Object numberM2012/030:013
DescriptionThis is a certificate given to Barnett Phillips on the 8th of February 1865 detailing his journey through the ranks of the Masons. It states: 'We hereby certify that Brother Barnett Phillips was on the 25th day of July 1862, regularly entered Apprentice; on the 22nd day of August passed Fellow-Craft; and on the 22nd day of October passed to the sublime degree of Master-Mason in the Burrangong Lodge of St. John, holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, No ??, and that the name of the said Bother has been transmitted to the Grand Secretary for registration and enrolment in the Books of the said Grand Lodge. To this certificate the said Brother Barnett Phillips has, in our presence, adhibited on the margin, his usual signature. Given under our Hands this 8th day of February 1865. It is signed by the R. W. Master and Secretary.' Barnett's signature is in the column to the left of the text. In the lower left hand corner is a faded black stamp of the Lodge - the word Lodge is able to be made out. On the reverse of the certificate in the top right hand corner is a red Masonic symbol. The certifacte is apiece of paper attached to a material backing.
Part of a large collection of photographs and documents belonging to the Phillips Family, an old Australian Jewish family that resided in New South Wales from the 1850s.
Barnett Phillips was born in 1833 in England. A devout Jew, he attended the Jewish Free School in Spittalfields, London from 1838 to 1843. He later immigrated to New South Wales, Australia. In c.1858 he married Caroline Cohen in Young, New South Wales. Caroline, also born in England, had immigrated to Goulburn along with her sister Dinah Cohen.
Barnett earned his livelihood in several ways over the course of his life. He spent time as a theatrical producer, builder, and furniture merchant. Newspaper clippings from publications of the Burrangong Courier in 1862 record Barnett as the sole proprietor of the Diggers' Theatre in Burrangong. The collection also holds a licence granted on the 3rd of June 1867 allowing Barnett to give 'Public Exhibitions and Entertainments' within the colony of New South Wales, except for within the city of Sydney.
From 1868 Barnett and Caroline were living in Sydney, within the Surrey Hills and Paddington area. By c.1909 they had moved to 300 Moore Park Road, Paddington, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Between 1860 and 1881 Barnett and Caroline had ten children: Ann (who died before her second birthday); Moses (George) Barnett; Elizabeth (Lilly); Rosetta (Rose); Zelig "Phillip"; Deborah; Clara Eve; Sarah Ann; Joel Lewis; Esther (Etty). Of all the children, George was the only one to marry, wedding Sarah Jane Dowling in 1887. He was subsequently disowned by his parents for having married outside of the faith.
Part of a large collection of photographs and documents belonging to the Phillips Family, an old Australian Jewish family that resided in New South Wales from the 1850s.
Barnett Phillips was born in 1833 in England. A devout Jew, he attended the Jewish Free School in Spittalfields, London from 1838 to 1843. He later immigrated to New South Wales, Australia. In c.1858 he married Caroline Cohen in Young, New South Wales. Caroline, also born in England, had immigrated to Goulburn along with her sister Dinah Cohen.
Barnett earned his livelihood in several ways over the course of his life. He spent time as a theatrical producer, builder, and furniture merchant. Newspaper clippings from publications of the Burrangong Courier in 1862 record Barnett as the sole proprietor of the Diggers' Theatre in Burrangong. The collection also holds a licence granted on the 3rd of June 1867 allowing Barnett to give 'Public Exhibitions and Entertainments' within the colony of New South Wales, except for within the city of Sydney.
From 1868 Barnett and Caroline were living in Sydney, within the Surrey Hills and Paddington area. By c.1909 they had moved to 300 Moore Park Road, Paddington, where they lived for the rest of their lives.
Between 1860 and 1881 Barnett and Caroline had ten children: Ann (who died before her second birthday); Moses (George) Barnett; Elizabeth (Lilly); Rosetta (Rose); Zelig "Phillip"; Deborah; Clara Eve; Sarah Ann; Joel Lewis; Esther (Etty). Of all the children, George was the only one to marry, wedding Sarah Jane Dowling in 1887. He was subsequently disowned by his parents for having married outside of the faith.
Production placeBurrangong, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1865-02-08
Object namecertificates
Dimensions
- length: 247.00 mm
width: 202.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Liz Pozniak