Subject: Marriage

Autograph letter signed from Moses Michael Hays to Michael Gratz, dated June 1769. Hays congratulates Gratz on his marriage. The letter includes an integral address leaf with a New York postmark and a bishop's mark. Written on one page, 4to. The letter reflects the business relationship between Hays and Gratz and provides insight into their personal lives.

This item is a printed legislative bill, titled "A BILL To regulate the Celebration of Marriages in Newfoundland," dated May 2, 1817, and originating from London. The bill aims to establish regulations for marriage celebrations in Newfoundland. A notable provision of the bill states that it will not affect marriages already contracted, nor will it extend to marriages performed by Quakers or persons professing the Jewish Religion. The document features standard legislative formatting with a simple decorative patterned border at the top.

Notarized Document - This unique document is two folio pages (one large page folded) written on both sides. In summary, it is all so that Widow Elizabeth Schoyer can legally give consent for her daughter to marry. The 1st part are two pages (20% printed) first certifying that Elizabeth Schoyer is the widow of the late Abraham Schoyer who died in this city (NYC) on 1/31/1823 and is buried in the burying ground of the Hebrew Congregation of this city. She also certifies that he left the children with her…they are now are Raphael in Pa. age 23, Fanny in Amsterdam age 22 and Solomon/Jacob/David/Sarah all in Philadelphia and under the age of 21…Elizabeth then signs her name to those facts on 9/22/1824..then Judah Zuntz (active in Jewish affairs) signs as Notary. Next, Elizabeth then goes on to give her consent for Fanny Schoyer to marry Solomon Voorzanger of Amsterdam (It took place on Thursday 9 December 1824 ...the groom's mother was Sara Salomon Schoijer or Schoyer...the citation note that Fannie's father was Abraham Salomon Schoijer or Schoyer ). That consent is then signed by Elizabeth and notarized by Zuntz on 9/22/1824. This is an abbreviation of the substance on the first 2 pages (each 13"x 7 3/4"). The 3rd full page is a certification that the Register Book of the Congregation Shearith Israel lists "Abraham Schoyer a native of Amsterdam was buried in Beth Haim… this is by my hand and seal… M(oses) L(evi) M(aduro) Peixotto (1816-1828)". Peixotto signs in English and Hebrew and places his wax seal. Next, Harmon Hendricks as President of the Board of Trustees of Congregation Shearith notes what Peixotto said is true (in many more words)…Hendricks then signs a uses the seal of Congregation Shearith Israel. Lastly Judah Zuntz signs as Notary…using his seal. The 4th and last page is hand written note signed by William Paulding Jr. the Mayor of NYC on 9/281824 that Judah Zuntz is in fact an approved Notary.

This 1856 pamphlet details the legal and social fallout of Rufus W. Griswold's divorce from Charlotte Myers in 1852. The pamphlet recounts attempts to overturn the divorce, resulting in a widely publicized newspaper scandal. Griswold's statement addresses his relationship with Myers and other parties involved in the controversy. The pamphlet offers a glimpse into the social and legal dynamics surrounding divorce in mid-19th century Philadelphia.

Printed invitation to a wedding (or betrothal) for Caecilie Horowitz and M. H. Lewkowicz. The invitation was issued in New York, New York on November 6, 1892.

Folded invitation to a wedding ceremony held at Teutonia Hall, located at 66 Essex Street, New York City. The bride's residence is listed as 45 Eldridge Street. The invitation is dated January 2, 1902, and is folded into three parts.

Wedding invitation printed in English and Yiddish for the marriage of Backy Mogilefsky and Abe Kramer. Held at the bride's residence in Malaga, New Jersey on August 26, 1893.

Printed invitation to the wedding of Fannie Berlin and Aaron Schneider, held at No. 2 Washington Hall in Woodbine, New Jersey, on December 27, 1898. The invitation is bilingual, in English and Yiddish.

An invitation to the wedding of Sarah E. Revere and Samuel M. Etting. The invitation indicates the ceremony will take place at 2110 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The invitation is dated circa 1860.

A bound manuscript volume containing 62 ketubot (Jewish marriage contracts), primarily from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with additional entries from Huntington, Lancaster, Bucks, and Montgomery Counties in Pennsylvania, and Lynchburg and Richmond, Virginia. The ketubot, numbered 1-62, are mostly dated from the 1870s, with some from 1880 and 1881. They are written in a consistent style by scribe Gershon Bar Moshe Simcha, the Precentor of Congregation Beth El Emeth, and feature the names of the bride and groom, witnesses, and the wedding date. Many of the individuals named were prominent in American finance, business, and government.

Printed ketubbah on vellum, filled in by hand in New York City on July 5, 1865, for the marriage of Morris Phillips and Bilabat Zekhariyah HaLevi. The ketubbah was printed in Holland. Rabbi Samuel M. Isaacs officiated, and Benjamin Phillip served as a witness. The document is signed by all three individuals.

Letter from A. Hart to Isaac Leeser dated March 3, 1849, granting Leeser authority to conduct the wedding of Reuben Hyman and Jeanettie Heyneberg in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Hart's firm is embossed on the stationery.

A one-page, stampless letter written by Hayman Levy in Camden, South Carolina, to Henry Tobias in New York City on January 19, 1843. The letter appears to discuss a potential marriage between Levy's daughter and an unnamed individual.

