History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 137

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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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

their worshiping Almighty God in a way and manner different from other religious societies will never deter the enlightened citizens of Philadelphia from generously subscribing toward the preservation of a religious house of worship. The subscription-paper will be enrolled in the archives of their congregation, that their posterity may know and gratefully remember the liberal support of their religious society."

This appeal was certainly not a success, or the above-mentioned lottery act would not have been necessary. Another evidence of the sad financial difficulties of the congregation about this time is found in the efforts to obtain help from their brethren abroad. An earnest appeal was made to the German synagogue in Paramaribo, Surinam, Feb. 24, 1790 (18th Adar, A.M. 5550).1 An application was also made to their compatriots in London, also to several congregations elsewhere, from whom some help was received.

On Sunday, 4th Tamuz, 5549 (June 28, 1789), the congregation Mikve Israel met to raise funds. B. Gratz, segan, stated that Jacob Cohen, hazan (or reader), had written, informing him that his engage- ment as shochet and hazan had expired, and wishing to know whether the congregation intended to con- tinue the arrangement. All the members present, except one, were in favor of such continuance, and each subscribed the same amount that he had paid during the year just expired. They then balloted for a trustee, to have in charge all books, archives, and papers of the congregation, and elected Manuel Josephson, who received five votes; Samuel Hays, three votes; and Moses Nathan, one vote. It was afterward resolved that the deeds of the synagogue should stay in the hands of Jonas Phillips till the debt of the congregation to Robert Waln was dis- charged; then they also should be given to the trustee.

Among the subscribers ou this occasion to the minister's salary, called the "offering," were the following: Manuel Josephson, £1 5s. 6d .; Samuel Hayes, £1 28. 6d .; Solomon Lyon, £1 10s .; Jonas Phillips and son, £2 128. 6d .; Sholas Barrnitza, 148. 6d .; Tuy Phillips, 12s .; Bernard Gratz, £1 168 .; Michael Gratz and son, £1 198 .; Michael Levy, 178. 6d .; Isaac Moses, Sr., 78. 6d .; Moses Nathan Levy, 28. 8d. ; Moses Nathan Levy's brother, 18s .; Solomon Aaron, 78. 6d. ; Jacob Cohen, Sr., £1 28. 6d .; Myer Hart, 11s .; Abraham Hart, 78. 6d .; Michael Hart Cohen, £1 118 .; Solomon Etting, £1 28. 6d .; Benja- min Nones, £2 38. 6d .; Isaac Ximenus, 6d .; Joseph Henry, 88 .; Myer and Solomon Marks, 38 .; Mr. Aaron Syefort, £10 10s.

At a meeting of the congregation, July 19, 1789, present Solomon Lyon. Benjamin Nones, Samuel llayes, and Myer Hart, the segan stated that the cemetery had been opened several times, and to pre- vent this in future a person was willing to build a

house near it and live there. This was allowed, on condition that the taxes should be paid by the person occupying the house. Jewish cemeteries have been subjected to many outrages, and, within a few years, in provinces of Russia, Bulgaria, and Roumania have been openly violated. During the British occupation of Philadelphia the gate of the Jews' burying-ground was used as the place of execution of deserters. A gentleman writing upon this subject some years ago, said, " When I was a school-boy, about 1785, observing the old gate marked with many holes, I asked my father what had caused them, and he told me that the British shot deserters at that gate, and that it was a enstom in European armies to shoot deserters at the gates of Jews' burying-grounds. Happening to men- tion this to the late Col. Walbeck, in the year 1813, he informed me that it was much the practice yet in Europe."

