Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist

George W Wilton, Chemist

Chemical Apparatus  Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide Road, Wellington

 

Overview

George W. Wilton began as a retail and manufacturing chemist but over time he focused more and more on selling chemical and scientific equipment. His family background was squarely in farming and pharmacy. A period of tragedy presaged his parents’ emigration to Marton, New Zealand; and he and his brother spread out to Wellington and Wanganui, respectively. In 1893 George Wilton was in a period of transition: he was still carrying on as a retail and manufacturing chemist but he had also added the sale of chemical apparatus to his business.

Uniquely for the 1893 stamp adverts, Wilton’s business is advertised on a single stamp.

 

Wilton Family Origins in England

George Wilton advertised various Wilton-branded remedies such as Wilton’s Hand Emollient and Chilblain Cure [EveningPost1892Jun25P1], but how much history did that product have? Were these his own brainchild or family recipes handed down parent-to-child for generations and that had stood the test of time? To answer that, we investigate the origins and professions of the Wilton family.

George Wilton’s father was Matthew Henry Wilton and George’s paternal grandparents were Richard Wilton (born about 1786 in the Yorkshire parish of Thorp Andlin) and Sarah, living as farmers of some 170 acres in the rural parish of Ackworth, just south of the historic market town of Pontefract and some 13 miles north west of Doncaster [EngCensusWiltRich1841] [EngCensusWiltRich1851]. The grandparents had many children, including Uncle John in 1816 [ChEngBirBap1816Apr14], Aunt Sarah (perhaps 1818 [ChEngBirBap1818Oct04] or perhaps, if she died very young, then the next daughter of the same name) and Father Matthew in 1825 [EngBirthChris1825Oct10]. By 1841, John, Sarah and Matthew, now reportedly 15-25, had moved to Pontefract where John worked as a chemist and druggist, with Matthew as his apprentice. Matthew completed his apprenticeship in 1845 [EngCensusWiltMatthew1841] [CycloWellWiltonMH1897], and must have joined the Pharmaceutical Society (of Great Britain) at much the same time [CycloWellMedWilton1897] [WikiRoyPharmSocGB]. Given Richard’s farming background, we can speculate that John was himself an apprentice while in his teens to some older Pontefract chemist/druggist (and grocer) and soon took over the business. If this is the case, then it seems likely that it is George’s uncle, John Wilton, who is the pioneer of the Wilton family’s connection with pharmacy.

Traces of John Wilton’s business reached the local newspapers, such a satisfied customer of Kaye’s Worsdell’s Pills, retailed by John Wilton in 1854 [NorfolkNews1854Sep23P7]:

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [NorfolkNews1854Sep23P7]

In another advert four years later, John Wilton advertises a number of patent medicines, but none of his own design [PontefractAdvertiser1858Oct30P4]:

Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [PontefractAdvertiser1858Oct30P4]

It is plausible that this 1881 classified advert relates to the retirement of John Wilton, who was now aged 65. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED [YorkshirePostAndLeedsIntel1881Mar17P2].

Returning to the 1840s, John’s younger brother (and George Wilton’s father) Matthew Wilton married Ann (sometimes Anne) Broadley in 1847 at Pontefract [ChEngMarrBannLiver1847May28]. Matthew (hereafter “Matthew senior”) and Ann had many children including:

• Sarah Ann (1848-1930) [WestYorkNonConfRec1848Mar27]
• John Richard (1850-1875) [WestYorkNonConfRec1850Jan20]
• Mary Elizabeth (1852-1877) [EngCivilRegBirth1852Q1]
• Matthew Henry (1854-1918) [EngWalesCivilRegBirth1854Q2] (hereafter “Matthew junior”)
• Sophia Ann (1856-1869) [EngCivilRegBirth1856Q4]
• Benjamin Broadley (1859-1867) [EngCivilRegBirth1859Q3]
• George William (1861-1936) [WalesCensus1871WiltonGeorge] [EveningPost1936Nov13P11]
• Lucy Chesman (1863-1942 [EngCivilRegBirth1863Q3] [ManawatuStd1942Jan14P6])

During this time, Matthew senior lived in various locations around the Leeds-Liverpool-Wrexham area and was variously described as a grocer, commercial traveler and farmer, but curiously never a chemist or druggist:

• At Pontefract in 1847-1852 (marriage to Ann [ChEngMarrBannLiver1847May28] and census [EnglandCensus1851WiltonMatthew] where he was described as a grocer in each; births of Sarah, John and Mary)
• At Ormskirk registration district (includes Southport), Lancashire in 1856-1859 (birth of Sophia and Benjamin)
• At Tweed St [nowadays around Tweed Close?], in West Derby/Liverpool in 1861 (census [EngCensus1861WiltonMatthew] where he was described as a commercial traveler) and Liverpool, Lancashire in 1861 (birth of George)
• At Hemsworth near Pontefract, in Yorkshire in 1863 (birth of Lucy)
• About 40 miles south west of Liverpool, at Llanrhaiadr (sometimes Llanrhaeadr), Wales in 1871 (census, where he was described as a farmer of 100 acres [WalesCensus1871WiltonMatthew], likely sheep/beef rearing [WikiDenbighshire])

Nonetheless he must have retained his membership in the Pharmaceutical Society [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5].

Matthew Henry Wilton junior farmed with his uncle in 1861 and 1871 [EngCensus1861WiltonMattHenry] [EngCensus1871WiltonMattHenry]. Also in 1871, George, now aged 11, was a boarder at Doncaster, Yorkshire [EnglandCensus1871WiltonGeorge] [EveningPost1936Nov13P11]. At the same time, Sarah, John and Mary (aged 18-23) were at 33 Chester Rd, within a mile of Tweed St [EngCensus1871WiltonSJM], but later John and Mary had shifted again to Doncaster.

Matthew junior seems to have emigrated to New Zealand after 1871 but by (most likely) 1876, although the exact date and ship is unknown. Certainly a Matthew Wilton was arrested for drunkenness in Auckland in 1876 when Matthew junior would have been around 22 years of age [DailySouthernCross1876May20P1Supp], and an M. H. Wilton advertises himself as a railway and general carrier at Marton in 1878 [WanganuiHer1878Oct02P3].

For Matthew senior and wife Ann, perhaps farming in north Wales was an overly-challenging prospect, or Matthew junior was writing home with glowing reports of Marton. However, surely more heartfelt was the steady drumbeat of brutal family tragedies: one child died in each of 1867, 1869, 1875 and 1877, which hollowed out most of their middle children. Whatever the reason, the surviving Wilton family in England – parents Matthew senior and Ann, and their children Sarah Ann, George William [recorded as William] and Lucy Chesman, aged 53, 54, 31, 18 and 16 respectively – emigrated to New Zealand, embarking from London, 30 December 1879 on the Portland, and reaching Wellington 104 days later on April 7 1880 [NzMail1880Feb14P15] [WhiteWings, volume I, P213] [NzMail1880Mar13P12].

From Wellington they would have needed horse-drawn transportation to Longburn near Palmerston North but could have completed their journey by train to join Matthew junior at Marton [WikiNorthIsMainTrunk].

 

Wilton Family Settles in New Zealand

A chemist and druggist (and newspaper shop and photography studio) were already in business in Marton from 1868 (back when Marton was known as Tutaenui), under Mr. Henry Lyon, with occasional mentions in the newspapers of the day such as [WanganuiChron1868Nov17P4] [WellIndep1871Jan25P3] [EveningPost1873Feb12P3] [WanganuiHer1973OPct27P4] [WellIndep1874Apr10P4] [NzTim1874Jun16P4] [WanganuiHer1878Mar12P3] [EveningStar1880Sep30P3], including as a “Manufacturer of Soda, Potass, and Tonic Waters; Lemonade, Syrups, &c, &c” [WanganuiHer1873Dec30P4]. A brother or other family member, Edward Lyon, seemed to be in the same business but in Wanganui [WanganuiHer1873Dec30P4]. Evidently Henry Lyon’s business was successful, since in 1874 a peripatetic reporter wrote “Marton … Amongst the new erections which attracted my attention, was an imposing looking building which is being put up for Mr Lyon, chemist and druggist, and is nearly completed; it is a two-story structure” [WanganuiChron1874Dec03P2]. It narrowly avoided a fire, not once [WanganuiChron1878Sep02P2] but twice [WanganuiChron1879Jan04P2]. Henry Lyon died in late 1880 [WanganuiHer1880Dec09P2].

The Marton shop was advertised to let or for sale shortly after incumbent Henry Lyons’ death, at the end of 1880 [EveningPost1880Dec17P3]. In 1881 Matthew Wilton senior, reverting to his pharmacist roots, purchased it [CycloWellMedWilton1897].

It was a good decision, as relayed by the Cyclopedia: “The shop is a very fine one, as will be seen by the accompanying picture. It is of wood and iron, and of two lofty stories in height, being erected [in 1886] under the direction of Mr. Wilton himself from plans drawn by Messrs. Atkins and Clere. It is a large business, gives employment to four hands, and supplies the whole of the district. Mr. Wilton imports all his drugs, chemicals, and druggists’ sundries from the Old World. He is agent for Messrs. Ness and Co., manufacturing and exporting druggists, of Darlington, England. Mr. Wilton has had a most extensive experience, and evidently enjoys the confidence of the Marton public. He has been a member of the Pharmaceutical Society for half a century” [WanganuiHer1886Jan14P3] [CycloWellMedWilton1897].

 

Wilton family shop in Marton. Credit [CycloWellMedWilton1897].

 

From earlier we know that Matthew Wilton senior’s “extensive experience” is mostly in fields beyond pharmacy, but this excerpt is consistent with usual fawning style of the Cyclopedia.

