History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 136

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992

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The society was fortunate in being able to make

$3184.29. During the third year nearly five thousand dollars were raised and expended in making new translations of some of Swedenborg's works and in stereotyping them. Since then the society has ex- pended on an average not less than three thousand dollars a year in the prosecution of its work. These facts are mentioned to show how vigorously the young society went to work and how well the initial etforts have been sustained. In the mean time the pub- lishers (J. B. Lippincott & Co.) have pushed out the new and handsomely printed editions of the society's books, securing for them a wide distribution through the regular channels of the bookselling trade, and extended notices from the press.

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

The energy displayed by this society at the outset has never abated. Among its officers and managers are some of Philadelphia's most active and successful business men, and they have brought to the work of the society their practical wisdom and the business methods which lead to success. Their work in the society is voluntarily given, there being no salaried officer of any kind, so that all the funds of the society are used for the manufacture and distribution of its books and tracts.

Its issue of tracts in exposition of New Church doctrines has been very large, aggregating many hundreds of thousands ; so has its work of supplying Protestant clergymen who make application for them with Swedenborg's work on " Heaven and its Won- ders, and Hell, from Things Heard and Seen," and with a " Life of Swedenborg;" the first a volume of four hundred and fifty-three pages, and the other a volume of two hundred and sixty-six pages. Up to the close of 1883 Protestant clergymen aud theological students had asked for and been supplied by the society with twenty-two thousand two hundred copies of the work on " Heaven and Hell," and seven thousand four hun- dred copies of the "Life of Swedenborg." Parallel with this work, and tar exceeding it in cost, has been that of L. C. Iungerich, a merchant of Philadelphia, and a member of the First New Jerusalem Society. In 1873 he announced, through circulars and ad- vertisements, that he would supply, without cost, any Protestant clergyman in the United States or Canada with a copy each of two of Swedenborg's large and most important works, viz., "The True Christian Re- ligion," eleven hundred and twenty-nine pages, and the " Apocalypse Revealed," twelve hundred and two pages. The call for these books each successive year since that time has been large. At the close of the year 1883 twenty-three thousand six hundred of the " True Christian Religion," and sixteen thousand five hundred of " The Apocalypse Revealed" had been fur- nished to clergymen in response to their application for the books, at a cost to the donor of over thirty-three thousand five hundred dollars. The whole number of books thus supplied, up to 1883, by the Tract So- ciety and Mr. Iungerich has reached nearly seventy thousand volumes. The offer of the Tract Society remains open, and Mr. Iungerich, at his death, in 1882, left ample means, in a trust fund, for the con- tinuance of his part of the work.

THE HEBREWS.

The first Israelites in Philadelphia are believed to have been descendants of those families expelled from Spain by the well-known edict of Ferdinand and Isahella, but little concerning the Jewish people and church in Pennsylvania is to be found in any records previous to the Revolution. H. P. Rosen- bach, in his lecture before the Young Men's Hebrew Association, mentions a tradition to the effect that "there were Jews in Pennsylvania before the land-

ing of Penn." In January, 1726, a special act was passed to allow Arnold Bamberger and others to hold lands, and to engage in trade and commerce. Twelve years later the proprietaries sold a piece of land to Nathan Levy for a family burying-ground, and this passing finally into hands of the first Jewish congregation, deserves a more particular account. Richard Peters was then secretary to the proprie- taries, and, under date of Feb. 17, 1747, he writes to them, saying,-

"On the 20th of September, 1738, there was laid out by order of Mr. Thomas Penn, for a hurying-place for Mr. Nathan Levy's family, the quantity of sixty foot in front, on the north side of Spruce Street, he- tween the Eighth and Ninth Streets, the east side thereof, being two hundred and forty feet west from the west side of Eighth Street. It 16 about fifty feet distant from Spruce Street [he meant from Ninth]. Mrs. Levy being buried there, and some other of the family since, Mr. Levy now desires the Proprietaries will grant him a patent, to include the ground within the wooden iaclosure, and a teu-foot alley from Spruce Street [again Ninth], of such breadth as you please. The ground is full small, but, as I know it is not agreeable to you to part with any ground in the city, I have put Mr. Levy off from desiring an enlarge- meat. You will be pleased to mention the terms or quit-rent to be reserved in the patent."