Three-page letter written by Joseph Freedman in Detroit, Michigan on June 7, 1853, to Isaac Leeser in Philadelphia. Freedman requests Leeser's assistance in introducing him to respectable Jewish families in Philadelphia for the purpose of marriage. The letter's fourth page is used as a cover, featuring a stamp. Leeser added five names to the edge of the letter, possibly suggesting individuals to whom he might make introductions.

A four-page letter written by Mariam Gratz Hays in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1834, to Sarah Ann Minis (later Hays) in Savannah, Georgia. The letter details local gossip, family matters, and preparations for Sarah Ann's upcoming marriage to Dr. Isaac Hays on May 12, 1834. It mentions a house located at the corner of 8th and Sansome Streets.

A single-page handwritten letter from the wife of the founder of the wealthy Joseph family of Montreal, inviting Isaac Leeser to the wedding of her youngest daughter, Esther, to Rabbi Abraham DeSola of Montreal. The letter is dated November 7, 1849, although the wedding actually took place in June 1852. The letter originates from Montreal, Canada.

A four-page letter written by Sara Gratz Moses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Phoebe Hays Valentine in Montreal, Canada, dated April 8, 1848. The letter details Moses's upcoming marriage to Jacob Henry Joseph and her anxieties about her appearance. It also mentions the approaching Passover holiday.

American Jewish marriage contract (Ketubah) written and signed in New York City on September 20, 1832. Officiated by Rabbi Isaac B. Seixas of Congregation Shearith Israel. Jonathan Mitchell and William (?) Isaacs served as witnesses. The document is written in Hebrew and English.

Marriage certificate of Alex Lichtentag and Alice Baumblatt, issued in Mobile, Alabama on October 22, 1890. Printed in English and Hebrew by Bloch in Cincinnati, with lithograph. Signed by L. Frenkel (President of Sha'arai Shomayim), Oscar J. Cohen (Rabbi), and S. Heidelberger (witness).

Official civil marriage certificate for Julius Kann and Arnoldine Cohen, issued in York, Pennsylvania on November 12, 1851. The groom is noted as being from Baltimore, Maryland. The document is notarized by a Justice of the Peace.

Marriage certificate from a June 7, 1898 wedding at Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco, California. The wedding was between Leon Levy and Eugenie Kline. The certificate is signed by Rabbi Jacob Nieto, the groom, and witnesses Maurice Kahn and Julius L. Wolf. The document includes Hebrew text and is numbered 135.

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.

This book by T. Moore discusses marriage customs and ceremonies, with a specific focus on Jewish traditions detailed on pages 32-38. Published by W. Borradaile in 1823, it offers insights into the diverse practices and beliefs surrounding marriage.

Marriage License - Authorization Allowing Two ex-Slaves to Marry ...Talbot County Georgia…."for any minister of the gospel, Jewish minister, judge of the inferior court or justice of the peace to marry Alexander Barksdale (colored) and Hester Stephenson(colored)." The lower half is marriage by Justice of the Peace on 4/26/1868. In 1868 Alabama, freedmen and freedwomen followed rules established by state conventions and the Freedmen's Bureau. Former slave unions were legally validated without the need to obtain a new license if the couple was already living together. For new marriages, freed couples were subject to the same standard state procedures as white citizens.

Newspaper clipping from the *New-York American*, October 10, 1826, detailing a Hebrew wedding in London. The article is found on page 2, column 6.

Manuscript agreement of reconciliation between Samuel and Judith Hyman, witnessed by Dr. A.S. Bettelheim and others, in San Francisco, California on January 10, 1886. The document attests to the couple's previous separation and their subsequent agreement to reunite. Part of a larger collection of documents from the archive of Albert Siegfried Bettelheim.

This trade card advertises the services of Rev. Joseph Schwed. The card, printed in German, Hebrew, and English, lists the Rabbi's address as 400 E. 52nd Street, New York. The card also lists his services as performing circumcisions, marriages, and delivering sermons in German and English. Additionally, he offers private lessons in Hebrew, German, English, and French.

Invitation and song sheet commemorating the marriage of Ida Jones and E. H. Springer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 17, 1878. Ida Jones was the daughter of Alfred T. Jones, a prominent figure in Philadelphia's Jewish community, founder and publisher of the *Jewish Record*.

Wedding invitation for the marriage of Hilda Katzenstein and Isidore Schoenthal, held at their residence, 870 Marshall Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday, March 4, 1888, at 6 o'clock.

This archival collection contains two sets of invitations. The first is a complete set of four cards announcing the marriage of Mary Goldsmith to Solomon Frank at the Greene Street Synagogue in New York City, circa late 1860s. A reception followed at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, 454 West 34th Street. The second invitation announces the celebration of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Mr. & Mrs. Emmanuel Goldsmith, to be held at the residence of Mr. & Mrs. Henry Goldsmith, 284 West 34th Street. Rev. Raphael and Rev. S.M. Isaacs were to deliver addresses at the event. The invitations suggest the Goldsmith family was prominent in the New York Jewish community.

This item consists of a tripartite wedding invitation suite for the marriage of Thersa Baer and David Nieto. The invitation announces a ceremony at the Nineteenth Street Synagogue in New York City, followed by a dinner at Mazetti's restaurant. Published in New York, New York on June 6, 1888.