USA > South Carolina > The Jews of South Carolina, from the earliest times to the present day > Part 9
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" Book Wills, 1786-1793, pp. 66-73.
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In addition, he gives £1000 to each of the above-named daughters. Ile leaves £100 in trust to William Stephens to be paid to such person or persons as his daughter, Judith Meudes Da Costa Salvador, wife of Mr. Joshua Mendes Da Costa, shall appoint by note or writing, or in default of such direction, to herself for her own and separate use. He also leaves to her an annuity of £50 a year. He leaves to Sarah Salvador, widow of Francis Salvador, Esq., £10, and £100 to William Stephens. To his grandson, Jacob Salvador, he leaves £100, when he becomes twenty-one, and to his granddaughters, who may be living at the time of his decease, £200. He leaves £100 to the Portuguese Jews' Synagogue of the city of London. The residuary estate is to go to his daughters.
In a codicil made at Charleston on November 11, 1786, he adds his "worthy friend Joseph DaCosta" to the list of his executors. He leaves to him in trust £100 sterling "to pay the same to the Portuguese Congregation in the city of Charleston, known by the name of Beth Elohim Unveh Shallom, or the House of the Lord and Mansion of Peace," and to Mr. Gershon Cohen £20 sterling for the German Jewish Congregation in the city of Charleston, known by the name of Beth Elohim, or House of the Lord.27 To his clerk, Michael Hart, he leaves £100 sterling.
" This reference to a German-Jewish congregation in Charleston in 1786 is not without its difficulties. Apart from this reference in the will of Joseph Salvador, we know no place where such a German-Jewish con- gregation is mentioned. Though there are many bequests in contemporary wills to Beth Elohim, there is not a single one to a German-Jewish con- gregation. This is remarkable in view of the fact that with few exceptions these bequests were made by those who were not Portuguese Jews by birth. None of the contemporary writers who have referred to the Charleston Jewish community know of more than one congregation and place of worship. Besides this, there is the fact that in the eighteenth century the custom was not usual among the German Jews of giving names to con-
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JOSEPH SALVADOR
There is another codicil added on December 27, 1786. Joseph Salvador is on his death-bed. He cannot sign his name any more, but makes his mark. It reads as follows : " Fifty pounds more to Mr Michael Hart, my clerk: twenty- five pounds to Mrs Jane Davis; twenty pounds to Mr Charles Brown and a hundred pound to Mrs Sary Da Costa, widow."
The subsequent history of the Salvador estate is some- what uncertain. Picciotto's story of the American's visit to Mrs. Texeira De Mattos is probably apocryphal. It is strange that Joseph Salvador does not mention her in his will. The story is highly improbable for reasons that are self-evident. We know, however, that there was considera- ble litigation in after years about those lands, which have always been known as "the Jews' lands." It is impossible
gregations or synagogues. And if they gave such a name to a congregation in Charleston, would they have given the same name as that which the Portuguese Congregation bore? And, finally, there is no reason for the existence of such a congregation here in 1786. All writers have taken particular pains to emphasize the fact of the prejudice or antagonism that existed between the German and Portuguese Jews. There is no trace of such prejudice or antagonism in the history of the Jews of South Carolina prior to 1800. German and Portuguese Jews intermarried freely, and the only lines of demarcation between them were the natural dis- tinctions of birth and education. As a matter of fact, except at the very beginning of the communal history of Beth Elohim, German Jews have always formed a decided majority. When the eight corner-stones of the " New Synagogue" were laid in 1792, of the eight men who laid them- Israel Joseph, Philip Hart, Lyon Moses, Isaac Moses, Emanuel Abrahams, Mark Tongues, Hart Moses, and Abraham Moses, Sr .- seven were German Jews, and of the Committee of Arrangements on this occasion-Daniel Hart, Gershon Cohen, and Moses C. Levy-all three were German Jews. We do not care to be dogmatic in the face of record evidence, but it looks as if there were some mistake here. Is "Charleston" a copyist's mistake for some other place? The " Return Books" are no longer in existence, so that we cannot say positively. Until further evidence is forthcoming we must continue to doubt.
