2nd November 2006, 12:52 AM
Much of the information we have about Aaron Kozminski was supplied by one Jacob Cohen of 51 Carter Lane to Dr Houchin at the time of Aaron's commitment to Colney Hatch in February 1891 [Sugden, p. 402]. This information includes his habit of "self-abuse" - agreeing with Anderson's "unmentionable vices" and Macnaghten's "solitary vices" - his threatening his sister with a knife and the fact that he had not "attempted any kind of work for years".
As far as I know the only other glimmer of light that's been shed on Jacob Cohen's identity is robert's recent discovery that on 9 July 1891 a partnership between Thomas Coughtrey Davies, Jacob Cohen and Woolf Abrahams [presumably Aaron's brother-in-law], "carrying on business as Mantle Manufacturers, at 51, Carter-lane, in the city of London, under the style or firm of Davies, Cohen, and Company" was dissolved [citing London Gazette, 17 July 1891].
Thanks to robert and Chris Scott for posting relevant information from censuses and directories. I thought it would be useful to summarise the information on the premises and the partners in a new thread.
The partnership seems to have been a small-scale and short-lived affair. The premises seem to have been on the south side of Carter lane, immediately to the east of the junction with Addle Hill. The Post Office Directory gives at this address (1890-1892) Jones and Waters, dining rooms, and Yardley Wright/Yardley Daniel Wright, mantle manufacturer. These are the only two entries for this address in the 1890 directory, but in 1891 they are joined by Thos C. Davies, mantle manufacturer. However, in 1892 this is replaced by Henry Green, woollen agent.
Judging by the O.S. map, the premises were not large, and "Davies, Cohen, and Company" may have occupied no more than a few rooms.
[More to follow]
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
robert2nd November 2006, 11:17 AM
Chris, here's another reference to Woolf Abrahams. I don't know if it's the same man, though it's the same trade.
London Gazette 23rd Feb 1906
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tom_wescott2nd November 2006, 05:16 PM
Chris,
Do you happen to know Jacob's middle name or initial?
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cgp1002nd November 2006, 08:24 PM
robert
Thanks for that further item. I would guess that is a different Woolf Abrahams, as Aaron's brother-in-law was in Manchester in 1901, though of course that's not conclusive evidence, and for all I know he may have come back to London later on.
Perhaps we should also be hesitant about assuming that Jacob Cohen's partner of 1891 is Aaron's brother-in-law. But to my mind the important thing is that, because of the address, the partner Jacob Cohen must be the same man who made a statement to Dr Houchin about Aaron Kozminski.
Tom
I don't think anything more is known about Jacob Cohen than is given in Houchin's report and in the record that robert has just found. The fact that no middle initial is given in the London Gazette suggests he didn't have a middle name. I have found a Jacob Cohen who looks like a reasonably good fit in several ways - though it's impossible to be sure it's the right one - I'll try to post the details later tonight.
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 08:53 PM
The premises of 51 Carter Lane was acquired by the Post Office in 1884 as follows:
The Times
18 November 1884
In Parliament - session 1885
Post Office (Acquisition of Sites)
Power to the Postmaster General to acquire by compulsion certain Lands, Houses, and Buildings in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Notice is hereby given that Application is intended to be made to Parliament in the Session of 1885 for an Act to empower Her Majesty's Postmaster General to acquire and take for the service of the Post Office, by compulsory purchase or otherwise, the lands, houses, and buildings following (that is to say):-
the list includes:
Knightrider Street and Carter Lane, Lonodn (Extension of Post Office Savings Bank)
Certain lands, houses and buildings situate in the parish of St Gregory by St Paul's. in the City of London, being numbered 43, 45, 47, 49, 51 Carter Lane; 2, 4, 5 Bell Yard; etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 08:54 PM
I have only been able to find one reference to a Jacob Cohen engaged in the mantle making business:
Jacob Cohen
Mantle manufacturer
IN the 1901 census the following are listed as mantle manufacturers:
Abraham Cohen aged 25 in Camberwell
Barnett Cohen aged 42 in Spitalfields
Morris Cohen aged 43 in Islington
Under the description Mantle maker, the following were found:
Coleman Cohen aged 22 Mile End
Sam Cohen aged 24 Mile End
Jacob Cohen aged 29 Ratcliff (born Russia Brit Subject) born circa 1872
Hyman Cohen aged 32 St George East
Morris Cohen aged 40 Mile End
Barnett Cohen aged 48 Whitechapel
This Jacob Cohen is listed as follows in 1901:
3 Albert Square, Ratcliff, London
Head: Jacob Cohen born Russia (British Subject) aged 29 - Mantle maker (Tailor written over this entry)
Wife: Leah Cohen aged 32 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
Sister in Law:
Rachel Glasser aged 34 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
Father in Law:
Joshua Glasser aged 61 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cgp1002nd November 2006, 08:56 PM
Thomas Coughtrey Davies was the son of Thomas Davies and Sarah Coughtrey, whose marriage was registered in the Marylebone district in the third quarter of 1862. The birth of TCD was registered in the same district in the fourth quarter.
