USA > Rhode Island > Newport County > Newport > The story of the Jews of Newport; two and a half centuries of Judaism, 1658-1908 > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
Though Moses Seixas was in charge of the synagogue the legal control of the building was still vested in Aaron Lopez and Jacob Rodrigues Rivera. On October 5, 1780 practically a year after the British had left the town Moses Seixas addressed a letter to Aaron Lopez in Leicester, Massachusetts, writing as follows: "Mr. Channing again applied for the use of the synagogue. I availed myself of the impropriety of letting him have it, whilst I had not Mr. Rivera and your sense on the occasion and which had been requested by his and Mr.
192
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
Merchants desire. Since then Doct'r Stiles is come here on a Visit, and I made it my business to converse with him on the matter. He express'd much concern and amazement at the application, assur'd me it wou'd not have been made had he been here, that he was well convine'd we cou'd not acceed to it, without violating our religious principles ... not-withstanding all which think it highly necessary that both you and Mr. Rivera furnish me with your Opinion respecting the matter".6 Not having the answer of Mr. Lopez in the matter, the outcome is unknown. From the tone of Mr. Seixas' letter it may well be that permission was finally granted Mr. Channing to use the synagogue for his congrega- tion until he was able to put his own church in order.
As conditions quieted down, the severe winter of 1779-80, when the Narragansett Bay was frozen from shore to shore, passed away, and summer clothed the city with beautiful foliage. The depressed spirit gradually vanished, and many of those who had exiled themselves at the outbreak of the Revolution or on the eve of the British invasion of the town, returned to their beloved city. Amongst them were many Jews.
In 1780, Moses Michael Hays, who, during the British occupation of Newport, had removed tempo- rarily to South Kingston, caused the King David's Lodge of the Masonic Order which was originally organized in New York, to be removed to Newport.7 Hays, once back in Newport, became the Master of the Lodge. Moses Seixas was the Senior Warden, David Lopez was elected Junior Warden, and Solomon A.
193
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
Myers, Deacon.8
Moses Seixas in communicating with Aaron Lopez, now in Leicester, Massachusetts, continually informs him of the return of various Jewish residents to Newport .? The synagogue took on new vitality. The services in Newport were attended by more worshipers. Once more Jewish life in Newport began to thrive.
The revived Jewish community soon obtained a Shochet in the person of Hillel Judah who provided the community with Kosher meat, some of which was also sent to other places. Thus, on July 9, 1781, Moses Seixas informs Aaron Lopez amongst other things, "My dear Mrs. Lopez may depend on having a reinforcement of Casher fat as soon as possible, but Mr. Judah's com- mendable conscience and superlative knowledge of Bedika has prevented our having any chance as yet to make a beginning in procuring some for her".1ยบ On September 6, 1787, Kosher Beef was sent from Newport to Surinam, certified in the synagogue for its Kashruth.
Just as Kosher beef and fat were sent from Newport, so also was "Casher Tallow" for making candles.11
The city gradually regained commerce and shipping; but it was not destined that Newport should again com- pete for the commercial supremacy it had held prior to the Revolution. It would have had a better chance had not fate been cruel to Aaron Lopez, the leading commercial figure of Newport in the days prior to the Revolution. Lopez had found refuge in the small town of Leicester, Massachusetts during the British invasion of Newport. When things settled down after the British departure,
194
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
