Samuel Moses

1807-1873

Trader

Samuel Moses was the first person to be laid to rest in Willesden Cemetery, his burial taking place in October 1873 before the new cemetery was quite ready. His life story attests to twin British and Jewish experiences of the 19th century: he was a member of the intermarried Jewish families known as “The Cousinhood”, who founded communities, and a businessman who pursued trading opportunities in Britain’s new colonies.

Moses came from a family that were pioneers in clothing; his father-in-law was the “son” in ready-made clothing retailers E. Moses & Son. Moses set up a shipping business with his brother-in-law Louis Nathan. Their fleet of sailing vessels imported wool to Britain and exported new consumer goods to Australia and New Zealand.

In Hobart, Tasmania, on the island that was then called Van Diemen’s Land, Moses was among the founders of one of Australia’s first synagogues. He was also for a time the only person in Australia authorised to perform the Jewish rite of circumcision, for which he travelled widely. As the country’s first Jewish Justice of the Peace, presiding over legal proceedings, he was well known as a community leader.

Samuel and Rosetta Moses with children, Hobart Town, c.1855-1856. Attributed to Conway Hart.