Subject: Manuscripts

A manuscript sermon on the etymology of the Hebrew phrase "Ad Olam," written in English with some Hebrew. The three pages are meticulously written in small, even script and laid on silk. A note on the verso indicates when to use the phrase. Circa 1850.

Autograph letter signed by Sir Moses Montefiore, dated April 14, 1878. The letter, written to an unidentified Mrs. Jones, returns a manuscript. The shaky signature reflects Montefiore's advanced age (he was 94 at the time).

Eleven-page autograph manuscript essay, "A Short Essay on the Truth of the Jewish Religion," sent to Isaac Leeser in July 1846. The essay, later published in *The Occident* (Vol. 4, pp. 169-175), argues for the importance of the unity of God in Judaism. Written in English. Folio. Lightly stained. The manuscript is housed in the collection of the University of Pennsylvania.

Billhead for Rahl Herstein, a resident of Huntsville, Alabama. Dated 1859-1860. The bill lists two items and their prices, totaling $5.50. The bill is written in cursive and contains no printed details or decorative elements. The buyer is listed as E.C. Spragisus.

A check dated July 5, 1864, from Augusta, Georgia, drawn on the Union Bank. It orders the cashier to pay L. Z. Stirnheimer the sum of thirty-five thousand one hundred and seventy-five dollars ($35,175). The check is signed by L. Cohn and includes a note stating the amount is “to be debited to Mr. Stirnheimer, on presentation of a draft.” The document features elegant handwritten script, characteristic of the mid-19th century. 3.

A handwritten promissory note for a demand loan of $500 at 5% interest. The loan was made by J.J. Kuhn to J.A. Kuhn on April 10, 1878, in Port Townsend, Washington.

A manuscript draft of a sermon written in English and Hebrew. The author is unknown, but the document was found among papers associated with Isaac Leeser. The manuscript dates from the mid-to-late 1800s.

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.

A handwritten poem dated December 25, 1854, from Alice Cohen to Mary Hume. The poem was torn from a remembrance book dedicated to Mary Hume Armstrong of South Carolina. The cities mentioned in the book include Homewood, Columbia, Rock Hill, Rome, Arcadia, and Linwood. Alice Gertrude Nathans (Cohen) was born in Charleston, South Carolina on January 7, 1847, and died July 3, 1900. The poem measures approximately 6 by 7 1/2 inches.

A single-leaf manuscript written in Hebrew square script. The poem, penned by Dov Pick, is addressed to the Trustees of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York City. It features a striking arrangement and is dated 26th Tishrei 1814 (January 2, 1814). The manuscript shows signs of age, including marginal losses and heavy folds. Measurements: 12 x 7 inches.

A twelve-page manuscript copybook (19.5 cm x 21 cm) predominantly written in German, with a single phrase in block Hebrew. Written on both sides of each page except the last. The manuscript lacks a cover. Most entries conclude with "Amen." Written by Isaac Leeser, this copybook is believed to date from his early years in America (circa 1825-1830), though further research is needed to verify the exact date and to determine if the manuscript was brought from Europe. Found among other Leeser papers. Reviewed and verified by Dr. Arthur Kiron and Bruce Nielsen at the University of Pennsylvania's Katz Center.

A 5 x 5 inch manuscript note written by Isaac Leeser, requesting funds for Palestine. The note appears to be a draft in preparation for publication. This document was discovered among other papers belonging to Leeser and has been verified by Dr. Arthur Kiron, the Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections, and Bruce Nielsen, Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist, at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania. Date of creation is unknown.

Six double-sided manuscript pages from a ledger book belonging to the Tobias family in London, England. All entries are in Pound Sterling. Circa 1820.

A handwritten legal document from the Clerk of the Orphans' Court of Philadelphia, recording a search for a mortgage for Solomon Myers Cohen, Bell Cohen, or Simon Gratz in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, covering the period between April 2, 1783, and August 1, 1810. The document states that no such mortgage was found on record. It features handwritten text and a faint, unidentifiable seal in the lower-left corner. **3.

