Subject: Jews -- United States -- History -- 19th century

Carte-de-visite (CDV) photograph of Judah P. Benjamin. Printed by Chas. Magnus, 12 Frankfort Street, New York City. Undated, but likely between 1860-1865 based on the style and known activities of Benjamin.

Civil War-era trade token issued by F. Mangold. The obverse reads "F. MANGOLD"; the reverse reads ".9 NEW YORK ST M ..20 CENTS IN GOODS". This token, rarity #7, was issued during the Civil War when a lack of metallic coins in circulation forced tradesmen to create alternative mediums of exchange. Many tokens depicted patriotic themes. The irresponsible issuance of these tokens led Congress to pass an act in 1864 prohibiting private individuals from issuing currency. An Adolph Mangold, a Jewish man, is commemorated annually at the Jewish Civil War Memorial in Cincinnati, Ohio; he was killed in the Civil War. See item 19.104 for the related 10-cent piece.

Certificate commissioning Harvey J. Moses as a Second Lieutenant in the 54th Infantry, New York, signed by Governor Reuben E. Fenton on March 30, 1865. The vellum certificate features an illustrated state seal. Listed in Wolf's Compilation K.

This archival material consists of a Congressional Record document concerning an Act of Congress for the relief of Jonas P. Levy. Dated March 31, 1855, the document details a decision regarding Levy's war claims against Mexico, which had been previously rejected. The collection also includes related Congressional appeals from 1882. Additional materials referenced, but not included in this collection, are a Senate document from May 4, 1858, detailing a Court of Claims report on the case of Jonas P. Levy vs. the United States (35th Cong., 1st Sess. SMD251).

Letter written by A. F. Brugess from Salem, South Carolina, on January 10, 1861, to an individual known only as "Pink." The letter details the intense political climate in South Carolina in the early days of the Civil War, including the secession of South Carolina and the formation of volunteer militias. Brugess describes his own participation in the Butler Minute Men, and mentions a Jewish man, Jacobs, who donated a flag to the company.

A letter written by Isaac Hart to Isaac Leeser on May 19, 1854, concerning Hart's compelled presidency of the Shanarai Chasset for another year. The letter also notes the lack of secrecy in the movement of the Touro body and lists accounts for the Occident.

Article from the New-York Observer, dated December 23, 1848, covering Mordecai Manuel Noah's address at a Hebrew Synagogue. Noah discusses his reasons for establishing a homeland for Jews in the United States. The article transitions into a Christian sermon.

This document is a four-page petition dated January 2, 1817, from Judah and Charles H. Saunders to the United States Congress, requesting a refund of duties paid on liquor that was subsequently destroyed by fire. The petition was read and ordered to lie on the table. The response, a report from the Committee of Ways and Means rejecting the petition, is dated July 2, 1817. Manuel Judah, one of the petitioners, was a Richmond distiller and a charter member of Congregation Beth Shalome in Richmond, Virginia. Printed in Washington, D.C. by William A. Davis. OCLC lists 5 copies worldwide.

Shipping record from S. I. Isaacs & Soho Copper Co. documenting the shipment of finished copper from New York, New York to Norfolk, Virginia on December 22, 1826. The record notes the port of entry. The Soho Copper Refinery was founded by Hendricks & Isaacs (brothers-in-law) in Soho, New Jersey.

Shipping record detailing the shipment of finished copper from Harmon Hendricks in New York, New York, to Curaçao on May 13, 1830. The record highlights the activities of Harmon Hendricks and his family's copper business, a significant contributor to American industry.

Newspaper clipping from The New York Tribune, dated April 21, 1855, detailing the lawsuit of Josephine Smith (alias Barrett), a white woman claiming wrongful enslavement by Joseph Cohen and Lionel Levy in New Orleans. The article highlights the unusual circumstances of the case, involving a biracial child raised as white, and the Jewish identities of all parties involved. Additional background information provided includes details about the Barrett brothers' mercantile activities in Charleston, S.C., and Columbia, and Judah Barrett's involvement in founding the Touro Synagogue in New Orleans. The clipping also mentions Mordecai Manuel Noah's attempt to establish a Jewish homeland in Ararat.

A legal document, dated January 1, 1821, from New York, New York, attesting that a writ had been satisfied. The document involves Mordecai Manuel Noah, William Thomas, Robert Warnoch, and D. Graham.

A legal document, a writ of satisfaction, attesting that a writ had been satisfied. The writ was issued by Mordecai Manuel Noah, Sheriff of New York City, on November 1, 1821, in New York, New York. The document involves Joseph Clowes, George Weeks, and Thomas L. Broome.