and a minor partner to Boright.
Early Québec Maple Products, LTD. glass bottle for Old Colony Maple Syrup next to February 28, 1935 – Windsor Start advertisement.
Québec Maple Products, LTD. soon after was offering Old Colony maple syrup to Canadian customers in 16- and 32-ounce circular glass jars and one gallon size tall round cans. The earliest of Québec Maple Products’ Old Colony labels were based on Canadian Maple Products’ earlier Old Colony Syrup design, with the yellow background, red text, and red maple leaves.
1950s era one gallon can with a winter sugaring scene for Old Colony Maple Syrup from Québec Maple Products, LTD.
In 1935, Québec Maple Products, LTD. began its own expansion and formed a subsidiary firm in St. Albans, Vermont called American Maple Products Corporation. With this expansion, Frank Jenne moved from the Lennoxville plant to St. Albans to be the Vice President and general manager of US operations. With the expansion across the border, it was easier for Québec Maple Products, through American Maple Products, to access American markets and introduced the Old Colony brand to a new group of American customers.
Two 1950s examples of early label designs for Old Colony Maple Syrup from American Maple Products Corporation.
American Maple Products Corporation moved from St. Albans, to Newport, Vermont in 1940. Two years later in 1942, Jenne and Boright bought out one another’s interests in Québec Maple Products, LTD., and American Maple Products Corporation. Boright took sole ownership of Québec business and Jenne took over American Maple Products with both continuing to use the Old Colony brand with their separate companies.
American Maple Products Corporation’s Old Colony Maple Syrup label from the 1960s.
Under Jenne’s ownership and later that of his son-in-law Sherb Doubleday, American Maple Products Corporation expanded the company’s variety of maple products and introduced its own designs for its Old Colony labels and containers. Over the next 50 years American Maple Products redesigned its Old Colony label at least four times.
Two versions of American Maple Products Corporation’s Old Colony Maple Syrup labels from the 1970s and 1980s.
American Maple Products Corporation continued to sell syrup under the Old Colony brand into at least the 1980s. American Maple Products Corporation closed its doors in 1994 when Roger Ames, the son-in-law of Sherb Doubleday and owner of the company, was accused and pled guilty to selling syrup labeled as pure maple syrup when it had been adulterated with beet sugar syrup.
Example of advertisement and bottle design for Quebec Maple Products’ Old Tyme Syrup from October 30, 1958 – Windsor Star.
Boright continued as owner of Quebec Maple Products until 1958 when he sold his company to the Canada Starch Company, LTD., and its best Foods Canada Division, with Old Colony and Old Tyme syrups continuing as the company brands. Best Foods was sold to Unilevel Company in 2000 and Unilevel sold the Old Colony and Old Tyme brands to ACH Foods in 2002. Old Colony Syrup continued to be available in Canadian markets until at least 2004 and their blended Old Tyme Pancake Syrup until around 2015.
The text for the following history was written by Mary Mortimer and Scott Abraham, the great-great grandson of J.M. Abraham. It first appeared as a post on the Facebook page of the Logan County History Center. It is reprinted here with their permission and the permission of the Logan County History Center in Bellefontaine, Ohio.
By Mary Mortimer and Scott Abraham
J.M. Abraham, circa 1920. Source: Logan County History Center.
James M. Abraham was born in Union County, Ohio in 1856. When James was eleven years old his family moved to Jefferson Township in Logan County. In 1883, he moved to Bellefontaine and ran a grocery business on Main St. for eighteen years. During this time Mr. Abraham became interested in the manufacturing of maple syrup. He purchased raw syrup from local farmers and processed it for sale in city markets.
J.M. Abraham’s grocery business was a great success. An article in the Bellefontaine Republican in April 1889 stated the following:
“One great secret of the success of Mr. Abraham is that he never misrepresents anything. His instructions to all customers is that “If the goods you have bought do not prove to be as represented, or if anything is wrong with them, return the same to me and your loss will be made good, or the money refunded to you”. This fact is well known to the people, and as they know that the word of this gentleman can be relied upon, they flock to his store by the hundreds.