Lopez was once again ready to take up his residence in his beloved city. On May 28, 1782 Mr. Lopez and his family started out from Leicester towards Providence in carriages, he himself riding in a gig drawn by one horse. In passing Scott's Pond, in Smithfield, he drove the horse to the pond to be watered, and was accidentally drowned, while his unhappy family looked on and were unable to come to his rescue. Stiles recorded this fatality very pathetically. "On the 28th of May died that amiable, benevolent, most hospitable and very respect- able Gentleman Mr. Aaron Lopez . He was a Merchant of the first Eminence; for honor & Extent of Commerce probably surpassed by no Mrcht in America. He did Business with the greatest Ease & Clearness - always carried about a Sweetness of Behaviour a calm Urbanity an agreeable & unaffected Politeness of manners. Without a single Enemy & the most universally beloved by an extensive Acquaintanc of any man I ever Knew. His Beneficence to his Famy. Connexions, to his Nation, and to the World is almost without a Parallel".12 Stiles also describes the fatal accident. "Mr. Lopez was journying with his Wife & some of his famy. on a Visit to Newport, and within five Miles of Providence at Scotts pond as he was watering his Horse, the Horse plunged beyond his depth with the Sulky, when Mr. Lopez leaped into Water; & tho his servt. attempted to save him he was lost. His corps was carried to Newport & there interred in the Jew Burying Ground - the Demonstration of universal Sorrow attended the Funeral".13 The Funeral took place May
195
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
30th.14
Stiles' tribute to Aaron Lopez reveals the high esteem in which all had held this Jewish pioneer, who escaped the clutches of the Inquisition to come to this free State to be able to practice freely the faith of his fathers. Thus died the man who laid the first corner-stone of the synagogue in Newport. The estate of Aaron Lopez in Leicester was converted into a scholastic institution, known to this day as the Leicester Academy. His wealth, which was estimated at the time to amount to over $100,000, was dissipated among his heirs. By his death the Jewish community of Newport lost one of its most influential members, and the city of Newport one of its most beneficent citizens.
The local newspaper lamented the death of Aaron Lopez in the following obituary: "That there is a Kind of Veneration which may be stiled natural due to the character of those most exalted for the practice of Virtue, appears from hence, that in all ages and in all Countries this Honour has prevailed - - It is a Ray of Caelestial Origin, coeval with Society, and of so laudable a Nature, as to be sanctified to us by examples of the best and wisest Nations. A Tribute justly due to the Memory of that Man, whose aggregate Services exhibit in one Point of View the most amiable Perfections and Cardinal Virtues that can adorn the human Soul. That this is not inapplicable to the well known Character of this most invaluable Man, the Feelings of Hundreds of different Families will readily witness, to whose Munificence, Generosity, Benevolence, and Humanity
196
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
they were very recently indebted".15
The family caused a memorial stone to be erected on his grave, bearing an inscription, in Hebrew and in English, to this effect:
(In Hebrew)
"A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day of death is better than the day of one's birth" "Hear the voice of Aaron" The Monument of the burial place of the honored Mr. Aaron Lopez who was liberated for paradise on the 14th of the Month Sevan, in the year 5542 May his soul be bound up in the bands of life.
(In English)
In Memory of Mr. Aaron Lopez who was drawn from this Transitory existence to Eternal rest, the 14th of Sivan A. M. 5542. Corresponding to May 28th, 1782. Aetatis 51 He was a Merchant of Eminence
of Polite & amiable manners
Hospitality, Liberality and Benevolence were his true Characteristicks an ornament and valuable Pillar to the Jewish Society of which he was a Member. his knowledge in Commerce was unbounded and his integrity irreproachable thus he lived & Died much regretted, esteemed & loved by all.
197
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
The Hebrew phrase "The memory of the just is blessed", concludes the inscription.