This legal manuscript document, dated April 1, 1863, from Columbia, SC, is a report from R.D. Burger to Col. John Phillips. It details the results of a comprehensive search for unsatisfied judgments against M. Cohen (Marx E. Cohen) and A.J. Salinas (Anthony J. Salinas) in the Charleston District and City Court records, spanning twenty years back to October 1861, as well as an examination of records in the Office of the Clerk of the Confederate Court. The report concludes that no unsatisfied judgments were found against either party. The document features an attractive court watermark. 3.

This manuscript is a legal document, possibly a lease of property or an estate settlement document, concerning land in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It involves individuals such as Simon Gratz, Michael Gratz, and Hyman Gratz, with references to their attorneys. The document includes several handwritten endorsements and agreements regarding land rights and transfers, dated March 14, 1810, and March 23, 1812. Portions of the text discuss the assignment of rights by individuals like Benjamin Eddy and Richard Barker, and mention Samuel Barber and Nieager Bennett. The document features handwritten text in ink on aged paper, with visible water damage or stains, and consists of multiple folded sections.

This legal document, dated July 25, 1792, is a manuscript pertaining to the estate of Samuel Jacobs. It records a declaration made before public notaries in Quebec concerning a debt of twelve hundred livres owed by Michel Cornud to the succession of the deceased Samuel Jacobs. The document details Cornud's obligation to repay the sum with interest and specifies properties in Quebec (including a house on Rue Sous le Fort) that are pledged as security through a general and special mortgage. The document refers to prior acts and mentions notaries involved in the transaction. The item is written in French with ornate handwritten script, typical of legal documents from the late 18th century, and includes calligraphic signatures. 3.

This 11-page manuscript details the accomplishments of Captain Fernand Bravo de Lagunas and his ancestors, including Pedro Arias de Ávila, to support a petition for his promotion. It recounts significant historical events such as the founding of Panama and Portobelo, the discovery of Peru, military service in Chile, encounters with indigenous groups (Chiriguan Indians), and defense against pirates, notably Francisco Draque. The document is handwritten in a historical cursive script, featuring decorative flourishes and an ornate initial letter at the beginning. **3.

A handwritten four-line poem signed by Francis Lieber, likely an autograph response, which reads: "Let Emperor never rule This land,/ Nor fitful Crowd, nor senseless pride;/ Our master is our self-made Law/ To him we bow, and none beside." The item also includes a newspaper obituary for Dr. Francis Lieber, dated October 3, 1872, detailing his life as a political philosopher, his military service, and his contributions to political science and international law, notably the "Lieber Code" during the American Civil War. The poem is written in a neat cursive hand on a folded sheet of paper. The obituary is a printed column of text, clipped from a newspaper. **3.

This archival record contains a manuscript draft of rules of order for an unidentified society, circa 1850. The manuscript shows signs of correction and crossing out, suggesting it may have been a draft intended for later printing. The front features the title "For the due observance of order the following Rules are Established," followed by rules of conduct for the society's president, order and debate procedures, the general committee, the secretary, and transgressions of the rules. The verso identifies the document as "No. 1 Standing Rules of Order". The manuscript is written in ink on paper. The images show a legible handwritten text with corrections.

A 5.5 x 6 inch manuscript note on anti-Semitic scholars and their errors. Part of the note may have been copied from an article. The note appears complete and was likely kept for reference. It may have been an insert from a letter to Isaac Leeser on the subject, as it was found with other Leeser papers. The note is not in Leeser's handwriting. This document has been reviewed and verified at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Arthur Kiron, the Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections and Bruce Nielsen, Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist, who is a trained paleographer.

Neatly handwritten manuscript copy of the obituary of Joseph Simon, possibly the original from which a newspaper copy was made. Dated approximately 1804.

A four-stanza manuscript prayer, possibly recited by a child attending a Hebrew Sunday school, a Jewish foster home, or the Philadelphia Orphan Asylum. The prayer was found tipped into a family Bible belonging to Rebecca Gratz and appears to be a copy of another source. Date of creation is unknown, but the manuscript was discovered in a Bible with a connection to the Gratz family.