The family was at Wood End Green in the parish of Hayes in 1871 (RG 10/1310, f. 71; p. 23). The father, Thomas Davies, aged 41, born at Carmarthen, is described as a Retired Draper. His wife Sarah was aged 35 and born at Stanmore, Middlesex. Their children are Thomas C., 8, and Richard C., 6, both b. Marylebone, Clara, 2, b. Hammersmith, and Bertha, 3 months, b. Hayes. The family had one female domestic servant.
Unfortunately, I haven't managed to find Thomas in either the 1881 or the 1891 census, so the period that's of most interest is a blank. The family seems to have disappeared by 1881, the father presumably having died (perhaps having retired at such an early age owing to ill health). The only likely entry I've found for one of the children is that for Clara Davies, 12, b. Hayes, who was boarding at The College, Tressillian Road, St Paul Deptford. There is a possible entry for Thomas - a Thomas Davies, 20, b. Marylebone, lodging in Mint St, St George's Southwark, and described as a hawker.
Thomas Coughtrey Davies definitely surfaces again in the third quarter of 1900, when his marriage to Venetia Goold was registered in Pancras district. In the 1901 census the couple was living at Fawcett Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, he being described as a "Furniture Cloth[ier]y & Drapery Agent", 38, b. Edgware Road, London, and she appearing as "Venicia" Davis, aged 30, b. Norwich, Debenham Rd[?].
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 09:01 PM
There is also a notice relating to the sale of 51 Carter Lane in 1882:
The Times
9 May 1882
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 09:10 PM
The Jacob Cohen, mantle maker, of Albert square mentioned above may well have some family connection with the story below:
Times
7 February 1901
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Much of the information we have about Aaron Kozminski was supplied by one Jacob Cohen of 51 Carter Lane to Dr Houchin at the time of Aaron's commitment to Colney Hatch in February 1891 [Sugden, p. 402]. This information includes his habit of "self-abuse" - agreeing with Anderson's "unmentionable vices" and Macnaghten's "solitary vices" - his threatening his sister with a knife and the fact that he had not "attempted any kind of work for years".
As far as I know the only other glimmer of light that's been shed on Jacob Cohen's identity is robert's recent discovery that on 9 July 1891 a partnership between Thomas Coughtrey Davies, Jacob Cohen and Woolf Abrahams [presumably Aaron's brother-in-law], "carrying on business as Mantle Manufacturers, at 51, Carter-lane, in the city of London, under the style or firm of Davies, Cohen, and Company" was dissolved [citing London Gazette, 17 July 1891].
Thanks to robert and Chris Scott for posting relevant information from censuses and directories. I thought it would be useful to summarise the information on the premises and the partners in a new thread.
The partnership seems to have been a small-scale and short-lived affair. The premises seem to have been on the south side of Carter lane, immediately to the east of the junction with Addle Hill. The Post Office Directory gives at this address (1890-1892) Jones and Waters, dining rooms, and Yardley Wright/Yardley Daniel Wright, mantle manufacturer. These are the only two entries for this address in the 1890 directory, but in 1891 they are joined by Thos C. Davies, mantle manufacturer. However, in 1892 this is replaced by Henry Green, woollen agent.
Judging by the O.S. map, the premises were not large, and "Davies, Cohen, and Company" may have occupied no more than a few rooms.
[More to follow]
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
robert2nd November 2006, 11:17 AM
Chris, here's another reference to Woolf Abrahams. I don't know if it's the same man, though it's the same trade.
London Gazette 23rd Feb 1906
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
tom_wescott2nd November 2006, 05:16 PM
Chris,
Do you happen to know Jacob's middle name or initial?
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cgp1002nd November 2006, 08:24 PM
robert
Thanks for that further item. I would guess that is a different Woolf Abrahams, as Aaron's brother-in-law was in Manchester in 1901, though of course that's not conclusive evidence, and for all I know he may have come back to London later on.
