William Garland Soper (1837-1908) South Africa Merchant :
from Surrey History Service
William Garland Soper (1837-1908) South Africa Merchant :
from Surrey History Service
William Garland Soper bpt 8 Dec at Plymouth, Dev 1837 vol9 p318 (birth in bmd reg, Oct-Dec). Son of William Soper of Plymouth & Eliza (nee Pering); who m.16 Feb 1837 Plymouth; father William, a merchant of Newfoundland
William Soper age 3 in 1841 census with Eliza Soper 30-34 of independant means at Jubilee Street, Plymouth, in household of Nicolas 50-55 ind & Ann Peeke 55-59 & servant Marina Fribin 15-19, all b.Dev scan : ancestry.com
W G Soper, 11 awarded prize for books for 'Outline Drawings ext'; in 'Cornwall Royal Gazette' 28 Sep 1849, from newspapers.bl.uk : scan
William G Soper 13 in 1851 census, b.Plymouth, Dev; boarding student (1 of 5 boys, age 10-15) in household of schoolmaster Henry A Drake 31, at Old Albert Turnpike, St Austell, Cornwall; Henry's parents & 2 gen servants 19 & 23 : ancestry.com scan & scan 2 : ['51cen mother Eliz not vis, but vis '61]
Educated at the Cheshunt College, Herts, before graduating B.A., with a first-class at the University of London
William Garland Soper, privately tutored, on 1st division matriculation list 1856, University of London; in 'Standard' 21 Jul, from news.bl.uk; scan
William Garland Soper, In Congregational minister list, attended Western Academy [?Western Academy, a Congregationalist in Plymouth] & Cheshunt College, Herts source : [no date but age 18 c1855 & in business 1859]
William Garland Soper of Cheshunt, 1st division, University of London, passed late examination for batchelor of Arts degree; in 'Daily News' 8 Nov 1858, from news.bl.uk; scan
William Garland Soper BA of Cheshunt College, presented with degree by Rev Dr Alliott, University of London; in 'Morning Chronicle' 12 May 1859, from news.bl.uk; scan
Became a partner in Davis & Soper with his father-in-law, George Davis, a South African merchant, 1859 [sole member 1865]
William Garland Soper (1837-1908) esq, JP, County Councillor for Surrey. BA London University. m.Maria Davis 1860, parents George Davis of Cheshunt & the late William Soper of Plymouth. WGS's Seat at Harestone, Caterham ancestry.com : [m.Jul>Sep Edmonton, Lon bmd]
William G Soper passport nr.28080 14 Jul 1860; Passport application List scan; from findmypast
W G Soper, R.A. merchant of London, late of Plymouth, m.Martha Davis at the Countess of Huntingdon's Collegiate Chapel, Cheshunt; 3rd daughter of George Davis, of Heaton House, Cheshunt : 25 July 1860 : from The Times 31 Jul : 46/211p : [RA=Royal Acadamy? - perhaps BA mistranscribed? but he was a member of an arts club, see 1898]
William Garland Soper, age 23, batchelor arts & commission agent to the Cape of Good Hope, household head at 23 Talbot Rd, Islington; b.Plymouth, Dev; wife Maria Soper, age 20 b.Shoreditch, Msx & house servant Sarah Warner 21 b.Great Hadham, Herefordshire 1861 census
Family
Mr & Mrs Garland Soper came to Caterham 1863. As congregationalists, they found no nonconformist family near [& no church for 7m, except a small building, in the old village. So Mr Soper, a lay preacher, started preaching Sunday evenings, renting a carpenter's shop Oct 1863-Mar 1864 when family circumstances removed Soper from Caterham. George Davis, father of Mrs Soper built a small chapel for 200 in Waller Rd, opened Nov 1865 & gifted it to his son-in-law. Mr Soper, then residing at Wanstead, returned & took charge of the pulpit assisted by Dr Hoby. He put the church in trust when Rev French was elected minister Feb 1868. A new plot bought June 1874, for a �6000 church. W G Soper laid foundation stones. It opened Apr 1875. Mrs Soper presented a �250 organ; Edited from Congregationalism in Surrey
Mr Soper became sole member of of Davis & Soper, 1865, but the name retained. [a partner with father-in-law 1859]
conection? Alfred Thomas Soper & John Garland [listed 1st] of 85 East St, Walworth, Surrey, builders & co-partners, & of John Garland, stonemason, grant bankruptcy discharge 21 May 1866 (London Gazette 31 Oct)
Soper came to Caterham 1866, it's 1,000 inhabitants increased 10 times by his death : from Bourne Society Pamphlet. [His 1st home was The Priory, now the Caterham Cars site by the station]
Garland Soper, then residing at Wanstead, invited to return & undertake general charge of the Caterham pulpit; 1867 from Congregationalism in Surrey
William Garland Soper, freehold estate at Church Walk, Caterham; transfer 2 Dec 1867 from George Henry Cook; will not make or burn bricks or lime on the land or build any trade or business building whatever or erect any building of less value than �2000 unless it be a lodge or ministers house or school attached to a church or chapel not less than �800 source
William Garland Soper, of The Priory, Caterham Valley, complained in a letter to the Editor of The Times. Complaining that his 1st class return ticket from Canon Street to Caterham cost him 5s 3d for 18 miles & 55 minutes (2nd cl 4s 3d). He thought it would increase when the fusion of the South-Eastern Railway - 'pity & protect us'. A 21 Dec 1867 : [2 weeks after purchase]
Messrs Davis & Soper of Fenchurch St, London, write :� It's long rumoured that Cape colony diamonds could be had for the finding but the actual finding was necessary to change report to fact. Facts are now indisputable, for Cape diamonds have reached these shores; the largest but one found in the colony at 47 1/2 carats; 15 May 1869 scan