The following persons were, among others, buried in the Jewish ground, Spruce Street, before the year 1800: Nathan Levy, 1753; Jacob Henry, March 20, 1761; David Gomez, July 28, 1780; Matthew Gomez, May 5, 1781; Sarah Jndah, June 20, 1783; Miriam Marks, April 11, 1784; Sarah Marks, June 7, 1784; Abraham Levy, April 8, 1786; Emanuel Josephson, Feb. 30, 1796. This last was a stonecutter's error, as Mr. Josephson's death, according to a notice in the Philadelphia Minerva of Feb. 6, 1796, occurred on January 30th. After 1800, and previous to 1820, the following were buried there:

Abby De Lyon, November, 1803.

Mrs. Isaiah Nathans, April, 1804. Rachel Roderigo De Costa, Jan. 15, 1505.

Moses and Benjamin Nones, Oct. 28, 1805.

Rachel Roderigo De Leon, April 28, 1806.

Jacob Roderigo Penayra, April 28, 1806.

Jonas Hibblen, 5568, Adar 13, 1807.

Jacob Joachim Levy, May 23, 1809.

Isaac Pesoa, Dec. 3, 1809.

Rebecca Roderigo Penayra, Dec. 5, 1809.

Israel Jacobs, March 3, 1SI0.

Rachel Levy, Dec. 23, 1810.

Rev. Jacob R. Cohen, Sept. 9, 1811.

Jacob M. Bravo, April 29, 1812.

Charlotte Levy, May 15, 1812.

Ezekiel Hyman Judah, Sept. 29, 1812.

Rachel Phillips, March 9, 1814.

Rebecca Cohen, Oct. 14, 1815.

Moses Nathans, Feb. 24, 1815.

Michael Gratz, 73 years, Sept. 11, 1811.

Miss Miriam Gratz, 58 years, Sept. 12, 1808.

Gertrude Moses, Sept. 8, 1811.

Sarah Gratz, Feb. 20, 1817.

Mrs. Bela Pleck, Nov. 17, 1815.

Isaac Rodriques, March 7, 1816.

Jacob Bazam, Nov. 26, 1810.

Rev. E. N. Carvalho, March 20, 1811.

John Jacob, May 15, 1818.

Mayer Deckheim, May 2, 1818.

Henriette Manx, Aug. 1, 1819.

Abraham Hart, Aug. 12, 1820. Rachel Nones, Nov. 7, 1820.

When Washington became President the follow- ing interesting address was sent by the Hebrew congregation in Philadelphia, also speaking for

) The Jews date from the creation, which they fix in 376I a.c., which would make the present year, our 18>4, their year 5645. Bishop Usher's date for the creation was 4004 B.c. The Greek Church decided upon 5509 n.c., and the Abyssinian Church on 5492 B.C.

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the congregations in New York, Charleston, and Richmond :

"TO GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

"SIR,-It is reserved for you to unite iu affection for your character and person every political and religious denomination of men, and in this will the Hebrew congregations aforesaid yield to no class of their fellow-citizeus.

" We have been hitherto prevented by various circumstances peculiar to our situation from adding our congregation to those which the rest of America have offered on your elevation to the chair of the Federal gov- ernment. Deign then, illustrious sir, to accept this, our homage.

" The wonders which the Lord of Hosts hath worked in the days of our forefathers have taught us to observe the greatness of His wisdom and His might throughout the events of the late glorious Revolution ; and while we humble ourselves at His footstool iu thanksgiving and praise for the blessing of His deliverance, we acknowledge you, the leader of the Americao armies, as His chogen and heloved servant. But not to your sword alone ie our present happiness ascribed. That, indeed, opened the way to the reign of freedom; but never was it perfectly secure till your bande gave birth to the Federal Constitution, and you renounced the joye of retirement to seal by your administration in peace what you had achieved in war.

" To the eternal God who is thy refuge we commit in our prayer the care of thy precious life, and when, full of years, thou shalt be guth- ered from the people, thy righteousness shall go before thee, and we shall remember amid our regret that ' the Lord has set apart the godly for himself,' while thy name and thy virtues will remain an indelible memorial on our minds.

" MANUEL JOSEPUSON,

" For and in behalf and under the authority of the several congrega- tions aforesaid.

" PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 13, 1790."

Washington immediately replied as follows :

"GENTLEMEN,-The liberality of sentiment toward each other which marks every political and religious denomination of meu in this coun- try etands unparalleled in the history of natione.

" The affection of such people is a treasure beyond the reach of calcu- lation ; and the repeated proofs which my fellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings, form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expression of your address again excites my gratitude and receives my warmest acknowl- edgment.

"The power and goodness of the Almighty were strongly manifested in the events of our late glorious Revolution, and His kiod interposition in our behalf has been nu less visible in the establishment of our pres- ent equal government. In war He directed the sword, and in peace He has ruled in our councils. My agency in both has been guided by the best intentions and a sense of the duty which I owe my country ; and as my exertions have hitherto beeu amply rewarded by the approbation of my fellow-citizens, I shall endeavor to deserve a continuance of it by my future conduct.

" May the same temporal and eternal blessings which you implore for me rest apou your congregatious.

" G. WASHINGTON."

with richly-paneled segments extending from the ark to the altar. The ark wheat was on the east, and im- mediately opposite the altar was neatly decorated with pilasters supporting a covered cornice enriched with globe and wings, together with a marble tablet con- taining the ten commandments in Hebrew. It was approached by a flight of three steps, between cheek- blocks which supported two handsome tripods crowned with lamps. The galleries, which were semicircular, extended round the north and south sides of the building, and were supported by the columns before mentioned, which extended to the dome. The build- ing was designed by William Strickland. The furni- ture in the lower portion of this building was after- wards removed to the new synagogue on Seventh Street on the erection of the latter, and was placed on the lower floor of that building, which is now used for minor services.

Mrs. Anna Royall, in her "Sketches of Life and Manners in the United States," published in 1826, gives the following account of a visit to the synagogue Mikve Israel :

"I attended the Jews' synagogue one Saturday, which is their Sab- bath. Here I found about twenty men, but not oue female. They all hed their hats on and were standing, although there were seats couveu- ient. Over their shoulders they wore a long linen scarf, iu shape and size similar to those worn by ladies. It came down before, and each end was slung over the arm, ns ladies wear them in summer. The wer- vice was nothing more than one of them, dressed like the others, stand- ing at a desk, with a large Hebrew hook open, out of which he read aloud as fast as his tongue could go, with a singing tone, and turning the leaves over with surprising rapidity. During all the time he was bowing his head up and down with such rapidity that it kept pace with his tongue, or kept time with his song, rather. While he was thus engaged the audience were walking to and fro, howing in the same manuer."

Mikve Israel occupies a solid and commodious building on the east side of Seventh Street, above Arch, and was dedicated May 10, 1860. This is the oldest congregation in the city, their former syn- agogue having been on the north side of Cherry Street, west of Third.

The German Congregation Rodef Sholem ("Fol- lowers of Peace") is supposed to have organized in 1800. The first place of meeting was at the corner of Margaretta Street and Cable Lane [now New Market Street ], in a red frame building. The hazan and rabbi was Rev. Mr. Isaacs, who, it is said, was the inventor of the horse ferry-boats, then used on the Delaware River. Ile was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Lipman. The congregation removed from Margaretta Street to Church Alley, near Third. While it worshiped there Myer Ullman was parnass, and held the office until his death, when he was succeeded by Mr. Bomei-ler, and afterward by Herman Van Beil. The congrega- tion applied to the Legislature in December, 180% for authority to establish a lottery for the purpose of crecting a synagogue. Dr. Lieb presented the petition, but the committee to which it was referred reported against it. In 1821 the effort was renewed, but with-

