Moses Family of New York Papers

The Moses family of New York has been a prominent Jewish family since the American Revolution. Isaac Moses (1742-1818). born in Giessen, Germany, moved to New York in 1764. In 1766 he became a “freeman” of New York City. He worked in his uncle, Hayman Levy's, mercantile firm until he established Isaac Moses and Company with two business partners in 1775. His firm supported the Revolutionary army by accepting $20,000 Continental paper dollars in exchange for $20,000 in hard currency, thereby financing the war effort. The firm also traded for military supplies internationally and sold guns and ammunition to the army. When the British occupied New York, Isaac Moses left for Philadelphia and ran the firm from there. In 1783 he returned to New York City and continued his commercial enterprises. Despite a bankruptcy in 1786, he was generally financially successful, establishing Isaac Moses and & Sons, an international trading company. He was also a major stockholder in the Bank of New York.

Isaac Moses was very involved in his community. He was a Mason in New York City's Union Lodge, and an important member of the New York City Chamber of Commerce. He was also president of Congregation Shearith Israel in New York, and one of the principle organizers of the Congregation Mikveh Israel in Philadelphia. He married Reyna Levy in 1770. They had ten children together.

After his death, Isaac's sons continued the international mercantile business they had founded with their father. They were involved not only in the China trade, but also with the Mexican trade. Of Isaac's grandchildren at least two, Isaac Jr. and Israel, a medical doctor, joined the Union Army in the United States Civil War. This generation also continued in the China trade. Isaac's great-grandchild, Blanche, was a New York resident who compiled her family's papers and genealogy.

The collection includes the personal papers of many members of the Moses family.

The family relationships of the individuals mentioned in the collection are described here. Isaac Moses (1742-1818) married Reyna Levy and had ten children, including Moses Levy (1773-1843), Solomon (1774-1857), and Joshua (1780-1837). Solomon had nine children, including Isaac (1807-1847) and Simon Gratz (1813-1897). Joshua had ten children including Isaac Jr. (1819-1889), Abraham Rodriguez Brandon (1820-1870), Israel, M.D. (1821-1870), and Lionel (1825-1895). Lionel had seven children, including Blanche (1859-1946).