Medallion
Object numberM2020/035
TitleMedallion
DescriptionMedallion awarded to Joshua Frey Josephson on 27 February 1825 by his brother, in recognition of his 'wonderful improvement in music, not forgetting his obedience to his parents and study of his books'.
Joshua Frey Josephson was born in Hamburg, Germany on 27 February 1815. He was the eldest son of Jacob Josephson and his wife, a widower, Emma Wilson (nee Moss).
Joshua was christened on 26 March 1815 at Saint Matthew's Bethnal Green, London. It is not known when his father, a Jewish Christian, converted from Judaism, but it was likely to have been encouraged by the London missionary Joseph Samuel Frey, who witnessed Jacob's marriage to Emma.
Jacob Josephson was transported to Sydney, Australia in May 1818 on the Neptune. He had been sentenced to fourteen years deportation for forgery, but later received a conditional pardon for this crime, on 30 June 1820. Joshua, his mother Emma, and brother, Lewis arrived in Sydney on 12 September 1820 on the Morley. Joshua went on to become an accomplished pianist, flautist, and singer in his youth, frequently performing at the Theatre Royal.
Joshua married his first wife Louisa Jane (nee Davies) on 1 December 1838 at St Lawrence Chapel, Sydney. They went on to have four sons and eight daughters before Louisa's death in 1863. Joshua later married Katerina Frederica (nee Schiller) in 1868, with whom he had one daughter. Katerina died in 1884, and Joshua married his third wife, Elizabeth Geraldine (nee Brennan), in 1891.
Joshua Frey Josephson was the Foundation Councillor for Cook Ward from 1 November 1844 to 30 October 1847. He later served for Bourke Ward, from 1 November 1847 to 31 October 1851. During this appointment, Josephson was elected Mayor in 1848. While Christian in faith, Joshua Frey was the first Jewish Mayor of Sydney.
In February 1856, Joshua temporarily moved his family to England, where he entered the Bar on 30 April 1859. He briefly practiced as a barrister, before returning to Sydney in September 1861.
Upon his return, Joshua held various government positions, and was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the representative for Braidwood from 13 December 1964 to 3 November 1869, following which he was appointed as a judge. He also held the position of Solicitor General from 27 October 1868 to November 1869.
Joshua and his brothers Isaac and Manuel invested in various ventures, including city real estate, railway development to Concord and Strathfield, and pastoral interests in the Bligh, Wellington, and Warrego districts. He was also a founding member of St Paul's College at the University of Sydney, as well as assisting with the establishment of the Sydney Dry Dock Co., the Hunter River Railway Co., and the Sydney Insurance Co. He was also the Director of various companies, including the Australian Joint Stock Bank and the Australian Mutual Provident Society.
Joshua Frey Jacobsen died in Woollahra on 26 January 1892, and was buried in the Anglican section of Rookwood cemetery.
Joshua Frey Josephson was born in Hamburg, Germany on 27 February 1815. He was the eldest son of Jacob Josephson and his wife, a widower, Emma Wilson (nee Moss).
Joshua was christened on 26 March 1815 at Saint Matthew's Bethnal Green, London. It is not known when his father, a Jewish Christian, converted from Judaism, but it was likely to have been encouraged by the London missionary Joseph Samuel Frey, who witnessed Jacob's marriage to Emma.
Jacob Josephson was transported to Sydney, Australia in May 1818 on the Neptune. He had been sentenced to fourteen years deportation for forgery, but later received a conditional pardon for this crime, on 30 June 1820. Joshua, his mother Emma, and brother, Lewis arrived in Sydney on 12 September 1820 on the Morley. Joshua went on to become an accomplished pianist, flautist, and singer in his youth, frequently performing at the Theatre Royal.
Joshua married his first wife Louisa Jane (nee Davies) on 1 December 1838 at St Lawrence Chapel, Sydney. They went on to have four sons and eight daughters before Louisa's death in 1863. Joshua later married Katerina Frederica (nee Schiller) in 1868, with whom he had one daughter. Katerina died in 1884, and Joshua married his third wife, Elizabeth Geraldine (nee Brennan), in 1891.
Joshua Frey Josephson was the Foundation Councillor for Cook Ward from 1 November 1844 to 30 October 1847. He later served for Bourke Ward, from 1 November 1847 to 31 October 1851. During this appointment, Josephson was elected Mayor in 1848. While Christian in faith, Joshua Frey was the first Jewish Mayor of Sydney.
In February 1856, Joshua temporarily moved his family to England, where he entered the Bar on 30 April 1859. He briefly practiced as a barrister, before returning to Sydney in September 1861.
Upon his return, Joshua held various government positions, and was first elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the representative for Braidwood from 13 December 1964 to 3 November 1869, following which he was appointed as a judge. He also held the position of Solicitor General from 27 October 1868 to November 1869.
Joshua and his brothers Isaac and Manuel invested in various ventures, including city real estate, railway development to Concord and Strathfield, and pastoral interests in the Bligh, Wellington, and Warrego districts. He was also a founding member of St Paul's College at the University of Sydney, as well as assisting with the establishment of the Sydney Dry Dock Co., the Hunter River Railway Co., and the Sydney Insurance Co. He was also the Director of various companies, including the Australian Joint Stock Bank and the Australian Mutual Provident Society.
Joshua Frey Jacobsen died in Woollahra on 26 January 1892, and was buried in the Anglican section of Rookwood cemetery.
Production date 1825-02-27 - 1825-02-27
SubjectAustralian Jewish history, music
Object namemedallions
Materialmetal
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Colleen Reddin
In appreciation to the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany (Claims Conference) for supporting this archival project.