Stonemasons and Monumental Masons

A recent message on one of the forums reminded that for, some time, I had been mulling over a piece about Stonemasons.  Who and where were they? What were the particular skills of their craft? Was this a trade (or craft?) that was handed down from father to son, or could any likely lad become apprenticed?

It is believed that the early stones were carved by local, non-Jewish, stone masons and that the bereaved family would visit the mason, look round his work and select something that most closely matched their needs. Certainly it’s fair to say that there are symbols that are used both on Jewish headstones as well as Christian ones, and similar themes, in particular those representing a young life lost with broken columns, cut flowers, cut branches etc.

I wonder how they managed with the Hebrew inscriptions and whether that would explain some of the anomalies that crop up from time to time? Did the deceased’s family write out the Hebrew for the stone mason to try and copy?

It seems more likely that it would have been  the responsibility of a Synagogue functionary since, according to the Laws of the Congregation of the Hambro Synagogue published in 1844, the Rabbi of the Burial Society would check all inscriptions, before they were engraved, to ensure that the wording was correct and proper. In the event that  he allowed a stone or tomb to be set that contained an error, he would apparently have been liable to pay for any alterations or corrections; a powerful incentive to get it right!

It would clearly be extremely difficult to trace these early masons but slightly simpler to find out about more recent practitioners

We have on site the details of James Samuel founder of J. Samuel and Son monumental masons who lived at Jews Burial Ground, Stepney according to the 1841 and 1851 census.

In 1873 J. Samuel and Son advertise as Monumental Masons and undertakers at 147 Sidney Street, Mile End. Established over fifty years (so before 1823) and providing headstones, tombs and monuments for all cemeteries, in stone, Aberdeen granite and marble, with the ‘imperishable lead letters’. Although I doubt any one came back to complain I think its fair to say that the lead letters were not entirely imperishable.

Other’s I have found are:

Barnett LEVY stonemason of Princes Street Coverleys Fields who had Sun insurance in Feb 1815.

In 1858 the partnership of John Lyons undertaker of 1 Alie Street, Goodman’s Fields and Philip Levy, sexton and stonemason at Wellington Road Forest Lane was dissolved.

1861 the bankruptcy of Levi Lee 1 Carlton Road, Kentish Town.

1873 Barnett Levy monumental mason of 10 Sion Square advertises alongside J. Samuel and son in the Jewish Chronicle. A year later in 1874 there is E. Harris & Co at 1a Braumont Street, Mile end. E. Harris is advertising immediately below J. Samuel and son and includes in their advert “18 years at Messrs J. Samuel and Son”

In 1875 there is a change, E. Harris is now Harris and Barnett monumental masons. Their advert includes the “18 years with J. Samuel and Son”.

1879 and John W Legge, sculptor of Aberdeen, advertises monuments and tomb furnishings, ‘best quality from £5’.

By 1883 there are three London stone masons advertising. A. Van Praagh of Leman Street, Whitechapel along with J. Samuel and son, and Harris and Barnett monumental masons. All three saying that they provide designs on application.

1894 Directory has B. S. Polack of Bow E, Lincoln House, Lincoln Street, with his works at Gough Road, Stratford, adjoining the Jewish Cemetery: A. Van Praagh of 14 St Mark Street and works at Baron Sclater Street.: Harris and Son (rather than Harris and Barnett) at 1 Beaumont Street: and J Samuel and son at 147 Sydney Street.

Most of the above firms are clearly Jewish, but were the Masons employed to do the actual carving also Jewish?

This is very much a work in progress and it would be greatly appreciated if any of you out there who have further knowledge of London Stonemasons and their history would make contact.

Sources: London Gazette, Sun Fire Insurance, Jewish Chronicle, Directory of Jewish tradesmen 1894.

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6 Responses

  1. Ann Morse says:

    Thank you for a really interesting insight into the Jewish Burial Ground at Mile End/Whitechapel in the early 1800s. I have a Barnet Levy who appears to have been a stonemason and his son Phillip Levy who in 1846, when he was married, was living at the Jewish Burial Ground and some time later was in partnership, running a stonemason business. I found in the London Gazette that in 1856 Phillip dissolved his partnership with Joseph Lyons and also appeared before the Debtors and Insolvency Court. I hope you won’t mind if I copy a couple of your sentences and will mention them in my story, it would be very much appreciated. I have really enjoyed reading this page today. Thank you again. Regards Ann Morse Gold Coast Australia

  2. Barbara Levy says:

    I am the direct descendent of Barnett Levy (my g/g/gt grandfather) and his son Phillip, both of whom worked as stonemasons. I have however drawn a blank on the family history, ie where did Barnett Levy work, and was he affiliated to the Ashkenazi or Sephardi Anglo-Jewish tradition. If you can shed any more light on his work area or any similar information, eg examples of his work, I would be very grateful.

    Can I also ask Ann Morse to make contact with me through this website to share any further information.

  3. Madeleine Isenberg says:

    Thank you for broaching this subject. I have been reading and deciphering the Hebrew inscriptions on tombstones for about 15 years now, but primarily in Slovakia. I have also looked at many of the Sephardic stones in London’s East End. Over the years I have gain a ton of knowledge, but still wonder about the stonemasons. I found it quite interesting that sometimes the stonemasons (in Slovakia, at least) would “sign” their stones at the bottom, with their name and town. I speculate it could have been for at least two reasons: If they considered their work, as a “work of art” then it would have been akin to an artist, signing his work; or, a form of advertisement, “if you like what you see, contact me.” Of course it could have been both.

    By the way, there are many differences in elements inscribed on Sephardic stones as compared to Ashkenazic.

    I also wonder at the level of Jewish education and knowledge the stonemason had. Depending on who might have determined the inscription, and it might have been the mason himself with the family, he would have to have had a good knowledge of Hebrew grammar and Scriptures, since some wording was derived from there.

    If anyone had ancestors who were such stonemasons, I would love to hear what they might have known of their ancestor’s skills and knowledge, etc.

  4. christina Hilsenrath Craig says:

    I am the chair of the Jewish Burial Ground Bath. I have just discovered “B. Levy London at the bottom of one of the headstones so it was a joy to find this thread. The headstones is for Aaron Morris, who died 18 December 1822 in Bath. At the moment I cannot find anymore information about him. I can provide a photo of the headstone with B Levy’s name on the bottom if that is of interest. There was (and still is) a lot of interchange between the Bath and London communities but still Fascinating that he carved a headstone in London that was used in Bath.

  5. Noel Holtz says:

    Thank you for your work in this and I want to share that because of the engraving on a headstone I was lead to this article. The stone is an exquisite example of 18th 19th century work. Upon the stone inscribed Harris and Son Beaumont Street. This stone is the marker of the late Margaret Sarah Abrahams 1896 it survived the great earthquake of 1907 and is still erect though needing some repairs fully legible and well carved. This stone survives in Chapelton Clarendon Jamaica WI. Thank you and may you continue to lead many more with this article to those who have not allowed our descendants to slip silently into the night.

  6. ADMIN says:

    What a lovely comment and exactly why we do what we do! Thank you.

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