Subject: Genealogy

A Jewish calendar book covering sixty-four years, detailing the New Moons, Festivals, and Fasts. Published in London by Thompson in 1838. The book is rebound in stiff wrappers and contains two children's pencil drawings in a new back pocket. The back cover includes numerous names and birthdates of a Philadelphia Jewish family from the 1800s, and pencil notes on some pages record family events. The first and last few pages show tears. Condition: Good-. Wrapper. 137 pages including information on Religious and Charitable Institutions of the Jews in London and a chronological table up to and including Jewish activity in the USA.

Abstract of Title for property owned by the Roosevelt family in New York City, Manhattan. The document details land ownership from 1788-1831, tracing transfers of deeds and mortgages. It specifically mentions Ephraim Hart and his wife conveying a deed in 1790, and a subsequent mortgage transfer to James Roosevelt in 1807. The property was originally part of the Lancey's Estate. The abstract includes later annotations dated September 21, 1849, and September 13, 1859, relating to further sales. The document consists of two pages, with writing on both sides.

Issue of the *American and Mercantile Daily Advertiser* newspaper from Baltimore, Maryland, dated January 22, 1800. This issue contains an article about Mordecai, the first Jew in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

This archival item consists of a newspaper clipping from the April 6, 1822, edition of the *Providence Patriot*. The clipping reprints a death notice for Jacob Lopez from the *Newport Republican*, describing him as the nephew of Aaron Lopez and offering glowing remarks. The notice mentions Jacob's brother, still living at the time, and identifies Jacob as the son of Abraham Lopez, one of the last Jews in Newport, Rhode Island.

Volume 1 of Bereishith, a Hebrew text with manuscript annotations. This book contains a family tree and Tikun Sophrim corrections. It belonged to Jacob I. Cohen, whose signature appears on folios 49, 50, 75, and 77, with further manuscript entries about his family on the free rear endpapers. The book was printed in Amsterdam circa 1760 and is from the library of Jacob I. Cohen, described by Max Whiteman as "one of the most important early US libraries to survive". Cohen (1744-1823) immigrated to the US in 1773, settling initially in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, then living intermittently in Richmond, Virginia (1781-1799) and Philadelphia. He was a founding member of Beth Shalom in Richmond and president of Mikveh Israel (1810-1811) in Philadelphia. He was a Revolutionary War veteran and conducted business dealings with notable figures like James Madison and Daniel Boone. In Richmond, he partnered with Isaiah Isacks (Isaacs) in merchandising, real estate, and slave trading.

Birth announcement, likely hand-delivered, sent to Mr. and Mrs. Douglas. The announcement is without a postage stamp. The announcement is dated February 18, 1829, and originates from Paris, France.

Birth certificate of Junius Brutus Booth, Jr., son of Junius Brutus Booth and Mary Ann Booth. The certificate, dated February 21, 1822, is an affidavit signed by Junius Brutus Booth and notes that the child was born December 21, 1821, on Clifford Street, Charleston, South Carolina, at the dwelling of Mr. Solomon Moses, Jr. The document is significant due to the involvement of Solomon Moses, Jr., a prominent Charleston resident and slave trader.

Original birth record of Solomon, born in Philadelphia on December 20, 1789. The record was inscribed on the back page of a hand-written Jewish almanac (Luhot). The birth record was later removed; only half a page of the Luhot remains, but the birth record itself is complete. See also 20.602 (same hand of birth record).

Notarial certification concerning £770 in the Suasso account at the Bank of England, requested by Abraham Teixeira of London. Dated November 29, 1809. This bond relates to manuscript documents (ref: 18.499xxx) concerning the Dutch-Jewish noble families de Pinto and Lopes.

Bookplate of Samuel Elam, an English Jew from Leeds who immigrated to Rhode Island. The bookplate includes his printed name, state, and crest, along with his signature. Elam's naturalization is noted in the description, referencing an act passed by the Rhode Island Assembly in 1789 and his later election as a Rhode Island senator. The advertisement for his arrival in New York City is referenced from the Royal Gazette, January 11, 1783.