Still, there is an early description of “Dissolved Bird Poison” sold by Mr Wilton at Marton to help farmers save their sowing from being eaten by small birds (who are given short shrift):

“For the benefit of those who suffer from the ravages of these imported pests, we may mention that the Dissolved Bird Poison is sold by Mr Wilton, Chemist, Marton, at the rate of 4s 6d per bottle. The contents of one bottle should be mixed with sufficient hot water to steep 7lbs of grain, which should be whole and not crushed. While the poisoned water is hot, mix in the grain, cover up, and let it soak for 24 hours, stirring occasionally. It is then ready for use and should be sown thinly in the evening, just before dusk. After breakfast next morning the farmer may go out and count the dead. Sometimes as many as 200 birds are killed by the use of the above mentioned quantity of poisoned grain. The action of the poison is rapid. Birds may be seen flying from the field and falling dead in their flight. Some manage to fly to hedges and trees, but soon fall, and most of the birds die on the field. Care must be taken that the vessel in which the poison is mixed is not afterwards used for domestic purposes.” [PateaMail1883Sep24P2]

 In 1883, a Wilton of Marton was one of the 50% of candidates who passed the New Zealand Pharmacy Board examination. Presuming that Matthew senior’s apprenticeship and continued membership of the Pharmaceutical Society sufficed for New Zealand, and excluding Matthew junior (since his pharmaceutical studies appear to complete later, in 1886, as described below), then it seems most likely that this is George Wilton. Certainly his later adverts report that he was qualified "by examination". At the time he would have been 22 years old, which seems reasonable [EveningStar1883Oct29P03]. No newspaper adverts can be attributed to George in the aftermath, which situation is most simply explained by George working quietly as one of the four hands under his father Matthew senior in Marton.

George’s success appears to have inspired his older brother, Matthew junior, who in 1884 advertised for sale his chaff-cutting and carting business (that he had run from 1878) [WanganuiHer1884Oct24P3]. At the end of 1886, M.H. Wilton (presumed junior) received his pharmacy diploma [AucklandStar1886Dec03P2] and the next year he set up a chemists shop in Manaia, south of Mt Egmont/Taranaki, and in short order started to advertise (apparently as a first) Wilton-branded medicines and chemicals in the local Hawera & Normandy Star to solicit customers via the postal service:

• “Wilton’s Stomach and Liver Pills are unequalled for Billiousness and Constipation. 1/6, 2/6. And 5/- per box; send post paid for amount in stamps. M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Manaia” [HaweraNormStar1887Jun2323P3]
• “Wilton’s Vegetable Worm Powders are a sure cure and quite harmless; in packets, 1/s each M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Manaia” [HaweraNormStar1887Jun29P3]
• “Wilton’s Neuralgia Mixture cures Neuralgia and strengthens the system; in bottles, at 2/6. M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Manaia” [HaweraNormStar1887Jun29P3]
• “Wilton’s Bird Poison has no equal for destroying small birds. M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Manaia” [HaweraNormStar1887Jul12P3]
• “Wilton’s Corn Paint removes hard and soft corns and warts. Bottles, 1/- and 1/6 each. M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Manaia” [HaweraNormStar1887Dec08P3]

At this point we must raise one point of confusion: was there also a W.H. Wilton (with a W not an M)? These initials come up several times, as follows: In 1885, in a run of a third-party advert for Irvine’s Syrup (a “wonderful remedy for Indigestion, Liver Complaint, etc”) a “W.M. Wilton” is named as the agent for Marton [WanganuiHer1885Feb28P2]. In the February of 1887, at Manaia, a few months before regular advertisements by Matthew Henry Wilton junior, the new chemist is described as “W.H. Wilton Jun.” [HaweraNormStar1887Feb24P3] [HaweraNormStar1887Feb24P3] In 1892, in another run of a third-party advert, this time for Blight Paint (“For the Cure of Blights in Fruit Trees, especially the Scale”), it is recorded that the pain can also be procured from “W.M. Wilton, Chemist, Marton” [WanganuiHer1892Jul06P1] [WanganuiHer1892Sep02P1]. “W. Wilton, Chemist, Marton” is also described as a Sub-Agent for Solomon Solution over 1892-1893. Solomon Solution was apparently a truly remarkably capable medicine since it was described as “An Ointment alike effectual on man and quadruped. It is a positive Cure for Rheumatic Gout, Rheumatism, Sciatica, Lumbago, Neuralgia, Headache, Earache, Sprains, Wounds, Sores, Swellings, Cough and Colds, Ringworms, Chilblains, Corns and Sore Lips. It also removes Dandruff.”) [WanganuiHer1892Dev12P3] [WanganuiHer1893Sep25P1] Among the many reports of the death of the senior Matthew H. Wilton [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5], M. H. Wilton [PovertyBayHer1903Dec10P2], H. M. Wilton(!) [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5] and Mr H. Wilton(!) [ManawatuStd1903Dec10P8] around 10 December 1903, there is a notice in the Hawkes Bay Herald referring to W. H. Wilton [HawkesBayHer1903Dec11P3] This latter examples, particularly the final example, clearly shows the opportunity for transcription errors. In several cases, the simplest explanation seems that Matthew senior and Matthew junior had elaborate handwritten “M”s which many recipients interpreted as “W”s. But it is hard to completely dispel the idea that there was indeed a W.H. Wilton who worked in tandem with the rest of the family to pioneer their Manaia stop and support their Marton headquarters. However, there is no other available evidence – such as a birth, death, marriage, or immigration record – that there was a W.H. Wilton; certainly not a child of Matthew senior, nor one connected to his brother’s family (where Matthew junior resided as a youngster). Note that we ignore William Henry Wilton, a Wadestown poultry raiser and butcher who later moved to Taratahi/Carterton in the Wairarapa.

Matthew junior’s last advertisement in the Hawera & Normandy Star for his Manaia shop was on 30 June 1888 [HaweraNormStar1888Jun30P3]; meanwhile M.H. Wilton (senior?, perhaps impelled by the prompting and assistance of junior?) also started running the same advertisements, but in the Wanganui Herald, from February to May 1888, such as: “Wilton’s Stomach & Liver Pills. The mildest, safest, best, and cheapest. Post free for 1s 6d in stamps, M.H. Wilton, Chemist, Marton” [WanganuiHer1888Feb29P3]  [WanganuiHer1888May26P1]

There is no evidence that George’s sister Lucy Chesman Wilton was involved in pharmacy (though she would assist in a convenience store in her later life). In 1890 she married Taliesin (sometimes Talusin) Thomas in 1890 when aged 27 [NzBdm, 1890/2316]. Thomas heralded from Karere (south of Palmerston North) and had started as a pupil teacher with skill in drawing and latterly science [WanganuiHer1880Aug10P2] [ManawatuTim1880Aug10P3] [WanganuiHer1882Jul14P2] [AucklandStar1888Feb22P8], and was promoted to headmaster around 1884 [HaweraNormandyStar1902Feb06P2]. In 1893, he became headmaster of Eltham (between Stratford and Hawera) [HaweraNormandyStar1893Mar29P2].

 

Geo. W. Wilton

Recall we know George boarded at Doncaster, immigrated to New Zealand at age 18 and (surely it was he who) passed the New Zealand Pharmacy Board examination in 1883.

We next hear that George married Emily, daughter of local miller and politician William Henderson, at the Wesleyan Church in Marton April 1886 [NzBdm, 1886/436] [DailyTele1886Apr03P2] [WanganuiChron1898Oct13P2]. She was three or four years younger than he [NzBdm, 1865/8201].

Almost immediately, in November 1886 [CycloWellChemDrug1897], the new couple set out for Wellington to start a new venture: a chemist and druggist operating under the name Geo. W. Wilton.

Initially the family lived at “Cotleigh”, on Tasman St, a “well-built, one-story villa residence … containing 7 rooms with all modern conveniences … and commanding a magnificent view of the city and harbor.” The property had a 35 ft frontage to Tasman St and was 110 feet deep [EveningPost1895Jun10P2] [EveningPost1896Jan02P3] [EveningPost1900Oct05P8]. Soon the family grew, with children:

• Kathleen Wilton (21 March 1887-1964) [NzBdm, 1887/1384] [DailyTele1887Mar23P2]
• Sydney Henderson Wilton (1889-1948) [NzBdm, 1889/8472]
• Norman Aubrey Wilton (23 February 1892-1969) [NzBdm, 1892/6089] [EveningPost1892Feb24P2]
• Eileen Mona Wilton (10 June 1895-1974) [NzBdm, 1895/18135] [EveningPost1895Jun10P2]

As we shall see, the business grew in line with the growing family, and the business was soon able to support domestic help, since we see that “a girl to assist with housework and two children” was sought in 1891 [EveningPost1889Nov30P3], then a general servant in 1895 [EveningPost1895Apr05P3] and another (or a replacement) “good Girl” in 1896 at 10s in wages [EveningPost1896Jan02P3]. By 1897, the family, now complete, lived at Upper Willis Street [CycloWellChemDrug1897] and were again need of a good General Servant [EveningPost1897Jun12P1], then again in 1900 [EveningPost1900Jan20P1]. Since a) 215 Willis St was where the servants were interviewed early on Saturday and also a chemist’s shop (see later), and b) because a painting tender referenced both a shop and dwelling at 215 Willis St [EveningPost1898Mar28P8], then the natural conclusion is that the Wilton family lived above/behind their shop there. In 1898 they let their old home Cotleigh [EveningPost1898Sep24P1] and it was later auctioned [EveningPost1900Oct05P8].

The founding chemist and druggist shop was on Adelaide Rd, which we learn in conjunction with the sad disappearance of the family dog in 1887, a “Black and White Collie Retriever, rough coat, slightly lame” [EveningPost1887Oct26P3].

