JEFFREYS' CORDIAL FACTORY

Thomas JEFFREYS 1829-1903 & Mary Ann GOMERY 1829-1897

Liverpool, Lancashire, England ; Portland and Casterton, S-W Victoria, Australia

Thomas JEFFREYS was born in 1829 in Liverpool, Lancashire, son of Robert JEFFREYS and Anne WILLIAMS. In 1850 at Liverpool, Lancashire, England he married Mary Anne GOMERY, born 1829, Liverpool, Lancashire, the daughter of Samuel GOMERY and Frances "Fanny" LAMBERT. In 1854 this couple along with their two young children, Robert and Ellen emigrated from England on the ship "Indian Ocean" and arrived at Portland, Victoria, Australia on 6 Oct 1854. Additional children were born at Portland in the 1850s before they moved to Casterton in the 1860s where their last three children were born and where they established the Casterton Soda-Water and Lemonade Factory in 1874, and later became the Jeffreys' Cordial Factory.

Casterton Soda-Water and Lemonade Factory
(established 1874 by Thomas JEFFREYS)

"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Wednesday, 21st October 1874.
CASTERTON. October 19.--We are here rapidly emerging from the chrysalis state of "township" into the full blown dignity of town. Amongst other signs of this interesting change, is the new establishment just about starting of Mr. T. Jeffreys, viz., that of a soda water and lemonade factory, &c. Mr. J. has recently imported the plant from England, and he informs me that not only will be place before the public a superior article of the old sort, but that he will outrival even the Yankees, in the astounding variety of drinks, as yet unknown to fame.

"The Hamilton Spectator" (Vic.) Saturday, 31st October 1874.
Casterton Soda-Water and Lemonade Factory.
T. JEFFREYS begs to inform the Hotelkeepers and others of the Western District, that he has commenced the manufacture of the above and other Aerated Beverages. T. J. has recently imported from England, AN ENTIRELY NEW PLANT for this manufacture, in which all the recent great improvements are combined.
T. J. has also engaged a first-class foreman from Melbourne, of long experience in the trade, and thus will be enabled to offer a superior article to any hitherto made in the district.
Orders addressed to Thomas Jeffrey, Casterton Soda-Water and Lemonade Factory, are respectfully solicited, and will meet with business like attention.

Jeffreys' Cordial Factory, Casterton, Victoria, Australia
(1973 notes by Brian Buckle)

The factory was established in 1876 in McPherson Street, Casterton, which is still its present site, by Ben Jeffreys using bottling equipment shipped out from England. He operated it until 1903 when his two sons took over, adopting the trade name "Jeffrey Bros". In 1946 Mr Bill Young purchased a third share in the firm and held it until 1956 when he sold it back to the Jeffreys family.

Graeme Jeffreys, a grand-son of Ben Jeffreys, then joined the firm making this the third generation of Jeffreys to be associated with the business. He originated the sales name "Big J" and introduced a 30oz bottle using his grand-father's initials "B.J". The firm remained in the family until 1969 when it was purchased by Messrs. Phillips and Johnson, who up until the present time [1973] still trade under the name of Jeffreys Bros.

Jack Phillips and 'Kiwi' Johnson also purchased the Portland Aerated Water Company and 'Kiwi' moved to Portland to run the business whilst Jack Phillips remained in Casterton to run Jeffreys Bros. Jack was a former Casterton policeman.

Thomas JEFFREYS and Mary Ann GOMERY had the following family...

