Solomon Levey

75

iain Frazier on 13th June 2026

Family convicts for Solomon (Levey) are: LEVEY Solomon (Levy/Levey) was born about 1794. He was tried as accessory to theft with 1other, on 18 8 1813, of tea at Old Bailey on 27 10 1813, sentenced to 7years, held probably at London/Middlesex Gaol Delivery & possibly on hulk RETRIBUTION & arrived in NSW as a convict on 27 1 1815 after a voyage of 5months on MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON. He commenced dealing in real estate & supplying goods to Government. He married Ann (Roberts age14) on 11 2 1819 at St Johns CofE Parramatta/St Phillips CofE Sydney. He was a dealer in 1819 & was issued his Absolute Pardon & Certificate of Freedom no.345 on 8 2 1819; he was 5'6" dark pale complexion black hair dark hazel eyes. He became a proprietor of the Bank of New South Wales store keeper ship broker and agent with sealing interests and a base at Tahiti whence he imported island products in his own ships; he was a partner in a water-mill at Liverpool, owned a rope factory, and had grazing properties and land grants in the Counties of Argyle and Cumberland. He took on civic duties & was a generous supporter of benevolent and religious institutions and acted as a trustee for the Sydney Public Grammar School. He journeyed to England in pursuit of his business interests. He bankrolled the failed settlement in Swan River colony by Mr (Peel). He died on 10 10 1833 age39 in London. [Some details taken from this Website; & noted an Abraham (Levy) was also a convict on MARQUIS OF WELLINGTON. Ann (Roberts) was born on 3 8 1804. She was provided with a land dowry by her father in 1819. She left her husband for a lover & died from his mistreatment on 3 2 1824 age19-she was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. Details of Ann (Roberts)s family are given in entry for William (Roberts NEPTUNE 1790) on this Website. Solomon (Levy/ey) & Ann (Roberts) produced 2children: Noted a James Thomas (Levy) is recorded as born in 1817-no parents given 1.John (Levy) was born on 13 11 1819 & baptised on 25 1 1820 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 2.Jane Ann (Levey) was born in 1822. She died on 19 1 1824 age23m & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. Reference: Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony.

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 10th December 2020

New South Wales Certificate of Freedom. [NRS 12208] Register of Certificate of Freedoms No; 345 Name; Solomon Levy When and where tried; Middlesex G D - October 1813 [by Solomon Levy's own statement] Sentence; 7 years Ship and arrival year; Marques of Wellington - 1815 When time expired. Date of Certificate; 8 Feb 1819 Description and Remarks; Native County; London Trade; Broker ? Age; 23 years. [1795] Height; 5 ft 6 inches Complexion; Dark Pale Hair; Black Eyes; Dark Hazel Additional Remarks; Slender. Delivered Feb 1819. Wholly a Reference to a "Retribution Hulk" List appears to be one of the 70 convicts embarked from that Hulk on the 25 July 1814 as Certified by Robert Smith, the Comm. of that Hulk and ...sentence seven years .....

