Here lies
Myer Ephraim
son of Rabbi Moses
who died
and was buried on the 1st day of Heshvan
in the year 622 according to the major order of counting
May his soul be bound up in the bond of life eternal
נפ
השמ רב םירפא ריאכ
בא_ויב רבהנו רטפכ חשו_ הפל פכרת תנש
הבצנח
SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF MYER FISHEL
DIED OCTOBER 5
TH 1861,
AGED 83
Myer Fisher was a watchmaker who came originally from Poland. Myer and his wife Jesse, whose matching grave lies next to his, arrived in Bath in the 1830s.
The 1833 Bath Street Directory lists Myer Fishel, Silversmith at 6 New Bond Street. However, on 2 July 1835 the Bath Chronicle carried a report of a 'Daring Burglary and extensive robbery at the dwelling house of Mr Fishel, Jeweller, of Walcot Buildings'. The thieves crossed the river in a boat and tied ladders together to reach the drawing room window. Watches and jewellery to the value of £100 were stolen.
The family stayed in Bath and a few years later in 1839 the Bath City Directory lists Myer Fishel as a Watchmaker and Optician in Broad Street. By 1846 he is listed as a Watchmaker and Optician at 1 New Broad Street Place and by 1858 as a Watchmaker and Antiquarian at 4 Upper Walls. The same directory lists Jessie at the same address as a 'wardrobe dealer'.
The census records that their five children were all born in Somerset; Morris in 1832, Elizabeth in 1834, Samuel in 1835, Louis in 1836 and Amelia in 1838.
Myer Fishel died aged 83 in Bath - from the Bath Chronicle death notices of Thu 10 Oct 1861 p5: Oct 5., at his residence, M. Fishel, aged 80.
The Myer children did not stay in Bath. Morris went to London and was baptised in 1852 in Stepney. Elizabeth, Louis and Amelia went to the USA. Elizabeth married Joseph S Woolf and had four children in New Orleans. Louis died in New Orleans in 1916. Amelia is listed in the 1920 census living in New Orleans, where she died in 1922. There is no trace of Samuel.
A number of reports connected with the Fishels in the Bath Chronicle paint a vivid picture of life in Bath during 1840s and 50s.
In 1847 'two little urchins' were convicted of stealing a silver-plated cup from Myer Fishel; in 1847 a thief was committed to trial for stealing a silver skewer, which he offered for sale to Mrs Fischel who detained it as she thought it was stolen; in 1850, Samuel is accused and acquitted of stealing two silver spoons from Mr R Solomons; in 1853 Samuel is assaulted in Upper Borough Walls and in 1852 Louis was fined 2s 6p (13p) for committing assault. In 1853 Mr Fishel was summoned for the recovery of 11s 6p (58p) for commission on the sale on a piano and 1856 Mrs Fishel is summoned for non payment of 2s (10p) for a bonnet (payment was subsequently made).
Census records
1841
Kingsmead St
Bath
Name | Age
Birth
Relationship
Occupation
1851
36
Westgate Street
Bath
Name | Age
Birth
Relationship
Occupation
1861
11
Union Passage
Bath
Name | Age
Birth
Relationship
Occupation
Associated addresses
1856-1865
4
Upper Borough Walls
Bath