William Garland Soper at presentation of watches & chains to 100? seamen of mail steamer 'Windsor Castle' who fought fire for 6h in Bay of Biscay, from Cape Town, S.Africa to Uk, 23 Oct The Morning Post 15 Jan 1875; scan
William Soper (1861-1940) admitted Trinity College, Cambridge, 2 June 1879, son of William Garland Soper of The Priory, Caterham Valley, Surrey (& Maria dau of George Davis of Cheshunt, Herts) b. 26 Aug 1861, Camden Town: School; Cheshunt (private) : at Trinity College '81 cen, above : BA 1883 : MA 1918 : lived 54 St Mary Axe, London : d. 25 Oct 1940 : buried Caterham : from The Times 15 Dec 1882 & The Times , 29 Oct 1940
W G Soper BA, 1 of abt 70 members of University of London on election committee for university's parliamentary representative to be Sir John Lubbock, a fellow & Liberal; in 'Pall Mall Gazette' 17 Dec 1867, from newspapers.bl.uk : scan
W G Soper at dinner, for 50, of wardens & court of assistants of Fruiterers' Company at the Long Parlour, Masion House with Lord Mayor; in 'Standard' 11 Sep 1868, from news.bl.uk; scan
William Garland Soper, became master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, London 1870
Garland Soper, Master of the summer banquet of The Fruitiers Company at Crystal Palace, when William Brown had a fit & dies. Soper brought the proceedings to a close; in 'Jackson's Oxford Journal' 30 Jul 1870, from news.bl.uk; scan
W G Soper master of The Fruiters' Company attended Mansion House & presented Lord mayor with fruits of the season in a custom dating to Henry VIII. Lord Mayor replied to Soper's remarks acknowledging the handsome gift & invited the Master & Wardens to dine in honour of the occasion in 'Standard' 10 Aug 1870; scan; [& scan scan]
W Soper master of the Fruitiers Society, at banquet at Mansion House for masters & wardens of livery companies, in Egyptian Hall, Choir & band of Coldstream Guards; in 'Morning Post' 19 Oct 1870; scan
W G Soper & Mrs Soper of Harestone, photos, in clients section of architect Sir John Sulman's (1849-1934) photo album : Caterham Congregational Church [built 1876] was the 1st of 58 churches in his design album 1870-1908; from NSW Library : Sulman's was the 1st marriage at this church 1875 wiki biog
William G Soper, in 1871 census, aged 33, born Plymouth, a cape commission merchant living at The Priory, Caterham, also Maria Soper, 30, son William Soper 9, 2 visitors Griff? Griffiths 67 a retired colonial merchant & Ellen Davis 34 unmarried, also cook 29, housemaid 22 : from ancestry.com scan
W G Soper esq 1 of 300 at meal for swearing in of Sheriffs, Guildhall; in 'The Standard' 29 Sep 1871, from news.bl.uk; scan
W G Soper on a deputation to the Postmaster-General but as he was abroad, Soper the secretary handed the memorial to the Chancellor of Exchequer, at meeting at London Tavern with merchants of Cape Colonies about mail contract & said postage revenue from the colony was 1868 �16,600 & 1872 �21,000, The colony had expected cheaper & quicker post for years.; in 'Hampshire Advertiser' 11 Dec 1872, from news.bl.uk; scan
William G Soper, Hon Sec Committee Cape Merchants, 14 Fenchurch St, EC London. Letter from The Times 1 Jan 1873 18/32e complaining about the new mail contract to S.Africa : Letter saying SA pays twice as much for it's mail as Australia : from The Times 5 Feb 1873 19/32e : ref Soper's committee, UK government will leave it's mail agreement for the Cape Parliament's approval 3 Jan 1887 [another letter published 12 Jun]
Maria Eliza Soper daughter b.11 Feb 1873 of The Priory, Caterham [Godstone bmd dist inc Caterham], 'Daily News', from newspapers.bl.uk : [she married 1895 & remarried 1914]
William Garland Soper (1837-1908) esq, JP, County Councillor for Surrey. paid to have arms registered. His seat; Harestone, Caterham, Surrey [so after 1870]. His crest [on right] above a prevously established coat of arms, from an apparently unrelated line. He built his arms into his home [below] (the right sid his wifes arms, the left is for Soper) [see Soper arms]
Mr Soper Cape merchant; gave evidence to Zanzibar Contract Committee. It would e in the interest to have no Royal Mail, the steamers make the fastest passages, but can't take mail. Using them would be cheaper & need no subsidy; in 'The Standard' 14 Jul 1873, from news.bl.uk; scan & scan2
? a Mr Soper for Cape of Good Hope on 'The Briton'; in 'Hampshire Advertiser' 26 Jul 1873, from news.bl.uk; scan
W G Soper, wife & family, & Mrs Soper on list of holiday makers at 34 Windsor House, Marine Terrace, Aberystwyrh; Aberystwith Observer
25 Jul 1874 scan & 1 Aug, without Mrs Soper scan
William Garland Soper, BA JP Bury St, Mary Axe EC; Harestone, Caterham Balley & Devonshire Club, St James St, SW : 1874 [joined?] Royal Colonial Institute pub.1890 Google Books snippet
W G Soper was first Secretary, Member & Deacon of Caterham Congregational Church, erected 1875 & later renamed Caterham United Reform Church. [Built in the Valley � mile under Caterham Church, which was still used for services by the Congregational members] : W G Soper laid foundation stones. Mrs Soper presented a �250 organ; from Congregationalism in Surrey : [the church's architect too Mr & Mrs Soper's photo, see 1870 above]
William Garland Soper, a remarkable man (Caterham Congregational Church largely owed it's origin to him) was typical of the wealthy entrepreneurs who tended to �. After the coming of the railway in 1856 the delightful Surrey hills and valleys gradually f.... snippet from Google Books
W G Soper BA, Chairman of the Surrey Congregational Union, delivered a most thoughtful and suggestive Presidential Address on the subject of Nonconformity in its relation to the future�. Snippet from The General Baptist Repository pub.1876 Google Books snippet