Geo. W. Wilton tried on several characterizations of his business initially, and continued to describe it variously according to the product category of what he advertised:

• Chemist and druggist [EveningPost1887Oct26P3]
• Wholesale and retail chemist [EveningPost1888Apr17P3]
• Family and Dispensing Chemist [EveningPost1888May28P3]
• Pharmaceutical Chemist [EveningPost1888Jun20P3]
• Chemist [EveningPost1889May06P3]
• Manufacturing Chemist [EveningPost1890May06P4]

It is noteworthy that, almost from the beginning, Geo. W. Wilton operated as a manufacturing chemist: i.e., one who crafted his own remedies, as well as retailing other branded medicines. Geo. W. Wilton would manufacture multiple mainstay products, and he advertised the first such product without identifying himself as its progenitor: his Old English Cough Linctus. A linctus is a syrupy medicine to relieve coughs and throats [EveningPost1888Apr17P3] [CollinsDictLinctus].

Geo. W. Wilton used different classified sections to get noticed by the widest number of readers. For instance, in the “Wanted” section, he advertised “Wanted Known – Old English Cough Linctus is the best cure for Winter Coughs, Colds &c. Take it at once, 1s 6d and 2s 6d bottle …” [EveningPost1888Apr19P3]. In another example, he wrote “Lost, a Harassing Cough by taking Old English Cough Linctus …” [EveningPost1888May09P3].

Other copy included:

• “Old English Cough Linctus is certainly a wonderful cure for Coughs and Colds” [EveningPost1888May28P3]
• “The friends of an individual suffering from a severe cough are advised to procure a bottle of Old English Cough Linctus, which gives immediate relief” [EveningPost1888Jun20P3]

Within a month of his first Old English Cough Linctus advert, we see adverts for his second mainstay product, a “Chilblain Cure, unfailing and instantaneous; price, 1s.” [EveningPost1888May28P3].

Intersection of Russell, Mansfield and Riddiford Streets, Newtown, Wellington, showing the tram terminus, photographed by R.J. Gough (Photographs of Wellington and Cocks' optical workshop). Ref: PAColl-6085. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22442162 [NatLibNewtTerm].

 

Next he opened a new branch, at the Tram Terminus in Newtown. In this era, long past the initial phase that used sooty steam-powered engines, the trams were pulled by horses. The location of Newtown tram terminus was to the north of the present-day bus terminus; then it was the intersection of Russel, Mansfield and Riddiford Streets [WikiWellTram] [NzHerTrams] [NatLibNewtTerm]. The product lines that Geo. W. Wilton kept at his terminus shop (later called his Riddiford St shop) may be presumed to be the same as or a subset of his Adelaide Rd items, and he listed the following categories:

• “Patent medicines
• Homeopathic medicines
• Herbal remedies
• Household, Family and Toilet Requisites
• Druggists’ sundries generally,

… all at the lowest town prices.” [EveningPost1888Jun29P2].

Managing two shops sounds onerous, and one the same day he solicits “an intelligent Boy, just from school preferred” presumably to run errands between the two sites and elsewhere [EveningPost1888Jun29P3]. Soon he wants to hire a Shop Boy as well (or instead of the first employee?) [EveningPost1889Jan12P3].

By mid-1889 Wilton’s manufacturing chemistry was showing promising signs of success since now other storekeepers were selling his Old English Cough Linctus [EveningPost1889Jun10P3]. He delivered his product to Sharland and Co. as wholesale agents and they distributed it to storekeepers in the area [EveningPost1890May21P2] [CycloWell1897Sharl].

It is no coincidence that these arrangements were in place in May, since Geo. W. Wilton resumed his advertising his Old English Cough Linctus every winter in 1888, 1889 and 1890.

Perhaps as a sign that Geo. W. Wilton was committing to the manufacturing chemist path, he let go his Riddiford shop sometime between November 1889 and March 1890 [EveningPost1889Nov06P3] [EveningPostMar24P3].

Another facet of Wilton’s advertising was his use of testimonials, such as for this third mainstay product:

“INFLUENZA. Mr. Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road. Dear Sir, I am glad to say that after taking four doses of your Influenza remedy I am almost completely recovered, all pain having vanished. — Yours, &c., 20th March. 1890. H. HALL.” [EveningPost1890Mar24P3]

Fifteen years after brother Matthew junior’s advertised Wilton-branded medicines, George did the same: now the linctus is sold far enough beyond Wilton’s doors, he branded it Wilton’s Old English Linctus. Since this was not a treatment advertised by Matthew junior, it seemed to be something newly concocted by George. Furthermore, George commissioned an engraving (of an old English gentleman) for his newspaper adverts of the product [EveningPost1890May06P4]:

 

Advertisements, col 4, page 4, Evening Post, vol XXXIX, issue 105, 6 May 1890. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1890May06P4].

 

Perhaps inspired by the Lyons’ line of fruit syrups, he advertised his branded Christmas Cordials: Wilton’s Raspberry Syrup, Lemon Syrup and Lime Juice Cordial [EveningPost1890Dec22P3].

In 1891 Wilton evolved his second and third mainstay products and introduced two more:

• It seems that his earlier Chilblain Cure became Wilton’s Glycerine Jelly for rough or chapped hands, still at 1s [EveningPost1891Feb21P3] but apparently this name is still not a winner, and the adverts ended after March [EveningPost1891Mar16P3]. The next year (and thereafter) he advertised, still for 1s, Wilton’s Hand Emollient and Chilblain Cure for chapped hands and chilblains instead [EveningPost1892Jun01P3].
• His influenza remedy was now branded as Wilton’s Influenza Mixture, still at 3/6d per bottle [EveningPost1891Nov04P3].
• He introduced Wilton’s Infants’ Wind Mixture, which was “guaranteed not to contain opium, bromides, or any injurious ingredient whatever; harmless and effective for the youngest infant. Price, 1s per bottle.” [EveningPost1891Jan30P3]
• He advertised Wilton’s Athletic Embrocation [EveningPost1891Jul23P3]

An emollient is a preparation that softens the skin [CollinsEmoll]. An embrocation is a liquid for rubbing on the body to relieve pain from sprains and strains (e.g., “Deep Heat”) [CollinsEmbro].

Wilton’s Athletic Embrocation was marketed to footballers, athletes &c. for 1s 6d per bottle. The advert directs the customer to Mr Batkin, Tobacconist, Lambton-quay, which is a positive data-point that Geo. W. Wilton was making a success of his manufacturing business. Moreover, in August 1891, Geo. W. Wilton pointed to seven storekeepers selling his Wilton’s Old English Cough Linctus, across Wellington, Petone and the Hutt, including a shop (his old shop?) on Riddiford St [EveningPost1891Jul23P3] [EveningPost1891Aug25P3].

Back in 1890 Geo. W. Wilton had applied for a patent for a utensil for warming or keeping warm infant food [EveningPost1890Jul11P2]. This was not an idle effort since in August 1891 he indicated the patent was awarded and he began selling the device, branded as “Wilton’s Economic Food Warmer” for 10s 6d, which “will save Two pounds by keeping Infants’ Food Warm for 10 hours every night without trouble or expense.” This would become another mainstay product [EveningPost1891Aug06P3]. TODO Is the patent text available?

Showing Geo. W. Wilton’s evolution from retail chemist to something much more, in September 1891 he began advertising imported drugs and chemicals. As was the practice of the time, to indicate the freshness of the news (and products), he reported the transporting ships, viz. “Ex Orari [EveningPost1891Sep14P3] [EveningPost1891Sep15P1] and S.S. Pakeha [EveningPost1891Sep04P3] [EveningPost1891Sep05P2]. For Pure Drugs and Chemicals. At Lowest Prices, Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-rd, Direct Importer.” [EveningPost1891Sep19P3]. We see more specificity in later adverts, such as a listing for Calvert’s Carbolic Acid (1s per bottle), Chloride of Lime (9d per bottle), and Camphor etc in March 1892 [EveningPost1892Mar18P3]; then in April 1892 he listed “… Margenson’s Toilet Soap, Carbolic Acid, Permanganate of Potash, and Citrate of Magnesia (1s per bottle)” [EveningPost1892Apr14P3].

As the weather began to improve at the end of 1891, Geo. W. Wilton again began advertising his fruit syrups, now described as “delicious Summer Drinks” in flavours of “Raspberry, Lemon, Gingerade and Lime Juice at 1/6d per bottle” [EveningPost1891Oct16P3]. By early 1892, summer was passing and, while Wilton was apparently confident that he could sell most of his other syrups, he seemed to be stuck with a large quantity of lime juice [EveningPost1892Feb22P1] [EveningPost1892Feb24P3]. Since he also had lime fruit tablets for sale [EveningPost1892Apr14P3], it might be inferred that his fruit juices were reconstituted from dehydrated fruit in tablet form.

Advertisements, col 6, page 1, Evening Post, vol XLIII, issue 44, 22 February 1892. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1892Feb22P1]

 

By 1891 he was in need of an intelligent message boy [EveningPost1891Dec09P3]. Whoever was hired was steadfast since Geo. W. Wilton did not advertise for another candidate until 1895 [EveningPost1895May09P3], but yet another message boy was needed the year after [EveningPost1896Jan02P3], then a few months later after that [EveningPost1896Mar06P3] and yet again in August, albeit likely related to his new establishment on Willis St [EveningPost1896Aug14P1].

