Object numberM2012/030:099
DescriptionThis is a letter written by Ian Phillips to his 'Cousins' - presumably Barnett and Caroline Phillips. It is dated April 30th 1863 and he is writing from Forbes a rural New South Wales town, to tell them of the circumstances surrounding Lazurus' Cohen's death. Lazarus Cohen drowned in the Lachlan River. Lazarus Cohen was Caroline's brother in law. The letter is written on a large piece of blue lined paper, folded in half. A red Masonic symbol has been stamped on the back - the same as seen on M2012/030:013.
Forbes, April 30th 1863
Dear Cousins,
I suppose by this time you have heard of the loss of Cohen, the particulars you will find in the Lachlan Mirror of the 39th inst., horror. I will tell you all about it, on Wednesday morning last the 22nd isn't. Mrs Cohen sent said to a place about six miles from Forbes, in the hope of doing him some good by change of air and if possible to wean him from the drink, sending Joshua along with him, on Monday last about noon Josh came home and said he left his father in a shanty close by; on going there we found he had not been there a t all, came back and questioned Josh who then said his father has left the place in the night and after walking all night, he said he left his father in the bush some two or three miles from home; we immediately mustered about 20 men, some mounted, others on foot and beat up the bush in every direction, but to no purpose. We also searched the river with the same results, at present the mounted troopers with black trackers are out- but we have no tidings. You may form some idea of the state of poor Mrs Cohen; she is in a pitiable state. I have just writer to Sydney, to Sam and Helen, she is too ill to write herself. Young Hart bought the portraits in pieces (there is not a piece as large as pea.) However I am extremely obliged for sending. Hart told me there was no expenses on them, please let me know if you have paid anything. I will let you know if anything turns up about Cohen, I will write you again on receipt of your reply. I remain yours truly, Ian Phillips. My best respects to Cary, hope she and the children are quite well. NB It's all over; Cohen was found drowned at 5 o'clock this (Thursday) morning, in the River.
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.
Forbes, April 30th 1863
Dear Cousins,
I suppose by this time you have heard of the loss of Cohen, the particulars you will find in the Lachlan Mirror of the 39th inst., horror. I will tell you all about it, on Wednesday morning last the 22nd isn't. Mrs Cohen sent said to a place about six miles from Forbes, in the hope of doing him some good by change of air and if possible to wean him from the drink, sending Joshua along with him, on Monday last about noon Josh came home and said he left his father in a shanty close by; on going there we found he had not been there a t all, came back and questioned Josh who then said his father has left the place in the night and after walking all night, he said he left his father in the bush some two or three miles from home; we immediately mustered about 20 men, some mounted, others on foot and beat up the bush in every direction, but to no purpose. We also searched the river with the same results, at present the mounted troopers with black trackers are out- but we have no tidings. You may form some idea of the state of poor Mrs Cohen; she is in a pitiable state. I have just writer to Sydney, to Sam and Helen, she is too ill to write herself. Young Hart bought the portraits in pieces (there is not a piece as large as pea.) However I am extremely obliged for sending. Hart told me there was no expenses on them, please let me know if you have paid anything. I will let you know if anything turns up about Cohen, I will write you again on receipt of your reply. I remain yours truly, Ian Phillips. My best respects to Cary, hope she and the children are quite well. NB It's all over; Cohen was found drowned at 5 o'clock this (Thursday) morning, in the River.
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 placeForbes, New South Wales, Australia
Production date 1863-04-30
Object nameletters
Materialpaper
Dimensions
- length: 267.00 mm
width: 206.00 mm
Language
- English
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Liz Pozniak