Moses Myers Papers
Scope and Content
The Moses Myers Papers consist of a handful of letters, shipping inventories, and a printed broadside relating to the early Jewish American merchant Moses Myers (1735-1835). Myers lived in Norfolk, VA, and his merchant business was involved in the Caribbean. His ships were instrumental during the War of 1812.
Dates
- Creation: 1796-1820
Creator
- Myers, Moses. (Person)
Access
The collection is open for research.
Biographical/Historical Note
Early American Jewish merchant Moses Myers (1753-1835) was born in New York City to Dutch merchant Hyam Myers and Rachel Louzada. After serving briefly in the New York Second Battalion during the American Revolution, he went into business with his cousin Samuel Myers. Shortly after marrying Eliza Judah in 1787, he moved to Norfolk, Virginia and established an import/export business there. Myers and his family were the first permanent Jewish-American residents in the Norfolk area, and would compose the regions entire Jewish population for over a decade. His house constructed in 1795 and occupied by the Myers family until 1935, still stands in downtown Norfolk and is the oldest Jewish home in America operated as a museum.
Extent
.21 Linear feet (1 box and 1 flat folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Moses Myers Papers consist of a handful of letters, shipping inventories, and a printed broadside relating to the early Jewish American merchant Moses Myers (1735-1835). Myers lived in Norfolk, VA, and his merchant business was involved in the Caribbean. His ships were instrumental during the War of 1812.
Physical Location
University of Florida Smathers Library Building
Acquisition Information
Purchased in 2017.
Alternative Format Available
Digital reproductions of the items in the Moses Myers Papers are available online via the University of Florida Digital Collections (UFDC). Please read the Permissions for Use statement for information on copyright, fair use, and use of UFDC digital objects.
Subject
- Myers, Moses. (Person)
Genre / Form
Geographic
Topical
- Title
- A Guide to the Moses Myers Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Finding aid created by Matt Kruse
- Date
- March 2017
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Prepared Using Dacs
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Description is written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida Repository
George A. Smathers Libraries
PO Box 117005
Gainesville Florida 32611-7005 United States of America
352-273-2755
special@uflib.ufl.edu