Returning to 1891, Wilton is increasingly explicit in his connection to Wilton’s Old English Linctus: now he advertised that it is “Manufactured only by Geo. W. Wilton” [EveningPost1892May11P3], and soon he advanced a testimonial, then another the year after:

UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL. WILTON’S OLD ENGLISH COUGH LINCTUS. Price, 1s 6d Per Bottle. Mr. R. H. Holmes, Grocer, Newtown. Dear Sir, — I deem it prudent to testify to the efficacy of “Wilton’s Old English Cough Linctus,” recommended by you. It is needless to inform you of the severity of the cold from which I was suffering for nearly three months with incessant coughing. My friends informed me I should not be able to rid myself of the bronchial effects until the summer weather set in, knowing the numerous mixtures I had tried without effect. However, having taken your advice in trying a bottle of this marvellous remedy, I am glad to say it has entirely cured me, and l am now in the primest health. I consider that a house, especially where there are children, should never be without a bottle of Wilton’s Wonderful Old English Cough Linctus. I remain, yours truly, W. B. Ingram. Rhodes-street, Newtown. Sole Manufacturer: GEO. W. WILTON, CHEMIST, Adelaide-road. [EveningPost1892Sep30P3] ~~~~ TESTIMONIAL FROM A LADY. WILTON’S HAND EMOLLIENT, A new preparation for keeping the hands soft and white, and preventing chaps or roughness. Price, 1s per jar. “Mein-street, Wellington, 30th June, 1893. Mr. Wilton. Dear Sir,— l can thoroughly recommend your “Hand Emollient” to anyone constantly engaged in domestic duties, as I have found it a very refreshing and soothing application after washing. And I have much pleasure in stating that it has cured a very severe case of chapped hands in this household after the second application. Yours sincerely, Helen Rutherford.” GEO. W. WILTON, MANUFACTURING CHEMIST, Adelaide -road, Wellington. [EveningPost1893Jul07P3]

As mentioned earlier, the first advertisements for Wilton’s Hand Emollient and Chilblain Cure for chapped hands and chilblains appeared in mid-winter 1892 [EveningPost1892Jun01P3].

Advertisements, col 1, page 3, Evening Post, vol XLIII, issue 128, 1 June 1892. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1892Jun01P3].

 

Work-life balance is the modern expression for the old conundrum of how much work is too much work such that it interferes with the enjoyment of life? A group of some 17 chemists, druggists and herbalists in Wellington seemed to have had part of the answer since they organized among themselves and published the following common reduction in hours: “We, the undersigned Chemists and Druggists and Herbalists of Wellington, agree to Close our places of business on WEDNESDAY AFTERNOONS, from 1 o’clock to 6 o’clock, on and after the 16^th instant [of November 1892], excepting when public holidays are declared during the week.” [EveningPost1892Nov15P3]

Advertisements, col 1, page 4 (supplement), Evening Post, vol XLIV, issue 155, 31 December 1892. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1892Dec31P4Supp]

 

The date 31 December 1892 was a major milestone in Wilton’s entrepreneurial endeavours. For the first time he advertised that he purveyed “Chemical and Scientific Apparatus”; indeed he reported his establishment was the “Cheapest Place in New Zealand” for such items, and that schools were supplied. The advert included an engraving of chemical apparatus (funnel, beakers, ring stand, burner, and retort), and four of his “greatest hits”:

• “Wilton’s Old English Cough Linctus, 1/6 & 2/6
• [Wilton’s] Economic Food Warmer (Patent), 10/6
• [Wilton’s] Athletic Embrocation, 1/6 per bottle
• [Wilton’s] Infant’s Wind Mixture, 1/- per bottle” [EveningPost1892Dec31P4Supp]

At much the same time he would have authorized the final design for his advert on the back of the 1893 Advertisement stamps, assuming similar timelines for all advertisers [TaranakiHer1893Oct03P2].

There were fresh imports, which included conventional chemist and medical supplies: “WANTED Known, that Geo W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road, has just received by Indramayo [EveningPost1893Mar17P1] fresh supplies of his Special Toilet Soap (all varieties), Lime-fruit Tablets, Dr. Nicoll's Sanitary Soap, Squires' Chemical Food, Shoulder Straps, Ladies’ Bolts, Ferris’ Thymol Soap, Surgical Scissors, Dressing Forceps, &c., &c., and a great variety of sundries. Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road.” [EveningPost1893Mar23P3].

Along the way Wilton received a bad cheque, for which he offered witness testimony [NzTim1893Jun14P2]. The accused pleaded guilty [NzMai1893Sep01P33]. 

Note the Ba[c]teriological Apparatus too. Advertisements, col 1, page 3, Fair Play, vol I, issue 3, 18 November 1893. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [FairPlay1893Nov18P3].

 

Geo Wilton donated 5/- for Christmas festivities at nearby Wellington Hospital in 1893 [EveningPost1893Dec21P2] then a further 10/- in 1895 [EveningPost1895Dec13P2]; then contributed £2 in 1899 for the New Zealand Contingent fighting the Boer War [EveningPost1899Dec23P5].

At this point we’ve reached the end 1893, and it would normally be time to start winding down this review and round it off with an abbreviated epilogue. However, what we see up to this point is a moderately successful manufacturing enterprise; and that would be a very misleading impression to leave the reader with. Rather, George’s career is on the cusp of taking off: we have seen a glimpse of his interest in scientific apparatus but over the next fifteen years his business will go from strength to strength. So, let’s break the conventions a trifle and see what happens next.

For many years Geo. W. Wilton was Registrar of the Pharmacy Board of New Zealand. It is unclear if he was voted to the position by his peers or selected by his seniors, but it was clearly a mark of trust. In that role he managed elections at various times [EveningPost1894Mar01P3] [EveningPost1894Jun07P2] [EveningPost1894Jun07P3] [AucklandStar1895Oct05P5] and organized a free lecture for students of botany [EveningPost1895Jul04P3]. However, it is this later story that sticks in the mind:

The 26th standard examination of the New Zealand Pharmacy Board is being held at Mr. Mee’s rooms, Lambton-quay. The subjects, which are written, practical, and oral, extend over yesterday and to-day[.] Mr. Geo. Mee and Mr. Geo. W. Wilton are the supervisors. The candidates are from various parts of the district, and some of them have had considerable difficulty in getting to Wellington on account of the deranged state of the roads, one man doing a difficult 60 miles with the alternate aid of a bicycle, “Shanks's pony,” and Maori canoes. [EveningPost1897Apr22P5]

“Shank’s Pony” is an idiom in the same bucket as “birthday suit” or “eyeometer” [UrDictEyeo]. It signifies one’s own feet or legs as a means of transport – i.e., the candidate did a lot of walking [WikiShanPon]. Since the particular phrasing does not preclude 60 miles of non-mechanised travel followed by a train journey into Wellington, so his journey could have started almost anywhere in the district aka lower North Island (assuming that “district” signifies, more or less, the already-abolished Wellington Province), and in turn it would be very interesting to know what waterway needed the canoes [WikiMainTrLin] [WikiWellProv].

In 1894, Geo. W. Wilton honed his message for his Hand Emollient, now emphasizing its upmarket cosmetic benefits, as in “Ladies, If you wish to have soft white hands, use Wilton’s Hand Emollient …” [EveningPost1894May23P3] or “LADIES! Ladies who wish to have SOFT, WHITE HANDS should use WILTON’S HAND EMOLLIENT, which is testified to by Ladies all over the Colony …” [NzMai1894Jun08P14].

In the second half of 1894, Wilton reused his “chemistry equipment” graphic to sell his cough medicine (“For Curing Coughs and Colds, there is nothing like Wilton’s Old English Cough Linctus … Try it if you have a cold”) and then his hand cream (“Chapped Hands. Wilton’s Hand Emollient is a speedy cure”). In a curious coincidence, on both occasions each of his adverts appeared in the same column as another advert (with bee and pear tree graphic) for B. Birnbaum & Sons [EveningPost1894Jul02P4] [EveningPost1894Aug01P4].

A new advert included a testimonial that would be reused many times, and we learn that Wilton’s business has acquired a telephone and charged an extra 3d for postal delivery:

SPECIAL TO LADIES. ONE SHILLING will buy a Jar of WILTON’S HAND EMOLLIENT, which is guaranteed to make your hands soft and white, and to cure all soreness or roughness after work. “Aunt Ellen” in the N.Z. Mail says :— “My friend, after trying the preparation, pronounces it Most Pleasant To Use And Excellent In Effect. As a rule I do not care to recommend any special toilet preparation, but my friend’s eulogy of Mr. Wilton's Emollient was So Decided that I gave way. It should have a large sale.” GEO. W. WILTON, Manufacturing Chemist, Adelaide-road. Telephone 561. Orders delivered to any address in the city. One jar sent by post to any address in the colony on receipt of 1s 3d in stamps.

In September 1894, more medical, parental, household and chemical items were arriving: “Just Received Ex Pakeha [EveningPost1894Feb02P2] [NzTim1894Sep17P1] [NzTim1894Sep18P2] –

• Surgical Scissors
• Surgical Forceps
• Clinical Thermometers
• House Thermometers
• Electric Teething Necklaces
• Feeding Bottles
• Pyrojallic Acid [Pyrogallic Acid  from the aquatic plant Myriophyllum spicatum, historically used for dyes and developing black and white photographs [WikiPyroGallol] [MfaPyrogallicAcid]]
• Borax, Safron, Cream of Tartar, &c.
• And a large assortment of Drugs, Chemicals, and Sundries …” [EveningPost1894Sep25P4]

Later in 1894, Geo. W. Wilton introduces his “Special to Schoolmasters”, whereby “GEO. W. WILTON, Importer of Chemical Apparatus, &c., makes a special point of supplying Chemicals and Chemical Apparatus to schools at the lowest wholesale prices, in large or small quantities. An interesting and instructive book, “Scientific Mysteries,” containing a large number of chemical experiments, &c, will be forwarded to any address on receipt of 2s in stamps. …” [EveningPost1894Oct04P3]

Cover of Scientific Mysteries. The full book is available here.

 

Almost surely Wilton is forwarding the 100 page book Scientific Mysteries. How to Produce the Most Interesting Chemical, Optical, and Physical Illusions which was published in 1891 by The Chemist And Druggist in London, with a face price of 1/-. It is a fine work, with many richly detailed engravings. As shown below, the book describes how to perform a number of fascinating illusions. However, the reader is cautioned to not undertake any of these at home without thoroughly understanding the risks beforehand given the toxicity of the ingredients, because more than a few of the experiments seem horrifyingly unsuitable for a schoolmaster to replicate before their pupils: for instance, the cover picture of a “serpent” is explained on pages 67-68 as:

Pharoah’s Serpent’s These well-known chemical toys are little cones or cylinders [or “eggs”] formed of sulphocyanide of mercury made into a paste … To exhibit it, a lighted match is applied to the end of the egg, on which the ‘serpent’ unrolls itself to an enormous length. It must be remembered that the product is very poisonous, and should be burned as soon as the exhibition is finished. The vapours given out by the serpent are also highly poisonous, and care should be taken not to inhale them.”