Business card of Samuel Hart, listing addresses in Philadelphia (416 South 13th St.) and New York City (307 Broadway), and indicating a possible connection to Mikveh Israel Congregation. The card mentions a 'Club House Card' and notes a family relationship ('cousin of Isaac Levy/nephew of Lewis I. Cohen'). The card is dated circa 1858 based on the archival collection's context.

Indenture document conveying a cemetery plot in the Congregation Benai Israel cemetery in Kalamazoo, Michigan, dated June 1, 1882. The deed lists Joseph Speyer as the owner of the plot and includes the signatures of several early Jewish settlers in Kalamazoo: Bernhard M. Desenberg, L. Stern, Henry Stern, D. Lilienfeld, and B. L. Desenberg.

Certificate awarded to Gertrude Gottheil for completing a Music Gymnastics class on December 15, 1876. Accompanying the certificate is a handwritten note from Richard James Horatio Gottheil, dated May 13, 1903, to Gilbert Rich. The note indicates the certificate came from the library of Rabbi Gustav Gottheil, the grandfather of Gilbert Rich.

Original charcoal portrait of Frances Noah Hart, executed on October 16, 1840, by Alex Edouard. The 11 x 14 inch portrait depicts a seated Hart at age 82, her shawl and bonnet highlighted with silver. The artist's signature, "ALEX. EDOUART, Fecit OCT. 16'th, 1840," appears in the corner. A label affixed to the back of the frame identifies Hart as the aunt of Major M. M. Noah of New York, wife of Ephraim Hart of New York, and mother of Harriet Judith (wife of Benjamin Hart of Montreal). It notes her death in Montreal in 1843 at age 85 and mentions her as an aunt of Commander Uriah P. Levy, U.S.N. The portrait is housed in its original 15 x 18 bird's-eye maple frame. Accompanying materials include photostats of biographical sketches of Alex Edouard and Ephraim Hart.

Issue of the *Daily Advertiser* newspaper from Baltimore, Maryland, published on February 4, 1800. This issue contains an article about Mordecai, the first Jew in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Manuscript death record noting the passing of Hart Levey on February 28, 1825 (10th of Adar). The record appears to be an excerpt from a larger death register. Further research is needed to ascertain the location of this death.

Deed settling the estate of Michael Gratz. Dated October 25, 1819, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Signed by Rachael Gratz, Hyman Gratz, Benjamin Gratz, Joseph Gratz, Jacob Gratz, Simon Gratz, Ruben & Francis Etting, Samuel & Richea Hays, Sol. & Rachel Moses, and witnessed by Ellen Hays, Isaac Prince, and Abraham Myer Cohen.

Handwritten deed on vellum, conveying property from Abraham Hart and his wife, Rebecca C. Hart, to their son, Clarence A. Hart, for one dollar. Dated June 27, 1876, sealed, and notarized by Rudolph Smith.

This book is the 1873-74 Erie County Directory. Published in 1873, it lists numerous Jewish individuals in various professions, including clothiers and shoemakers, with some also listed under saloons and variety stores. The directory notes the presence of one Hebrew Church in Erie City (pages 63 & 297-334).

Genealogical note detailing family connections among the Hart, Levy, and Cohen families. Mentions addresses in Philadelphia (236 South 36th St.) and New York City (No. 1 Barclay St.). Notes a merger in 1871 and a possible connection to Mikveh Israel. The date is estimated as 1850 based on the available information.

Manuscript genealogical research on the Lyons, Hart, and Cohen families, spanning the mid-1700s to the early 1820s. The document lists names, birth and death dates, and grave locations of family members. Compiled circa 1860-1880s.

