Benjamin Shaul & Shaul & Coombes
Confectioner & Aerated Water Manufacturers
- Date:
- Benjamin Shaul, Confectioner & Pastry cook, Market Place or
Bank Street, c.1839 -72 (Soda Water Works Estd. 1861).
- Shaul & Coombe, Avonbridge, c.1873 - 1878
- Albert Coombe, The Ark, c.1879 - 1890
- Albert Coombe & Son, The Ark, c.1890
- 1950`s
Benjamin Shaul was born
in Melksham in 1826, baptised the 23rd July, the son of Benjamin Shaul
& Elizabeth Brewer who married in Melksham on 26th Sept. 1825. The
young Benjamin married Sarah Alice Matthews of Keevil in 1850. He
had learned his confectioner trade from his father, and by 1851 had his
own shop in Church Street, with a nephew, Henry Brewer, as apprentice.
Benjamin's father died in 1852, he had lost his mother in 1837. The Soda
Water business was established according to bottle labels in 1861, likely
with a move to Bank Street, and the obtaining of an adequate water supply.
Benjamin's wife Sarah
died in 1866, but that same year he married a young woman of Seend, Wilts.
named Elizabeth Harriett Perry in Warminster, and together they had 5
children: Thomas (b. 1867), Benjamin James (b. 1870), Alice Hilda (b.
1873), Herbert (b. 1876) and Robert Percy (b. 1882). Thomas died in 1872
aged 4. Shortly after the death of his son, he went into partnership with
Albert Coombe
in the mineral water side of the business, this partnership lasted until
10th May 1878, when Benjamin left the business. He carried on, however, as
a confectioner, and became manager of the Melksham Gas Works, and a tax
collector. Benjamin, formerly of Cottingham Villa, but late of Bowden
Villa in the Parish of Melksham, died on 2nd Jan. 1884 leaving his estate
to his widow Elizabeth then aged just 33. Elizabeth died on 16th Jan 1933
in Frome, leaving her estate to son Robert Percy, then a grocer's manager.
 |
| Hamilton Bottle |
    |
SHAUL`S
/ SODA WATER / AND / LEMONADE WORKS / MELKSHAM.
9" long. Flat face blob lip. |
| "Skittle" Flat Bottomed Hamilton Bottle |
 |
| B. SHAUL`S / SODA WATER /
AND / LEMONADE WORKS / MELKSHAM. 8" high. Flat face blob lip. |
| "Skittle" Flat Bottomed
Hamilton Bottle |
  |
SHAUL`S
/ CHAMPAGNE GINGERADE / MELKSHAM. 9" long.
Blob & chisel lip. (See Below). 7.8" high. |
| Barratt & Elers
Patent Bottle. |
  |
| SHAUL
& COOMBS / (SC) / MELKSHAM / TRADE MARK. 8.9" high. (centre)
Skittle variations as above (left & right). |
| Flat Bottomed Cylinders |
  |
SHAUL
/ AERATED / WATER / MANUFACTURER / MELKSHAM. 8.2"-8.8" high.
SHAUL & COOMBES / CHAMPAGNE / GINGERADE / MELKSHAM. 8.3" high.
SHAUL'S / CHAMPAGNE / GINGERADE / MELKSHAM. 8.3" high. (Bottom
right) |
| Round
Bottomed Cylinder |
 |
| SHAUL & COOMBES / SC /
LEMONADE . MELKSHAM. 8.9" long. |