54

Phil Hands on 2nd April 2017

Solomon was tried and sentenced on 27th October 1813 at the Old Bailey to transportation for seven years as an accessory to the theft of 90 lbs (41 kg) of tea and a wooden chest, a charge that he denied. Left England on 1st September 1814. Ship:- the 'Marquis of Wellington; sailed with 200 male convicts on board of which 2 died during the voyage. Arrived on 27th January 1815. Solomon Levey (1794-1833), emancipist and merchant, was sentenced in October 1813 at the Old Bailey to transportation for seven years as an accessory to the theft of 90 lbs (41 kg) of tea and a wooden chest, a charge that he denied. He arrived in Sydney in the Marquis of Wellington in January 1815. He lost no time in starting his business career in Sydney, and was soon dealing in real estate and supplying the government store with various goods. On 8th February 1819 he received an absolute pardon and three days later married Ann, daughter of former convicts William Roberts ('Scarborough' 1788) and Jane Longhurst, William , a wealthy emancipist, gave her a rich dowry of land and livestock. In November 1819 a son was born and in 1822 a daughter who died in childhood. The marriage proved a failure; Ann took a lover and ran away but died of maltreatment in February 1824. He never married again. Solomon prospered as store keeper, ship broker and agent and by 1825 claimed a turnover of £60,000 a year. He had sealing interests and a base at Tahiti whence he imported island products in his own ships; he was a partner in a water-mill at Liverpool, owned a rope factory, and had grazing properties and land grants in the Counties of Argyle and Cumberland. Soon after his pardon he became a proprietor of the Bank of New South Wales; he advocated lower interest rates and association with English banking firms. In December 1824 he joined other respectable citizens in a request to be admitted to jury duties. He was a generous supporter of benevolent and religious institutions and acted as a trustee for the Sydney Public Grammar School. In June 1825 Levey joined forces with Daniel Cooper. They took over the Lachlan and Waterloo Co., formerly owned by Hutchinson, Terry & Co. By indenture of 6 May 1826 the firm Cooper & Levey was founded, each of the partners bringing £30,000 into the joint-stock enterprise. As importers, exporters, woolbuyers, shipowners and shipbuilders, shipping agents, whalers and sealers and with their general store at the Waterloo Warehouse in George Street, Sydney, they had a large share of the colony's business. In March 1826 the firm acquired the properties of Captain John Piper in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. In 1828 Cooper & Levey were among the colony's largest owners of stock. The partners later acquired, by grant or purchase, most of the land in Waterloo, Alexandria, Redfern, Randwick and Neutral Bay. On 14th May 1826 he set sail for England with his son John. Levey went to London to establish a buying office for Cooper & Levey and to raise money. In London he chartered several ships to take his merchandise to Sydney and acted as an ardent agent especially for Jewish emigration to New South Wales. Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), Wednesday 20th June 1827, page 3 MR. LEVEY IN ENGLAND. Mr. Solomon Levey's trip to England will, from what we have heard, prove of great use to this Colony. The extensiveness of his dealings; on behalf of the firm of Cooper and Levey, together with his great punctuality, will not only establish his own credit, but encourage the general trading and speculations of the English Merchants with the Colony. We have been a good a deal pleased to hear of his bustling activity; as well as the zeal which he has displayed in favor of the Colony since his arrival in England. He has met with very handsome treatment from some of the first mercantile houses in the city of London, and we doubt not his exertions will be a source of great profit to himself and partner, and of public utility. It is expected that THE MEDWAY will bring out one of the most splendid and also one of the cheapest Investments imported into New South Wales. Mr. Levey finds that ready money in London, as well as in New South Wales, is far better than credit; and accordingly he has profited by providing himself amply with this general pass-port to a good market. We may glance at the prejudices which monopolizing houses endeavoured to raise against Mr. Levey, merely, to state that he has wholly overcome them, and that wherever he has traded in London, he has traded under the confidence of the Merchants he met with. Our informant tells us that Mr. Levey has been at most of the India warehouses, in the course of his dealings, and derived from all quarters a fund of mercantile information, which he will not fail to turn to the best account. — When the Lucy Ann sailed, he had effected most of his London purchases for the Medway cargo, and was about to take a trip to