Most other examples seem much more suitable:

The Skeleton in the Cupboard Requirements. – The bottle of phosphorised oil described in the next experiment, and a small brush. Directions. – Get a large sheet of blue or brown paper, and then, with the aid of the brush dipped into the oil, roughly sketch the outline of the human skeleton; attach it to the wall in an empty cupboard, in a dark room. On opening the cupboard the design will appear in phosphorescent lines. The gruesomeness of the spectacle will depend considerably on the skill of the artist. Other devices may be adopted at the will of the operator.

Meanwhile the name Geo. W. Wilton had a evidently attain some positive “brand” recognition since a chemist’s shop, now under new management, proudly relayed that he was “Agent for Mr Geo. W Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road.” [EveningPost1894Oct06P3]

The next tranche of imports was clearly scientific in nature. They arrived via the Star of England [NzTim1895Jun07P2] [NzTim1895Jun08P1]:

• “2 large Gas-bags for oxygen
• Assortment of Chemical Apparatus, Physical Apparatus, &c.
• Chlorate of Potash for oxygen making
• Rectified Ether, specially prepared for the ether saturator
• Air-pump, Microscopic Glasses
• Microscopic Stains, &c.
• Also large assortment of Drugs, Chemicals, Druggists’ Sundries, &c., including Maltine [a medicinal preparation made from malt], Maltine and Cod Liver Oil, ‘Ne Plus Ultra’ [‘nothing more extreme’ or simply ‘ultimate’] Nipple Shields, &c.” [EveningPost1895Jun13P3]

In a further sign of success, Geo. W. Wilton expanded his advertisements to the Wairarapa wherein he highlighted his Hand Emollient, Athletic Embrocation and Old English Cough Linctus. Prices were 3-to-6d higher than in Wellington, presumably because of the extra transportation overheads [WairarapaDaiTim1895Jun19P3]. In another column in the same newspaper issue, Wilton is introduced as the “well-known chemist of Adelaide Road, Wellington. In the Empire City, these preparation are favourably known and thoroughly appreciated, as is evidenced by the number of high-class testimonials the proprietor has received. Their merits are known also to a number in various parts of the Colony, and their further introduction into this district will be welcomed.” This kind of introduction was not uncommon at the time, and it appears as some kind of quid pro quo for beginning a series of advertisements [WairarapaDaTim1895Jun19P2]. As part of business development, Wilton “kindly lent a collection of science apparatus for inspection” at the Wairarapa Teacher’s Conversazione [WairarapaDaiTim1895Jun05P2].

In Wellington, Wilton continued to emplace a blizzard of adverts, with exemplars such as [EveningPost1894Dec08P3] [EveningPost1895Jul15P3] [EveningPost1895Jul19P3].

After the Great Lime Embarrassment of 1892, and (advertised) sales of just lime tablets in 1893 [EveningPost1893Mar25P4], in 1894, Geo. W. Wilton restarted his Fruit Syrup advertising, but limited his product line to Raspberry and Lemon Syrup, “now ready for Christmas. The best obtainable; strong, pure and wholesome.” [EveningPost1894Dec21P3]

His next tranche of imports, from the S.S. Mamari [NzTim1895Jan24P1], spanned gardening, drinks, soaps and perfumes:

• “Nitrate of Soda and Sulphate of Ammonia,
• for Chrysanthemum growers
• Ginger Beer Corks, Ginger Beer Essence
• Tamarinds, Malt Extract, Malt and Oil
• Surgical Dressings, Plasters
• Cotton Wool, Indiarubber Goods
• Lanoline, Camphor Lozenges, Voice Jujubes
• Eucalyptus Tablets, Cachous [a lozenge sucked to mask bad breath]
• Lime Fruit Tablets
• Margeisson’s Toilet Soaps, Calvert’s Carbolic Soap
• Dr. Nicholl’s Sanitary Soap
• Perfumes, various sorts, bottles and in bulk. Lowest prices. Wholesale and Retail.” [EveningPost1895Feb08P3]

In 1895, Wilton added a new self-branded product to his stable: the Wilton’s Fly Exterminator: “If the Flies annoy you, kill them with the Wilton’s Fly Exterminator, the best thing extant for killing flies. 1s per tin, at all storekeepers” [EveningPost1895Dec18P3]. That Wilton claims all storekeepers within the circulation area of the Evening Post as his retailers strongly suggests that his manufacturing (and distribution) business is thriving.

In 1896, Geo. W. Wilton stretches out to selling Soda water in Syphon bottles. Wilton explains the product through another testimonial:

ABOUT WILTON'S SODAWATER. “My wife was ill, nothing very serious, and the doctor said she must have SODA WATER and milk. I knew where to get the milk but was not so sure about the SODA WATER, until the nurse suggested that I should try WILTON’S, in SYPHON BOTTLES. I knew what a syphon was but not a syphon bottle, so decided to get one fur a trial, at any rate. The idea was perfect success. The Soda Water was very good, but the bottle— it was a grand invention; instead of having to hunt round for something to open it with in the usual way and then spilling half of it, we simply had to press a lever and draw the quantity required, however small, and the rest would keep good for any length of time. When I went for it I expected, going to a chemist, that it would be about five times dearer than the same quantity at any other shop, but found it actually cheaper, and all the convenience thrown in; the bottles, holding about a quart, were only 9d each. In addition to all this, the bottle is an ornament to a sick-room; and we have the satisfaction of knowing that the Soda Water, coming from Wilton’s, must be good.” [EveningPost1896Feb29P4]

The soda water was also described as “THE BEST, the most convenient to use, and the cheapest”, with retailers on Lambton-quay and Cuba-street [EveningPost1896Apr07P3].

The review of Poneke surfaced New Zealand’s dismal record with glass: the nation lacks the right sand so essentially all glassware was imported. This is fine until bottlers of drinks or medicines unexpectedly sell out of glassware, because of unexpectedly high demand, without another ship in sight. This certainly affected Geo. W. Wilton’s hand emollient, and his solution was familiar: recycling, with a bounty of 2d for each returned jar [EveningPost1896Mar07P3]. It seems that it took about eight months before he could entirely overcome the shortage [EveningPost1897Jan20P1]. The problem recurred in mid-1898, but now the prize offered for a pot was just 1d [EveningPost1898Jun15P1] or the pot was directly refilled (i.e., recycled) [EveningPost1898Aug11P6].

This advert, from the classifieds LOST column, is worth repeating [EveningPost1896Mar217P3]:

LOST, a bad Cold after taking a 1s 6d bottle of Wilton’s Old English Cough Linctus. No reward. Geo. W. Wilton, Manufacturing Chemist, Adelaide-road.

Wilton dialed up his Wairarapa advertising in 1896:

NOW IS THE TIME! For Athletes to commence using WILTON’S ATHLETIC EMBROCATION. In order to prepare for the Football season. WILTON’S ATHLETIC EMBROCATION Is not only the best preparation for sprains, bruises, and stiffness, but is also invaluable for rheumatism and all rheumatic pain. VEN ARCHDEACON STOCK [NzTim1901Sep24P5] writes: – “I find your Athletic Embrocation to be a very efficacious preparation.” Price 1/6 per bottle. Within the reach of all. GEO. W. Wilton. Manufacturing and Importing Chemist, Adelaide-road, Wellington. [WairapaDaiTim1896Apr04P4]

Either the advertising or one-on-one discussions had an impact, since in not too many months he had a retail chemist in Masterton selling his wares [EveningPost1897Jan21P1]. Newspaper adverts three months later indicate that Wilton had success on the mainland too, given he had acquired a Nelson agent, R. Snodgrass [NelsonEveMai1897Apr19P2]. Two months later he advertised in Christchurch with the words “Sold by All Chemists” [LyttletonTim1897Jun23P7] [ChchStar1897Jun24P4] where H.F. Stevens was the wholesale druggist in the city [LytteltonTim1897Dec22P7].

Returning to mid-1896, Geo. W. Wilton transferred his family to 215 (Upper) Willis St. The building was also a chemists shop so he thereby re-added a second Wellington establishment, with telephone line [EveningPost1896May14P3] [CycloWellChemDrug1897].

