Daughters of a Convict - Sarah Simonson (1864-1923), Isabella Grant (1867-1928) and Hannah Monash (1869-1931)

Sisters Sarah Simonson (1864-1923), Isabella Grant (1867-1928) and Hannah Monash (1869-1931) are buried at the Brighton General  Cemetery. They are the daughters of Moton Moss and Rebecca Alexander. I wrote about the sisters for the Brighton Cemetorians newsletter, The Cemetorian, and this is an extended version of that article. I came across this family as I have an interest in place names and World War One soldiers and wrote about the streets in St Kilda named after Crimean War battles and soldiers - streets such as Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava and Malakoff. And because I like the sound of the word Malakoff I wrote about the Great War soldiers who had enlisted from Malakoff Street in both St Kilda and Caulfield. I discovered that Sarah Simonson lived for a time at 17 Malakoff Street in Caulfield, had two sons who enlisted and that they were the nephews of General Sir John Monash; and then discovered that Isabella Grant lived with Sarah at 17 Malakoff Street and that her husband also served in the War. You can read this post here. 

We will start this story with the father of Sarah, Isabella and Hannah, Moton Moss - and who in various sources is sometimes called Martin and sometimes Morton.

In 1824, Moton Moss was sentenced to seven years transportation to Van Diemen’s Land for stealing two bags of seeds valued at eight shillings. He arrived on the Medway in December 1825. He served his time, returned to England, was charged with theft again and was transported again, on the Lotus, to Hobart arriving in May 1833. He received his certificate of freedom in 1839. (1)

Moton's obituary in The Herald, in June 1879 notes he was a well-known and old established colonist, with whose doings nearly everyone is familiar and that he was born in London on June 7, 1800. It makes no reference to his convict past, but that he arrived in Melbourne from Tasmania in 1852 opening a small drapery warehouse at the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets ... During the days of the diggings he carried on business with varied success, and afterwards left that place and went to Sydney, where, after remaining for a short time he returned  to the colony, and opened business as a merchant in 1861, which he carried on up to the time of his death. He dealt largely in mining shares, and was also interested in most of the Banking and Insurance Companies in Melbourne ... His presence at the various auction rooms in town was always a source of pleasantry to those engaged there, his humor and good nature never deserting him up to the last ... He is one of the largest city property holders here, and leaves a considerable amount of money to his widow and children, by whom his death was much regretted, although not altogether unexpected, he having reached the ripe age of 79 years. (2)

Dr Sue Silberberg in her book A Networked Community, notes that by the early 1860s Moton had acquired around 50 parcels of land in Carlton, East Melbourne, Fitzroy and South Melbourne. (3)  When he died in 1879 Moton still had substantial land holdings mainly vacant blocks in country towns - Wallan and Epping were two of them - as well as various urban properties such as the Wexford Arms Hotel in Lonsdale Street, the White Hotel in Nunawading, the Rose and Crown Hotel in Flemington Road, and shops and houses. (4)

Moton was married to Rebecca Abrahams, who had been born in London to Isaac and Susan (nee Levy) Alexander.  Rebecca had previously married Isaac Abrahams in Sydney in about 1846, when she was 17 years old. They had three sons - Isaac, Morris and Jacob. Her husband died when the boys were little, and she was still only 23 when she married Moton. (5)

Moton and Rebecca had four children. Their son David, was on September 28, 1857 at 119 Elizabeth Street and he died in Sydney in September 7, 1906. (6)  Their three daughters were - Sarah Maria, born on January 31, 1864 at 124 Collins Street; Isabella Deborah, born in April 1867 at 3 Alfred Place, Victoria Street, Carlton and Hannah Victoria on September 30, 1869, also at 3 Alfred Place. (7)

Hannah is the best known as she was the wife of General Sir John Monash, who needs no introduction. They had married at the Freemasons Hall in Collins Street on April 8, 1891 in a service, conducted by Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon. Hannah was 21 and John was 25. They had one daughter Bertha on January 22, 1893. Hannah died on February 27, 1920 at her home Iona, in Toorak. Her service was conducted by Rabbi Dr Joseph Abrahams. (8)  Rabbi Abrahams had recently retired as the senior minister of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and only two weeks before the funeral had addressed a large crowd at the Prahran Town Hall at a function held by the Jewish Community to welcome General Monash on his return from active service abroad. (9). Hannah is buried in a double grave at Brighton Cemetery,  with her husband, who died in October 8, 1931. (10)