W G Soper, BA, esq of Caterham paid �10 10s for � snippet from Report for the Year, pub.1876 Google Books snippet
William Garland Soper, of The Priory, Caterham Valley, complaining that his 1st class return ticket from Canon Street to Caterham cost him 5s 3d for 18 miles & 55 minutes (2nd cl 4s 3d). He thought it would increase after the fusion of the South-Eastern Railway - he said 'pity & protect us'. A letter to the Editor, The Times 21 Dec 1876
Mr Soper of Katerhorn Valley* presided at one sectional meeting, a paper read on 'our college system' & college reform discussed 1 of 2 sectional meetings held in the afternoon at a Session of Congregational Union at Leicester; S.Wales News, 18 Oct 1877 scan : [*though plaace duplicated in a 2nd paper, it is not vis www; assume Caterham Valley, Sy?; WGS active in church there]
William G Soper, The School Board and School Attendance Committee Directory pub.1878 Google Books snippet
He built Harfield House (below) in Harestone Valley Road, Caterham : [designed 1879, sold 1917]. Adding his initials to the wall & his arms inside [see Soper Arms] : [photos from Frith 1903]
Photo above a 1930 view of Harestone Valley, Caterham. with Harestone, the home W G Soper (d.1908) in foreground
William Garland Soper used architect to design Harestone 1879. Photo [right (unknown publication)] from Church Hill above Brabourne. No expence was spared on it. On left are stables leading to cowman's cottage on Colburn Ave, then a carriage drive. The gardener's cottage in Harestone Valley Rd
son, William Soper (1861-1940) admitted Trinity College, Cambridge, 2 June 1879 : a Trinity undergraduate in '81cen, age 19 : Special exam in Political Economy lits 'class 1' Trinity College, Cambridge9 Dec 1882 (The Guardian) : awarded Bachelor of Art Cambridge University 15 Dec 1882 (The Times) William G Soper of 10 King's Arms-Yard, Moorgate Street. A letter to the editor. Saying the invasion of Zululand was a political blunder. He emphasized that Natal, a colony & the Cape Colony, which was under it's own government : from the Times 6 June 1879 (& a very similar letter 1 Aug)
W G Soper chaired meeting at the Lecture Hall, Caterham, of 300 supporting East Surrey Liberal candidates; from The Times 25 Mar 1880 263/746n
William Garland Soper esq, BA, founder of Caterham Congregational Church; presented with an illuminated address, in ornamental binding, on his return from Cape Colony, Sep 1880; together with watercolour views of carpenter's shop used for first services and of chapel opened in 1865 Surrey archive
W G Soper gave address in a deputation from South African Ass to Earl of Kimberly at Colonial Office, support an opinion that now the Transvaal annexation taken place, sef-government should not be allowed; highlighted the debts & death caused by the Zulu war; Kimbery replied he welcomed opinions, but could give little information, both Dutch & English need consideration there; S.Wales Echo 26 Mar 1881
Davis & Soper of Bury St, St Mary Axe, EC used nails from The United Nail Company : from The Times 2 Apr 1881 266/746n
William G Soper, in 1881 census, aged 43, b.Plymouth, an Cape Merchant BA Lon Univ, living at The Priory, Caterham, also Maria Soper 40 b.London, dau Maria E Soper 8 b.Caterham : also cook 30, parlourmaid 27, housemaid 16 ancestry.com
W G Soper in a document from Departments Agriculture, Fisheries & Food, 26 Oct 1882, conserning 'Caterham: T J Redgate; W G Soper & others' : from National Archives 1885
son, William married Florence Beatrice Dudfield, registered Kensington district, Lon, Jan>Mar 1885. His wife & children's grave at St Mary's, Caterham says Florence Beatrice Soper b.18 Dec 1861, died 5 Nov 1932, 'most devoted & beloved mother' : on other side of memorial; Violet Beatrice Soper 11 Aug 1889 to 14 Jan 1891 & William Orme Soper 31 Oct 1885 to 27 Dec 1888
William Soper, BA had a son 31 Oct 1885, at The Garlands, Caterham Valley, Surrey : from The Times 3 Nov 107/211p
W G Soper esq JP of Harestone, Caterham Valley; was the uncle of Maria Maud Ragg who m.Edward Donald Morton, son of J T Morton of Cedar Grange, Caterham Valley 29 Oct 1886 at Congregational Church, Caterham ; in 'The Times' 29 Oct & 'Daily News' 1 Nov, from newspapers.bl.uk : [couple visiting WGS 1891 census]
Mr W G Soper attended funeral of James Clarke, proprietor & editor of the Christian World newspaper at Caterham; in 'Daily News' (pub.Lon) 3 Mar 1888, from newspapers.bl.uk
Ronald Garland Soper born Apr>Jun 1888 : Godstone District [which includes Caterham] : a Vivian Soper b.Oct>Dec 1892 & a Doris Soper b.Jul>Sep 1894 both in Steyning District [which extended to Hove] from FreeBMD [children of William & grandson of WGS : All in '01cen : Ronald & Vivian at WGS's funeral 1907]
: The ancient 'Hare Stone' stood, for 60 years in the grounds of Harestone. The house of Mr W G Soper. When the estate was broken up it was restored to its original site, now in the grounds of Caterham School, in 1961. This 16ft boulder was probably left by glaciation. : http://dspace.dial.pipex.com
William Garland Soper chairman of The Great United Gold Mining Co Ltd, offices 28 Leadenhall Buildings, City, voluntarily wound up at an Extraordinary Meeting of Members 12 June Feb 1889 (London Gazette 9 Jul)
William Garland Soper 1890-1909, Electoral Registers for City of London, ; 1891 15a & 16a Bury Street, St Mary Axe; & 1904 Harestone, Caterham Valley, Sy
W G Soper's son William, joined him in partnership about 1890. 'about a quarter century after he [WGS] took sole ownership in 1865' [African Who's Who]
