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 1740 - 1785 (45 years)
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| Name |
Haym Salomon [2, 3, 4, 5] |
| Born |
1740 |
Lissa, Poland  [2, 4, 5] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Reference Number |
2238 |
| Residence |
Abt 1775 |
New York, New York (Manhattan), NY [6] |
| Died |
6 Jan 1785 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [2, 4, 5] |
| Buried |
Mikva Israel - Federal Street Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA |
| Person ID |
I2238 |
aojd |
| Last Modified |
11 Nov 2011 |
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| Notes |
- "Established revolutionary ancestor (DAR)"
Two plaques memorialize Haym Salomon, patriot and dedicated Jew. Born in Poland in 1740, he left Poland at the time of the Partition of 1772. He traveled in Europe for several years before immigrating to New York City around 1775. On the continent, he acquired mastery of European languages, currencies, and finance. In New York, he opened a brokerage and commission merchant's business. He was jailed in New York by the British as a spy and for participating in other revolutionary activities of the Sons of Liberty.
Salomon escaped to Philadelphia with his family. There he joined fellow Jews who had fled the British occupation. He established himself as a broker, selling currencies and notes at a discount. Robert Morris, Superintendent of the Office of Finance appointed Haym Salomon as official broker. From 1781 until1784, in this capacity, Salomon converted bills of exchange and foreign government notes into spendable cash at a low rate of interest for the highest obtainable price. The money was used to meet the urgent needs of the army, navy, and government
Solomon was known as "The Good Jew." In addition to his commitment to American Independence, Salomon devoted himself to Jewish affairs. A trustee of Congregation Mikveh Israel, he was the largest contributor to its first building, dedicated in 1782.
The gravesite of Haym Salomon is unmarked. He is commemorated by a marble tablet on the east wall, installed by his great-grandson, William Salomon. A granite memorial is set inside the gate of the cemetery. Haym Solomon Lodge 663 of Brith Sholom contributed it and financed extensive repairs to the cemetery.
Haym Salomon died in 1785 at the age of 45. He left assets which barely covered his debts. The following obituary was printed in the Independent Gazetteer:
"Thursday, last, expired, after a lingering illness, Mr. Hyam Solomon, an eminent broker of this city, was a native of Poland, and of the Hebrew nation. He was remarkable for his skill and integrity in his profession, and for his generous and humane deportment. His remains were yesterday deposited in the burial ground of the synagogue of this city." [6]
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| Sources |
- [S285] .
- [S4] PG. 257 SALOMON (1) (Reliability: 3).
- [S32] PG. 482, JOSEPH SOLOMONS (Reliability: 3).
- [S59] EMAIL 6 AUG 2010 ARYEH GREEN TO DAVID M. KLEIMAN (Reliability: 3).
- [S634] EMAIL 6 AUG 2010 ARYEH GREEN TO DAVID M. KLEIMAN (Reliability: 3).
- [S392] (Reliability: 3).
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