Hannah Victoria Monash

Image: Monash University Archives

The middle sister, Isabella, married James Peter Grant, a Quantity Surveyor on July 13, 1901, when she was 34 and he was 27. They were married by the Registrar of Marriages, Edward Shattock, at his office in Ascot Vale. (11) The marriage was not successful and they separated some years later and there were no children. When James enlisted in the A.I.F at the age of 41 in April 1916, he was living in New South Wales and he listed his sister, Miss Mary Theresa Grant f Malvern, as his next of kin. James was wounded in action whilst fighting in France - a gunshot wound to the right leg, which led to amputation – and died as a result two days later on April 7, 1918.  After his death the issue arose as to who should receive his medals. There are a series of letters in his file at the National Archives of Australia from both women supporting their claim and finally in July 1921 the decision was made that his widow, Isabella, should receive the medals. I have written more about James Grant's war service in my Malakoff Street soldiers post, here. (12)

In the 1910s Isabella lived at various addresses in Prahran or St Kilda; but in the 1920s she was living at Belle Vista in Parliament Place, East Melbourne. This was an up-market boarding house, located in the Tasma Terrace buildings. Isabella died March 24, 1928, aged 60.  She was buried the next day at Brighton Cemetery and her funeral service was conducted by Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon,  of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, who had conducted the marriage service of her sister, Hannah, and the funeral service of her brother-in-law, Max Simonson (more of whom later) (13) 

Rabbi Solomon died in March 1941 and The Argus had this short obituary-

Rev. Solomon Mark Solomon, who died yesterday at Hamilton Russell House, Alfred Hospital, aged 83 years, was chaplain-colonel of the Australian Militia Forces. His life was marked by many varied activities and for nearly half a century was secretary and assistant minister to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. He was also secretary of the Melbourne Jewish Friendly Society. The Boy Scout movement claimed much of his time, and for his services was presented with the gold award. For many years he was treasurer and trustee of Mintern Boys' Home, Frankston. He was a Freemason and a member of the Australia Natives Association. He leaves a widow, four daughters and three sons. (14)

Moton Moss died on June 12, 1879 and his wife Rebecca on July 24, 1882 at the age of 53, they are buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery. At the time of Rebecca's death the three daughters were still under the age of 21 and Rebecca’s will listed Abraham Loel and Dr Walter Balls Headley as  Executors of her Will and Trustees of her Estate. (15)  

Who were these men who were entrusted to look after 18-year old Sarah, 15-year old Isabella and 12-year old Hannah? 

Abraham Loel was a clothier of Bourke Street.  He was in partnership with Jacob Abraham Cantor and in 1877 they undertook renovations to their building as reported in The Herald -

As the city progresses and people regard the smaller and less ornamental buildings in the principal streets as eye-sores, it is interesting to note the improvements which are taking place, from time to time, in our street architecture. The latest improvement of this sort has been effected at the establishment of Messrs Cantor and Loel, clothiers and outfitters, in Bourke street, opposite the General Post Office. The firm have erected an additional storey to their establishment, which now comprises three, and ornamented the front of the building with a great "Crystal Palace" window, which is very attractive, Messrs. Cantor and Loel's establishment, which is now one of the finest in Bourke street, comprises, in its altered condition, a shop on the ground floor, well lighted, 100ft by 50ft, a room overhead of similar dimensions used as a show-room, and for cutting and fitting on garments; and a third storey, containing a room 40 feet square, used as a workshop. (16)  

The partnership, which also operated under the names of the Crystal Palace Clothing Company and the Beehive Clothing Company, split up in May 1888. Abraham Loel was a Freemason (as was Jacob Cantor) and at one time the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Australia Felix No. 474. (17)  Mr Loel died in December 1910 and the Jewish Herald reported - Mr. Abraham Loel, an old colonist, and at one time prominently connected with the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, died on Monday last at the age of seventy-four years. Formerly well-to-do, misfortune over took him, and his declining days were passed in reduced circumstances, cheered however, by the sympathy of his co-religionists, by whom his kindly character was appreciated. (18) 