William Garland Soper, BA JP Bury St, Maty Axe EC; Harestone, Caterham Balley & Devonshire Club, St James St, SW : 1874 [joined?] Royal Colonial Institute pub.1890 Google Books snippet
W G Soper JP listed as one of the principal landowners i Careham, in Kelly's Directory of Surrey (1891); with "George Henry Drew, G H Cook, W G Soper & Charles Asprey esqrs. & Mrs Parbury" : source
William G Soper, in 1891 census, 53, b.Plymouth, Australian Merchant BA living at Harestone, (St Johns) Caterham, Surrey, with wife Maria Soper 50 b.London & dau Maria E Soper 18 b.Caterham, visiting them, niece Maria M Morton 26, [see Maria Maud Ragg m.1886], Edward D Morton 25 insurance underwriter at Lloyds & Eric E C Morton 2 b.New Gardens, Sy; also parlour maid Alice J Barnard 23 b.Sx, housemaid Bessie Burkins 21 b.Coulsdon, Sy; cook Mary A Payne 18 b.Chaldon, Sy; kitchen maid Ada Grewcock 15; footman George Simmond 19 b.Caterham & dom nurse Elizabeth Ashdown 38unm b.Sevenoaks, Kt : [next property 'rooms over stable' had 2 grooms 23 & 36] : [next in census sheet at Harestone Valley a coachman/groom 45, wife & children] : [next, Gate Lodge with a farm baliff 43 & wife & gardener 25, wife & son] : scan
Mr & Mrs Garland Soper gave the oak pulpit & choir stalls & 3 mosaic panels to Caterham United Reform Church, in memory of their 2 grandchildren �who died in early childhood� ; William Orme Soper b.1885 [d.1888] & Violet Beatrice Soper b.1888 [d.1891] [from book iof church donations] : see grave stones
W Garland Soper gave a dinner at the Devonshire Club for Mayor of Cape Town. W Soper amongst the 9 guests including 2 lords, 2 knights & Mayor of Kimberly : from The Times 6 May 1892 370/746n
Soper, candidate for election to Surrey County Council, Caterham division. Soper was the only candidate, so did not make a declaration of expenses, as none was incurred. Soper's excuse allowed by The Queens Bench court under the Corrupt Practices at Elections Act, in The Times, 27 May 1892
William Garland Soper presented with an illuminated address with ornamental binding, with decorative metal inlay and monogram, enclosed in special walnut box; Mar at 4th session of 'Pleasant Sunday Afternoons' [?non-denominational meetings of Caterham residents] Surrey archive
W Garland Soper of Harestone, Caterham Valley, Surrey. Peach house, vinery, fernery & heating apparatus 1893 : Vineries & peach house 1898 : Plant houses 1901 : Painting 1904 : records of Messenger Co. Ltd [supplying fashionable Edwardian greenhouses] : Museum of English Rural Life from A2A [Peach House presumably in 1903 photo] : [Also supplied 1896 a plant house to Edmund Chalk of Kilmarnock Lodge, Caterham] Davis & Soper lost a building in a large city fire. 12 Bury St, 'a building of 5 floors & content burnt out & roof off' : from The Times 19 Jul 1893 379/746n
W G Soper a past master of the Fruiterers' Company. The Lord Mayor entertained the guild at a dinner in Egyptian Hall, Mansion House (it no longer had connections with the trade it formerly represented) : from The Times, 17 Oct 1895 418/746n Wm Garland Soper chairman of Johannesburg Lighting Co Ltd : at a general meeting, Joseph Taffs of 54 St Mary Axe EC appointed liquidator for winding up 9 May 1895 (
daughter; Maria Eliza Soper m.Malcolm Jeremiah? Lyon of Riddingscourt, Caterham; 1 Oct 1895 at the Congregational Church, Caterham Valley, Sy only dau of William Garland Soper JP of Harestone, Caterham Valley (by Rev Wm Heather MA, Rev Pringle & Rev Chapman); in 'Morning Post' (pub.Lon) 3 Oct, from newspapers.bl.uk
Garland Soper, well before 1896, persuaded G R Andrews, Borough Engineer of Brighton, to become Engineer to the Johannesburg Waterworks Co, he found it a �miserable, wretched, God-forsaken place.� South Africa magazine
William Garland Soper on behalf of South African Merchants Committee: we will help The Castle Line open relief fund after loss of Drummond Castle on Ushant Rocks; Evening Express 20 Jun 1896 scan; & thought it undesirable to open another fund using Mansion House 23 Jun; & Davis & Soper contributed �100; 25 Jun
William Garland Soper (Chairman of the South African Merchant�s Committee) on 7 man committee 11 July 1896 to raise donations to thank the Brest area inhabitants, following the loss of the Drummond Castle in May. Returning from S.Africa in fog, she hit a reef of Ushant, 243 died 3 survived. A spire for Ushant Church, A water supply for Molne Island & fund for Finistere seamen
Wm Garland Soper of Caterham, merchant (10 Oct 1895); and Collinson (now of Bath) and Clara Woodhouse, wife of the Rev Joseph Thomas Woodhouse of Bexley, Kent; 10 Apr 1896; Contracts between George Brown Collinson esq of Brighton, Sx, for sale& purchase of adjoining plots of land on Harestone Valley Rd, Caterham Valley (see plans)1895-6 ; Surrey archives
W Garland Soper (hon sec), London dinner on the future of South Africa : from Guardian Newspaper, 22 May 1896 W Garland Soper persuaded R G Andrews, Borough Engineer of Brighton to go to SA, Andrews as Engineer to Johannesburg Waterworks Co. He published pamplet, Durban c1896 & said Johannesburg "miserable, wretched, God-forsaken place" & Company "supplied dirty water, the colour & thickness of cocoa; People dying on all sides through drinking the Company's water". Resigned, saying profits excessive & water should be supplied 3s per thousand gallons, a fifth of present charge; source
