Jemma Freeman - keeping cigars safe and in the family

Jemma Freeman is following in her father’s footsteps. James Leavey spoke to her

When you look at the close relationship between Jemma Freeman and her late father, Nicholas, you start thinking that there’s some truth in that an old belief, ‘sons take after their mothers; daughters take after their dads.’

Jemma’s great great great grandfather, James Reykers Freeman, was born in England and his mother came from a cigar family in Holland.

J.R., as he was known, went to Holland in the 1830s, where he learned how to make cigars. When he returned to London he became probably the first person to manufacture cigars in Britain, in 1839, under the business name of J.R. Freeman and Son.

J.R.’s business has since prospered through six generations, initially from J.R. to George Freeman, to ‘D.G.’ Freeman who, with his three sons, built J.R. Freeman into the second largest cigar manufacturer in the United Kingdom, with a thriving export business.

In the late 1920s, J.R. Freeman bought J. Frankau & Co., which owned the H. Upmann factory in Havana and the world rights to the brand. In 1935, D.G. sold the Upmann factory to Alonso Menendez who, with his partner, Pepe Garcia, went on to create the Montecristo cigar.

Due to World War II, no Havana cigars came into England from 1939 until 1953.

“Cuba had a dollar currency, and during this time the British weren’t allowed to spend any dollars except on war materials,” said Jemma. “When the war hit, J. Frankau had no cigars to import, and no business. We did a joint venture with Menendez Garcia and set up a factory in Jam.....

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By James Leavey

Section : Cigar Interviews

Page number : 12

Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 3 on 01/05/2005.

This article is 69 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements.



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	Jemma Freeman - keeping cigars safe and in the family Jemma Freeman is following in her father’s footsteps. James Leavey spoke to her When you look at the close relationship between Jemma Freeman and her late father, Nicholas, you start thinking that there’s some truth in that an old belief, ‘sons take after their mothers; daughters take after their dads.’ Jemma’s great great great grandfather, James Reykers Freeman, was born in England and his mother came from a cigar family in Holland. J.R., as he was known, went to Holland in the 1830s, where he learned how to make cigars. When he returned to London he became probably the first person to manufacture cigars in Britain, in 1839, under the business name of J.R. Freeman and Son. J.R.’s business has since prospered through six generations, initially from J.R. to George Freeman, to ‘D.G.’ Freeman who, with his three sons, built J.R. Freeman into the second largest cigar manufacturer in the United Kingdom, with a thriving export business. In the late 1920s, J.R. Freeman bought J. Frankau & Co., which owned the H. Upmann factory in Havana and the world rights to the brand. In 1935, D.G. sold the Upmann factory to Alonso Menendez who, with his partner, Pepe Garcia, went on to create the Montecristo cigar. Due to World War II, no Havana cigars came into England from 1939 until 1953. “Cuba had a dollar currency, and during this time the British weren’t allowed to spend any dollars except on war materials,” said Jemma. “When the war hit, J. Frankau had no cigars to import, and no business. We did a joint venture with Menendez Garcia and set up a factory in Jam..... To read the rest of this article you can buy this issue or subscribe to Cigar Buyer to have every issue delivered direct to your door. By James Leavey Section : Cigar Interviews Page number : 12 Published in Cigar Buyer Issue 3 on 01/05/2005. Subscribe Buy this issue More from this issue Preview other issues This article is 69 months old and some information provided may be time sensitive. Please check all details of events, tours, opening times and other information before travelling or making arrangements. Copyright Cigar Buyer © 1999-2010. All rights reserved. To use or reproduce part or all of this article please contact us for details of how you can do so legally.