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to ascertain the details to-day, for the records of Ninety Six District and of its successor, Abbeville District, now Abbe- ville County, in which it was situated, were burnt many years ago.28
Thus euds the singular story of the checkered career of a noble philanthropist. We are proud to perpetuate his memory and proud to think that his ashes now mingle with those of our own beloved dead.
25 The late Judge MeGowan wrote an article on the subject of these " Jews' lands" many years ago, we believe, in the News and Courier. The reference is, unfortunately, not at hand.
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Jacob Cohen (1741-1808), President of the Congregation Beth Elchim in 1790
From an original oil painting in the possession of J. Quintus Cohen, Esq., of New York
CHAPTER VII-1783-1800
HE period from the end of the Revo- lution to the year 1800 is interesting to the student, as the period of the most rapid growth and development in the history of the Jewish community in South Carolina. Nothing very re- markable happened during this period, nor were there any Jews here of special prominence. There were some Jews, however, who afterwards became very distinguished. Most of those who had left during the period of British occupation returned in 1783, or shortly after. The Jews had suffered in common with their neigh- bors, and many of them, comparatively wealthy before the Revolution, had to begin the battle of life over again. Many of them engaged in the "vendue," or auctioneer and brokerage business. They seem to have possessed the con- fidence of the community and to have soon regained their former flourishing condition, a circumstance that roused the envy of their less successful competitors, for we find more than one spiteful reference to them in the Gazettes of this period-a sure sign of hard times.1
Commercially, South Carolina recovered rapidly from the effects of the Revolution, and in the years succeeding that epoch-making event there was a great influx of Jewish
1 See, e.g., Gazette of the State of South-Carolina, Sept. 8, 1785.
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population. Jews came here from everywhere-from Eng- land, Germany, Holland, Denmark, France, Russia, Poland, Curaçoa, Jamaica, St. Eustatius, St. Domingo, Newport, New York, and Philadelphia. In 1800, or shortly there- after, Charleston had the largest Jewish population in America.
Communally, too, we notice a great development during the period under consideration. From 1750 to 1757 the small Congregation worshipped in a small wooden building in Union Street, near Queen Street. From 1757 to 1764 they assembled for worship at 318 King Street, near Hasell Street, in a house "standing back in the yard." In 1764 they purchased the old burial-ground on Coming Street from Isaac Da Costa .? In the same year the Synagogue was removed to a building in Beresford Street, near King, where they remained till 1780, when they rented a lot and brick building in Hasell Street from Joseph Tobias. This building had been occupied as a cotton-gin factory, and was now altered and arranged as a place of worship. It was known as the "Old Synagogue." This property, with an adjoining lot, was afterwards purchased from the estate of Joseph Tobias in 1792.3 This was not the site, however, on which the present Synagogue stands, The site of the "New Synagogue" was bought from Susannah Quince in 1791.4
In 17844 the Hebrew Benevolent Society was established -a society that is still in existence and carries on the be- neficent work of its founders.5
Mesne Conveyance Records, Vol. C 3, p. 108.
" Ibid., Vol. M 6, pp. 45 and 48.
' Ibid., Vol. H 6, p. 9S. The various sites of the buildings where the Congregation Beth Elohim worshipped are discussed in Shecut : Essays, p. 30; The Occident, Vol. 1, pp. 338-9; Year Book, City of Charleston, 1883, p. 302.
" For a history of this Society see Appendix D.