Mr Garland Soper (chairman of SA Merchants' Committee) on Union steamship 'Norman'; Others inc 5 MPs going to the opening of Bulawayo Railway; Cardigan Observer 16 Oct 1897 scan [SA rail line extend from Vryberg to Bulawayo section completed 19 Oct 1897 to Zimbwabe]
Davies & Soper, merchants of London detained Italian barque Rose Madre at Cardiff; Breach of contract for failure to carry cargo from Barry; Owners can't pay �280 & crew in Cardiff court for lost wages; Vessel worth �300 would just pay wages Evening Express 10 Dec 1897 scan
W G (Mr & Mrs) Soper of Harestone, Caterham Valley, made speech & Mrs Soper opened Bazaar at Victoria Hall for building fund of Congregational Church, Station Rd; �60 realised. They visited Bexhill earlier in year & enjoyed the church & its pastor; 'Bexhill-on-Sea Observer' 13 Aug 1898
Mr & Mrs Soper , family & maid staying at Sackville Hotel; 'Bexhill-on-Sea Observer' 3 Sep 1898
Davis & Soper of London bought a Locomotive for Cape Town Corporation 7 Oct 1898
William Garland Soper was a member of The Savage Club [for the arts & sciences, named after poet Richard Savage] : from The Times 28 Nov 1898 492/746n a 40th anniversary dinner 12 Apr 1897 460/746n
William Garland Soper was a past master of the Fruiterers Company, a dinner at the Albion, Aldersgate St : from The Times 26 Jan 1899 497/746n
Mr W Garland Soper gave the toast 'The Houses of Parliament' at banquet of London School of Tropical medicine at Cecil Hotel, London, celebrating opening of a Seaman�s Hospital at London Docks : BMJ May 1899
W Garland Soper at African Writers Club dinner, Grand Hotel had talk about 'Transvaall From Within'; Western Mail 18 Oct 1899 S.Wales Independent 29 Dec 1899 scan
Wm Garland Soper in Kelly's Handbook 1901
William Soper [WGS] 63, born Plymouth, Dev, a South African & Australian Merchant (employer), living at Harestone, Caterham, in 1901 census; also wife Maria Soper 60; with boarding Ada Hill 26unm sick nurse b.Basingstoke, Hants; & 5 unm servants; cook Susan Chipperfield 46 b.Ex,Emily Jeavons 31 parlourmaid b.Ex, Lizzie Bright 26 parlourmaid; Lilly Turner 21 kitchenmaid; Ernest Till 24 indoor servant b.Hants, (next door? Harlestone Lodge with gardener, 35, wife & son & Harlestone Cottage (4 rooms) with coachman 53 & wife & 2 dau & The Stables, Herestone (2 rooms) with 2 grooms 31 & 20; scan
: son, William 39 at Foxburrow, Tupwood, Caterham; 1901 census b.Camden, a Cape Town Merchant (employer): Florence B 38 b.Kensington, Lon : Ronald G 12 b.Caterham, Vivian 8, & Doris 6, both b.Brighton, Sx; also nurse 32, cook 28, housemaid 23, parlourmaid 21 [next door at 'The Stables' a coachman 26, wife & child & 'Gardeners Cottage' gardener 63 & wife; scan : [?Vivian's b.not visable, but at wgs's funeral 1907]
Messrs. Davis & Soper, Agents of the Corporation of Capetown; Application to High Commissioner, London, England (321) - asking for badges worn by Canadian Troops sent to South Africa. 1 Mar 1901 source
William Garland Soper, JP (Surrey & Co.London) Born 1837. Partner in the firm of Davis & Soper, Cape & Australian commission Merchants. Chairman of the Seba Mining Co; Lon�.. Snippet from Men of Note in Finance and Commerce 1901 Google Books snippet
William Soper presented to King & Queen when they opened the South African produce exhibition, 1902
William Garland Soper appointed to erect a statue to King Edward V11, having previously errected a statue of Queen Victoria, outside the Cape Town, Houses of Parliament : from The Times - 10 Jul 1902, 580/746n
William Garland Soper entrusted to arrange statue of Edward VII. He gave commission to W Gowcombe John, ARA. Nearly �13k subscribed. Committee of Capetown's decided to erect it for corronation celebrations; Monmouthshire Advertiser 19 Jul 1902 scan
Mr Garland Soper representing Corporation of Cape Town, asked Lord Mayor to present Lord Kitchener the sword of honour which had been subscribed by that municipality; Evening Express 1 Aug 1902 scan
Mr Soper one of the speakers when city gentlemen went by rail London to Southampton to see new liner Armdale Castle, a Union Castle, Royal Mail steamer (for S.Africa route) 'a floating palace'. Lunch in 1st class saloon; Evening Express 4 Dec 1903 scan
Alderman Soper of Surrey County Council asked for a report on which roads in the county should have a 10 mph speed limit for motor cars : from The Times - 10 Feb 1904 597/746n W Garland Soper, Chairman of Sheba Gold Mining Co Ltd. At general meeting 27 Jul 1904 resolution to wind company up (London Gazette 19 Aug)
Mrs Soper, wife of the chairman of the Caterham Urban District Council, opened the �8,000 Caterham Power Station 25 June 1904, it started generating 9m earlier : Bourne Society
W G Soper Acting Master of the Fruiterers� Company; from 'Beverley & E.Riding Recorder' 4 Nov 1905
Mr Garland Soper is Chairman of the London Board of the Johannesburg Waterworks, Estate and Exploration Co., and a London Director of the Johannesburg Estate Co. He is an alderman of the Surrey County Council, and is JP for Surrey and � 1905 snippet from The Google Books snippet
William Garland Soper chaired meeting of SA Merchants at Winchester House, EC; They prayed the Government facilitate an adjustment of the labour problems disasterously affecting mining interests in The Transvaal [which require native & imported labour] picture from 1906 article in The Tatler source
William Garland Soper is senior partner in Davis & Soper, 54 At Mary Axe, EC, agents to the Cape Town Municipality. He was chairman of the Sheba Mine in its palmy days. London chairman of Johannesburg Waterworks Co before its absorbtion by Rand Water Board & Presided over the now defunct African Writers Club.
