Jews in colonial times

Facts

• In the early 17th century only a few Jews had made it to Maryland
• Most Jews came independently, with no family.
• Although there weren't many Jews people believed many early settlers were Jewish because of their names
• A prominent Jew at the time was Dr. Jacob Lumbrozo

Facts About Dr Jacob Lumbrozo

• He is first Jewish Resident of Mary Land
• He was tried for blasphemy on 1658
• Aside from being a doctor he also owned plantations, traded with Indians, and had correspondence with many London merchants

Dr Jacob Lumbrozo Background

• Born in Portugal moved to Holland
• On September 10 1663 letters of denization were issued to him
• He had a wife or lover of some sort but I couldn't find a name. It does say she was probably not of Jewish descent though.
• He was a witness in lawsuit in 1657
• He served as juror in 1663

Other important Jews at the time

• Elias Legarde
• Solomon Franco
• Jacob Barsimson

Elias Legarde

• Elias arrived in James Town, Virgina on 1621. Elias was of french descent and was sent to teach the colony how to grow grapes for wine
• Elias was a sephardic Jew
• Elias was employed by Anthonie Bonal
• At one point Elias leased 100 acres of land

Solomon Franco

• Second Jew known to have lived in northern North America
• A Sephardic Jew from Holland who settled in Boston in 1649
• Franco was a scholar and agent for Immanuel Perada, a Dutch merchant
• He delivered goods to the general EdwardGibbons in MA
• After a complication with a payment Franco was explode from the colony, but was still to get six shilling per week from the treasury for ten weeks

Jacob Barsimson

• Jacob Barsimson was one of the earliest Jewish settlers at New Amsterdam or what is now New York
• He was the earliest identified Jew
• He'd be sent out by the Jewish leaders of Amsterdam and the Dutch Republic
• "With the fall of Dutch Brazil it was imperative for Jews planning to leave Europe to find other new homes."

Jacob Barsimson

• Jacob Barsimson was one of the earliest Jewish settlers at New Amsterdam or what is now New York
• He was the earliest identified Jew
• He'd be sent out by the Jewish leaders of Amsterdam and the Dutch Republic
• With the fall of Dutch Brazil it was imperative for Jews planning to leave Europe to find other new homes.

Thanks for listening