Dillon Rum
Dillon RumThe Distillerie Dillon is in Fort de France in Martinique. It distills many types of rum from the locally grown sugar cane. It is powered by a Corliss steam engine that was built in 1922.The site of the distillery was settled by sugar farmers in 1690. The name stems from Arthur Dillon (1750-1794) a soldier with Lafayette's troops in the American War of Independence. Serving with Dillon's Regiment, of the Irish Brigade (France), he had been promoted to colonel at the age of 16. On returning to his home from the war, he married a rich widow, named Louise. Then they bought the estate, flourishing with sugar cane, and had a daughter Fanny. Dillon became a deputy, and his daughter was presented by her cousin Josephine to Napoleon. She married General Bertrand, and they both accompanied Napoleon into exile on Elba and St Helena. On returning to the Dillon Plantation, she campaigned against slavery. |