The year 1747 is believed to have witnessed the establishment of a congregation, called "Mikve Israel" (" Hope of Israel"), though it was long before they were able to build a synagogue. A letter from Jacob Henry, in New York, to Bernard Gratz, in Philadelphia, dated "Jan. 6, 1761," contains the following allusion :

" I am told there is great and mighty newe with you at Philadelphia, that the building of a synagogue is actually resolved on, and, according to my intelligence, is to be put in execution with the utmost vigor. This is news. I could hardly have thought, seven months ago, that the same would he talked of this twenty-four years to come. Pray, Barnard, if your time permits, let me know who is at the head of this grand undertaking, with n short sketch of the plan, whether the syna- gogue is to be Hambre, Pragg, or Poland fation [fashion]. For my part, I think it will be best after the old mode of Pennsylvania. The same seemingly suits everybody. The expenses are not great, for the Rev. Mordecai Yarnall serves without fee or reward, and you must know, if you gitt a new fation Mordecai, he will expect great things for nothing. But, to shorten this long epistle of mine, I will only add that I wish you may go threw your good works, and myself the pleasure to see it built."

His postscript says, "The ink is frozen and weather very cold; wood £3 per cord." The reference in the above to Rev. Mordecai Yarnall is evidently a jest, for the only person of that name in Philadelphia at the time was a member of the Society of Friends, and a minister. It has been suggested that he had displayed much interest in the welfare of the Jews, and was well known to them all. During the period between 1747 and 1775 the congregation of Mikve Israel is believed to have worshiped in a small house in Sterling Alley, which ran from Cherry to Race Street, between Third and Fourth.

In September, 1751, a notice in the Pennsylvania Gazette said,-

" Whereas, many unthinking people have been in the habit of setting up marks, and fired several shots against the fence of the Jews' burying- ground, which not only destroyed said fence, but also a tombstone in it, there being a brick wall now erected, I must desire the sportsmen to

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forbear (for the future) firing against said wall. If they do, whoever will inform, so that the offender be convicted thereof before a magis- trate, sball have twenty shillings reward paid by

" NATHAN LEVY."

In 1774, Mr. Levy gave this ground to the congre- gation of Mikve Israel.

Afterward Mr. Michael Gratz was deputed by the congregation to buy the ground extending to the corner of Ninth Street, and title-deeds were made out in his name. This fact afterward led to the mis- taken impression that Mr. Gratz had presented the congregation with the land ; therefore sixty feet were reserved for the Gratz family. Among the earlier Jewish leaders were Bernard and Michael Gratz, brothers, and eminent merchants. They took the name of Gratz from the place they came from in Germany. They are thought to have taken their name from the town of Grätz in Styria, Austria, or from Grätz in Posen.

Another member of the first congregation and syn- agogue was David Franks, a son of Jacob Franks, a prominent merchant of New York. David Franks afterward Jeft the Jewish faith. By untiring indus- try he accumulated a large property, but, by adhering to the British or loyal cause, his property was confis- cated and he became very poor. The Pennsylvania Gazette of Jan. 26, 1769, had a letter from New York, which said, " Last Monday died Mr. Jacob Franks, for many years an eminent merchant." David Franks was equally eminent for years in Philadelphia, in social affairs and in business. He became a leading member of the famous and fashionable Mount Regale Fishing Company, which met and held stately revel at Peter Robinson's aristocratic tavern at the Schuyl- kill Falls. He and Sampson Levy are on record as subscribers, at forty shillings apiece, to the first as- sembly ball, in 1758, and Mrs. Marks, whose husband was a wealthy merchant, was one of the belles of the ball. Mr. Franks lived in the Logan mansion, built about 1755, at the northwest corner of Second Street and Lodge Alley [now Gothic Street], and then as fine a residence as any in Philadelphia. His name appears in various large financial transactions and agreements. In 1743 he married Margaret, daughter of Peter Evans. His daughter Abigail married An- drew Hamilton, attorney-general of the province. Another daughter, Rebecca, was one of the leading belles of her time. She and Miss Auchmuty were among the ladies of the "Meschianza," a gorgeous fête given to Gen. Howe in 1778.