By 1818 the old synagogue was found too small, and in 1820 a new building became a necessity. The corner-stone was laid Sept. 26, 1822, on the Cherry Street lot, west of Third, but the synagogue was not dedicated till Jan. 21, 1825. It measured forty fect in front by seventy feet in depth, and was two stories bigh. It was constructed in Egyptian style, and was built of Schuylkill stone. Its principal entrance was through an elevated doorway, with inclined jambs supporting a large, covered cornice, on which were sculptured the globe and wings,-the Egyptian em- blems of immortality. The interior embraced two semicircular blocks of seats. The dome was supported by Egyptian columns copied from the temple at Ten- tyra, and was formed by semicircular archivolts joined . out success. The congregation then made an appeal

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

to the public, asking for contributions. time the congregation obtained a lot for a burial- ground on Frankford road. Through this ground Ellen Street was afterward laid out.

About this corner of Mount Vernon Street is one hundred and twenty-five feet high. The congregation is of Ger- man origin, and was the second of the Hebrew per- suasion formed in the city. The corner-stone was laid July 20, 1869, and the building dedicated Sept. 10, 1870.

The Hebrew Church organizations in the city are as follows :

The Board of Managere of the Hebrew Sunday-school Society, incor- porated in 1858, have under their supervision two schools, but they are not attached to any particular congregation. They meet io the school-house of the Hebrew Education Society, Seventh Street, above Wood, and in the building at the southwest corner Tenth and South Streets. Each has a sewing-school attached.

Adath Jeshurun, Julianne Street. Rev. Elias Eppstein. German and Hebrew school attached.

Anshe Emeth, New Market Street, above Poplar, Rev. A. Applebaum. Hebrew school attached.

Beth-el-Emeth, Franklin Street, above Green. Rev. George Jacobs. Religious school every Sunday morning for free instruction.

House of Israel, Crown Street, between Race and Vine. Rev. H. Rubin. Hebrew school attached.

Hungarian Congregation Chelrra Emmas Israel.

Jewish Hospital Synagogue, Olney road, near York pike. Rev. L. Saenger.

Keneseth-Israel (Reformed Congregation), Sixth Street, above Brown. Rev. Dr. Samuel Hirsch, rabbi; Rev. William Armhold, reader. A religious and German school attached.

Krakauer Beth Elohim, 417 Pine Street. Rev. Abraham Koper. Mikve Israel, Seventh Street, above Arch. Rev. S. Morais.

Rodef Shalom, Broad and Mount Vernon Streets. Rev. Dr. M. Jastrow, rabbi; Rev. Jacob Frau- kel, reader. There are Sunday- and evening- schools at 838 North Fifth Street, and a re- ligious school for Hebrew and German on Sixth Street, below Parrish.

HEBREW SYNAGOGUE. [View showing Broad Street, looking south.]

At the present time (1884) there are ten Jewish syn- agogues in the city. Rodef Sholem, southeast corner of Broad and Mount Vernon Streets, is a very large building, of striking architectural appearance, in the Saracenic style of architecture. It is constructed of sandstone, decorated with stone of other colors. The interior is beautifully finished. The steeple on the

THE UNIVERSALISTS.

The Universalists were but little known in America until about 1740, when a few persons in New Eng- land and the Middle States professed their distinctive doctrines. There was no church organization till much later; but Dr. George De Benneville preached Universalist doctrines with great energy and zeal, in

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and about Philadelphia, as early as 1741, and is met for the first time an important assistant among the thought to have published the 1753 Germantown | teachers of his doctrine,-Rev. Elhanan Winchester, edition of Seigvolk's "Everlasting Gospel." 1

In the summer of 1770, Rev. John Murray, who had been a Methodist minister, came to America, and soon began a series of Universalist sermons at Bachelors' Hall, Kensington. This was in the fall and winter of 1770-71.2 At that time he was unable to obtain a hearing in any church, although it is be- lieved that Rev. Morgan Edwards, of the Baptist Church, and Rev. Jacob Duché, of the Church of England, favored these doctrines, or at least took in- terest in them, showing partial conviction. Mur- ray was received at the house of the Baptist minister in Philadelphia, and was invited to preach in his pulpit. The latter privilege was withdrawn, how- ever, before a sermon was preached, and perhaps social courtesy ceased at the same time. After these discourses were preached at Bachelors' Hall, Murray visited Connecticut, R. I., and preached in New Jersey at Good Luck and other places. In his journal he says, "I think it was in January of 1773 that a most important solicitation drew me to Phila- delphia ; and, having frequently visited that city, I had many opportunities with strangers collected there."