This record contains a manuscript of a patriotic composition titled "In this World of anxious cares," written in ink by Lucy M. Ritterband in 1854, New York City. The composition is approximately two and a half pages long. Below the signature, a different hand has written in pencil, "14 years old. This composition was read before the school and prize awarded to her." The images in this record show the manuscript's pages. The handwriting is neat and legible, suggesting a certain level of skill and practice. [Lucy M. Ritterband (1840-1928) was the daughter of Leon Maness Ritterband and Benvenida Ritterband and wife of Leon da Silva Solis-Cohen.]

Manuscript in English and Hebrew, containing laws of kosher slaughtering with questions and answers for the practicing Shochet. Written in neat English cursive and square Hebrew letters on 17 leaves of paper. Shows signs of staining. Bound in contemporary marbled wrappers; front cover stained and slightly torn. 12mo. Circa 1850-1860. The manuscript may be a copy of an existing book and requires further research. The handwriting varies, suggesting two scribes. The text includes an account mentioning a sum of money ("four months at four thousand and forty three...dollars"), suggesting the manuscript's creation in the United States. The scarcity of trained Shochetim (ritual slaughterers) in 19th-century America contextualizes the manuscript's creation as a training manual.

Manuscript of a preface to the scripture, written and signed by Rabbi Solomon Freehof, a prominent Pittsburgh religious leader. The manuscript is associated with the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. The date of creation is estimated to be around January 1, 1950.

Collection of Jewish recipes in Yiddish and English. Date of compilation is approximately January 1, 1917. The manuscript is part of the M Collection, located in Ms. Coll. 1410, Box 6, Folder 114.

This volume contains a printed book and an appended manuscript. The printed book, *Sepher Berith Yitzchak*, edited by Selomoh Levy Maduro, is a prayer book for circumcision ceremonies according to the Sephardic rite. Published in Amsterdam by I. Mondovi for G.J. Jansson in 1768, it includes woodcut illustrations, dedications, and lists of qualified mohelim (circumcisers) across the Spanish and Portuguese communities of Europe and the Americas. Notably, it details ceremonies for the circumcision of slaves, mamzerim (bastards), Marranos, and converts. The appended manuscript, written in Hebrew by Salomon Seruya of Lisbon in 1839, is a handwritten Brith Milah manual comprising two parts: *Hanhagot HaMohel* and a piyut for circumcision ("Ezrahi Haya Yahid Ben Le-umim"). The Seruya family were long-term residents of Gibraltar.

This handwritten statement of account, likely issued by Samuel Vernon to Moses Levy, details financial transactions and balances related to Levy's 1/4 ownership of the Sloop Mollye. The document lists charges for "cargo & Outreit to Madera" amounting to £764.19.4 1/2, with an additional £5.19.2 1/2 due, totaling £770.18.7. On the credit side, it notes "By your acctt supplys to ye Sloop" for £745.10.9, "By Hughs Bill" for £12.2.6, and "Cash p. S. Vernon" for £13.5.4, also totaling £770.18.7, indicating a balanced account. A separate note near the bottom mentions "J. N. Hart for Weaving." The manuscript features clear, ornate handwritten script and organized columns of figures typical of mercantile records from the mid-18th century. This document is part of a series related to the Sloop Mollye, a vessel involved in the slave trade. 3.

Manuscript study note on the translation of Aramean. The note measures 8" x 5" and contains several complete sentences on the verso, written in a very small script. It begins: "The Chaldaic dialect has a (?) close to the Syriac; hence they are both frequently referred to under the common name Aramean." The note includes tables comparing script and further commentary. It is not in the handwriting of Isaac Leeser; it may be an insert from a letter to Leeser on the subject. Found with other Leeser papers. This document has been reviewed and verified at the Katz Center of the University of Pennsylvania by Dr. Arthur Kiron, the Schottenstein-Jesselson Curator of Judaica Collections, and Bruce Nielsen, Judaica Public Services Librarian and Archivist, who is a trained paleographer.