William Garland Soper Hon. Treasurer, Caterham & District Rifle Club, formed 4 Oct 1907 (clubs formed after the Boars had out-shot the Brits) : source. A press photo of the opening of the range & clubhouse with "the smiling, bearded & bespectacled countenance of the irrepressible W. Garland Soper"
William Garland Soper, London, a shareholder of the Great Western Railway, 1907 & 1908. Named in the 'Probate Book' (90% entrys involve a death, 5% marriage) : also in 1908 William Lawrence Soper of London & Henry William Dommett Soper in same year. In 1909 Wiliam Soper & Maria Soper : details for sale from findmypast.com
a R G Soper, Class III, Trinity College, 18 Dec 1907 : from The Times 19 Dec : 201/211p : He played in Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, 1908, 9, 10 & 11 : source, footlights : [perhaps Ronald Garland Soper b.1888? as his father William at Trinity 1879]
William Garland Soper, suggested a separate union of General Baptists & Independants, when chairman of the Surrey Congrigationalisty Union 'who in faith, purpose & life are so like ourselves as General Baptists' Is an alliance utopian? from Baptist Historical Society pub.1991 Google Books snippet
W G Soper chairman of the South African Merchants' Committee was the only witness at Tuesday's inaugural weekly meeting of the Royal Commission on shipping rings, London; from NZ Herald 15 Apr 1907 paperspast
William Garland Soper's entry in Anglo-African Who's Who, 1907
William Garland Soper (d.1908) an illustration of founder of Caterham United Reformed Church records, at the Surrey History Centre source
William Garland Soper 71 : death in BMD register Oct-Dec 1908 Godstone district [which includes Caterham] vol2a p.141 ancestry.com
William Garland Soper died aged 71, 20 Dec 1908; Nearly every shop in Caterham closed 23 Dec for his funeral. The town wanted to comemorate him & chose a to build the Soper Memorial Hall, built by 1912. Soper came to Caterham 1866, it's 1,000 inhabitants increased 10 times by his death : from Bourne Society Pamphlet
William Garland Soper died at Harestone, Caterham Valley, aged 71, 20 Dec 1908, funeral at Caterham Congrigational Church, of which he was a founder. Present;
Mrs Soper (widow) ;
Mr & Mrs William Soper, [son] ;
Mr & Mrs J Markham Lyon, [dau & son-in-law] ;
Mr Ronald G Soper [g.son b.1888] ;
Master Vivian Soper [g.son b.abt 1893] ;
WGS was Head of the firm Davis & Soper, Cape & Australian (commission) merchants, St Mary Axe, London EC. He had been in declining health for 12 months. He was Alderman of Surrey County Council, chairman of the Godstone Bench of magistrates, chairman of Caterham Council. A keen educationalist, vice chairman of Surrey Education Committee, until ill-health forced retirement : from The Times 21 Dec & 24 Dec : [see also London marriage 1860] : [his death recorded in S.Africa notes]
W G Soper of Davis & Soper, of St Mary Axe, EC has left 2 clerks in firm's employ �600 ea, 4 �250 ea & 1 �200, �150 & �100; Evening Express 29 Jan 1909 scan
W G Soper will proved, late of well known firm of Messrs Davies & Soper who have wide business connection with New Zealand & Australia. He left by his will �110,427, with personalty �88,133. The whole of the firm's staff have come in for legacies, from from NZ Herald; 24 Mar 1909 paperspast
son? W Soper was the starter of a 3� mile race, at the Burstow Hunt & Surrey Staghounds, at Outwood, Horley : from The Times 18 Apr 1910 52/85f
Davis & Soper of 54 St Mary-axe, EC, contructed part of a railway up table mountain for the Cape Town Corporation, South Africa : from The Times - 3 May 1911 707/746n : also 1912 inviting tenders for an electrical plant in Rhodesia : 1913 a 10 railless electric cars for Bloemfontain
William�Soper (c1862-?) 49 South African merchant at Devonshire Club, 50 St James Sq, St George; b.London; 1911 census; 1 of 6 club members & 24 servants scan scan
Maria�Soper 70 widow, private means {m.49y, 2 births; 2 alive} in 27 rooms at Harestone, Caterham Valley; b.-, London; 1911 census, with companion Ann Maud Dudfield 62unm, sick nurse 32, cook 45, parlour maid 27, house maid 27, house maid 28, kitchen maid 16, groom 24 scan
Florence Beatrice Soper 44 household head in 1911 census, [dau-in-law to WGS] at (1 South Brompton/Place) Kensington, Lon '11cen b.Kensington; Ronald Garland Soper 22 son b.Caterham, Sy, Doris Soper 16 b.Brighton, Sx, all on private means
Mrs W G Soper lived at 'Harestone' one of several large modern houses in Caterham Valley. from The County of Surrey, pub 1912
The town wanted to comemorate him & chose to build the Soper Memorial Hall, Caterham which was built by 1912
Davis and Soper Commission Agents, in Whitakers Red Book 1914, Directory of British Engineering : source
