Today in Kimberley's History
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William Shilling, founder of the Shilling Aerated Water Factory, dies - 1892
William Shilling was born on 31 August 1837 in East Dereham, Norfolk, UK. He married Emily Hodges (b 20/1/1836 in Aylesford, Kent, UK) and they emigrated to South Africa in 1858, ending up in the diamond fields of Kimberley. They had one son, George William Shilling, who on 29th April 1881 married Hester Amelia Jackson in Cape Town. The early days of Kimberley were dry and dusty. Water was in short supply and costly. Initially diggers’ thirsts were quenched by the canteens and bars in the town. Later businesses started making the popular ginger beer and aerated water. The Shilling Aerated Water Factory was established by William Shilling in Stockdale Street, Kimberley in 1876. The original factory outlet has been recreated at the Big Hole Mine Museum. When Shilling died on 30th March 1892 he was listed as a Soda Water Manufacturer on his death notice. The factory was first sold to Mr Carrolson and later in 1896 to William Lawrence. In the Diamond Fields Trade and Business Directory of 1898 to 1899, there were no less than seven businesses making aerated water: J. Betz at 49 Barkly Road; A.E. Bradley at 33 Old De Beers Road; J. Delaney in Warren Street; P. Giloi at 62 Barkly Road; the Henderson Brothers in George Street; Mr Michael at 4 Cemetery Road, and Shilling Aerated Water Factory in Stockdale Street. In the Kimberley Illustrated of 1902, it is stated that “...the functions of an aerated water manufacturer are almost those of a philanthropist”. “Mr Lawrence can remember Kimberley in the early days when not only the idea of soda water, but the baseless fabric of a vision, pure water, or perhaps it would be fairer to say impure water, was a shilling a bucket.” The soda machine at this operation was made by Heywood, Tyler & Co., but was lined with silver. Their ginger beer had become a household name and their bottle washer was one of the best. Lawrence was known for his “overwhelming cleanliness”. |
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William Shilling shop at the Big Hole Open Air Museum. (Photo by Richard Jones)