In his journal he speaks of Thomas Say, Anthony Benezet, and Christopher Marshall, who were in unity with him in religious faith.

During the year 1773, and in the spring and sum- mer of 1774, he preached in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.

In 1784, Murray was again in Philadelphia, and

1 De Bequeville may rightfully be called the first Universalist preacher in America, so far as our information extends. His parents were refugee Huguenots, but died during his infancy. After an event- ful and adventurous boyhood he "conceived the doctrine of universal restitution," to use bis own words, and he opened his testimony in the market-lionce of Calais about the seventeenth year of his age. He was taken before a magistrate and sentenced to eight daye' imprisonment. Notwithstanding the warning that a repetition would endanger his life, he persisted for the space of two years in preaching in France, mostly in the woods and mountains. In these labors Dr. Benneville had equally zealous preachers in co-operation, a Mr. Durant beiag of the number. At Dieppe these two ministers were seized, and con- demaed to death. Durant was baaged, but a reprieve arrived from Louis XV. for De Benneville. He was imprisoned for a long time ia Paris, and was finally liberated by the intercession of the queea. He afterward went to Germany, in which country he spent about eighteen years, preaching extensively, devoting himself in the meanwhile to scientific studies. In the thirty-eighth year of his age he emigrated to America, and established himself in Oley, Bucks Co., as a physician, and also, temporarily, as a teacher. He preached end traveled much as a medical botanist among the Indian tribes in Northern Pennsylvania Hle intermarried with the Bartolet family of Oley, and about 1757 he removed to Milestown, where he died in 1793, aged ainety years.

2 In his autobiography, Murray says, " The combined efforts of the clergy in Philadelphia barred against me the door of every house of public worship in the city. Bachelors' Hall was in Kensington, but at Bachelors' Hall the people attended, and a few were enabled to believe the good word of their God." Bachelors' Hall, a favorite place of re- sort in colonial days, was the property of the Norris family. What is now known as Beach Street was formerly called Hall Street, and Bachelors' Hall was situated on the square now bounded south by Poplar Street, north by Shackamaxon Street, east by Beach Street, and west by Allen Street.

who was a recognized Baptist minister, and who had preached, during part of 1780 and 1781, the doctrine of universal salvation at the First Baptist Church. The result was a great commotion among the mem- bers of the denomination, which finally resulted in the exclusion of Winchester and his adherents from the Baptist Church. Rev. Abel C. Thomas says (" A Century of Universalism in Philadelphia and New York") that the members of the congregation of the First Baptist Church were two to one in Win- chester's favor, but that by politic movements the minority obtained possession,-which is said to be nine points of the law,-and in the issue the Uni- versalists were divested of any legal claim.

Winchester's adherents withdrew about March, 1781. They went to the hall at the academy, in Fourth Street, below Arch, reserved for the use of re- Jigious congregations. While here Mr. Winchester preached, Jan. 4, 1782, a sermon called "The Out- casts Comforted," from Isaiah Ixvi. 5, addressed to his friends " who had been cast out and excommuni- cated for believing this glorious doctrine." This was soon afterward printed. The number of this congre- gation was probably less than one hundred. This society, which was at first known by the name of the Universal Baptists, worshiped at the academy for four or five years. During that time Winchester issued "The Gospel of Christ no Cause of Shame," -two discourses, of one hundred and forty pages, published in 1783 ; also " A Serious Address to Young People," delivered May 20, 1785. An effort was made in 1785 to raise funds to build a church for the use of this society. Before they succeeded in this object it is probable that they removed their meetings to the Masonic Hall, or lodge, which was on the south side of Lodge Alley [now Gothic Street], between Second Street and Exchange Place. In November, 1785, Anthony Cuthbert, mast-maker, and Abraham Col- lins, sail-maker, who were brothers-in-law, bought the Masons' lodge for four thousand dollars. They paid one-fourth cash, and gave a bond and mortgage for the balance. On Jan. 16, 1786, they united in a deed of trust, in which they declared that they held the property for the use of the Society of Universal Bap- tists. The preamble recited in the deed is as follows :

