Tomb of Lazarus Magnus, Chatham Jewish Burial Ground

The Tomb of Lazarus Magnus, erected in 1866, is a memorial to Lazarus Magnus (died 1865), located within the Chatham Jewish Burial Ground. The monument was designed by Edward James Physick. Constructed of Portland Stone on granite steps, it features raised lead lettering.

The monument rises to over 4 metres in height and comprises a heavily draped urn upon a pedestal topped with a tall, stepped cap. A north-facing arched marble panel depicts lightning striking a tree, symbolizing the abrupt ending of the deceased’s life; sections of this relief have been lost due to vandalism. Carved into the pediment above is a badge featuring a central lion, likely related to Lazarus's role as captain of the volunteer artillery corps. The pedestal is supported by three graduated blocks, with the detailed inscription facing north, and the two upper blocks projecting as tablets. The lead inscription is presented in sans serif capitals. The upper tablet, in both Hebrew and English, provides Lazarus Magnus’s details, noting his birthdate, death date (5625 according to the Jewish calendar), and age (fortieth year). The middle tablet details his personal qualities, his commitment to Judaism, and his benevolence. It emphasizes his ability to combine religious observance with civic duty and patriotism. The lower panel describes his career in detail, particularly highlighting his involvement in the Kent Volunteer Artillery. The inscription concludes with a quotation from Ecclesiastes XII:7, in both English and Hebrew, followed by the traditional abbreviation derived from Samuel 25:29, written in Hebrew lettering, which expresses a hope for eternal life. The monument is raised further by three granite steps and is enclosed by a chain-link fence strung between tapering stone piers set on a granite kerb. Within the enclosure, three ledger stones mark graves: one inscribed with the words “BENEATH THIS STONE LIES INTERRED THE BODY OF CAPTAIN LAZARUS SIMON MAGNUS,” and the others belonging to Lazarus’s sister, Jane (died 1872), and her husband, Henry Jacob Nathan of London (died 1879).