Family register containing 36 entries recording genealogical information for the Simon, Moses, Gratz, Etting, Hays, and Phillips families. The register is inscribed within an 1802 Philadelphia edition of Matthew Carey's *The Holy Bible*. The first entry records the death of Joseph Simon in 1804. Many entries are in the handwriting of Rebecca Gratz, who owned the Bible. After her death in 1869, the inscription "We ne'er shall look upon her like again" was added, likely by her nephew, Horace Moses (1820-1893). The Bible's large format suggests it was intended for home use. Given that Jewish Bibles weren't printed in America at the time, Rebecca Gratz used this Christian Bible for recording family history. Numerous documents were tipped into the Bible. This bible and related materials came from the Nathan family archive in Canada. In the mid-20th century, a Philadelphia relative requested these items to write a book, but this was never completed. The items were donated to the American Philosophical Society in Philadelphia, with some items remaining in this collection.

Printed document detailing the final estate settlement for Jacob Florance and his wife, Mrs. Jacob Levy Florance. The 163-page document, dated January 24, 1872, in New Orleans, Louisiana, lists numerous claimants from around the world and includes references to the Florance, Minis, Cohen, and Levy families.

Leather-bound book of prayers for the Day of Atonement, published in 1888 by Lewin & Rosenbaum, successors to H. Sakolski. The back cover features a family tree, and the cover is gold-embossed with "F. Solomon", possibly Florence Solomon.

This rare Early American Haggadah, owned by J.I. Cohen and later Isaiah Isacks, serves as a unique record of the Isacks family births. Inscribed with Cohen's ownership notation ("This Book belongs to J. I. Cohen bought at Bristol March 3, 1787"), it documents the births of Fanny, David, Rebecca, Sarah, and Hays Isacks in Richmond and Charlottesville, Virginia, between 1796 and 1803, as well as the death of their mother, Hetty Hays Isacks in 1803. The Haggadah provides valuable genealogical information supplementing Malcolm Stern's work and offers a rare example of a Haggadah used to record birth records, a practice noted as unprecedented by Dr. Sarna. The book's owners, J.I. Cohen and Isaiah Isacks, were prominent early American Jewish businessmen in Virginia, involved in commerce, land dealings, and philanthropy. Their business partnership financed Daniel Boone's explorations of Kentucky.

A two-page genealogical manuscript detailing the family tree of Michael Gratz, including birth, death, and marriage information for his children and grandchildren. The manuscript, possibly written by a sister of Rebecca Gratz, traces the family's history back to Michael Gratz's emigration from Europe in 1759. The latest date mentioned is 1817. Found tipped into Rebecca Gratz's family bible.

Genealogical sampler created by Adelia Louzada on April 26, 1834, under the tutelage of Miss N. Clark. The sampler includes genealogical information about the Louzada family, particularly Isaac Louzada and his descendants. It features an Empire period decorative motif and a non-denominational poem. The sampler was cleaned and museum-mounted by D. Mc Coach in Allentown, PA.

14 KT. gold medallion plaque (4 x 2.5 CM) inscribed on one side "Presented by his godfather, J.M. Loewenstein" and on the reverse with the Hebrew symbol for luck and the engraving "Born August 25th, 1868". The medallion has a ring for wearing on a chain. The medallion may be related to the Loewenstein family of Rockville, Texas, with Joseph Loewenstein establishing a business there in 1873. A similar spelling, Loevenstein, appears in *Jews of South Carolina*, suggesting a possible family connection due to the common interchange of Vs and Ws by German Jews. A J. Loewenstein is documented in Beth Elohim records as early as 1818. Further research is needed.

Haggadah and genealogy in German and Hebrew. Titled: "Grazahhlung von Ben Auszuge Israels Aus Egypten; An Ben Beiden Ersten Pessach-Abenden." Published in New York City by Druck und Verlag der L. H. Franflichern Buchhandlung, No. 432 Broome St. in 1870. Found in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

A legal document signed twice by David Judah, along with Ozias Hanford and Samuel Kellogg, dated January 29, 1801, in Fairfield, Connecticut. The document's specific legal nature is not detailed in the metadata.