Lance-Corporal Ronald Garland Soper, from the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, Lance Corporal to be 2nd Lieut & seconded for duty with a Provisional Battalion. The Northumberland Fusiliers 17 Sept 1915 (London Gazette14 Sep)
Davis & Soper Ltd, African and Middle and Far Eastern export merchants, London 1915-60 : minutes ; Guildhall Library Manuscript (African Section) : MS 19575 ; NRA 30175 Davis ; UK National Register of Archives ; Historical Manuscripts Commission : www.hmc.gov.uk
W G Soper's trustees selling Harestone, Caterham. A beautifully appointed, 15 beds, 2 dressing, 2 baths, billiard, 4 reception, fine central hall, stabling, garage, 2 cottages & timbered grounds in 21 acres. Sale or auction by 20 Sept : from Guardian paper, 26 Aug 1917
William Soper MA of Messrs Davis & Soper [& 4 other] on Committee for the Union of South Africa & Rhodisia; from Google Books
The Archangel London Transport Co Ltd v Davis & Soper Ltd. Kings Bench Division : from the Times 25 Oct 1920 : 746/746n
William� Soper (c1862-?) age 59, sailed from London to Kilindini, Kenya, 1921 : from findmypast.com
Maria Soper d.7 Jan 1927, [wgs's wife] widow of 195 Gloucester Terrace, Hyde Pk, Lon; probate London 9 Mar 1927 to Joseph Taffs esq**; Maria Eliza Fraser* (wife of Leigh Fraser); & Ronald Garland Soper*, merchant [grson] ; value �7,069 ; from Probate Calender (ancestry.com) [Maria (c1842-1927) d.Jan>Mar, Paddington bmd dist, age 85] : [*dau after 1914 rem & g.son b.1888] : [**Joseph Taffs liquidated Johannesburg Lighting Co Ltd 1895 (WGS chairman). Joseph Taffs merchants clerk [to?] & co-executor of husband WGS 1908]
William Soper (c1862-?) 65 merchant; english citizen, Last permanent address England; address c/o Lancaster Gate Hotel, W2; 'Northumberland'? sailed 1st class on "Carnarvon Castle" (Union Castle Line) from Cape Town, South Africa arriving Southampton, Eng 20 Jun 1927; (ship from Durban, SA) scan; UK Incoming Register
W Soper, Chairman of Griffiths & Co (Port Elizabeth) Ltd. Voluntarily wound up at meeting 54 St Mary Axe, Lon EC3 19 Sep 1928 (London Gazette 13 Nov)
William Soper (c1862-?) 66 merchant; english citizen, Last permanent address England; address 72 Lancaster Gate, London, W2; sailed 1st class on "Balmoral Castle" (Union Castle Mail Steamship Line) from Cape Town, South Africa (ship from Durban, SA) arriving Southampton, Eng 25 Jun 1928; scan; UK Incoming Register
Davis & Soper Ltd. 54 St. Mary Axe, EC3 were London agents for John Mulholland's Store a Northern Province Supplier 'Safaris Specially Catered for' : advert 1929 : High Class Groceries, Provisions, Wines & Spirits, Cigarettes & Cigars : www.ntz.info
William Soper (c1862-?) 68 merchant; english citizen, Last permanent address England; address 74 Lancaster Gate, London; sailed 1st class on "Grantully Castle" (United Castle Mail Steamship co Line) from Mombassa, [Kenya] arriving London, Eng 15 May 1930; (ship from S.Africa) scan; UK Incoming Register
William Soper (c1862-?) 69 merchant; english citizen, Last permanent address England; address 54 St Mary Axe, London, EC3, sailed 1st class on "Balmoral Castle" (Union Castle Line) from Petoria?, South Africa (ship from Durban) arriving Southampton, Eng 3 Aug 1931; scan; UK Incoming Register
dau-in-law; Florence Beatrice Soper d.6 Nov 1932, of 2 Edwards Sq, Kensington, M.sx; probate Lon 16 Dec 1932 to [her son] Ronald Garland Soper, merchant; estate �916 15s 3d; from Probate Calendar, scan [Florence B Soper (c1862-1932) d.Oct>Dec, Kensington, Lon, age 70]
W Soper (c1862-?) 74, sailed from London to Cape, South Africa, 1936 : from findmypast.com [a W Sopper b.c1852 to SA 1919, '28 & '36 (as W Soper?)??]
Davis & Soper Ltd taking applications for Control Officer, Capetown airport : Flight Magazine 17 Aug 1939
son, William Soper, W G Soper's son, died 25 Oct 1940, buried Caterham
Charles Samuel Soper, B Com, Professor of Economics, Melbourne University since 1970, son of late W P Soper b.11 Dec 1919, educated Ivanhoe GS Melb Univ; m.Cecile Rydon 11 Dec 1954, au of L J; address University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, from Who's Who in Australia, 1977 Google Books snippet
Davis & Soper of EC3, bought a 12 year old London Transport bus in 1959 & exported it to South Africa source
His armorial bearings - Per pale or & gules, on a saltire between sixteen billets, a trefoil slipped all counter-changed; and impaling the arms of David, namely argent a lion rampant regardant pean between 4 mullets of 6 points in cross azure. Mantling: gules and or ; and for his Crest, upon a wreath of the colours, a demi-lion per pale or and gules, holding in the mouth a trefoil slipped, vert and supporting a torch erect fired proper.
Places
The Bourne Society published a pamphlet on William Garland Soper
His biographic entry in Anglo-African Who's Who, 1907
Back to Sopers In Surrey .