Liverpool, Manchester, Staffordshire, &c. At the latter place he would provide himself with a stock of crockery, and the ware which is known as "Staffordshire ware." Messrs. Samuel and Phillips, relatives of the Rothschilds, have acted very liberally towards Mr. Levey; and in the full confidence of the stability of the firm of Cooper and Levey, are likely to have extensive trade with him. People thinking of emigrating, pay frequent visits to Mr. Levey, and he has induced several to try their fortunes in this new Country. All this will tend to the good of the Colony, and entitle Mr. Levey to the good wishes of his fellow colonists. In December 1829 Solomon was introduced to Thomas Peel and became his partner in a venture to establish colonists in the new settlement at Swan River. Under the name of Thomas Peel & Co., Levey was to act as director in London and Peel to manage affairs in Western Australia. Through mismanagement in the colony, the venture languished; Peel made no reports and even neglected to assure for Levey half of his land grant of 250,000 acres (101,173 ha) at Cockburn Sound. Although Levey had provided all the company's capital of £20,000 he continued to back the venture, selling land in Sydney to buy supplies for Peel and his settlers. By 1832 Levey was forced to seek information from the Colonial Office, thus revealing for the first time his share in the company. Although he lost a fortune in the venture he did not live to see its final failure. After a short illness he died in London on 10th October 1833. Sydney Monitor, 18th February 1834, p 3 We are extremely sorry to hear of the death, in London, of Mr. Solomon Levey, merchant, formerly of Sydney. Mr. Levey was universally respected. Considering the nature of our society, no man had fewer enemies. He was a great lover of New South Wales, and strove, according to his views of its prosperity, to promote its welfare. He objected to political interference as premature, and therefore never took part in Colonial politics. Among bequests to his family and to benevolent institutions of various faiths, Levey left £500 to the Sydney College, which became the Sydney Grammar School. This sum, transferred after twenty years, made him the first benefactor of the University of Sydney. Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 6th March 1928, page 10 THE UNIVERSITY. FIRST BENEFACTION. THE LEVEY SCHOLARSHIP. Following closely upon the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Sydney University, the 50th anniversary of Sydney's Great Synagogue has been celebrated. It is an interesting fact that at the head of the list of benefactors of the University stands the name of Solomon Levey. He gave £500 to the Sydney Col-lege, which had been established in 1835 by a certain number of subscribers forming a joint stock company, "for the purpose of imparting the rudiments of a liberal education to the youth of the colony." Mr. Levey directed that his bequest should be used in the purchase of shares in the college, and that the annual income arising therefrom should be applied towards the education of orphan boys at the discretion of the trustees of the college. The Sydney College having failed in its object, the shareholders were empowered by Act of Par-liament, in 1853, to sell to the University of Sydney the land in Hyde Park which had been granted by the Government as a site for the college, with the building and all othor pro-perty belonging to the college, including Mr. Levey's bequest. The same year, the sale having been effected, the Senate of the University resolved that Mr. Levey's bequest be devoted to the foundation of a scholarship, to be called the Levey Scholarship; but that the principal, which then, with accrued interest, amounted to £565, should be allowed to accumulate further before its actual application to the intended object. In 1926 the capital value of the Levey scholarship was shown in the books of the University at £1288/3/9 — a testimony to the careful trusteeship of the University authorities. Up to 1878 the Levey scholarship was awarded for general proficiency at the matriculation examination, and amongst the holders during the period were the late Judge Murray, the late Chief Justice Cooper of Queensland, Judge Backhouse, and the late Mr. H. E. Barff. After 1878 proficiency in chem-istry and physics among undergraduates was the basis of the award, and among holders of the scholarship since then may be mentioned the late Dr. Rennie, Mr. Frank Leverrier, K.C., Mr. Justice Ferguson, Dr. J. J. C. Bradfield, Professor Sandes, Dr. W. G. Woolnough, Pro-fessor H. E. Whitfeld, now Vince-Chancellor of the University of Western Australia, Mr. L. C. Robson, headmaster ot the Church of Eng-land Grammar School, and Mr. Trikojus, who recently graduated Ph.D. at Oxford, and has gone to Munich to complete his studies in organic chemistry. The latest link between the Jewish com-munity and the University is the gift to the appeal fund by Mr. and Mrs. G. J. Cohen of half