Perhaps we should also be hesitant about assuming that Jacob Cohen's partner of 1891 is Aaron's brother-in-law. But to my mind the important thing is that, because of the address, the partner Jacob Cohen must be the same man who made a statement to Dr Houchin about Aaron Kozminski.
Tom
I don't think anything more is known about Jacob Cohen than is given in Houchin's report and in the record that robert has just found. The fact that no middle initial is given in the London Gazette suggests he didn't have a middle name. I have found a Jacob Cohen who looks like a reasonably good fit in several ways - though it's impossible to be sure it's the right one - I'll try to post the details later tonight.
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 08:53 PM
The premises of 51 Carter Lane was acquired by the Post Office in 1884 as follows:
The Times
18 November 1884
In Parliament - session 1885
Post Office (Acquisition of Sites)
Power to the Postmaster General to acquire by compulsion certain Lands, Houses, and Buildings in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Notice is hereby given that Application is intended to be made to Parliament in the Session of 1885 for an Act to empower Her Majesty's Postmaster General to acquire and take for the service of the Post Office, by compulsory purchase or otherwise, the lands, houses, and buildings following (that is to say):-
the list includes:
Knightrider Street and Carter Lane, Lonodn (Extension of Post Office Savings Bank)
Certain lands, houses and buildings situate in the parish of St Gregory by St Paul's. in the City of London, being numbered 43, 45, 47, 49, 51 Carter Lane; 2, 4, 5 Bell Yard; etc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 08:54 PM
I have only been able to find one reference to a Jacob Cohen engaged in the mantle making business:
Jacob Cohen
Mantle manufacturer
IN the 1901 census the following are listed as mantle manufacturers:
Abraham Cohen aged 25 in Camberwell
Barnett Cohen aged 42 in Spitalfields
Morris Cohen aged 43 in Islington
Under the description Mantle maker, the following were found:
Coleman Cohen aged 22 Mile End
Sam Cohen aged 24 Mile End
Jacob Cohen aged 29 Ratcliff (born Russia Brit Subject) born circa 1872
Hyman Cohen aged 32 St George East
Morris Cohen aged 40 Mile End
Barnett Cohen aged 48 Whitechapel
This Jacob Cohen is listed as follows in 1901:
3 Albert Square, Ratcliff, London
Head: Jacob Cohen born Russia (British Subject) aged 29 - Mantle maker (Tailor written over this entry)
Wife: Leah Cohen aged 32 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
Sister in Law:
Rachel Glasser aged 34 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
Father in Law:
Joshua Glasser aged 61 born Russian Jew (Foreign Subject)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
cgp1002nd November 2006, 08:56 PM
Thomas Coughtrey Davies was the son of Thomas Davies and Sarah Coughtrey, whose marriage was registered in the Marylebone district in the third quarter of 1862. The birth of TCD was registered in the same district in the fourth quarter.
The family was at Wood End Green in the parish of Hayes in 1871 (RG 10/1310, f. 71; p. 23). The father, Thomas Davies, aged 41, born at Carmarthen, is described as a Retired Draper. His wife Sarah was aged 35 and born at Stanmore, Middlesex. Their children are Thomas C., 8, and Richard C., 6, both b. Marylebone, Clara, 2, b. Hammersmith, and Bertha, 3 months, b. Hayes. The family had one female domestic servant.
Unfortunately, I haven't managed to find Thomas in either the 1881 or the 1891 census, so the period that's of most interest is a blank. The family seems to have disappeared by 1881, the father presumably having died (perhaps having retired at such an early age owing to ill health). The only likely entry I've found for one of the children is that for Clara Davies, 12, b. Hayes, who was boarding at The College, Tressillian Road, St Paul Deptford. There is a possible entry for Thomas - a Thomas Davies, 20, b. Marylebone, lodging in Mint St, St George's Southwark, and described as a hawker.
Thomas Coughtrey Davies definitely surfaces again in the third quarter of 1900, when his marriage to Venetia Goold was registered in Pancras district. In the 1901 census the couple was living at Fawcett Road, Aldeburgh, Suffolk, he being described as a "Furniture Cloth[ier]y & Drapery Agent", 38, b. Edgware Road, London, and she appearing as "Venicia" Davis, aged 30, b. Norwich, Debenham Rd[?].
Chris Phillips
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 09:01 PM
There is also a notice relating to the sale of 51 Carter Lane in 1882:
The Times
9 May 1882
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
chris2nd November 2006, 09:10 PM
The Jacob Cohen, mantle maker, of Albert square mentioned above may well have some family connection with the story below:
Times
7 February 1901
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment