Mordecai Solomon (1800 -1883) and Elizabeth Haines (1809 - 1852)

Lewis Solomon, the eighth and final child of Mordecai and Elizabeth was born in Sydney on 1 November 1848.

In 1867, at the age of 19, like many young lads of the time, he was struck by gold fever and made his way west to the Emu Creek (Grenfell) goldfields hoping to make his fortune. Gold was discovered here in 1866 and between 1867 and 1871 these were the richest goldfields in New South Wales

As yet we have been unable to find any record of the circumstances but on Christmas Day, 25 December 1867, Lewis died on the goldfields.

His death was announced in the Sydney Morning Herald on 28 December 1867:

“On the 25th instant, at Grenfell, Emu Creek, Lewis Solomon, youngest son of Mordecai Solomon, of this city, aged 19 years.”

Research on the Trove website shows there was a periodical, a Mining Gazette and Grenfell advertiser founded there in 1867. The chances are that Lewis's death would not have been recorded, but this may be a line worth pursuing.

On 26 December Lewis was buried in the cemetery in the nearby town of Young and his headstone still remains. The inscription states :

"Lewis, youngest son of Mord... Solomon of Sydney died at Grenfell 26 Dec am 5628 aged 19 years.”

In all likelihood Lewis was buried at Young because at that time his older brother, Myer owned the store in the nearby village of Wombat and it would have been Myer who arranged the burial.

[Adrian Paul]

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