" WHEREAS, The society of people called Baptiste, known by the name of the First Baptist Church in Philadelphia, did, on or about the month of March, 1781, disunite from the fellowship of said society divers of those members who held and professed, and for so holding and profess- ing, the doctrine of the universal love of God and the flual restitution of all things through Jesus Christ our Lord ; and whereas, the mem- bers of said society so disunited, and divers other persons holding the same doctrine, have ualted together and formed a religions society called the Society of Universal Baptists."

The deed of trust recited that the one thousand dollars paid by Cuthbert and Collins were raised by subscription, and they being personally responsible on the mortgage and bond, it was stipulated that

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HISTORY OF PHILADELPHIA.

they should have the right to indemnify themselves in case of hostile proceedings upon either of those instruments. Winchester, according to Mr. Thomas, preached most of the time until he went to England, in the fall of 1787. He remained there nearly seven years, during which time he published several books. He came back in 1794, and was preaching at Phila- delphia in the autumn of 1795-96, but died at Hart- ford, Conn., in 1797, aged eighty-seven. While he was in England, Rev. Moses Winchester, a half- brother, supplied the congregation, but he died in 1793, and was buried in the Sparks' (or Seventh-Day Baptist) Cemetery, on Fifth Street, above Chestnut.

The doctrines of Murray and Winchester were suf- ficiently alike to be easily reconciled. This was ac- complished by a preliminary conference in 1789, and by a convention which met at the Masons' lodge in Philadelphia, May 25, 1790. The ministers present were John Murray, Nicholas Cox, Artis Seagreave, William Worth, David Evans, Moses Winchester, and Duncan McClain. They adopted Articles of Faith recognizing "the inspiration of the Bible, a belief in one God, infinite in all His perfections, and one mediator between God and man, Christ Jesus, . . . who, by the merit of His death and the efficacy of His Spirit, will finally restore the whole human race to happiness." A belief in the Holy Ghost and in the obligations of the moral law were also agreed to. A plan of church government was adopted. Annual meetings of this Conference were held for some years. The records preserved go as far as 1807. By the Convention of May, 1790, the Universalist Baptist Society was dissolved, and a new society was formed by a union of the disciples of Murray and Winchester, which was called "the First Independent Church of Christ, commonly called Universalists." Mr. Murray was in the city for some time that year, and preached to them; but, his sermons attracting larger audiences than could be accommodated at the lodge, some were preached at the University.

Mrs. Mary Ellet, daughter of Israel Israel, an early member of the congregation, who attended the meet- ings in Lodge Alley somewhere about 1788-90, thus describes the place,-

" It was a rough, unsightly structure, the room large and unfinished. The only furniture was common wooden benches on each side of the aisle leading to the primitive pulpit, an unsightly box surrounded with benches, on which sat the elders of the church, who would commence service hy reuling a few chapters from the Bible, sing a bymo, after that prayer by several, then exbortatione to the congregation,-the men occupying one side of the house and the women the other. A very poor and much-worn Bible was the only book, with the exception of Watts' Ilymus, that I ever saw there. Sometimes traveling ministers would hold for th, to the great delight of the members,-one of whom, I think, was the celebrated Dr. Priestley."

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History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, Part 137

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