Historical information

This ledger comes from the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd and records the wages of employees and stock supplies and sales from 1909 to 1982. William and Ann Swinton migrated to Australia in 1854 and for a decade William Swinton worked as a builder and carpenter in the Warrnambool district, erecting many buildings, including the Wangoom Presbyterian Church. In 1865 he opened a store in Timor Street Warrnambool selling groceries, china and glassware and hardware. By 1888 the business was known as William Swinton and Sons. Branch stores were opened in Cudgee, Nullawarre, Wangoom, West Warrnambool and South Warrnambool. After William Swinton died his son Robert became the first managing director of Swintons Pty Ltd. In 1934 the business split with George Swinton and Sons selling furnishings, clothing and glassware and Swintons Pty Ltd selling seed, produce and hardware. Today the Swinton family still operates a furniture and bedding shop in Timor Street.

Significance

This ledger is of great interest as it gives details of the sales and financial situation of the Warrnambool business of Swintons Pty Ltd for most of the 20th century. The information in the ledger will be of great help to researchers. The current Swinton business in Timor Street Warrnambool is the oldest family business in Warrnambool and, with the Swinton name associated with businesses in Timor Street for 152 years, it is amongst the oldest family businesses in Australia.

Physical description

This ledger of 152 pages has a dark blue cover with leather binding on the spine and cover corners. The cover material is worn away in parts. The ledger has reinforced binding stitched with white cotton. The insides of the cover have red and blue mottled patterning. The pages are white with printed ruled red lines. The entries are handwritten in black ink.