The next testimonial indicated quite an unusual level of attachment to Wilton’s hand emollient. For context, a L’Envoi in this context is a short stanza at the end of a poem used to address an imagined person [WikiEnvoi]:

WILTON’S HAND EMOLLIENT. ANOTHER UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL FROM A LADY. When a lady unknown goes to the trouble of writing verses in praise of a toilet preparation, the least the proprietor can do is to sink his modesty and publish them. The following verses wore sent by a lady in the country who had tried Wilton’s Hand Emollient:— , ’Tis not thy face, though it is fair ;  ’Tis not thy form, though ’tis divine; ’Tis not thy wealth of golden hair, That makes me long to call thee mine. ’Tis not thy eyes, expressive, fine, Where sweetness is with beauty blent ; It is those snowy hands of thine That are for my heart’s conquest meant. I know you nobly take a share Of duties in the household line ; I’ve soon you oft a meal prepare Where kings might well sit down and dine. Ah ! who would dream these hands of thine In menial work were ever spent? Ah ! how I long to call them mine, They are both use and ornament. In sickness, when the sunlight fair For me had almost ceased to shine, You nursed me then with patient care And with a tenderness divine. And as you, with those hands of thine, With angel touch above me bent, And soothed my brow, ah ! darling mine, I could have died in sweet content.   L’ENVOI: A secret I will with you share — It is a blessing heaven sent — These dainty hands you all may wear, Use Wilton’s Hand Emollient. The Emollient is sold in jars at 1s each, by Mr. George Mee, Chemist. Lambton-quay; Mr. W. E. Woods, Chemist, Cuba-street; and by the Proprietor, Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road, and 215, Willis-st. [EveningPost1896Oct27P6]

Before the 1906-07 Christchurch Exhibition, the 1913-14 Auckland Exhibition or the 1925-26 Dunedin Exhibition, there were exhibitions in Dunedin in 1865 and 1889-1890 (see Birnbaum), in Christchurch in 1879 and 1881, and in Wellington in 1885 [TeAraExhFairP3]  [TeAraExhFairP5]. It is this latter event, the New Zealand Industrial Exhibition, to which Wilton tailored his advertising, via “Every lady who visits the exhibition should purchase a jar of Wilton’s Hand Emollient. The outlay will only be 1s, but the satisfaction incalculable.” [EveningPost1896Nov14P4]

Next Wilton advertised “Wilton’s Jamaica Sarsaparailla, The Finest Obtainable. Imported in bulk. Price, 3s 6d per bottle.” [EveningPost1896Nov18P3]. Today this is most often consumed as a carbonated drink, but in the late nineteenth century, Sarsaparailla in Britain was sold as a “strong and frothy” remedy for gout, arthritis, rheumatism, and so forth [RootsSarsaparilla] [WikiSmilaxOrnata] [WikiSarsaparailla].

In this era, Wilton was emplacing a blizzard of daily newspaper adverts.

Wilton stepped up his war on flies: “If the flies annoy you, kill them with Wilton’s Fly Exterminator! The best thing for Destroying Flies that was ever discovered …” [EveningPost1896Nov20P8]. In a complimentary news article with overtones of being part of a quid pro quo arrangement, we learn that there were “swarms of flies” and Wilton’s treatment “should be good news to confectioners, butchers, and others.” [EveningPost1896Dec02P4]. Certainly the absence of refrigeration at the time made the butcher’s storage problem acute (see for instance Poneke). A later, larger advert indicates the treatment was to be “sprinkle[d] on window sills at night, leaving the blinds up” and was “absolutely non-poisonous to animal life, but violently destructive to flies.” An anonymous testimonial relayed “If all the Shopkeepers in Wellington used Wilton’s Fly Exterminator as I do, there would not be a Fly left in a few years.” [EveningPost1896Dec05P7].

At the other end of the scale, he advertised fancy soaps just before Christmas 1896, as “CHRISTMAS. CHRISTMAS. GEO. W. WILTON … has just received a fresh shipment of Sharp Brothers’ (Makers of Soap to the Queen) choice Perfumes and Toilet Soaps, including “Queen of the May” and “Duchess Marie.” Excellent in quality and low in price.” [EveningPost1896Dec21P1].

He sold Peroxide of Hydrogen, presumably for use as a bleach [EveningPost1897Jan20P1].

Advertisements, col 6, page 4, New Zealand Times, vol LVX, issue 3050, 10 February 1897. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [NzTim1897Feb10P4].

 

There were four new things in a February 1893 advert from Geo. W. Wilton [NzTim1897Feb10P4]:

• There is a new mainstay product, Wilton’s Stomach and Liver Pills. This may (or may not) relate directly to the product of the same name advertised ten years earlier by Matthew junior while working in Manaia [HaweraNormStar1887Jun23P3]
• An argument for buying local in order to avoid the 40% duty on imported patent medicines.
  • It springs to mind Geo. W. Wilton was attempting to compete directly with Beecham’s Pills, except he refers to a competing price of 1s 6d or 1s 9d, yet Beecham’s Pills were advertised at 1s 1½d (but perhaps sold for higher?). Of course, the Beecham’s box contained 56 Beecham’s Pills, so Wilton’s prices, of 1s or 1s 6d, may or may not compare favorably against Beecham’s Pills depending on the number of pills in Wilton’s boxes.
  • Apparently Wilton’s boxes were generously sized since, soon enough, Wilton introduced a 6d box too, “equal to those usually sold at 1s, because DUTY IS SAVED.” As well, his 6d box of Wilton’s Stomach and Liver Pills in the 6d box started to be characterized as “the Cheapest Box of Pills in New Zealand” [EveningPost1897May18P1] [EveningPost1897Aug17P1] [LytteltonTim1897Nov29P7] [EveningPost1898Mar18P5].
  • An engraved figure of some fantastical, grotesque animal, perhaps representing import taxes
• The information that Geo. W. Wilton had a Parcel Post office on premises
• The advert also included a list of his major products, yet included “Wilton’s Iron and Quinine Wine, 2s 6d”, which does not seem to be advertised elsewhere.

Wilton applied the same duty-saving argument to his Pure Compound Extract of Sarsaparilla: 3s 6d per bottle from him versus 5s 6d from competing importers [EveningPost1897Oct09P1].

Geo. W. Wilton advertised a new product, Necralgine, for Neuralgia (pain in the distribution of a nerve or nerves [WikiNeuralgia]). Being an imported product [EveningPost1897Aug10P2], it does not seem to be related to Wilton’s Neuralgia Mixture advertised ten years earlier by M.H. Wilton at Manaia [HaweraNormStar1887Jun29P3]. Initially the aggressive marketing campaign “Necralgine! What is it?” was undertaken by F.W. Maddox & Co.  [EveningPost1897Aug11P3]. Geo. W. Wilton’s involvement appears to be as a retailer, and the recipient of two testimonies [EveningPost1897Nov12P7]:

NECRALGINE! NECRALGINE! MORE PROOF. FRESH TESTIMONY. 11, Alpha-street, Wellington, 2nd Nov., 1897. Mr. Geo. W. Wilton, Chemist, Adelaide-road. Dear Sir — Having suffered for years from Neuralgia, I was advised to try NECRALGINE and it gives me much pleasure to inform you that, after taking one bottle I feel almost well. I shall be pleased if you will forward me another. I shall have no hesitation in recommending it to all who suffer from Neuralgia. I remain, Yours gratefully, A. MITCAFF. Nelson, 2nd November, 1897. For ten years I have been a great sufferer from Neuralgia, and have not been able to get the slightest relief, although I have tried all the known remedies and sought the advice of many medical men. In October, 1897, 1 was recommended to try Neuralgia, and GOT RELIEF AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS, and now I feel quite free from pain, and indeed quite another woman, and can strongly recommend it to any sufferer. (Signed) H. M. BRAY. Sold by all Chemists. Wholesale Agents— F. W. MADDOX CO., Farish-street.

Sometimes simpler, condensed adverts are used, such as “The reason for the rapid popularity of Wilton’s Hand Emollient is that it embodies all the essentials of success. It cures chapped hands in a single night; it makes rough bands soft and white; it rapidly heals all excoriated surfaces, and it is cheap. Price 1s, of all chemists. Wilton’s Stomach and Liver Pills are marvels of cheapness. Price 6d per box, of all storekeepers, and the sole proprietor, Geo. W. Wilton, manufacturing chemist, Adelaide-road, and 215, Willis-street. — Advt.” [EveningPost1898Apr28P2]. Ditto “A great many serious ailments arise from the early neglect of an attack of indigestion. Much suffering and many pounds may be saved by taking a few doses of Wilton’s Pepsin and Cascara, which is a carefully prepared extract of the two best known remedies for this distressing complaint. Geo. W. Wilton, Pharmaceutical Chemist, Adelaide-road, and 215, Willis-street.— Advt.” [EveningPost1898May11P5]

Geo. W. Wilton continued to sell his patented Economic Food Warmer, and advertised it intermittently as “it will save time, trouble and money all at once” [NzTim1898May16P2]. An imported jug was a key component of the product and a fire on the S.S. Tekoa in November 1898 [LytteltonTim1898Nov09P5] interrupted supply for many months, until a new consignment of jugs in July 1899 was received [EveningPost1899Jul10P2].

Being winter time, Wilton re-advertised his cod liver imports, now characterized as “Best Norwegian Cod Liver Oil, new season’s, at the lowest prices.” Furthermore, instead of maltine, he now marketed “Pure Malt Extract at 2s 6d per bottle” [NzTim1898May19P3].

Professionally, Wilton continued as Registrar until perhaps 1897 [CycloTaranaki1908]; then in 1897/1898 he was President of the Central Pharmaceutical Association of New Zealand, and “showed a very satisfactory year’s work”; then became Vice President  [EveningPost1898Jul20P6] [EveningPost1898Oct20P4] then Deputy Registrar the year after [EveningPost1899Nov10P6].

As well, Wilton was responsible for training several other New Zealand chemists, such as John Gordon, later of Masterton, [CycloTar1908Masterton] and David Fulton, later of Waimate [CycloChch1903Waimate].

From 1898, we start to see rapid growth in Wilton’s commitment to his chemical apparatus business: adverts, including for photographic apparatus [NzTim1898Mar18P1], other adverts and mentions such as “Large Importer of Chemical Apparatus, Pure Chemicals, and Scientific Apparatus generally. Incubator Thermometers and Capsules in Stock” [NzTim1898Sep10P2] [NzTim1898Sep10P3] [NzMail18981215P45].

Most significant was the purchase and stocking of a new shop at 3 Cuba St, which would soon have a “very interesting display of chemical and scientific apparatus on view … All parents and others interested in educational matter should bear this in mind when selecting their Christmas presents” [EveningPost1899Oct26P6] [EveningPost1899Nov15P9] [EveningPost1899Dec07P5] [EveningPost1900Jan25P3].

