Benjamin Shaul & Shaul & Coombes

Confectioner & Aerated Water Manufacturers


    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.


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SHAUL`S / SODA WATER / AND / LEMONADE WORKS / MELKSHAM.






9" long. Flat face blob lip.

"Skittle" Flat Bottomed Hamilton Bottle Image Not Yet Available
B. SHAUL`S / SODA WATER / AND / LEMONADE WORKS / MELKSHAM. 8" high. Flat face blob lip.

"Skittle" Flat Bottomed Hamilton Bottle Shaul2.jpgShaul10.jpg
SHAUL`S / CHAMPAGNE GINGERADE / MELKSHAM. 9" long.


Blob & chisel lip. (See Below). 7.8" high.

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SHAUL & COOMBS / (SC) / MELKSHAM / TRADE MARK. 8.9" high. (centre) Skittle variations as above (left & right).

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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)

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SHAUL & COOMBES / SC / LEMONADE . MELKSHAM. 8.9" long.

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