History of “Le Petit Fillan.”

Today, Le Petit Fillan is a tranquil haven in the centre of Sandton but it was once part of three large farms in the area owned by the GILFILLAN family after World War II. Evidence of one of the other farms – Montagu Sampson a fruit farm – is remembered on the street names in the exclusive suburb of Benmore Gardens a few metres up the road from Le Petit Fillan. The original farm house still exists around the corner in Springhill Road. The Gilfillan farm was a dairy farm supplying milk in cans and cream to the local residents on a daily basis. This elegant and beautifully decorated house was recently opened as a luxury guest house, after suffering a serious setback in October 2008 when a fire almost destroyed the dream. It was given a French name as the French school; Ecole Jules Verne is situated just behind the guest house.

Littlefillan was the name given to smallholdings in the Sandton Magisterial district. It was properly named Littlefillan Agricultural Holdings, and was between Parkmore and Morningside. The holdings consisted of 2-hectare plots which originally comprised a small farm commonly known as "Gilfillan's little farm" - derived from the owner's name, Noel Hamish GILFILLAN. The family were part of the 1820 British Settlers. Gilfillan is an old Scottish surname from Fife, derived from the Gaelic "Gille Fhaolain" which means "servant of St. Fillan".

Noel’s father was Douglas Flemmer GILFILLAN born 25 June 1865 in Cradock - one of six children.

In 1889 Douglas moved to Barberton where he bought a share in the legal practise of Henry CALDERWOOD. He married Sophia Magdalena DE JONGH on 10 Apr 1890 in Pretoria. In 1892 the couple moved to Johannesburg, where their four children were born - Vera Louise, Dagmar Marie, Noel Hamish and Angus Edward.

When tensions started rising between the Boer government and the Uitlanders in 1895, Douglas formed a Reform Committee which resulted in his arrest because of the Jameson Raid and eventual release with a fine of £2000 pounds. In 1898 Douglas went into partnership with Richard BAUMANN (later BOWMAN) and so the legal firm of Bowman Gilfillan was founded. A significant part of the Sandton CBD today.

Noel Hamish GILFILLAN was born 25 Dec 1902 in Johannesburg. He was educated at Jeppe Boys', Hilton College and the University of Cape Town. After completing his law degree, he was recommended for a position as private secretary to Sir Ernest OPPENHEIMER and spent two years at Anglo American, before setting up a legal firm with Thomas KINNA. He married Ellen Marjorie MORRIS, the eldest daughter of Dr. Frank and Emily MORRIS of Cape Town.

Noel and Ellen had three sons - Brian Mayo, Graeme Douglas and Robin Francis. In 1913, the family started out living at 30 Bolton Road, Parkwood. During World War I, Noel served in the South African Air Force and later became an expert in Aviation Law. In 1936 he joined his father's practise as a junior partner.

In March 1946 the family moved to a new home, Littlefillan, a 75-acre farm. Here Marjorie built up a Jersey herd. Noel served on the governing board of Hilton College, was president of the Wildlife Society, and the 1820 Settler Association. In 1967 he retired from Bowman Gilfillan and sadly died a year later.

All three sons were educated at Hilton College. Brian Mayo after reading Law at Oxford became a Director at Bowman Gilfillan & Blacklock.

In 1985 the family lived at Littlefillan.

Graeme Douglas was unfortunately killed in his 20’s in a motorcycle accident on Louis Botha Ave, Johannesburg. In 1965 his father donated a rugby field and pavilion to Hilton College, named the Graeme Gilfillan Pavilion.

Robin Francis worked for Dove Insurance Company, which had been set up by his father. Later he formed Lenagil Investments. He married Bernice BRAMSON and they had four children. Robin died on the 9th November 2001.

Bernice still lives near Le Petit Fillan Guest House on a substantially reduced piece of the original Small Holding established by Robin Gilfillan’s father.

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Researched by Anne Lehmkuhl. Anne is a Researcher specialising in South African historical and genealogical research. 2009.