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In 1791, we are informed, the Congregation had increased to fifty-three families. numbering upwards of four hundred persons. In this year it became incorporated by an Act of the Legislature." A copy of the petition for incorporation is still preserved.7 The original is no longer in existence. It is entitled: "The petition of the Wardens and Elders of the Jewish Congregation in Charleston, called Beth Elohim or House of God. "
The following account of the "New Synagogue" is taken from the Year Book, City of Charleston, 1883, pages 306-8 :
"In January, 1792, the Synagogue being too small for the increased number of members, the Congregation purchased the adjoining lot from the heirs of Nicholas Trott, former Chief Justice of the Province, and determined to erect a larger place of worship. A subscription was com- meneed for this purpose, and the members contributed most liberally. The necessary amount was soon raised, proposals issued, and the contract made with Messrs. Steedman & Horlbeck. The building with the orna- mental work and cupola cost $20,000. The committee who procured the subscription and superintended the erection of the edifice were Messrs. Jacob Cohen, Gershom Cohen, and Philip Hart. To the indefatigable exertions of these gentlemen, who frequently advanced large sums from their individual purses, was the Congregation indebted for the beautiful building they afterwards possessed.
"" Friday, the 14th day of September, 1792, was the day appointed for the ceremony of laying the corner-stones of the sacred edifice. On that day the Congregation assembled in the ' Old Synagogue,' and after Divine service proceeded in procession to the spot where the new building was to be erected. Eight marble stones were laid-one at each corner of the building, and one at each corner of the porch. Each stone bore the name of the person laying it, also the date and an inscription in Hebrew and English. The first stone was placed in the East by Mr. Israel Joseph, and the second in the West by Mr. Philip Hart. These two gentlemen having contributed very generously to the building fund the Congregation awarded them this honor. The privilege of laying the other six was dis- posed of at auction, privately, and was secured by the following gentle- men. at the annexed prices: Mr. Lyon Moses the third at £15; Mr.
Statutes of South Carolina, Vol. 8, pp. 161-3.
" The Occident, Vol. 1, pp. 384-5.
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Isaac Moses the fourth for £13; Mr. Emanuel Abrahams the fifth for £18; Mr. Mark Tongues the sixth for £9 6s .; Mr. Hart Moses the sev- enth for £S 10s., and Mr. Abraham Moses, Sr., the eighth for ES 7s. The Committee of Arrangements having charge of the ceremony, in their report to the Vestry speak in glowing terms of its having been 'conducted by the rules and regulations of the ancient and honorable fraternity of Free- masons.'
" In 1794 the Synagogue was completed, and on Friday, the 19th of September of that year, the consecration took place, at which solemn and imposing ceremony Governor Moultrie, the civil and military officers of the State, the municipal authorities, the clergy and citizens, attended. At the consecration and at every succeeding anniversary the highest honors were awarded to Israel Joseph and Philip Hart as the principal bene- factors to the building, to Lyon Moses for presenting a set of beautiful brass chandeliers, and to Messis. Jacob Cohen and Gershom Cohen for their zeal and energy in superintending the work until its completion. In 1799 the Congregation, at the suggestion of Mr. David Lopez, opened a subscription for the purpose of erecting a handsome 'ark.'. The sum required was soon realized, and a chaste and beautiful one built, the con- struction of which with its rich and graceful drapery added greatly to the beauty of the building.
" The ceremony of the erection of the ark was similar to that of laying the corner-stones of the Synagogue. Eight stones were deposited under each column of the ark. The one under the southwest corner contained the following inscription :
" This marble laid under the S. W. column of the Achal of "Beth Elohim," on the 9th of Elul, 5550, by David Lopez, one of the committee under whose superintendence this Achal was planned and erected by the liberal contribution of the members.
"'In perpetuam rei memoriam.' " 8
We must now go back a little. The Federal Government was established in 1789, and in 1790 the Jewish community of Charleston addressed the following letter of congratula- tion to General Washington on his elevation to the Presi- dency :
8 A short account of the ceremonies at the consecration of the Synagogue is given in The South-Carolina State Gazette of Sept. 20, 1794.