Five-page letter from Abraham Joseph in London, England to T.I. Tobias in New York, New York, dated December 20, 1820. The letter details economic conditions in Europe and family news from England, France, Ireland, and Jamaica. It also mentions the release of Nathan Joseph from prison after clearing debts.

Three-page letter written by Abraham Minis in Savannah, Georgia, on April 22, 1852, to Dr. Joshua I. Cohen in Baltimore, Maryland. The letter details the authors' unsuccessful search for records of Jewish soldiers who fought in the American Revolution, discusses family matters, and includes an invitation for Dr. Cohen to visit.

A letter written by Catanach & Co. of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on June 15, 1881, to Don Felipe Chavez. The letter inquires about the price of a large quantity of sheep. The accompanying donor notes mention a family history involving the marriage of Marie Fresquez and the raising of their children in the Catholic faith. A family ancestor is noted to have written about merging Jewish and Christian traditions in relation to this marriage, and is possibly the same individual from Philadelphia who fought in the Civil War and was associated with a Jewish "Church."

A letter written by Edward Johnson Etting to D. C. Collins on November 21, 1835, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The letter discusses iron and axes and mentions Etting's family history, including his father, Reuben Etting (a Revolutionary War veteran), and his sons, Reuben (1842-1911) and Charles (1844-1910).

Letter written by L. E. Bruel of Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 11, 1864, informing Isaac Leeser of the death of his father, Samuel Bruel. The letter includes an obituary from a Cincinnati newspaper. Samuel Bruel was a prominent member of the Cincinnati Jewish community, a hatter, founder of the Hebrew Beneficent Society of Cincinnati (1839), and Gabah Beth Haim of Bnai Israel (1849). He was known for his contributions to the Occident and his involvement in the Kosher Dead Sheep controversy of 1840/41.

Three-page letter written by L. J. Sylvester in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Tobias I. Tobias in New York City, New York on November 17, 1854. The letter contains personal news and gossip about mutual friends and family, including a mention of Charles Tobias' illness. Sylvester discusses his plans to return to New York City by Christmas.

A letter from Rabbi Sabato Morais to an unknown recipient, dated circa 1885. The letter contains extensive genealogical documentation pertaining to Bamford Samuel. The letter is part of the Saul Wahl and Samuel Bunford family papers and was written in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Two-page letter written by Rachel Nathan in New York City to her brother, Henry Joseph, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, dated June 10, 1928 and July 12, 1928. The letter concerns the family's possession of a painting attributed to Matthew Harris Jouett (previously misattributed to Gilbert Stuart) of Isaac Moses, their grandfather.

This book is a mahzor (Jewish prayer book) for Yom Kippur, containing handwritten birth records of early Jewish families in La Porte Plumas, California, San Francisco, and Denver, Colorado. The entries, in Hebrew and English, span from April 6, 1866, to 1906, documenting a total of 20 births across ten pages. The book was published in New York by L.H. Frank in 1864, with the handwritten additions starting from 1866.

Manuscript copy of the inscription on the 1728 tombstone of Moses Levy, one of the earliest Jewish settlers in New York City. The manuscript, created circa 1860-1870, replicates the original inscription's lettering and form. The copy is a beautifully executed work, suggesting a learned creator.

A beautifully executed manuscript copy (ca. 1860-1870) of the inscription on the 1719 tombstone of Samuel Zanwill (Samuel Levy), one of the earliest Jewish settlers in New York City. According to Rabbi David de Sola Pool's "Portraits Etched in Stone," the inscription is actually from the tombstone of Samuel Levy, and Zanwill was his familiar Jewish name. Levy was a President of the Synagogue and a Constable of the City. This manuscript is accompanied by a companion manuscript of his brother Moses Levy's tombstone. The creator and purpose of these manuscripts remain unknown.

Marriage certificate for S. E. Levy and Blanch Picard, issued in Harrison County, Mississippi on August 27, 1908. The certificate appears to be printed and signed by Rabbi Bergman.