This small Jewish congregation, for some years be- fore the Revolution, had met at a house in Sterling Alley, which runs from Cherry to Race Streets, be- tween Third and Fourth. The congregation was humble and the members poor, as the following minute of proceedings in 1773 will show :

" At n meeting of the Mahamod Kuhal Kadosh Mikve Israel this 28th day of Shebat, 5533, present, Bernard Gratz, parnass; Mr. Solomon Marache, gabay ; Mr. Michael Gratz, Mr. Henry Marks, Mr. Levi Marks, Mr. Mosea Mordecai, Mr. Mordecai Levy, and Mr. Levi Solomon, it waa

resolved unanimously, that in order to support any lade worship and establish it on a more solid foundation than ( w ) gps-ent, we, the underwritten, do mutually agree aad prom-o to pay annually to the parnass or gabay for the time being, the several sums annexed to our names, which are to be paid in equal quarterly payments, and it is uo- derstood that this subscription is to continue for the term of three years from this date, which money is to be appropriated for the use of the synagogue and charitable uses now established in the city of Philadel- phia, in the province of Pennsylvania.

" As witness our hands this twenty-second day of February, ote thousand seven hundred and seventy-three, in the thirteenth yrar of his Majesty's reign.

" Bernard Gratz, parnasa, £10 per annum. " Michael Gratz, £10 per annual. " Levi Marks, £10 per nanum. " Solomon Marache, £5 per annum.

" Henry Marks, £5 per anaum.

" Levi Solomon, £4 per annum. " Mordecai Levy, £3 per annum."

At the breaking out of hostilities the principal Jews of New York, being strong Whigs, were driven out by the occupation by the British army. Many of them came to Philadelphia, and increased the number of the congregation Mikve Israel, and new quarters were sought. They hired a three-story brick house be- Jonging to Joseph Cauffman, in Cherry Alley, between Third and Fourth Streets, on the south side, nearly opposite Sterling Alley. The building is believed to be the same afterward known as the Golden Fleece Tavern. In the second story of the building the synagogue was accommodated, and conveniences for worship introduced. Among the Jews who came from New York was the Rev. Gershom Mendez Israel Seixas. He was a rabbi of influence and eloquence. He had officiated at New York, at the Mill Street Synagogue, from the year 1766, being then but little over twenty-one years of age. Under Mr. Seixas' ministrations the upper-room synagogue in Cauff- man's house became overcrowded.

In March, 1782, the Jewish congregation, still wor- shiping in the house of Mr. Cauffinan, received notice to quit the premises. Bernard Gratz and Solomon M. Cohen were appointed to purchase or hire a place for worship. They reported that they had agreed to pur- chase a house in Sterling Alley, probably the house used for worship before the Revolution. . A subscrip- tion was taken up, and a committee was appointed to conduct the affairs of the congregation, and fit up and prepare the house. It consisted of Isaac Moses, Haym Levy, Solomon M. Cohen, Simon Nathan, Ber- nard Gratz, and Jonas Phillips. Upon consideration, this committee thought that the fitting up and repair- ing of the house would amount to nearly as much as building a new one. The estimate for the latter was six hundred pounds, and the subscriptions being short, Haym Solomon agreed to pay one-fourth of the cost.

