The first Fleet set sail on May 13th, 1777 from Portsmouth with 11 vessels. The fleet arrived at Botany Bay, Sydney in January 1978 with 717 convicts of whom 180 were women, guarded by 191 marines under 19 officers. At least 14 of the convicts were Jews. Capt. Arthur Phillip, R.N. was commissioned as the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales, defined as the Eastern portion of "New Holland".

The Jewish First Fleeters

The standard "conservative" estimate of the number of Jews on the First Fleet is 15, which is based on figure of 13 "proven" Jewish convicts, Rosanna, plus Esther Abraham's infant daughter Rosanna, and one "maybe" Jewish convicts as given by the historians Rabbi John Levi and the late Dr George F.J. Bergman. Certainly there were others that stand out in the convict muster list on account of their name - the "maybes"

Here a listing of the "proven", and the "maybe".

JEWISH CONVICTS IN THE FIRST FLEET

1

Abrahams,

Esther

London

The 13 Jewish convicts in the First Fleet further to the research of Levi and Bergman. Biographies included in Australian Genesis.

2

Abrams,

Henry

London

3

Davis,

Aaaron

Bristol

4

Daniels,

Daniel

London

5

Harris,

John

London

6

Hart,

Frances

London

7

Hart,

John

London

8

Jacobs,

David

London

9

Larah,

Flora

London

10

Levy,

Amelia

Southwark

11

Levy,

Joseph

London

12

Opley,

Peter

Maidstone

13

Josephs,

Thomas

London

14

Jacobs,

John

London

"maybe" Jewish according to Levi/Bergman

 

OTHER FIRST FLEETERS SOMETIMES INCLUDED IN LISTS OF JEWISH CONVICTS

15

Hart,

Catherine

London

The same "very Jewish" surname as two known Jewish convicts, maybe related.

16

Davis,

Frances

Chelmsford

These 7 have same surname Davis - sometimes a Jewish name - as known Jewish convict Aaron Davis of Bristol

17

Davis,

Ann

London

18

Davis,

Samuel

Glocester

19

Davis,

William

Brecon

20

Davis,

James

London

21

Davis,

Richard

----------

22

Davis,

Ann

London

23

Phillips,

Richard

London

Similar surname as that of Governor Arthur Phillip, who gives strong evidence of Jewish origins

24

Phillips,

Mary

Taunton

25

Burdo(e),

Sarah

London

 listed in "The Forefathers" 1976 Edition

26

Tuso,

Joseph

London

 Sephardic name ?

PROOF OF JEWISH IDENTITY
One of the key indicators of Jewish identity used in the Levi/Bergman research was the use of the "Old Testament" in swearing to give truthful evidence in court cases.
There are recorded contemporary references to Peter Opley's Jewishness. (See Gillen).

WHAT HAPPENED TO THESE 14+ JEWISH CONVICTS?
Much.
John Hart and Florah Larah were married at Port Jackson on 13 February 1788.
The first on the above list, Esther Abrahams, was mistress to and ultimately married Lieutenant Johnston, the officer who lead the mutiny against Governor Bligh in 1808. From her are descended many notable Australians. The family farm Annadale, a mere six miles from the (current) Sydney Harbour Bridge, was run by her, supplied meat to early Sydney Town, and was the first to import merino sheep. See Leichhardt Council Website re the Esther Abrahams Pavillion, which stands within the borders of Annadale. This Pavillion, on the shores of Sydney Harbour, offers views of both the Harbour Bridge and the Anzac Bridge.
Note that Esther Abraham's infant daughter, Rosanna, who accompanied her mother to Australia, not being a convict herself, is not included in the above list. Rosanna was (temporarily) left behind (in care) in Sydney when Esther accompanied George Johnston to Norfolk Island in March 1790. Jewish by birth and with no evidence that she was ever baptised, Rosanna was the first free Jew to arrive in Australia.

REFERENCES

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