The stock of goods carried embraces every article that comes under the head of groceries, with all the novelties in the line. A special feature is made of canned and bottled goods of which he carries an exceptionally large and fine assortment. He pays particular attention to foreign fruits, such as bananas, oranges and lemons. Vegetable and berries receive special attention during their season. He also handles stoneware and crockery in a wholesale way. He also stocks queensware and glassware which he will be closing out”.
Metal mold for maple sugar loaf from J.M. Abraham Co. Logan County History Center Collections.
In January of 1900, Abraham and F.N. Johnson organized the F.N. Johnson Grocery Co. with Mr. Abraham serving as Vice President and his son, Kenneth Abraham, secretary. They had an extensive grocery business and manufactured and marketed maple syrup.
1934 Pittsburgh Press advertisement for Abraham’s Ohio Chief Maple Syrup, only $1.79 for a full gallon can.
In December 1908, the J.M. Abraham Co was granted a charter at Columbus, Ohio. The incorporators were J.M. Abraham, Kenneth Abraham, Duncan Dow, Charles S. Hockett and Frank Dowell. The company was capitalized at $25,000. They were to engage in the wholesale grocery, maple syrup, and produce business. The new company was located in a brick building on Garfield Ave. owned by Mr. Abraham.
Excerpt from the 1914 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Bellefontaine, Ohio, showing in pink the J.M. Abraham Apple Butter Plant on Garfield Avenue.
In January 1909, Mr. Abraham sold his stock in the F.N. Johnson grocery Co. and began business as the J.M. Abraham Co. Mr. Abraham served as President and his son, Kenneth, was secretary and treasurer. The J.M. Abraham business was very successful and in 1912 a new larger building was erected at 405-407 Garfield Ave. The new larger building provided more storage capacity and modern steam equipment was installed for the manufacturing and storing of apple butter.
1947 Pittsburgh Press advertisement for Abraham’s Old Home blended cane and maple syrup.
Their Ohio Chief brand apple butter was very popular. Most of the apples they used for apple butter came from New York state. Their annual output was over 75,000 gallons. For many years the plant was known as “the old apple butter factory” and the aroma of cooked apples could be smelled in the air. Their maple syrup business also grew. At the time they produced the most maple syrup in Logan County. Raw syrup was shipped in from New York, Vermont, and northern Ohio to meet their demand. Abraham’s two main maple syrup brands were Ohio Chief and Snow Bound. They also manufactured a blend called Old Home. During the season they had numerous salesmen on the road selling thousands of gallons of maple syrup.
Examples of bottles of Abraham’s Sunrise cane syrup and Ohio Chief pure maple syrup. Source: Scott Abraham and the Logan County History Center.Example of a half can can with paper label showing Abraham’s Old Chief Pure Sap Maple Syrup.
After James M. Abraham passed away in 1932 the Abraham family continued operations at the J.M. Abraham facility. In about 1939 they scaled down their business and just dealt with the processing and sale of maple syrup. In May 1964, the Abraham family sold the J.M. Abraham Co to the American Maple Products Corp. from Newport, Vermont. They purchased all the assets including the trademarks, labels, molds for maple sugar patties and equipment used to produce maple products. The Vermont firm was to continue carrying the Abraham name on their products. The sale did not include the two-story brick building on Garfield Ave.
Robert Abraham, grandson of J.M. Abraham, in the Abraham Company plant in 1962. Source: Scott Abraham and the Logan County History Center.
After the J.M. Abraham business was sold, Robert Abraham, grandson of J.M. Abraham, continued to get maple syrup from the buyer and deliver it to family, friends and former clients. In the mid-1970’s the former J.M. Abraham plant suffered a devastating fire, and the old brick portion of the building had to be removed. A newer metal-sided addition to the building didn’t receive too much damaged and was saved. Later another metal-sided addition was added where the original brick building once stood. The building was leased by Super Foods for many years and most recently used by Mobile Instrument Service & Repair.
Examples of some of the paper labels and brands used by the J.M. Abraham Company for packaging maple butter and maple products. Source: Scott Abraham and the Logan County History Center.