Marriage record of Michael Gratz (1740-1811) and Miriam Simon (1749-1808), daughter of Joseph Simon (1712-1804) and Rose Bunn (née Myers Cohen) (1727-1796). The record, a 2 x 2 fragment from a Hebrew Almanac, was found tipped into a Rebecca Gratz family Bible. The record notes the marriage took place in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on June 20, 1769.

Two blank printed naturalization certificate forms. The name of the Prothonotary, Joseph Simon Cohen, is printed on the forms. Additional information indicates that he was the grandson of Joseph Simon of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; an officer in the Society for the Visitation of the Sick and Mutual Assistance; and a member of the Athenaeum of Philadelphia. The date is inferred from the context of other materials in the collection, circa 1840.

Newspaper clipping containing the obituary of Sophia Tobias, published on November 12, 1892. The clipping's source newspaper is unknown. The clipping is part of the Tobias Family Archive.

Collection of newspaper clippings mentioning the Gluckman family of Hollister, California, circa 1885-1890. The clippings include a mention of a petition in insolvency filed in 1885, a visit by Miss Emma Straus to her sister, Mrs. D. Gluckman in San Francisco, and the birth of an infant son, Jacob, to Mr. and Mrs. D. Gluckman. Source material includes the Hollister Free Lance (Hollister, San Benito Co., CA).

Notarized document from October 29, 1836, prepared and signed by the Consul for the Netherlands in New York City. It details the claim of the children of the late Abraham Solomon Schoyer, legatees under the will of Nathan Solomons (possibly Schoyers) of Amsterdam, deceased. Rika Anderson, aunt to the children, attests to their identity and the absence of other living children besides Raphael, Solomon, Jacob, David, and Sarah.

This manuscript is a subscriber list for the *Occident*, a 19th-century Jewish periodical. Although undated, it likely predates July 2, 1843, based on the inclusion of Zalma Rehine of Baltimore, who died on that date. The list includes subscribers from various locations including New York, Philadelphia, Kingston (Jamaica), Richmond, Va., Savannah, St. Thomas, Baltimore, Beaufort, S.C., Charleston, S.C., Montreal, New Orleans, and Liverpool, England, among other cities and towns. The list is written in Isaac Leeser's hand and contains many names of prominent Jewish figures of the time. The manuscript shows some corrections in a different ink, also in Leeser's handwriting. This list does not exactly match the published list in *Occident*, Vol. I, issue 4, July 1843.

Passport issued to Sigmund T. Meyer of New York City on August 12, 1854. The passport, signed by Daniel Webster as Secretary of State, includes a physical description of Meyer. The accompanying stampless envelope is addressed to J.B. Nones from the Department of State.

Issue of the Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper, published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1750. Includes an advertisement by Levy & Franks detailing items for sale. Printed by Benjamin Franklin.

Two playing cards: the Queen of Diamonds and the Jack of Clubs. The Queen of Diamonds card indicates an address of 236 South 36th Street, Philadelphia, while the Jack of Clubs card shows an address of No. 1 Barclay Street, New York City. Additional notes mention a cousin of Isaac Levy and nephew of Lewis I. Cohen, indicating a potential family connection and merging of entities in 1871. The cards are described as being made of brass. Miller PA-197A is also noted.

A set of two playing cards: the Queen of Diamonds and the Jack of Clubs. The Queen of Diamonds card is marked '236 SOUTH 36TH ST., PHILA.', and the Jack of Clubs card is marked 'NO. 1 BARCLAY ST., NYC'. Additional notations indicate a familial connection: 'COUSIN OF ISAAC LEVY/NEPHEW OF LEWIS I. COHEN...MERGED IN 1871'. The cards are described as being made of silvered brass. Circa 1855.