The other executor was Dr Walter Headley Balls. Dr Balls Headley trained as doctor in England, after his arrival in Australia worked in Queensland and then Melbourne where he was at the Womens' Hospital from 1878 until 1900. He was also a lecturer in obstetric medicine and diseases of women and children at the University of Melbourne and was considered to be the leading gynaecologist in Melbourne. (19) In 1905, Dr Balls Headley was elected as Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria. He died in Canada in 1918. (20) 

It would be interesting to know why they were both selected to be the guardians of the three Moss sisters and executors of Rebecca's estate. I presume that Moton and Abraham Loel were connected through business. Loel and Balls Headley were both Freemasons, so there is that connection between them.  I have found no evidence that Moton Moss was a Freemason, even though his daughter Hannah was married at the Freemasons Hall, and John Monash was not a Freemason. (21)

One of the first duties of the Executors in October 1882 was to sell by auction Rebecca’s Most magnificent and unique assemblage of rare and valuable diamonds ever witnessed at one time in the history of the Colony – the advertisement itemises some of the individual pieces including flawless diamonds of eight to twelve carats and stones that had formed part of the diadems of Rajahs. (22) This collection along with Moton’s property portfolio certainly indicates that he made the most of his opportunities after his start in the country as a convict.  

Part of the advertisement for the sale of Rebecca Moss' Diamond collection

The Argus, October 18, 1882 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11556290

Another duty of Mr Loel and Dr Balls Headley was to give permission for Moton and Rebecca’s daughter, Sarah, to marry. She was 19 at the time and they are both listed on her marriage certificate as her guardians. Sarah married 32-year old, Max Michaelis Gabriel Simonson, on January 9, 1884 at the family home, Elsinore in Robe Street, St Kilda. The service was conducted by Rabbi Elias Blaubaum, of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation. (23) Incidentally,  two days after the wedding, the valuable household furniture and effects of Elsinore sold at a public auction. (24).  I wonder where Isabella and Hannah lived then; perhaps with Sarah and Max.

 

Part of the Marriage Certificate of Sarah Moss and Max Simonson

Click on image to enlarge

Sarah's husband, Maximilian Simonson (but nearly always referred to as Max),  was a merchant and importer and he had been born in Christburg, West Prussia. He arrived in Victoria in June 1878, from London. He was naturalized in March 1894, when he was 42 years old. (25)

Part of Max Simonson's Naturalization file

National Archives of Australia

  https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1792995

Click on image to enlarge

Max and Sarah had six children all born in Brighton - 

Vera Amelie, born November 22, 1884 at Park Street, Middle Brighton; Karl Jacob born September 19, 1886 at Middle Brighton;  Leopold John  on July 2, 1888 at Karlvera, Church Street, Middle Brighton; Doris Belle on January 9, 1892 at Karlvera;  Eric Loudon, on January 23, 1894 at Kalvera and Paul William  on November 9, 1895 at Karlvera. There is more detail about their lives in  footnote (26)

Miss Vera Simonson, Sarah and Max's daughter, on her wedding day to Stephen Prowse, 

on August 6, 1913.

Punch, October 9, 1913 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article176550218

Eric and Paul both served in World War One and both also served as Aide de Camp (ADC) to their uncle, General Monash. I have written more about their military service in my Malakoff Street soldiers post, here.

Max Simonson died on September 30, 1920 at St Helen’s Licenced House, Woods Street, Preston. This was a hospital for mental cases, as reported in one newspaper. His Inquest noted that he had been admitted to St Helens in December 1915, and that he died of heart disease and disease of the brain and that he was 69 years old. His burial service was conducted by, as we know,  Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon.  Sarah Simonson died on September 4, 1923 at her home at 60 Coppin Street, East Malvern. Her funeral held two days later was conducted by Rabbi Israel Brodie of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. She is buried in a double grave at the Brighton Cemetery with her husband Max. (27)

This, then, is the story of the Moss sisters, who are a perfect examples of how having a father who was a transported convict was no barrier to marrying a respectable husband and making a successful life for themselves and their children. Moton is an example of how many convicts thrived in Australia after they had done their time. Having said that, transportation didn't always work out well for everyone.  George Moss, the brother of Moton, was also transported to Van Diemen's Land, in 1831. He along with seven others stole a boat from Port Arthur and managed to sail it all the way to Twofold Bay, near Eden, in New South Wales, where they were captured. George was sent to Norfolk Island after this and was shot and killed when he and others tried to steal another boat. (28)


Footnotes
(1) These are the names: Jewish lives in Australia, 1788-1850 by John S. Levi (Miegunyah Press, 2013), pp 622-623.

