the montserrat co. ltd. was formed in edgbaston by j.& e. sturge. lime juice was produced in the city and then exported for use in the manufacture of citric acid. the failure of sicily's lemon crop at that time resulted in an opening in the market which sturge took great advantage of, utilizing their extensive chemical works based in edgbaston. the company was set up by the sturge and albright families who funded the development of montserrat estates in 1867. joseph sturge bought the elberton sugar estate in 1857 and converted it into a lime production plant. he also wanted to prove that free labour could be made profitable. members of the sturge family were instrumental in the british anti-slavery movement.