Phoebe Jacobs (née Levy) was born in 1799 in Bishopsgate London. She married Samuel Jacobs, born in 1801 St James, London at the Great Synagogue London on 31 October 1821. They had three sons and six daughters, all born in London.
In 1836 Samuel, a clothes salesman, registered an insurance policy on 10 South Street, Manchester Square, London, and the family are living at this address in the 1841 census. His business must have prospered as by 1845 he has registered insurance polices at two other premises in London.
Their eldest son, Philip, died in 1845 and is buried in Brady Street Jewish Cemetery. There is no record of the family in England in the 1851 census.
Samuel's business must have prospered as by 1845 he has registered insurance polices at two other premises in London. Their eldest son, Philip, died in 1845 and is buried in Brady Street Jewish Cemetery. There is no record of the family in England in the 1851 census. But there is record of Samuel, Phoebe and four of their daughters- Harriet, Rachel, Julia and Maria - returning from Victoria, Australia in March 1855. A record of their arrival in Victoria has not been found but three of their daughters were married in Victoria between 1850 and 1854 (see life story below). Did the family go to Australia to find husbands for some of the daughters?
By the 1861 census Samuel, Phoebe and four of their unmarried daughters, Harriet, Rachel, Julia, and Maria, are back living in Paddington London in the 1861 census. We do not know why they moved to Bath. Perhaps because of Samuel's health? Samuel is registered in the Bath Directories 1862-6 as a Gentleman living at 12 Bladud Buildings. He died there in 1866 described as a 'Gentleman'. The Bath Chronicle of Thursday 8 Feb 1866 reports: 'Feb. 4, at 12, Bladud-buildings, Bath, Mr. Samuel Jacobs, late of
Connaught-terrace, London, in the 65th year of his age'. The Probate Register records that died a rich man - effects at death were under £5,000, which is £500,000 in 2020 terms.
Phoebe died a year later on 19 February 1867, aged 69, at 12 Bladud Bulidings. Her death was also reported in the Bath Chronicle. There is no trace of her will or probate record.
Harriet, Rachel and Julia are also buried in Bath.