The house in Sterling Alley was then sold. A lot of ground was then bought of Robert Parrish and Ilenry Hill, in Cherry Street, west of Third, north side. Here the congregation built a plain brick building for a synagogue, with a house adjacent, tor the hazan, or reader. It was nearly square, dne story

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

high, seated about two hundred persons, and stood a little back from Cherry Street. A committee, con- sisting of Jonas Phillips, president; Solomon Mar- ache, Simon Nathan, Haym Levy, Isaac Moses, and Solomon M. Cohen, with Benjamin Seixas, treasurer, was appointed to prepare rules for the dedication ser- vice. On the 13th September, 1782, the synagogue being ready for use, it was solemnly dedicated by the rabbi, Gershom Seixas, and the congregation, accord- ing to the ancient Jewish forms.

The "Pennsylvania Archives and Colonial Records" contain, under date of Sept. 12, 1782, a " Memorial from the President and others of the Jewish Congre- gation" in Philadelphia, praying for the sanction of the commonwealth, and stating that the synagogue was to be dedicated on the following day, the 13th. From this memorial we quote as follows :

" The congregation of Mikve Ierael (Israelites) in this city, having erected a place of public worship, which they intend to consecrate to the service of the Almighty to-morrow afternoon, and as they have ever professed themselves liege subjecte to the sovereignty of the United States of America, and have always acted agreeably thereto, they humbly crave the protection and countenance of the chief magistrates in thie State lo give sanction to their design, and will deem themselves highly honored by their presence in the synagogue whenever they judge proper to favor them."

A long paper in the handwriting of Hayın Solo- mon, dated 1784, is extant, which, after describing certain difficulties connected with the transfer of the title, adds that "the dedication was on September 17th." Additional evidence has rendered it certain that the church was dedicated on the 13th of Septem- ber. This synagogue, the first and for some years the only one in the State, was known as the " Portu- guese Synagogue," because some of its members were Lisbon Jews. Mease, writing in 1810, says that " there was formerly a German synagogue in Church Alley, and thirty years ago (1780) there was one in Pear Street." The Polish Jews, a few years later, worshiped in the Adelphi building. South Fifth Street.

Sheftal, Barendt Spitzer, Moses B. Franks, Joseph Simons, Michael Marks, Jacob Mordecai, Mordecai M. Mordecai, Jacob Meyers, Benjamin Nunez, Asher Myers, Moses A. Meyers, Abraham Sasportes, Judah Myers, Joseph A. Myers, Abraham Seixas, Mordecai Levy, Michael Hart, Napthali Phillips, Naim Van Ishac, Napthali Hart, Lazarus Barnet, Levi Solomon, Joseph Henry, Isaac Abraham, Myer Hart, Jndah Aaron, Solomon Aaron, Isaac Cardoza, Manuel Myers, Colonorus Van Shelemah, David Bash, Reuben Et- ting, Samuel Israel, Joseph Carpelles, Moses Hom- berg, Moses Jacobs, Solomon Etting, Moses Nathan, Marcus Elkin, Meyer Hart and Sons, Solomon M. Myers, Samuel Lazarus, Philip Russell, Jacob Cohen, Ephraim Hart, Henry Noah, and Levy Phillips.

Something has been said of several of these, and all were representative men of that time. Simon Gratz afterward bought the house, southwest corner of Seventh and Market, in which Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, and paid for it in two payments in 1798 and 1802. Bernard and Michael Gratz lived at 107 Sassafras Street, and were mer- chants. Manuel Josephson's place of business was at 144 High Street. Israel Jacob's store was at No. 52 North Second Street ; in October, 1771, he was one of a committee to represent Philadelphia in the Assem- bly. Jonas Phillips, 110 North Second Street, was one of the leading Jews of the time, and at the head of church affairs. He married Rebecca Machada, of New York, born in 1746, and died in 1831. One son, Napthali, became a wealthy New Yorker; another son, Zalegman, born at No. 82 Chestnut Street, became one of the leading lawyers of the time. Until the day of his death, which was Aug. 2, 1839, he wore a queue. The Phillips family was descended, on the mother's side, from a lady named Nunez, who, with twenty-eight of ber relatives, escaped from the Spanish Inquisition, by way of Lisbon, to London, and her grandchildren emigrated to America. Isaac Moses subscribed three thousand pounds to the Bank of Pennsylvania to supply the Continental army with provisions for two months. Samuel Hayes was a subscriber to establish the old Chestnut Street The- atre in 1792. Moses Levy belonged to a wealthy branch of that extensive family. A house of his, No. 104 (now 308) Chestnut Street, was sold to the Bank of North America for ten thousand dollars. He was presiding judge of the District Court for some time after 1808, and for six years before that date was city recorder. His law-office was at No. 311 Chestnut Street, and his residence where the Washington House stands, below Eighth. His brother Moses, also a law- yer, and, according to tradition, brilliant, successful, and eccentric, left the synagogue, and joined the Episcopal Church. Benjamin Nones was notary pub- lic and sworn interpreter, at No. 22 Chestnut Street, from 1806 to 1824, and served in the Revolutionary army. Bernard Solomon was published by Enoch