of one of their diamond wedding presents. Levey's real estate in New South Wales took ten years to liquidate and the estimated total value amounted to £14,332 10s. In 1843 his son John Levey-Roberts, who lived a life of leisure in Paris, settled the affairs of the partnership with Daniel Cooper and in 1851 came to an agreement with Peel in which Solomon Levey's share of 125,000 acres (50,586 ha) in Western Australia was assigned to him. Solomon Levey was a man of upright character and great kindness. He was not only a shrewd pioneer businessman and able financier but an economist of great foresight and an outstanding immigration agent for Australia. When he trusted Thomas Peel, he was probably made incautious by the fact that an aristocrat and relation of Sir Robert Peel deigned to become the partner of a Jewish former convict. He had to pay dearly for this misjudgment Old Bailey Trial Transcription. Reference Number: t18131027-2 982. JAMES SKINNER and SOLOMON LEVY, alias LEVY LEVY , were indicted for feloniously stealing, on the 18th of August , a wooden chest, value 18 d. and ninety pounds weight of tea; value 35 l. 7 s. 2 d. the property of John Challenor . JOHN CAALLENOR. I live at the Stones-end in the Borough; I am a grocer . Q. When was it you purchased any tea at the India House, of which it is supposed this chest to be a part - A. In June sale last I purchased five chests. I sent for these five chests on Wednesday the 18th of August, by my carman, William Prior . I sent the warrants by him. I have the East India warrant in my hand. Among the number of the chests was number 16947. I did not get that. The value of the tea contained in that chest was thirty-five pounds seven shillings and two pence. I speak now from the warrant. My carman brought four chests home. The chest 16947 was the chest not brought home; that was the one missing: Q. Did you ever after that see the chest any where - A. Yes, on the same 18th of August, in the afternoon, I saw it in Elizabeth White 's house, in Cobley's-court, Essex-street, Whitechapel. I knew the chest. It is the same number that I have spoken of. The tea was emptied out. I saw no tea there. This is the chest. WILLIAM HALL . I produce the chest. It was given into my custody at Lambeth-street office, by Mr. Challenor. Prosecutor. That is the same chest I saw in Mrs. White's house. WILLIAM PRIOR . I am a carman to Mr. Challenor. On the 18th of August of August I was sent by my master to the India House for five chests of tea. After I had the chests of tea in the cart I had to go to a sugar bakers in Wentworth-street, for a hogshead of sugar, and then I had to take the whole to my master's. I knew how the chests were marked by the permit. I recollect the number of one of the casks was 16947. When I got to Wentworth-street , to the sugar-house I left my cart in the street with five chests of tea in it. I went into the sugar-house with the order for the sugar. I had nobody with me to mind the cart. I was absent from the cart about ten minutes, and as soon as I had put the hogshead of sugar in the cart I uncovered the chests of tea. I took the tarpaulin off, I missed one chest of tea. I immediately went to the office, and acquainted the officers of it. I, on the same day, afterwards, saw the same chest at Mr. White's house, in Cobley's-court, Essex-street. That was the same chest that was missing from the cart; it had the same number on it. ELIZABETH WHITE . I live at No. 2, Cobley's-court, Essex-street, Whitechapel. Q. How far is that from Wentworth-street - A. A very short distance. Q. Do you know either of the prisoners at the bar - A. Yes, both of them. I never saw them until the robbery was committed, on the 18th of August; it was Wednesday I saw the two prisoners with a chest of tea in their possession. I was in my own house; the prisoners were in the archway that leads to the house where I live. It was about two o'clock in the day. The prisoner, Skinner, stamped his foot on the top of the chest; he knocked the top in; he then said if he lost any of the tea his master would make him pay for it. He then asked me and another woman to hold a bag for him. A third man had the bag. Q. There was another man with them, was there - A. Yes. The tea was emptied out of the chest; it pinched my hand so, I let go, and would have nothing more to do with it. The two prisoners emptied the tea out of the chest into a black bag. I saw all the tea emptied into the bag, except some that fell to the ground. The other woman let go her hold. The tea was emptied in the bag by the two prisoners. The man that brought the bag he went away immediately. I could not distinguish what he said. Q. You do not know whether that person or any other person brought the tea into the court - A. I do not. JAMES SHIPMAN . I live at No. 6, Cobley's-court, Essex-street. I live almost facing of Mrs. White. On the 18th of August I saw the two prisoners with a chest of tea. I saw only two; they were facing my door when I saw