A few months later we read “Modern advances into the realms of science have been most marked in all branches, particularly in the medical and chemical departments. A visit to the Cuba-street establishment of Mr. Geo. W. Wilton affords ample evidence of this fact. There the visitor is first of all attracted by a unique exhibition in the window, where is seen in active operation an apparatus used for purifying oxygen for medical use. Upstairs the whole of a large room is given over to the storage of and porcelain articles of the most delicate and fantastic shapes. These are all intended to play important parts in the work and experiments of analytical chemists, students, medical men, and school teachers. Here is seen a complete outfit for volumetric analysis, with its burettes, graduated cylinders, litre flasks, etc.; also many crucibles, retorts, pipettes, batteries, etc, in fact, everything that is used for chemical experiments, and even such a scientific glass toy as the miniature steam turbine.” [EveningPost1900Mar10P4].

Advertisements, col 3, page 3, Evening Post, vol LIX, issue 55, 6 March 1900. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1900Mar06P3].

 

In 1900, Wilton added a new product to his stable: Bovoferrum, later “Wilton’s Bovo Ferrum”, which was “the Mighty Blood Maker, composed of Iron and Beef. One bottle will produce an improvement in an anaemic person’s health. This is guaranteed in all cases of poorness of blood. Bovo-ferrum is not a general tonic, but cures one thing only— Poorness of Blood. Sold in bottles containing 32 doses” [EveningPost1900Oct20P1] [EveningPost1904Jan11P3]

The best summary of Wilton’s business in this era comes at the end of 1900 [NzTim1900Dec29P5] (and again in early 1901 [NzMail1901Jan10P65]):

GEO. W. WILTON PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST, AND IMPORTER OF CHEMICAL AND SCIENTIFIC APPARATUS. Analytical and other apparatus used by chemists and medical practitioners, and electrical appliances of special types used by all sorts and conditions of people, and particularly by medical men and teachers, are now made in such variety and wonderful delicacy as to be almost a source of mystery to the layman. The capacity of the scientific mind is past ordinary comprehension; it is keener, more comprehensive and delicate than even the apparatus that can weigh to a fortieth part of a grain, or the film which catches and holds something not seen by the eye. Cant [Kant?] recognised this side of it when he declared that “mind” was the greatest thing in matter. Such reflections arise during a contemplation of the multiple instruments in the stock of chemical and scientific apparatus in Mr Wilton’s rooms at Cuba, street. If the unexpected is the most interesting, this shop of Mr Wilton’s has supreme attractions, for it is safe to say that not five per cent. of Wellington residents imagine that such a variety of scientific instruments is kept by any local resident. With his ordinary stock of chemicals and drugs Mr Wilton has upwards of 10,000 lines on his premises, a very big collection indeed, and one possessed by few people south of the equator in his branch of business. A son of Mr M. H. Wilton, well-known as a chemist in Marton, Mr Wilton comes of a family who have been engaged for many years in the drug trade. In 1886 he opened a shop in Adelaide road, Wellington, with the determination to combine the importing of chemical and scientific apparatus with a general chemist’s establishment. This idea he has kept before him during succeeding years and, having a predilection for both branches, he has been able to bring the former to a state of perfection not fully understood by the public. His trade in Adelaide road extended considerably, and four years ago he purchased a second business, at the corner of Willis street and Abel Smith street, and conducted the two, eventually twelve ago, purchasing a third shop, that of W. E. Wood, in Cuba street, opposite the Royal Oak Hotel. It is here that his magnificent stock of scientific appliances is to be found. There are two floors, the lower one being devoted to a general chemist’s business, and since taking the establishment over Mr Wilton has succeeded in extending the connection to quite a remarkable degree. He devotes himself to a bona fide drug trade, and to dispensing from prescriptions, and is well known in this respect in the city. He has a few private proprietary lines, among them being what is known as Wilton’s Hand Emollient, an excellent preparation which is known all over the colony. Another line deserving of particular mention, at this juncture is a patent food warmer made by Mr Wilton. This is an ingenious contrivance which keeps food hot for hours by conserving the heat of hot water. The particular object of this sketch is, however, to describe the department of Mr Wilton’s business least known to the public. While the ground floor of the Cuba street establishment may seem comparatively small the upper floor provides ample space. Here the upper part of two shops is utilised—providing six rooms in which to display the hundreds of ingenious appliances, imported or made to Mr Wilton’s order locally. The most interesting of these rooms is that in which the glassware and the electrical apparatus are kept. The multiplicity of the former is quite bewildering and is dazzling in its brilliance, for glassware is almost universally used for scientific chemical work. In this department Mr Wilton can justly claim to have perhaps one of the best assortments in the Australian colonies. As already indicated he has studied the branch until he has brought it to a scientific pitch which only years of study and experience can effect. He is the agent for several manufacturers, and nearly all his goods are imported direct from the best makers, a circumstance that enables him to sell them at very low prices open to impecunious students, etc. Mr Wilton is sole agent in New Zealand for Emil Gundelach, Gehlberg (Thuringia) in chemical glassware (blown) for anaylsis in chemical experiments and work of all descriptions. He is also sole agent in the colony for the “Glashutte Derer von Buttlar,” in special kinds of glass (moulded) apparatus. Medical practitioners obtain a great deal of their stock from Mr Wilton, as also do the University, the Education Board, and private people. In other apparatus beside glassware he makes an effort to supply everything that is wanted, having lines that even those most concerned are surprised to hear about. So interested is he in the work that he is quite disappointed when he cannot satisfy a demand, no matter how unusual, and he imports it at once from England or the Continent. There is a large line of electric batteries of all kinds, including a medical battery of so simple a character that by pressure on a lever the instrument is ready for use. Then there are all sorts of electrical appliances for experiment or for practical use. It is worth noting that where possible Mr Wilton gets everything made locally, such as the well-known Bunson burners (cheaper than can be imported)[,] a pneumatic trough and a combustion furnace, all made in such a way as to be a credit to the city. Mr Wilton engages a man specially for this class of work. There are numbers of cylinders of oxygen kept for the use of medical men, and at one time Mr Wilton manufactured oxygen himself in cases of emergency. It is not necessary to dilate too fully on the assortment of scientific and chemical apparatus kept in this shop. They afforded in their variety great surprise to the writer, and it is certain that many of the lines could not be obtained anywhere else in New Zealand or probably in Australia. Apart from medical men, chemists and scholastic gentlemen, the collection is of special value to studious young men without means who wish to experiment. To such the price of apparatus is frequently prohibitive, but Mr Wilton, by his clever system, makes it possible for them to get instruments at enormous reductions. In other rooms in the shop out of the way chemicals, etc., are kept, and all combine to make the business unique as well as a boon. A wholesale and retail trade is conducted in apparatus, Mr Wilton sending articles more or less to every part of the colony. He has reason to be proud of his special and extensive stock, which reflects as flatteringly on his organising ability as on his enterprise. He is Registrar of the New Zealand Pharmacy Board. Those interested in scientific and chemical experiments could not do better than inspect the magnificent collection of experimental apparatuses in Mr Wilton’s shop in Cuba street.

 

 

Epilogue: Matthew senior

In March 1895 George’s father, Matthew H. Wilton senior, was now around 70 years old, and he sold his pharmacy on Broadway to a Mr Darcy, who retained the Wilton name (“Chemist | Wilton | Druggist”) [CycloWellMedical1897]. Matthew senior revised his will in 1896 and 1899, and died in 1903 aged 78 years [NzBdm, 1903/7319], which was recorded in several local newspapers [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5] [WanganuiChron1903Dec11P4]. The news stories noted his over half a century of membership in the Pharmaceutical Society [WikiRoyPharmSocGB]. His children Sarah and Matthew junior were two of the named executors [WanganuiChron1903Dec18P4].

Local and General, page 5, Wanganui Herald, vol XXXVII, issue 11125, 10 December 1903. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5]

 

Epilogue: Ann

George’s mother, Ann Wilton, survived her husband and indeed lived until 1912 and the ripe old age of 88 [NzBdm, 1912/8853].

 

Epilogue: Matthew junior

To infer the movements of George’s brother, Matthew junior, we must return to the mystery of W.H. Wilton (with a W not an M):

In 1896 W.H. Wilton purchased a 300 acre farm at Meremere [given the context, this is most likely near the hill and stream of that name near Taumarunui [TopomapNz] or the hill near Raetihi [TopomapNz], not the northern Waikato town] and “it is reported that he will immediately take up his residence on the farm. Mr Wilton was formerly in business in Manaia as chemist.” [HaweraNormanbyStar1896Mar09P2] Occam’s razor suggests that Matthew junior continued to mind his chemists shop in Manaia, albeit without newspaper adverts, until he returned to the farming scene of his childhood. If so, this seems to be a further example of an M-to-W transcription error. After four years, it seems that farming was not his preferred career and in 1900 Wilton leased his dairy farm and allowed his directorship of the local dairy co-operative to lapse. His farm and stock were apparently not the problem since his milk contained a remarkably high fat content (at 4%). Both references refer to “W.H. Wilton” [HaweraNormanbyStar1900Aug07P3] [HaweraNormanbyStar1900Aug28P4] Buttressing the transcription error, there is an infuriatingly confusing exchange in May 1903, not unlike the Manaia newspaper articles of 1887. We first read that a proprietor of a chemists reports “Having disposed of my business to Mr H.M. Wilton, I would ask the Public of Wanganui and surrounding districted to accord him the same liberal measure of support … The utmost reliance can be placed in Mr Wilton … with a large experience extending over nineteen years.” But immediately below we read “Having purchased the business referred to above, … I am … W.H. Wilton” [WangHer1903May16P4] So who did buy the chemists – H.M. Wilton or W.H. Wilton? This exchange strongly hints that they one and the same person. Meanwhile 1903-19 equals 1884 which seemingly points to M.H. Wilton junior, presuming that he started on pharmacy after his sale of his chaff-cutting and carting business via pharmacy studies and at his father’s shop.