There was no one to take the place of Aaron Lopez. In 1783 after peace was finally signed between the United States and Great Britain, the families of Rivera and Mendes returned from Leicester.16 Others came later, and, by 1790, Moses Seixas' accounts of receipts and payments of the Congregation contained the contributions of Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, Moses Levy, Raphael Jacobs, Isaac Elizer, Eliezer Elizer, Jacob Isaacs, David Lopez, Sr., Moses Lopez, Jacob Lopez, Joseph Lopez, Abraham Lopez, Aaron Lopez, Hillel Judah, Jacob Phillips, Joseph De Pass, Moses M. Hays, Moses Gomez, Jr., Emanuel Aquilar, Elias Hart, Isaac Dazevado, Moses Seixas, Isaac Pollock, Simon Nathan, Manuel Myers, Isaac Gomez, Joseph Jacobs, Henry Marks, Sol Levy, Uriah Hendricks, Nathaniel Hendricks, and two French gentlemen.17 Amongst the disbursements are the salaries for the Shochet, Mr. Hillel Judah, and for the minister, Rabbi Calveres.18 When the official census was taken in 1790, Newport again boasted a score of Jewish families, consisting of over a hundred persons.19
The revived Jewish community did not compare with the old one in wealth and in commercial importance. Some members of the community attempted to emulate Aaron by engaging in shipping, but business never approximated its former magnitude. In 1785 Joseph Lopez and Jacob Rodrigues Rivera owned two brigs and a sloop, which were sent to London and to Curacao,20 to
198
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
the latter port with spermaceti candles. In 1788 Moses Seixas sent a brig to the West Indies.21 In 1783 Jacob Isaacs attempted the construction of vessels in Newport.22 In 1782 when the Philadelphia Congrega- tion Mikveh Israel in building its first synagogue found their "wishes not equal to their abilities", they appealed to the Newport Jewish community for help which was graciously extended. In the response of the Newporters, the Lopez and Rivera families were the largest con- tributors, and in the list of contributions there occurs many a Newport name besides these.23
For a while the Newport Congregation occupied once more a conspicuous place among the Hebrew congrega- tions in North America. During the services, use was made of the "Prayer for the Government", written specially for the dedication of the Philadelphia syna- gogue by the Reverend Gershom Mendes Seixas, - - the Minister of the Shearith Israel Congregation in New York, and of the Mikveh Israel Congregation of Philadelphia. In this prayer the Grace of God was in- voked upon "his Excellency the President and the Dele- gates of the United States in Congress assembled; on his Excellency George Washington, Captain-General and Commander-in-chief of the Federal army of these States, on his Excellency the President and the honorable members of the General Assembly of this Common- wealth, and all kings and potentates in alliance with North America".24
Jacob Rodrigues Rivera upon his return from Leicester resumed the presidency of the Congregation,
199
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
but his increasing age and declining strength made it impossible for him to be very active. On February 18, 1789, he, too, was gathered to his fathers, thus liberating from this transitory existence another of the strong pillars of Israel, who had been benefactors to the city at large. The man who had laid the second corner stone of the 'Holy Building' was laid to rest, and there was none to take up his work. To commemorate the last resting-place of this man who had been an example of kindness and honesty to Jew and non-Jew alike, his family consecrated an appropriate memorial stone, with a well-merited inscription, part of which reads in English :
"If to profess and patronize the principles of Judaism to observe the strictest integrity in extensive commerce and to exhibit unbounded benevolence for all mankind, can secure to the spontaneous and invariable practicer of these virtues, eternal bliss, Jacob Rods Rivera, whose mortal frame is deposited beneath this marble, must, consonant to the ardent hopes of all who knew him, be in full possession of that superlative happiness. He lived beloved and died lamented".
As had been the death of Aaron Lopez, so the death of Jacob Rodrigues Rivera was mourned and lamented by Jew and Christian. The local newspaper paid the following tribute to him:
"O eloquent, Just and mighty Death, It is thou alone
200
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
puts wisdom in the human heart and suddenly makes man to know himself.
"Whom none could advise thou has persuaded; what none have dared thou hast done; and whom all the world has esteemed thou hast cast out - - Thou hast drawn together all the greatness of man; all the charme of virtue and covered it over with these two narrow words, Hic Jacet.
"Thursday last departed this life after a lingering illness, Mr. Jacob Rodrigues Rivera, merchant, in the 72d year of his age; "an Israelite indeed". He was exemplary in his observance of the Jewish Ritual, intelligent and upright in commerce, and an ornament to all the social virtue".25
Two years before Benjamin Levy died, Moses Levy had died. And so one by one the old generation was removed from this earthly existence. The young generation moved to other cities, and the Jewish community of Newport towards the year 1790, again showed signs of decline.
It was destined, however, that the fame of the Newport Hebrew Congregation should not pass from memory. An event responsible for the immortalization of the Newport Congregation took place in 1790. At this time, Moses Seixas became the Warden of the synagogue. He was also master of the King David's Lodge of the Masonic Order, and one of the leading citizens in the city of Newport.