The members of the Mikve Israel congregation at this time were as follows: Isaiah Bush, Abraham Barrias, Abraham Van Etting, Mayer Solomon, Mayer M. Cohen, Sol. Cohen, Isaac Da Costa, Nunes, from the Capes, Samuel Da Costa, Mayer Daiklain, Sam- nel De Lucena, Bernard Gratz, Michael Gratz, Moses Gomez, Daniel Gomez, Philip Moses, Samuel Hays, Jacob Hart, Manuel Josephson, Barnueb S. Judah, Isaac Judah, Israel Jacobs, Abr. Levy, Hagima Levy, Isaac H. Levy, Solomon Levy, Jacob Cohen, Ezekiel Levy, Jacob Levy, Henry Marks, Isaac Moses, Solo- mnon Marache, Moses H. Myers, Abrm. Henriquez, Jos. Solomon, Isaac Da Costa, Jr., Isaac Madeira, Joseph Madeira, Solomon Marks, Isaac Moses, Sr., Eleazar Sey, Zodak Dormisted, Simon Nathan, Lyon Nathan, Moses Judah, Moses Nathan, Joseph Aban- danon, Andrew Levy, Jonas Phillips, Cushman Po- lock, Samuel Alexander, Gershom Seysius, Benjamin Seysius, Haym Solomon, Mordecai Sheftal, Sheftal | Story, inspector, in February, 1778, for having re-

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RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

tailed whiskey. He abseonded, and five guineas were offered for his arrest. Levy Marks was a tailor, and his sign (in 1760) was a Prussian hussar, but five years later was a gentleman and lady. Henry Marks' starch-factory swung the sign of a blue bonnet. Abraham Cohen in 1800 headed his advertisement of money to lend by the trite remark, " A friend in need is a friend indeed." His office was opposite the Bank of Pennsylvania. Haym Solomon, a broker and banker, native of Poland, was a remarkable man. Being in New York when the British took that eity, he was locked for weeks in that loathsome dungeon called the "Prevot," but, escaping, came to Philadel- phia, and gave the most valuable assistance to the struggling young nation, "at a time," said a eommit- tee of the United States Senate in 1850, "when the sinews of war were essential to success." He nego- tiated all the war securities from France and Holland on his own personal security, without the loss of a cent to the country, he receiving only a commission of one-quarter of one per cent. He was banker for the French government on the accession of M. de la Luzerne, and through his hands passed one hundred and fifty millions of livres. At the time of his death, early in 1784, it is claimed that the United States were indebted to Solomon at least three hundred thou- sand dollars for advances to ministers and agents of foreign governments for the use of the United States. The committee of the United States Senate asserted that this debt was a just one, and reported a bill, in 1850, for payment of the amount, with interest, to the heirs of Haym Solomon; but it was neglected, and has never been paid. Among those thus aided with loans were Jefferson, Madison, Arthur Lee, Baron Steuben, Robert Morris, and others, also a number of foreign ministers. Israel Israel, who died in 1821, aged seventy-eight, was one of the most interesting characters of the Revolutionary period. His brother Joseph served in the Continental army. Both be- longed to the congregation Mikve Israel. Israel Israel lived in Carter's Alley, below Third, and lost his property by fire while there. At one time he was high sheriff of Philadelphia. His wife was Hannah Erwin, one of the famous women of the Revolution, and his daughter became Mrs. Ellet, the author. Lossing's "Pietorial Field-Book" says that " the patriotism of the Israels and the heroism of Hannah Erwin Israel will never be forgotten." Betrayed by Tories into British hands, Mr. Israel, who had at one time been a Grand Master, was saved from death by the use of Masonic signs.