Assuming there was indeed no W.H. Wilton, then we have Matthew junior working as a chemist at Manaia for 1887-1896, farming for 1896-1900, and then working in Wanganui as a chemist (perhaps inspired by the success of his younger brother Geo/rge). Matthew junior began on Glasgow St, by 1902 [WanganuiHer1902Nov17P7] and expanded to Victoria Ave in mid-1903 [WanaganuiHer1903May16P4]. Certainly at the 1903 death of Matthew Wilton senior, Matthew junior was associated with a chemists shop in Wanganui, on Victoria Ave [WanganuiHer1903Dec10P5] [WanaganuiHer1903Jun18P4].

Returning to our original question: were the Wilton’s medicines a modern invention or a modern rebranding of traditional Wilton family recipes, we find a very interesting data point in 1903. Matthew Wilton junior is retailing his brothers “Wilton’s Hand Emollient, a skin food that eradicates and prevents wrinkles … [manufactured by] Geo. W. Wilton, Sole Proprietor, Wellington”. That is, George’s brother made no claim  of any particular familiarity about this product, such as knowing the ingredients or having the ability to prepare it himself; rather this was presented as entirely Geo. W. Wilton’s product. In that light, it certainly doesn’t seem like a family recipe [WanganuiHer1902Nov17P7]!

Matthew Wilton junior had retailed postage stamps at his chemist shops (likely the 1898 Pictorials and Penny Universal), but in 1905 he determined to exit that business and double down on pharmacy and also the sale of cameras and (like Geo. W. Wilton) photographic goods. Furthermore, his Victoria Ave shop was now numbered 33 Victoria Ave and, for somewhat unclear reasons, he had moved from his first shop on Glasgow St (which was fairly central and over 2 km from Victoria Ave) to the less-central 46 River Bank. As well, he acquired telephones for both premises [WanganuiChron1905Jul25P7]. His line of photography items continued, as we see from a 1912 advert for Velox-brand negatives [WanganuiHer1912Aug08P2].

Compared to his parents, Matthew junior died relatively young, aged 63 years, in 1918 [NzBdm, 1918/3173]. His obituary reports that he “… was well known and highly respected in Wanganui … He was closely associated with the Methodist Church, and during his residence in Wanganui he occupied the position of circuit steward for the church at Aramoho.” He left a widow and a grown-up family of four daughter and three sons. Apparently one daughter, Miss Hilda Wilton, continued in the family business since she was dispenser (pharmacist?) at the Nelson Public Hospital. One son saw war action. [WanganuiChron1918May01P4].

Personal, page 4, Wanganui Chronicle, vol LXVI, issue 17276, 1 May 1918. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [WanganuiChron1918May01P4].

 

There are a few final examples of W.H. Wilton (with a W not an M): In 1906, in six Wanganui adverts spread over a week, the copy touts “Red Man’s Doctor” (a native American herbal remedy) which is sold by “W.H. Wilton, Chemist, Wanganui”. [WanganuiChron1906Sep22P6]. Given there were two Wilton pharmacies in Wanganui, it is conceivable that M.H. Wilton and some shadowy W.H. Wilton each ran one of them. Or we remain bedeviled by M-to-W typos [WangChron1905Jul26P7]. In 1912, the pharmacy lease at Wanganui Hospital is transferred from “W.H. Wilton” to another [WanganuiChron1912Oct17P6]. Conversely, we observe that mentions of W.H. Wilton die out at much the same time that M.H. Wilton junior expires. It is also noteworthy that this mysterious W.H. Wilton did not take over Matthew Wilton senior’s pharmacy in Marton in 1895 when he retired. On balance, it seems that the M-to-W transcription errors win. TODO: Look at phone directories and voting records.

 

Epilogue: Sarah Ann

There are few mentions of George’s elder sister Sarah Ann Wilton. Given her surname never changed, it may be presumed that she supported the Wilton family members and stayed with Matthew junior in Wanganui at or around the retirement of Matthew senior. Did she work in the Marton chemists shop or in one of Matthew junior’s two chemist shops? Although not recorded at [NzBdm], headstone 436 in Block A Row 12 at Aramoho near Wanganui records her passing: “In loving memory of SARAH ANN WILTON daughter of Matthew Henry and Anne Wilton of Marton, born 27^th March 1848 died 12^th June 1930” [NzCemRec1800to2007WanganuiRangitikeiAncestry].

 

Epilogue: Lucy

Lucy’s husband remained as headmaster at Eltham for many years, obtaining a first aid certificate, and so forth [TaranakiDaiNew1900Jan25P2]. In 1901, he received a pay increase of £20 2s on top of his existing wages of £218 [HaweraNormanbyStar1901Jan23P2]. However, Taliesin Thomas was accused of undue (brutal) corporal punishment of a pupil by the boy’s father in a 1902 letter, and Thomas sued the father for libel, seeking £500 damages. In one account, the pupil’s “offence was a grave one, from the point of view of discipline. As to the punishment, medical evidence, and the actions of the boy after the whipping, proved that it was not of a brutal character. The supplejack used was light; the number of strokes small, and the force used not excessive; in that the punishment was administered in a judicial spirit.” [HaweraNormandyStar1902May22P2]. However the local jury, presumably with some community familiarity with the local headmaster, did not agree, and awarded the punished boy’s father £10 costs [HaweraNormandyStar1902Feb06P2] [HaweraNormandyStar1902Feb08P2] [HaweraNormandyStar1902Feb10P2]; and the verdict was sustained on appeal  [HaweraNormandyStar1902May22P2] [HaweraNormandyStar1902Oct07P2].

Taliesin Thomas continued in his profession, passing further exams [ManawatuStd1903Mar13P5] [HaweraNormandyStar1906Mar08P4] [WanganuiHer1909Feb23P5], and was selected for an appeals board in relation to the grading of teachers in 1920 [TaranakiDaiNews1920Jul13P4]. Thomas’ headmastership continued for a full thirty years, until 1923 [HaweraStar1925Apr27P2], and he died in 1933. Lucy and Taliesin had at least one child, Harold, with whom Lucy was living at the time, in Parramatta, Sydney [NzHer1933May26P1]. After service as a medic during World War I and time in Fiji, the son Harold “…operated a convenience store located on the corner of Belmore and Brickfield Streets in North Parramatta. His mother lived with him and assisted in the store” which, for Lucy, seems somewhat like a return to her younger days at the pharmacy in Marton [WikiTreeThomas]. The Wiki page contains three pictures of Lucy.

 

Epilogue: George

Records indicate Geo W. Wilton travelled to London with his wife two times:

• From March 1903 (outbound on the Corinthic) [FamSear1903Corinthic] until September 1903 (inbound on the Moeraki) [FamSear1903Moeraki]
• From May 1924 (outbound on the Tainui) [FamSear1924Tainui] until May 1925 (inbound on the Ionic) [FamSear1925Ionic]. They used merchants involved in shipping, Keep Bros of London Wall, London, as their contact address.

Geo. W. Wilton ultimately died on 10 November 1936, aged 75, and was buried in Karori, Wellington [NzBdm, 1936/23017] [GeorgeWilton]. His obituary in the Evening Post was as follows [EveningPost1936Nov13P11]:

Obituary, page 11, Evening Post, vol CXXII, issue 117, 13 November 1936. Acknowledgement: the National Library of New Zealand [EveningPost1936Nov13P11]

 

Epilogue: Emily

Geo. W. Wilton’s wife Emily died six years later [NzBdm, 1942/31799] [EmilyWilton].

 

Epilogue: The Company

In 1905 Geo. W. Wilton created a limited liability company with an expanded interest in scientific apparatus. In the same year he published his 88-page Catalogue of Chemical and Scientific Apparatus & Analytical Chemicals. The attached document provides a flavor of the breadth of products available.

Cover pages from Geo. W. Wilton’s 1905 Catalogue of Chemical and Scientific Apparatus & Analytical Chemicals. Selected pages are available here. Courtesy of Alexander Turnbull Library / National Library of New Zealand [NatLibGeoWiltonCat1905].

 

Soon there were other catalogues:

• Chemical, physical and bacteriological apparatus & pure chemicals, 1907 (142 pages)
• Microscopes, Barometers, Thermometers and General Apparatus, 1908 (36 pages)
• Assay and Mining Apparatus, Chemical, Physical, and Bacteriological Apparatus and Pure Chemicals, 1913 (108 pages)

From the following table of items (articles, advertisements and illustrations) tracked by PapersPast, the 1910s were the peak of the business. Afterwards the business evolved from selling products that were targeted at the general populace (with a blizzard of adverts) to a more specialized market for chemical and scientific apparatus where the advertising became more targeted.

Decade	Items at  paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers with “Geo. W. Wilton”
1870s	0
1880s	197
1890s	2067
1900s	3062
1910s	6096
1920s	592
1930s	138
1940s	36
1950s	0
1960s	2

 

Geo. W. Wilton opened new premises, on 156 Willis St, Wellington, in 1920 [Dominion1920Nov2P9], which were photographed as shown here by Burt, Gordon Onslow Hilbury, circa 1930s. Ref: 1/1-015438-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand /records/22610580 [NatLibWiltonPremises].

 

As measured by Geo. W. Wilton & Co. Ltd.’s adverts in the Journal of New Zealand Institute of Chemistry, the scientific apparatus business was going strong through the 1960s and at least until 1972, such as:

Geo. W. Wilton advert in the Journal of New Zealand Institute of Chemistry [Formerly available from NZIC1965 or NZIC1972].

 

We also see that the company entered the burgeoning minicomputer business, as a sales (and support?) office. One of its last mentions was in a 1972 Austrlaian advert, for a Varian Data Machine with 8KB of memory and a clock speed of around 1 MHz with punched cards as input and output, at a price of A$6900  [WikiVarian] [VarianTrainMan].

Advert for 620/L from Variance Data Machines were Geo. W. Wilton & Co./ Ltd. was a sales office. The Australian Computer Journal, Vol Four, Number Two, May 1972.

 

After that, the company seems to fade away.