Sheerness & Blue Town
Marcus Roberts

Key Dates

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1790 circa
The community is established in the navy-dock area of Blue Town, Sheerness, as an off-shoot of the Chatham community, by Isaac and Samuel Abrahams.
1802
Isaac Levy, a slop seller gives evidence against ordinary seaman John Levy who is then flogged round the fleet.
1804
The first burial takes place in the tiny Jewish cemetery
1804-5
J. Abrahams and M. Asher are pawnbrokers.
1805
A fracas occurs in the synagogue and a Jewish constable is assaulted. The miscreants are apprehended, fined and jailed.
1806
The cemetery is leased for 99 years.
1807
Abram Abrams (gentlemen)is promoted to Ensign in the local volunteer force.
1810
Asher and Rosa Nathan are attacked by navy officers.
1810
A cat is thrown into the synagogue to disrupt the service. A reward of 20 guineas is offered for the culprits.
1811
A new synagogue is built.
1812
Sheerness congregants are punished by the London Dayanim (Rabbinical judges)for doing business onboard a Man-O'-War on the Jewish Sabbath.
1812
Henry Russell, the famous songwriter is born in Sheerness.
1813
Jonas Abraham and Aaron Moss have their Navy Agents' license revoked for abuse of position.
1816
The list of Navy Agents shows nine licensed Jewish navy Agents.
1816
A Jewish marriage is contracted between Sarah Meyers and Hyam Abrahams.
1820
Samuel Abraham (founder of the synagogue) has his navy agents' license revoked for the abuse of his position.
1824
Pigots' Directory lists the following Jews and profession; Levi Alexander (Navy Agent), Isaac and Michael Abraham (Pawnbrokers and Silver Smiths), Michael and Isaac Abraham (Tailors and Drapers, Daniel Cohen (Watchmaker).
1831
After the Napoleonic War the community declines - many are found to have moved to Glasgow.
1841 circa
The synagogue is restored but there are only five Jewish families left in Sheerness. In trade directories they are all Abrahams, Levys and Jacobs (excepting one Benjamin (the furrier)) - slopsellers, pawnbrokers / silversmiths, haberdasher / milliner / dressmaker, furniture-broker.
1843
The community gain their cemetery in perpetuity.
1845
A Jewish wedding takes place.
1846
The community gain opprobrium due to their involvement selling off of the effects of the dead from a plague ship.
1853
There are 15 seat-holders in the synagogue.
1859
A new cemetery plot is established in the Isle of Sheppey cemetery
1869
Another Jewish wedding takes place.
1876-7
Henry Jacobs is a founding board member of Blue Town Elementary School.
1887
The synagogue and the community are in complete decay. The Chief Rabbi advises the synagogue is dismantled.
1904
Mrs Jacobs dies aged 87 at Southend, a well known member of the Jewish community - one of the last. Deaths of former Sheerness Jews are reported in London, for example at Victoria Park, Hackney. Henry Russell brother of Frances Jacobs dies at Willesden Terrace.
1935 circa
The synagogue is finally dismantled.
1998
Descendants of the Jewish families still live in Sheerness, and Chasidim holiday on the empty beaches of Minster.
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