The year after the synagogue was built, Rabbi Seixas, Simon Nathan, parnass, or president, with Asher Myers, Bernard Gratz, and Haym Solomon, their mahamod, or associate councilors, addressed the Philadelphia Council of Censors in relation to the declaration required from each member of the As- sembly, as follows: " I do acknowledge the Scrip- tures of the Old and New Testament to be given by

Divine Inspiration," and that part of the State Con- stitution which declared that no other religious test should be required of any civil magistrate. They represented that this provision deprived them of the right of ever becoming representatives. They did not covet office, but they thought the provision im- proper, and an injustice to the members of a persua- sion that had always been attached to the American cause. This memorial caused no immediate action, but it had an influence, and led to subsequent modifi- cation of the test-clauses.

After the close of the Revolution, Rabbi Seixas returned to New York, where he remained until his death, in 1816, in charge of the synagogue in that city. Rev. Jacob Raphael Cohen, an Englishman from Toronto, was his successor at Philadelphia. He remained in charge of the Hebrew congregation until his death, in 1811.

After Rabbi Cohen's death, his son Abraham was appointed hazan, or reader. It may not be generally known that all of the Cohens throughout the world claim descent from Aaron, the first high priest, brother of Moses, the law-giver. "Cohen" in Hebrew meaning " priest." Abraham Cohen was succeeded in 1816 by Rev. Emanuel Nunes Carvalho as minis- ter. The latter died in 1818. Next came (in 1818) Hortnig Cohen, reader ; then Mr. Bensaden, also as reader ; then (in 1825) Rev. Abraham Keyes, of Bar- badoes, as minister; then Rev. Isaac Leeser ; then Rev. Sabatai Morais.

The congregation, after the synagogue was finished, remained for some years in debt. On the 27th of February, 1788, application was made to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania for permission to set up a lottery to pay the amount due upon the synagogue building. No action was taken upon it at the time, but on April 6, 1790, the Legislature passed an act to allow the Hebrew congregation to raise eight hun- dred pounds by lottery. The managers were Manuel Josephson, Solomon Lyon, William Wistar, John Duffield, Samuel Hayes, and Solomon Etting. Messrs. Wistar and Duffield were not Israelites. The lottery was successful. The congregation, in April, 1788, issued an appeal to citizens of all sects, closing as follows :

" Whereas, the religious order of men in this city denominated Jews were without any synagogue until the year 178 , when they purchased a lot of ground and orected thereon the buildings urcessary and proper for their religious worship; and whereas, many of their number at the close of the late war returned to New York, Charleston, and elsewhere (which they had been exiled from on account of their attachment ti American measures), leaving the remaining few of their religion here . and whereas, the present congregation, after expending all the subisce 1. tions, loans, gifts, etc., made the society, to the amount of at least 2 .. ". were obliged to borrow money to finish this building, ind I entret other debts that are now not only pressingly claimed, but a figment ia actually against their improvements, and which must be scol noless they Are enabled immediately to pay the sum of about Es i, and which, from a variety of delicate and distressing canses, the; aro wh fly uratle to raise among themselves; they are therefore nudler the new asity of earn- estly soliciting from their worthy fellow cizens of every religi ins denomination their benevolent ard and helt flitterleg themselves that

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 136

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co. Number of Pages: 992

Author: Scharf, J. Thomas (John Thomas), 1843-1898. cn; Westcott, Thompson, 1820-1888, joint author
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : L. H. Everts & Co.
Number of Pages: 992