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" CHARLESTON, S. C., July 15th, 1790. "To the President of the United States:
" SIR: We presume to divert your attention for a few moments from the more important matters which require it, in order to express the sincere desire and lively gratitude we experience, in common with our fellow- citizens in your election to and acceptance of the exalted office of President of the United States. As soon as the Federal Government was instituted, the eyes of your fellow-citizens throughout the States were drawn towards you; their unanimous voices at once proclaimed you the most worthy to preside over it, and their anxious wishes awaited your consent.to assume your proper station. The spontaneous effusions of heartfelt satisfaction which burst forth, the unstudied plaudits which universally and publicly resounded on the occasion, seemed to us to obviate the necessity of any particular address. But as these have been presented to you from different classes and sects of our fellow-citizens, as additional attestations of your eminent deserts, and their well-assured prospect of increasing happiness from your wise and virtuous administration, we are desirous even thus late not to appear deficient in this respect, especially as every day which has intervened has tended to realize what we so fondly anticipated. Vari- ous, extensive and invaluable are the benefits which your fellow-citizens have derived from the glorious revolution which, under Providence, you have been the principal instrument in effecting. To them it has secured the natural and inalienable rights of human nature-all the requisite privi- leges and immunities of freedom, and bas placed within their reach peace. plenty, and the other blessings of good government. To the equal partici- pation and enjoyment of all these, it has raised us from the state of political degradation and grievous oppression to which partial, narrow, and illiberal policy and intolerant bigotry has reduced us in almost every other part of the world. Peculiar and extraordinary reason have we, therefore, to be attached to the free and generous Constitution of our respective States, and to be indebted to you, whose heroic deeds have contributed so much to their preservation and establishment. In a degree commensurate to its wise and enlarged plan, does the general government attract our regard, framed on principles consentaneous to those of the Constitution of the different States, and calculated by its energy to em- brace and harmonize their various interests, combine their scattered powers, cement their union, and prolong their duration. They have already felt their salutary effects. The great exploits you performed while you com- manded in chief the armies of the United States, during the arduous and perilous conflicts which purchased their freedom; the toils, fatigues and dangers you surmounted during that glorious warfare, entitled you to
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honorable exemption from public services, and to spend the remainder of your valuable life under the shade of your well-earned laurels in sage retirement and dignified repose, to which your truly magnanimous dis- position invited, and for the pure and rational enjoyment of which your conscious virtue fitted you. But the infaney of the Federal Government particularly required your fostering care, and invoked the aid of your virtues to animate its friends and reconcile its adversaries. The genuine authority which you alone possessed, which has its source in virtue, and is built on the sure basis of merited esteem and implicit veneration, and which once recognized. has more irresistible sway than arbitrary power itself, was requisite to launch the Federal Government on its new and untried voyage into the ocean, clear of rocks and quicksands, and with favorable gales. Your consummate prudence and firmness were necessary to trace out to your successors the courses they should steer, your example to enlighten, excite, and strengthen them. When laudable ambition had nothing more to tempt you with, when fame had wearied itself in trum- peting your renown; yielding to the disinterested impulses of uniform protestations, and the urgent invocations of your fellow-citizens, you quitted your peaceful and pleasurable mansion to involve yourself in the cares and fatigues which now throng on you; and you have shown yourself as eminently qualified to preside at the helm of government, as at the head of armies. While historians of this and every age shall vie with each other in doing justice to your character, and in adorning their pages with the splendor of your endowments, and of your patriotic and noble achievements; and while they cull and combine the various good and shining qualities of the Pagan and modern heroes, to display your char- acter, we, and our posterity, will not cease to chronicle and commemorate you, with Moses, Joshua, Othniel, Gideon, Samuel, David, Maccabeus, and other holy men of old, who were raised up by God for the deliverance of our nation, His people, from their oppression. May the Great Being, our universal Lord, continue propitious to you and to the United States; perfect and give increase and duration of prosperity to the great empire which He has made you so instrumental in producing. May He grant you health to preside over the same, until He shall, after length of days, call you to eternal felicity, which will be the reward of your virtues in the next, as lasting glory must be in this world.
" I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" JACOB COHEN, "President Congregation 'Beth Elohim.' "
To this letter the President made the following reply :
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" To the Hebrew Congregation, at Charleston, S. C .:
" 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 cal- culation, 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 expressions of your address again excite my gratitude and receive my warmest acknowledg- ment.