(2) The Herald, June 12, 1879, see here.

(3) Networked Community: Jewish Melbourne in the Nineteenth Century by Sue Silberberg (Melbourne University Press, 2020), p. 147.  It was footnote 46, on page 173 of Dr Silberberg's book which alerted me to Moton's entry in These are the names as Moton is called Martin/Morton in the book.

(4) Moton's Will and Probate papers at the Public Records Office of Victoria.

(5) Death certificate of Rebecca Moss.

(6) David - Birth notice - The Age, September 29, 1857, see here; Death notice - The Argus, September 10, 1906, see here.

(7) Birth notices - Sarah - The Argus, February 1, 1864, see here; Isabella - The Argus, April 20, 1867, see here ; Hannah - The Argus, October 1, 1869, see here.

(8) Hannah - Marriage certificate and Death Certificate; General Monash's entry in Australian Dictionary of Biography https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/monash-sir-john-7618 

(9) Jewish Herald, July 11, 1919, see here; Jewish Herald, February 20, 1920, see here - ;

(10) Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/ 

(11)  Isabella - Marriage certificate.

(12) James Peter Grant - (Service Number 2322) Service Record at the National Archives of Australia.

(13) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Tasma Terrace - https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Womens-Melbourne-Walks-Part-2_B5_reducedsize.pdf Death Certificate of Isabella.

(14) The Argus, March 10, 1941, see here.

(15) The Herald, June 12, 1879, see here;  Death Certificate - Rebecca Moss; Rebecca's  Will and Probate papers at the Public Records Office of Victoria.

(16) The Herald, June 21, 1877, see here.

(17) The Argus, June 6, 1888, see here; Jewish Herald, December 12, 1884, see here.

(18) Jewish Herald, December 23, 1910, see here.

(19) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ballsheadley-walter-2926

(20) Weekly Times, January 7, 1905, see here.

(21) Ancestry.com has two databases - United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 and the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland Membership Registers, 1733-1923. All Australian Lodges were connected to these two Grand Lodges and their membership registers are on-line. 

(22) The Argus, October 18, 1882, see here.

(23) Sarah - Wedding Certificate

(24) The Argus, January 8, 1884, see here.

(25) Naturalisation  papers at the National Archives of Australia - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1792995

(26) Vera - Birth notice - The Argus, November 24, 1884, see here; Vera married Stephen Robert Prowse on August 6, 1913 - there is a report of the wedding in Punch, August 21, 1913, see here. Vera died in Caulfield on August 16, 1952 and is buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery - The Argus, August 18, 1952, see here.

Karl - Birth Notice - The Argus, September 20, 1886, see here;  Karl married Alice Christina Redfern in 1918; he died in 1964 in Toorak and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.

Leopold -  Birth notice - The Argus, July 9, 1888, see here; Leopold married Grace Alice Zwar at the Broadford Presbyterian Church  - report Broadford Courier, October 25, 1912, see here. Leopold died in New South Wales in 1960.

Doris - The Argus, January 16, 1892, see here; Doris died in Caulfield on June 20, 1945 and is buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery - The Argus, June 22, 1945, see here.

Eric - The Argus, February 3, 1894, see here;  Eric married Olive Marjorie Jenkins September 17, 1923 at Scots Church in Collins Street - wedding report The Herald, September 18, 1923, see here; they were divorced in 1931 - see Divorce file at Public Records Office of Victoria   https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/88719579-F371-11E9-AE98-0DE8EADA793B?image=1  Eric died on July 17, 1954  and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.  Death notice - The Herald, July 19, 1954, see here 

Paul - couldn't find a  birth notice; his birth comes from the Scotch College website https://portal.scotch.vic.edu.au/ww1/honour/simonsonPW.htm  Paul married Beatrice Fleming Inglis in London at the Registry Office,  on March 15, 1919. He died on March 31, 1966 and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.

(27) Death Certificates of  Max and Sarah; Preston Leader, September 2, 1918, see here; Max's Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/0DC74D0E-F1C4-11E9-AE98-316C163776B2?image=1;  Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

(28) These are the names: Jewish lives in Australia, 1788-1850, op. cit., p. 620.