1-Thomas JEFFREYS b. 5 Jul 1829, Liverpool, Lancashire (LAN), Eng, c. 30 Aug 
  1829, Benns Garden Wesleyan, Liverpool, Lancashire (LAN), Eng, d. 19 Oct 
  1903, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 20 Oct 1903, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, 
  Aus
 +Mary Anne GOMERY b. 1829, Liverpool, Lancashire (LAN), Eng, c. 3 Mar 1829, St 
  Peter, Liverpool, Lancashire (LAN), Eng, d. 13 Oct 1897, Casterton, Vic, Aus, 
  bur. Oct 1897, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. Dec 1850, Liverpool, 
  Lancashire (LAN), Eng, par. Samuel GOMERY and Frances "Fanny" LAMBERT
|---2-Robert William JEFFREYS b. 26 Nov 1851, Liverpool, Lancashire (LAN), England, 
|     d. 8 Jul 1929, Casterton, Victoria, Australia, bur. 10 Jul 1929, Casterton New 
|     Cemetery, Victoria, Australia. Saddler of Casterton, Victoria.
|    +Johanna "Annie" DAVIS b. 1853, Portland, Victoria, Australia, d. 13 Mar 1926, 
|     Casterton, Victoria, Australia, bur. Mar 1926, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. 
|     19 May 1875, "Albion Hotel" Casterton, Victoria, Aus, par. David Thomas DAVIS 
|     and Johanna RYAN
|   |---3-Arthur John Thomas JEFFREYS b. 1879, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 16 Aug 
|   |     1948, Toorak (Melbourne), Vic, Aus, m. Margaret EMERY 1887-1970
|   |---3-Ada Louisa JEFFREYS b. 1881, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 1959, Warr___, 
|   |     Vic, Aus, m. David Thomas JONES c.1877-1964.
|   |---3-Edgar Robert Hamilton JEFFREYS b. 1883, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 23 
|   |     Aug 1962, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 24 Aug 1962, Casterton New 
|   |     Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. Hetty Ellen TUFFNELL 1891-1972. WW1 Soldier Settler "Nangeela" Estate.
|   |---3-George Gordon JEFFREYS b. 1885, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 21 Jun 1948, 
|   |     Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 23 Jun 1948, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, 
|   |     Aus, m. Ruby Ethel WALSH 1894-1982.
|   |---3-Enid Mary Victoria JEFFREYS b. 1887, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 1939, 
|   |     Melbourne, Vic, Aus, m. Thomas Orlando KNUCKEY c. 1884-1961.
|   |---3-Hilda Annie Neville JEFFREYS b. 26 Feb 1889, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 
|   |     25 Mar 1942, Ballarat, Vic, Aus, bur. 26 Mar 1942, Ballarat Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus, m. William IRVING 1879-1960.
|---2-Ellen JEFFREYS b. 1854, England, d. 14 Jul 1944, Casterton, Vic, Aus, 
|     bur. Jul 1944, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|    +Asa George FARNSWORTH b. Abt 1850, USA, m. 1886, Victoria (VIC), Australia
|     
|---2-John JEFFREYS b. Dec 1855, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 1 Jul 1933, "Lyndhurst" 
|     Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 3 Jul 1933, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|    +Annie COX b. 11 Nov 1854, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 13 May 1939, Casterton, 
|     Vic, Aus, bur. May 1939, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. 20 Jun 
|     1881, CofE Casterton District Marriage Index, Vic, Aus, par. Charles 
|     Yates COX and Mary NOONAN
|   |---3-Ethel Annie JEFFREYS b. 4 Oct 1881, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 16 Aug 
|   |     1966, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. Aug 1966, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Alice Cecily JEFFREYS b. 7 Feb 1884, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 14 Oct 
|   |     1902, "Lyndhurst" Casterton, Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Maude Louisa JEFFREYS b. 19 Feb 1884, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 29 Aug 
|   |     1957, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 30 Aug 1957, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Robert Charles JEFFREYS b. 12 Nov 1885, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 29 
|   |     Mar 1945, Marong Parish, Bendigo, Vic, Aus, bur. Marong Parish, 
|   |     Bendigo, Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Ernest Benjamin JEFFREYS b. 20 Mar 1887, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 13 
|   |     Jun 1939, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. Jun 1939, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Elma Elena Evelyn JEFFREYS b. 21 Nov 1897, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 23 
|   |     Aug 1978, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 25 Aug 1978, Casterton New 
|   |     Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|---2-Louisa Hannah JEFFREYS b. 1858, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 5 Jul 1896, 