them. I saw them empty the tea out of the chest into the black bag. Mrs. White was helping the men while they were emptying the tea. Thomas Skinner lifted the chest while it was emptied. When the tea was put in the bag Skinner took it away upon his shoulder. The other prisoner and he went away together; they left the chest in the court. Mrs. White took the chest into her house. JOHN LITTLEJOHN . I am a shoemaker; I live at No. 18, Wentworth-street. Q. How far is that from the sugar-house - A. About three hundred yards. I live near Essex-street. On Wednesday the 18th of August, about two o'clock, I was coming down Wentworth-street; I saw a cart standing facing of Mr. Coslett's gate, a sugar-baker. I saw the cart standing. I saw no carman. The prisoner, Skinner, I then saw standing about twelve yards from the cart. Skinner had two Jews with him. I knew Skinner before; I cannot speak to the others. Q. Did you see what there was in the cart - A. I saw something in the cart. It was covered over with a tarpaulin. I did not know what it was. I went home. In about half an hour after I was at home some of my children were in the street; I heard them cry, that induced me to look out of the window. I saw the prisoner, Skinner, coming along with a black bag upon his back, and something heavy in it by the appearance; he was bustling on fast. Q. Was any body with him - A. No, he went to a neighbours of mine, about six doors off. He went in there with the bag; he went into Levy's house. He goes by the name of Levy Pop . Q. You know where Mrs. White's house is, do not you - A. Yes, he was coming from that way; he was about two minutes walk from Mrs. White's house. Q. When was it you saw Skinner after this - A. In about half an hour after this I saw him in the hands of two officers of Lambeth-street office. Q. Was he dressed the same as when you saw him before - A. No. Q. You knew him - A. Yes, I had seen him before, but the other men that was with him I do not speak to. JOHN GRIFFITHS . I am an officer of Lambeth-street office. On the 18th of August, Prior (the carman) came and gave information that a chest of tea had been taken out of his cart; it was near three o'clock. Hall and I went to Lion Levy's house, in Wentworth-street. When I went into the house I saw the two prisoner and another person that is not taken; they were along with Mrs. Levy, the mistress of the house. I told Mrs. Levy that I had just got information that a chest of tea had been brought in there. She said she knew nothing of it; I said I must look over the house. I left my brother officer to take care of the three men while I went up stairs. I found no tea. Upon my search we had no information against these men. I had not seen any of the witnesses then at that time. We left the house, and when we came out we consulted, and we returned in again, and finding Skinner in the house, not knowing him, we took him with us. The others we left, we thought we should be able to find them. After Skinner was taken to the office, I saw Mrs. White. When the prosecutor saw Skinner he told him that he had seen witnesses that had seen him steal the tea. As soon as Skinner heard that he confessed the whole; he said it was done by him and the other men; he said it was the first time that he had ever done any thing of the sort, and he had received two pound of Mrs. Levy for his share of the tea; he helped Mrs. Levy to put the tea into a sheet. Levy was not taken up until after last sessions. We went back to the house of Levy, the two men were gone. We searched Levy's house the second time, we could not find the tea. Skinner said, that Levy (the prisoner) had also two pounds of Mrs. Levy. Mr. Challenor brought the tea chest to the office. It has been in my fellow officer's possession ever since. - HALL. I was with Mr. Griffiths. I have heard his account, it is correct. I searched Skinner; I took from him a two pound note; he said that was his share that he received for the tea. COURT, Q. to Prior. As near as you can say what time of day was it when you left your cart in Wentworth-street - A. Between two and three. Q. What is the name of the sugar baker at whose door you stopped - A. Coslett. Skinner said nothing in his defence. Levy's Defence. I was coming past this alley, I saw two young men that I had never seen before in my life; they had a chest and a bag in their hands up this alley; one of them asked me to hold the bag open for them; I held it open, and in a short time I walked away. I have never seen them since. Then after that I went into the place at the back of Mr. Levy's house, which is a large yard, and there were several people playing at ball, and different games. I went in, and played among them. I had been there a quarter of an hour when some young fellows said there is some officers coming, we had better go away. Some of them run out of the yard. I went into Mr. Levy's back room, and sat down there. I saw the prisoner, Skinner, sitting in the room with another young man. SKINN