A collection of two playing cards: the Queen of Diamonds and the Jack of Clubs. The Queen of Diamonds card indicates an address of 236 South 36th Street, Philadelphia. The Jack of Clubs card indicates an address of No. 1 Barclay Street, New York City. The cards also contain a reference to a family relationship, noting a cousin of Isaac Levy and a nephew of Lewis I. Cohen who merged in 1871. The cards are made of brass. Circa 1854.

First annual publication of the American Jewish Historical Society, 1893. Contains numerous articles on early Jews in America.

Second annual publication of the American Jewish Historical Society, 1894. Contains numerous articles on early Jews in America.

Third Annual Publication of the American Jewish Historical Society, 1895. This volume contains numerous articles on the history of early Jewish communities in America and includes a list of the Society's members. Published in 1895.

Manuscript record of the births of Solomon, Frances, and Simon Gratz, the first three children of Michael and Miriam Gratz. The births occurred in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1770 and 1773. The record is written in English and Yiddish and may have been a blank leaf from a bible.

This is the ninth edition of Donald G. Mitchell's *Reveries of a Bachelor; or, A Book of the Heart*, published in 1851 by Baker & Scribner. This particular copy belonged to Israel Cohen (1820-1875) of Baltimore, who inscribed and dated it in 1851. In 1882, his daughter Eleanor Septima Cohen (1858-1937) added her bookplate, which incorporates Hebrew lettering and the Kohanim symbol, and inscribed the book as a gift to Dr. Julius Friedenwald. Dr. Friedenwald received the book after 1890.

Large silver wedding wine cup inscribed with the initials 'A.B. Maertz' and the dedication 'Seinen geliebten Eltern Fur silbernen Hochzeit, Jany 1st 1867' (To his beloved parents for their silver wedding). The cup lacks a hallmark. This piece comes from a collection passed down through a family of Jewish settlers who arrived in Cincinnati, Ohio around 1840. Cincinnati's Jewish community is notable for being the oldest west of the Appalachian Mountains. The current owners include the president of an international literary society, who has since retired from New Jersey to central Florida. The family and society's identities are being withheld at their request.

Manuscript certification of the blood purity of Feliz del Rey, a Cuban clergyman from Laguna, Tenerife. The 14-leaf manuscript, dated August 2, 1758, in Havana, Cuba, attests to Del Rey's freedom from "de toda mala raza, de moros, judíos, indios, negros ni mulatos y que no es de los nuevamente convertidos a nuestra santa fe católica" (all bad races, Moorish, Jewish, Indian, black or mulatto, and is not a convert to our Catholic faith). The manuscript measures 12 1/4 x 8 1/2 inches and is stitched; it shows minor wear. The manuscript is part of MS 56, Codex 037.1.

This is a first edition of Isaac Leeser's *The Book of Daily Prayers*, published by C. Sherman in 1848. This particular copy contains extensive family records added by its owners, beginning with the marriage of Solomon Zucker (later Sugar) and Matilda Forchheimer on December 12, 1852, officiated by Reverend Gutheim, rabbi of the Congregation Sherith Israel in New Orleans. The book further documents the births of seven children born in Bastrop, Louisiana, between 1853 and 1867. Newspaper clippings record Solomon Sugar's death in 1884 and his son Isadore Sugar's death in 1919. The book passed through generations of the Sugar family, prominent Jewish merchants in Bastrop and Monroe, Louisiana.

A large hanging trade card for Cohen & Bro., a shoe store located in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The card is undated, but based on genealogical information provided by the donor, it likely dates from the late 19th or early 20th century. The donor's research includes census data from 1880 and 1900 for Selig Cohen, who appears to have been associated with the business, as well as obituaries detailing the lives and deaths of Selig Cohen and other family members. The information provides considerable genealogical context, outlining Selig's life, his occupation as a shoe merchant, and family relationships that connect him to other individuals in the shoe trade.

Watercolor painting depicting a genealogical chart of the Lippman, Elkin, and Levin families. The chart includes two monuments, one with a cross and the other without a symbol. It was discovered in the attic of a Pennsylvania German family in Lititz, Pennsylvania, circa 1850.