Deposition of Eleazar Cohen Regarding the Debts of Robert Morris, July 1, 1799


Deposition of Eleazar Cohen of the firm Cohen & Barnett, detailing the extent of Robert Morris's debt, July 1, 1799. This firsthand account lists Morris's notes held by Cohen and the circumstances of their acquisition. Morris had been imprisoned for debt since February 1798. The deposition was used in lawsuits pending in the High Court of Chancery in Virginia. According to Jonathan Sarnia, Cohen & Barnett subsequently went bankrupt, and Barnett fled to the Netherlands. The document provides significant insight into the financial difficulties of Robert Morris and the operations of the mercantile firm Cohen & Barnett.


Associated People/Businesses

  • Cohen, Eleazar / Barnett, (Lazarus)

Geography

No geographic information available.


Subjects


Physical Location

Arc.MS.56, Oversize Box 4, Folder 1