The general impression seems to be that religious liberty existed by this time throughout the colonies, and
201
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
was taken for granted in the new form of government that appeared after the Revolution. This was not the fact. Indeed, religious liberty existed in the majority of the colonies by the time the War of Independence was over, yet, on the statute books, members of the Jewish faith were still deprived of many privileges. At the Constitutional Convention, convened in 1787, there was serious discussion of an established religion. This would have deprived the Jewish citizens of the United States of the privilege of participating in any part of the government administration. The mood of the convention can well be imagined from a letter by Jonas Phillips who had fought heroically on the side of the colonists during the Revolution, a fact which no doubt, gave his words additional force.
Phillips wrote to the Constitutional Convention:
"I the subscriber one of the people called Jews of the City of Philadelphia, a people scattered & dispersed among all nations do behold with Concern that among the laws in the Constitution of Pennsylvania, there is a Clause Sect 10 to viz - I do believe in one God the Creatur and governor of the universe and Rewarder of the good & the punisher of the wicked - and I do acknowledge the Scriptures of the old & New testiment to be given by divine inspiration - to swear & believe that the new testiment was given by divine inspiration is absolutely against the Religious principle of a Jew, and is against his Conscience to take any such oath - By the above law a Jew is deprived of holding any publick office or place of Government which is a Contridictory
202
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
to the bill of Right Sect. 2 viz:
"That all men have a natural & unalienable Right to worship almighty God according to the dictates of their own Conscience etc".
After quoting the Bill of Rights in full, the corres- pondent continues :
"It is well known among all the Citizens of the 13 states that the Jews have been true and faithful whigs, & during the Contest with England they have been foremost in aiding and assisting the states with their lifes & fortunes, they have supported the cause, have bravely fought and bled for liberty which they can not Enjoy".
The Jews, having deserved by their patriotism to be granted privileges equal to those enjoyed by the other citizens, the writer then makes this plea: "Therefore if the honourable Convention shall in their wisdom think fit and alter the said oath & leave out the words to viz - and I do acknowledge the scripture of the new testiment to be given by divine inspiration, - then the Israelites will think themselves happy to live under a government where all Religious societys are on an Equal footing - I solicit this favor for myself my children & posterity, & for the benefit of all the Israelites through the 13 united states of America".26
The Constitution finally did recognize the absolute equality of all citizens, and refused to accept the principle of an established religion. This was due to the pressure exerted by such memoranda as that of Phillips and the views of the liberal representatives, but, more especially, the unwavering influence of the illustrious
203
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
George Washington. When George Washington was honored by election as First President of the United States, the Jewish Congregations throughout the Colonies wished to send to the national hero a joint address of congratulation and felicitation. In accord with this desire, the Congregation Yeshuat Israel of Newport, on June 20, 1790, received a letter from the New York Congregation Shearith Israel addressed to Moses Seixas saying: "It was agreed that the following circular Letter be wrote to our Brethren of the different Congregations in the United States - -
"Gentlemen:
"We are desirous of addressing the president of the United States in one general address, comprehending all the Congregations professing our Holy Religion in America, as we are led to understand that mode will be less irksome to the president than troubling him to reply to every individual address.
