Norwich Jewish Community

LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

From the Jewish Chronicle 22nd April 1842 page 138

TO THE EDITOR OF THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

Sir,

As an Israelite, I deem it my duty to call your attention to a subject, as I trust by giving publicity to it in your valuable paper, it may be the means of accomplishing the object I have in view.  I do not know whether you are aware that in Norwich there are two burial grounds belonging to the Jewish nation, one is the property of the congregation; the other situated in Mariners' Lane is a very ancient one, and was granted by the corporation of the said city, about a century and a half ago to Mr. Solomon Levy and his heir, upon payment of ten shillings per annum to the said body.  It appears that the last of the family interred there, was a Mr. Lion Levy, and that was about sixteen years ago.  The annual quit rent, small as it is, has been neglected by the family - the ground has been recently let to a gardener, who has already taken down several grave-stones and made steps of them for his door.  My reason for making this appeal, is merely to state, that if the ground is not shortly reclaimed (the payment would not amount to more than ten pounds), the bodies, at least eight hundred in number, will be disinterred.  I dare say your readers are not aware that this place was the burial ground, until within the last half century, for all the Eastern counties, and I consider that its desecration would reflect a lasting disgrace upon our nation;  I trust that this may meet the eye, not alone of some of the descendants of the possessor, but of the leading men of our community in the metropolis.

I am, Yours respectfully

A. A. Levy

29, Red Lion Square, Spitalfields

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