|     Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. Jul 1896, Sandford Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|    +George GRANT b. 6 Nov 1847, Harrow, Vic, Aus, d. 31 May 1923, Casterton, 
|     Vic, Aus, bur. 2 Jun 1923, Sandford Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. 1886, Victoria 
|     (VIC), Australia, par. John Scott GRANT and Ann KILPATRICK
|   |---3-Alexander McGregor GRANT b. 29 Jul 1888, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 25 
|   |     Jun 1973, Auckland, New Zealand
|   |---3-James McPherson GRANT b. 3 Apr 1890, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 5 Dec 
|   |     1925, Frankston, Vic, Aus, bur. 8 Dec 1925, Sandford Cemetery, Vic, 
|   |     Aus
|   |---3-Mona Ruth GRANT b. 1892, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 20 Nov 1979, 
|   |     Ballarat, Vic, Aus, bur. 22 Nov 1979, Ballarat Old Cemetery, 
|   |     Ballarat, Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Eric St Clair GRANT b. 11 Jan 1896, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 21 Feb 
|   |     1976, Hawthorn, Vic, Aus, bur. 24 Feb 1976, Cremated, Springvale 
|   |     (Melbourne), Vic, Aus
|---2-Thomas JEFFREYS b. 1860, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 1860, Portland, Vic, Aus
|---2-Benjamin JEFFREYS b. 10 Jul 1862, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 5 Feb 1930, 
|     Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 13 Feb 1930, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|    +Margaret Carruthers RAE b. 6 Aug 1859, Portland, Vic, Aus, d. 2 Jan 1894, 
|     Casterton, Vic, Aus, m. 9 Apr 1884, Hamilton, Vic, Aus, par. David RAE 
|     and Frances ' Fanny ' HAWKINS
|   |---3-George Rae JEFFREYS b. 13 Dec 1887, Casterton (area), Vic, Aus, d. 30 
|   |     Sep 1962, Adelaide, S.A., Aus
|   |---3-Norman Verner JEFFREYS b. 2 Feb 1890, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 20 Sep 
|   |     1939, South Yarra (Melbourne), Vic, Aus, bur. 23 Sep 1939, Cremated, 
|   |     Springvale (Melbourne), Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Claude Hawkins JEFFREYS b. 7 Jun 1892, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 20 Aug 
|   |     1948, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. Aug 1948, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|    +Alice McCOMBE b. 1866, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 12 Jun 1946, Casterton, 
|     Vic, Aus, bur. Jun 1946, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus, m. 12 Feb 
|     1896, Mount Gambier, S.A., Aus, par. John McCOMBE and Margaret NOONAN
|   |---3-Ida Marguerite JEFFREYS b. 5 Jan 1897, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 27 Sep 
|   |     1951, Hamilton, Vic, Aus, bur. Sep 1951, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, 
|   |     Aus
|   |---3-Alfred Tennyson JEFFREYS b. 18 Aug 1898, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 18 
|   |     Nov 1947, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. Nov 1947, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Lancelot Cecil Powell JEFFREYS b. 19 Apr 1900, Casterton, Vic, Aus, 
|   |     d. 8 Nov 1965, Melbourne, Vic, Aus, bur. Nov 1965, Casterton New 
|   |     Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Russell Edward JEFFREYS b. 5 Aug 1901, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 26 Oct 
|   |     1942, Hamilton, Vic, Aus, bur. Oct 1942, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, 
|   |     Aus
|   |---3-Katie Stella JEFFREYS b. 7 Mar 1904, Casterton (area), Vic, Aus, d. 4 
|   |     May 1964, Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. May 1964, Casterton New Cemetery, 
|   |     Vic, Aus
|   |---3-Dorothy Alice JEFFREYS b. 6 Jun 1906, Casterton, Vic, Aus
|---2-Annie JEFFREYS b. 1865, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 1866, Portland, Vic, Aus
|---2-Walter JEFFREYS b. 1867, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 19 Aug 1921, Casterton, 
|     Vic, Aus, bur. 19 Aug 1921, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus
|---2-Annie JEFFREYS b. 1870, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 29 Oct 1929, Coleraine, 
|     Vic, Aus, bur. Oct 1929, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus
     +Harold George CROWE b. Cir 1868, Pitfield, Vic, Aus, d. 3 Dec 1895, 
      Casterton, Vic, Aus, bur. 4 Dec 1895, Casterton New Cemetery, Vic, Aus, 
      m. 10 Aug 1892, CofE Casterton District Marriage Index, Vic, Aus, par. 
      Alfred William CROWE and Jessie MILLER
    |---3-Percy Walter CROWE b. 1893, Ballangeich, Vic, Aus, d. 1971, Malvern 
    |     (Melbourne), Vic, Aus
    |---3-Harold Graham CROWE b. 1895, Casterton, Vic, Aus, d. 9 Mar 1951, 
    |     Natimuk (Co Lowan), Vic, Aus, bur. Mar 1951, Coleraine, Vic, Aus