: William Garland Soper, late pupil of Dr Drake, St Austell, appears in the first division of the BA degree list now published; London University Exams, The Royal Cornwall Gazette, 12 Nov 1858; from newspapers.bl.uk
- William G Soper married Maria Davis, daughter of George Davis of Wilberness, nr Hastings, Sussex : (BMD Register has m.at Edmonton District Jul>Sept 1860) : from The General Armory pub.1864 Google Books snippet"
- '61cen - presume mother? Eliza Soper 51 gentlewoman heading household at Turners Hill, Eastside, Cheshunt? : b.South Brent, Devon : also aunt Ann Peeke 79 a widow b.South Brent, with a general servant Ann Collyer 17 b.Cheshunt, Herts : ['Elene' Soper 61 in Croydon b.S.Brent, '71cen & Eliza 71 in Croydon '81cen; not vis '91cen; d.not obvious bmd - ??an Eliz d.1887 Windsor, Berks reg dist, age 77]
- ?William Soper born Camden 1861; birth registered Islington district, Lon; Jul>Sept 1861 : m.Florence Beatrice Dudfield 1885, Kensington
- Maria Eliza Soper b.11 Feb 1873 , Caterham m.1895 Jeremiah Malcolm Lyon & rem.Leigh Fraser 1914
(a Soper of Trinity College : Cambridge special exam in Political Economy lits 'class 1' Soper also 7 students 'class 2' : from Guardian Newspaper, 9 Dec 1882)
: W G Soper secretary of Cape merchants meeting, read letters of sympathyn from MP who agree with their aims on cape colony mail; in 'Hampshire Advertiser' 21 Dec 1872; scan
: W G Soper's wife of The Priory, Caterham, of a daughter b.11 Feb 1873, 'Daily News' (pub.London) 13 Feb, from newspapers.bl.uk.
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- '81cen : assume mother; Eliza Soper, age 71 at 2 Cherry Orchard Rd, Croydon; a widowed household head, b.Devon; with servant, Selina Lambert 21unm b.Shorditch
- '81cen : assume son; William Soper, 19 an undergraduate at Trinity College Trinity St, Cambridge b.Camden Town, London
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- William Orme Soper born Oct>Dec 1885 & William 'Orine' Soper died Oct>Dec 1888 age 3 : Godstone District [which includes Caterham] : from FreeBMD : [d.27 Dec 1888 from grave above]
: Davis & Soper, Cape Merchants involved with a great fire 2-11am between St Mary Axe, Bevis Marks & Bury St, 30 buildings destroyed; Western Mail 19 Jul 1893 scan
: Maria Eliza Soper marriage to Jeremiah Malcolm Lyon registered Oct>Dec 1895, Godstone District [which includes Caterham] : from FreeBMD [m.'Malcom' Lyon -but- WGS's funeral 'Markham Lyon']
WGS's daughter Mrs M E Fraser (who died 1952) donated a brass offering tray to commemorate her father who was 1st Secretary, Member & Deacon of Caterham United Reform Church, (formerly Caterham Congregational Church, erected 1875) [from a book in the church] - Maria had remarried Leigh Fraser, 1914 : Maria was born 1873
W Garland Soper president of the Angle-African Writers' Club who entertains the members of that body and other distinguished persons at the meeting & dinner Hotel Cecil, Lon; Barry Herald 30 Jul 1897 scan
William Garland Soper v Matilda Murray Chacery hearing 28 Apr 1903, creditors of Richard W Murray, of Eton Ave, Hampstead (d.Doornfontein, Johannesburg, S.Africa June 1899) (London Gazette 17 Jan 1902)
: Mr Garland Soper '& other magistrates' at Oxted Police Court, re corupt practices at Lingfield race course Evening Express 1 Oct 1906 scan
Postcard of Harestone Valley 1908 a Caterham boy on horseback, 'since these are the grounds of 'Harestone' he is almost certainly a member of the Soper family', with view of Congregational Church, Caterham Valley, in distance : 1908 exploringsurreyspast.org.uk
: William Garland Soper d.20 Dec 1908, of 54 St Mary Ax, London; probate London 26 Jan 1909 to William Soper, merchant, [son] Joseph Taffs, merchant's clerk [co-executor of wife 1927]; estate �110,427 8s 10d & of Harestone, Caterham Valley, Sy; from Probate Calender, scan [William Garland Soper d Oct>Dec 1908 Godstone, Sy, age 71]
'11cen Vivian Soper boarder 18 steam engine machine apprentice at [Liverpool/Upton/Rd], Barton upon Irwell, Lancs, b.Brighton, Sx
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daughter , Mrs Maria E Lyon (nee Maria Eliza Soper) married Leigh Fraser Apr>Jun 1914 at Windsor district [bmd records] : (Maria m.Mr Lyon 1895 - She commemorated her father with a brass offertory to his church)
Mrs Garland Soper gave a stained glass window to Caterham United Reform Church to commemorate her husband who was � a member and Deacon of the Church for many years� [from a book in the church]
: William S Soper esq, MA, of Messrs. Davis & Soper on 7 man 'Committee for the Union of S A & Rhodesia' 1919 source : [WGS not alive & not a son so assume mistranscribed?]
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William Soper 74 merchant; english citizen, Last permanant address S.Africa; address Constantia, Felixstowe, Suffolk, sailed 1st class on "Winchester Castle" (Union Castle Line) from Cape Town, South Africa (via Madiera) arriving Southampton, Eng 18 May 1936; scan; UK Incoming Register
son, William (c1861-1940) MA, Death notice in The Times. Died after a short illness 25 Oct 1940, aged 79, of 44 Lowndes Sq & 54 St Mary, Axe, London. Funeral Caterham
William d.25 Oct 1940, of 54 St Mary Axe, Lon; died Oaklea, Warfield, Berks; probate Llandudno 29 Jan 1941 to [his son] Ronald Garland Soper merchant; Mark Marshall Merriman, solicitor & William Robert Wallis, accountant; estate �51,141 18s 2d; Resealed Hong Kong 16 Aug 1941; from Probate Calender, scan : [William d.Oct>Dec 1940 Windsor, age 79]
William Garland Soper's vandalised grave was restored at St Mary's, Caterham after an appeal by The Bourne Society following the 100th anniversay of his death 2009. Caterham Museum had an exhibition about him
Soper Memorial Hall, Harestone Valley Road, Caterham : [memorial of William Garland Soper]
Soper Drive, Caterham : [a modern road named after William Garland Soper]