"We should have given a previous invitation had not our local situation, for this some time past prevented us - That obsticle being removed, We are therefore authorized in behalf of this Congregation & others who may unite with us for this purpose - to request you'll join, by giving us permission to Include you in the Address -
"We will be thankful if you'l transmit us a draft in what manner you would be desirous of having the address worded, that thereby we may collect the different Ideas of the Congregations, in whose behalf we may address - " 27
204
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
Moses Seixas immediately presented the letter to a meeting of the members of the Congregation Yeshuat Israel, who were not at all inclined to accept the invita- tion of the New York Congregation to address the President. The reasons for the refusal are clearly expressed in the reply of Moses Seixas to "The parnassim & Adjuntoes of the Kaal Kadosh Seerit Israel" of New York, which is interesting enough to be quoted at length, The reply is dated at "New Port July 2d 1790".28
"I have admitted its being perused by the Members thereof in general. & they have requested my replying thereto, which I shall now attempt to do, in as concise a manner as possible, after premiseing that when I make use of We it means the Kaal Kadosh Yeshuat Israel of this place, Who are of opinion, that as we are so small in number, it would be treating the Legislature & other large Bodies in this State, with a great degree of indelicacy, for us to address the President of the United States, previous to any of them, & therefore from mnotives of diffidence, & ardent desire to avoid giving umbrage, would wish to decline it at present. We much regret that those Congregations, which would with propriety have addressed him, at an early period, should have delayed it thus long, much more Yours, which from its Location ought to have been second to any other Religious Society whatsoever, and what plea you can now make to him for your apparent neglect, which almost amounts to disrespect, We cannot conceive, unless it is - - That you waited in full confidence of this
205
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
state acceeding to the Federal Constitution so as you might be join'd by us in the address - - If this should be the only reason which you can assign, & which we think is the only plausible one that can be offer'd we do not wish to debar you thereof, & therefore if our sugges- tions are properly founded, consent to your connecting us in the address, not withstanding our reluctance of becoming the primary addressers from this state - - We deem it unnecessary to transmit you a draught of an address, because we are sensible it can be well composed at your place, & because we firmly rely on your being critically attentive that your sentiments will be properly express'd & unequivocally, relative to the Enfranchise- ment which is secured to us Jews by the Federal Constitution - - However we should be glad to be favor'd with a Copy thereof, previous to its being presented, promising to give you our opinion thereon in a few hours after we have perused it - - " 29
The President of the United States was finally addressed by the Hebrew Congregations of New York, Philadelphia, Richmond and Charleston. President Washington cordially replied to these Congregations in very beautiful language, and in very impressive manner.
"Gentlemen: - - The liberality of Sentiment toward each other, which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country, stands unparalleled in the history of nations.
"The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation, and the repeated proofs which my fellow-citizens have given of their attachment to me
206
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
and approbation of my doings from the purest source of my temporal felicity.
"The affectionate expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknow- ledgement.
"The power of goodness of the Almighty so strongly manifested in the events of our late glorious revolution, and His kind interposition in our behalf, have been no less visible in the establishment of our present equal government. It was He who 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 duty I owe to my country.
"And as my exertions have hitherto been 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 blessing which you implore for me, rest upon your congregations.
G. Washington".30
The Newport Congregation was not included in this address.
At the time, Newport was expecting the honor of having the president of the United States as a visitor to the city. The expectations were well founded and were not disappointing. On the 17th of August, the illustrious patriot and statesman on his arrival at Newport was saluted by 13 guns fired from the fort honored with the hero's name. He was received by a committee from the town together with the clergy, among whom was Moses
207
THE STORY OF THE JEWS OF NEWPORT
Seixas. In a triumphant procession, he was escorted to his lodgings on Thames Street near Mary Street.31
Washington was not a stranger in Newport. This was his third visit to the town. The city of Newport had had the pleasure of welcoming George Washington as a young Virginia Colonel in the service of His Majesty George III in 1756. On March 6, 1781, a little over a year after the British left the city, General Washington was a visitor to Newport for a second time. He came to honor personally, General Count de Rochambeau, who was leading the French troops that were quartered in Newport. In 1790 it was Washington, the President of the United States, that Newport acclaimed.
After a short rest, the President took a morning walk, "Around the town and the heights above it".32 He was accompanied by "the gentlemen of the party and a large number of gentlemen of Newport". In his walk "he surveyed the various beautiful prospects from the commons above the town". He also walked in several parts of the town in the afternoon. It may well be that during these walks, Moses Seixas accompanied him to view the beautiful synagogue, which was the only building that retained its full splendor through the hard times after the evacuation.
Washington spent but a day in Newport, the greater part of which was occupied with official greetings at the State House and an elegant dinner which began at 5 o'clock in the afternoon in the Representatives' Chamber.
208
EVACUATION AND REVIVAL
The next morning, the 18th, shortly before the President prepared to leave, and immediately after breakfast, deputations from the town and the churches as well as from the Masonic fraternity appeared at his quarters, to present the visitor with formal addresses, expressions of devotion to their leader. Moses Seixas represented two institutions, King David's Lodge, and the Hebrew Congregation. From both he carried to the President warm greetings, and messages of love and felicitations, which he presented in the name of the respective institutions.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.