teacup
Object numberM2019/026
Titleteacup
DescriptionCup with James Simmons unofficial coat of arms featuring a kangaroo and emu, with the words ‘’For Sydney. New South Wales. James Simmons.’’
James Simmons was born in London in 1795 to Nathan and Sarah Simmons. He was sentenced to death for burglary which was later commuted to transportation for life.
In Australia, he married Miss Agnes Thorley at St Peter’s Anglican Church. He received a beer licence for Richmond and became the owner of the Emu Inn. After being granted a conditional pardon he moved his business to George Street, Sydney. He became a successful auctioneer/landowner, opening an auction room and general business called the Jerusalem Warehouse. Simmons was granted an absolute pardon on 29 March 1833 and in 1848 became the first Jewish alderman of the City of Sydney.
Simmons took an active part in Sydney’s nascent Jewish community and helped to establish the York Street Synagogue. He insisted that his seven children be raised Jewish. Despite the fact that he married a non-Jew, he stipulated in his will that if any of his children marry outside of the Jewish faith they were to be disinherited.
James Simmons was born in London in 1795 to Nathan and Sarah Simmons. He was sentenced to death for burglary which was later commuted to transportation for life.
In Australia, he married Miss Agnes Thorley at St Peter’s Anglican Church. He received a beer licence for Richmond and became the owner of the Emu Inn. After being granted a conditional pardon he moved his business to George Street, Sydney. He became a successful auctioneer/landowner, opening an auction room and general business called the Jerusalem Warehouse. Simmons was granted an absolute pardon on 29 March 1833 and in 1848 became the first Jewish alderman of the City of Sydney.
Simmons took an active part in Sydney’s nascent Jewish community and helped to establish the York Street Synagogue. He insisted that his seven children be raised Jewish. Despite the fact that he married a non-Jew, he stipulated in his will that if any of his children marry outside of the Jewish faith they were to be disinherited.
Production placeStaffordshire, England
Production date 1835 - 1835
Subjectconvicts, Australian Jewish history, taverns, achievers
Object nametea-sets
Materialceramic, porcelain
Dimensions
- height: 53.00 mm
width: 120.00 mm
diameter: 100.00 mm
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Robert Hutchinson