" The power and 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. 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 duty I owe to my country.
" And as my exertions have hitherto been amply rewarded by the appro- bation 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 upon your congregation.
"G. WASHINGTON."
The Charleston community likewise joined the Jewish Congregations of Philadelphia, New York, and Richmond in the following letter, to which Washington replied in the exact words of his letter to the Congregation at Charleston :
"The address of the Hebrew Congregations in the cities of Philadelphia, New York, Richmond, and Charleston, to the President of the United States:
" SIR: It is reserved for you to unite in 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- citizens.
" We have hitherto been prevented by various circumstances peculiar to our situation from adding our congratulations to those which the rest of America have offered on your elevation to the chair of the Federal Government. 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
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and His might throughout the events of the late glorious Revolution; and, while we humble ourselves at His footstool in thanksgiving and praise for the blessing of His deliverance, we acknowledge you, the leader of American armies, as His chosen and beloved servant. But not to your sword alone is present happiness to be ascribed; that, indeed, opened the way to the reign of freedom, but never was it perfectly secure until your hand gave birth to the Federal Constitution and you renounced the joys 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 prayers the care of thy precious life; and when, full of years, thou shalt be gathered unto thy people. 'thy righteousness shall go before thee,' and we shall remember, amidst our regret, 'that the Lord hath set apart the godly for Himself,' whilst thy name and thy virtues will remain an indeli- ble memorial on our minds.
"MANUEL JOSEPHSON.
"For and in behalf and under the authority of the several Congrega- tions aforesaid.
" PHILADELPHIA, December 13, 1790." ?
The character of the Jewish community in 1790 may be judged by the following incident, which has been preserved to us in The Occident. In that year a constitutional con- vention was held in Columbia and in the election of dele- gates to that convention the Jews took an active part. Grateful for the assistance which the Jews had rendered him, one of the elected delegates sent the following commu- nication to the Vestry :
" To the Vestry of the Jewish Congregation:
" GENTLEMEN : I feel myself greatly obliged by the assistance I received from you and the members of your Congregation at the late election. If
" The letter of the Jews of Charleston to Washington is to be found in the Year Book, City of Charleston, 1883, pp. 303-5. Washington's reply to the individual letter is printed in the Year Book for 1884, pp. 280-1, and the reply to the joint letter in Wolf's The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen, pp. 58-9. The original reply to the Charleston Congregation was probably burnt in the great fire of 1838.
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the enclosed can serve the poor, or be of any use in any respect to the Congregation, I request their acceptance of it, to be applied in any such manner as they shall think proper. I shall be glad of any future oppor- tunity of rendering any service to the Congregation. Your obliged and humble servant,
"CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT."
The following reply, re-enclosing the order for 50 guineas, was sent to Mr. Knight :
" Mr. C. Knight :
" SIR: Your favor of the 26th ultimo, with the enclosed acceptance for fifty guineas, has been laid before our body, for which token of esteem we are extremely obliged to you, but when we consider the motive that has induced you to offer it, consistent with the tenor of your letter, we cannot on any consideration think of accepting it, as it may be suggested at some future period that the members of our community were to be bought. We have, therefore, thought necessary to return it. assuring you, we shall entertain a deep sensibility of your good intentions. We remain your obedient servants,
" JACOB COHEN, " President of the Congregation K. K. B. E." 10
The Jews of South Carolina do not appear to have taken any very prominent part in public life during this period, and this is not to be wondered at. There are a few refer- ences, however, to Jews who held public office. Solomon Cohen was Postmaster in Georgetown in 1794,11 and was Tax Collector in 1798.12 Abraham Cohen was Postmaster in Georgetown from 1797 to the time of his death in 1800.13 He was the secretary of the Winyah Indigo Society in 1798,14 and was one of the Commissioners on Streets and
10 The Occident, Vol. 1, pp. 339-40.
11 The South Carolina and Georgia Almanac for 1794.
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