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Rebecca Gratz 1781 ~ 1869
Rebecca Grantz
Miss Gratz was born in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, March 4, 1781, died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
August 29, 1869. She was one of the most distinguished women of
her day of the Jewish race in this country. She was one of a
family of thirteen children; her father Michael Gratz, a wealthy
East India merchant, married Miriam, daughter of Joseph Simon,
of Lancaster Pennsylvania, the best known and most respected
Hebrew in the state. The names of Joseph Simon, Michael Gratz
and Bernard Gratz, his brother, were signed to the
"Non-importation Act' the forerunner of the Declaration of
Independence which was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in the house
then owned by the Gratz brothers. Their signatures with many
others of the family may also be seen on the first list of seat
holders (1782) of the Congregation Mikve Israel (Hope of Israel)
one of the oldest Jewish Congregations in the United States.
The Gratz home was the center of
refinement, culture and hospitality, with the sweet Jewish
setting of family affection. Washington Irving delighted "to
roost in the big room." Henry Gay, Fanny Kemble and many others
met there the best and most cultivated society of Philadelphia.
Rebecca had every advantage of education and her friendships
were largely among Christians. A most romantic and life-long
attachment was formed with her beautiful schoolmate Maria Fenno.
Though there were no railroads or steamboats in those days,
intercourse by stage between New York and Philadelphia was
frequent and upon one of these visits to the former city Maria
married Judge Ogden Hoffman, a widower, and most accomplished
gentleman with children older than herself. One, a young
daughter, Matilda, was the only love of Washington Irving, who
was then pretending to study law in her father's office, but
Judge Hoffman did not approve of his suit and the lovers were
very unhappy. Consumption developed in Matilda Hoffman and
Rebecca Gratz and Washington Irving nursed the poor girl until
her death. After this Irving went abroad, traveling extensively,
he visited Abbotsford, and there told Scott the story of Rebecca
Gratz, her personal charm, strength of mind and her
steadfastness to her faith.
She had a few years before this refused
on account of her faith, to marry a young man who was considered
a most suitable match, sacrificing her inclination to follow
what she considered her duty. In 1817, when "Ivanhoe"
was published Scott sent a copy to Irving saying, "How do you
like your Rebecca now?" In 1817 the ladies of Philadelphia
opened the first Philadelphia Orphan Asylum. Rebecca Gratz was
chosen secretary and served in this capacity for forty-eight
years.
In 1855, when past the age when most
people think their work is finished, she being then fifty-six
years of age she founded the first Sunday school for Jewish
children, over which she presided for twenty-five years. This
school, in the last year of her service, numbered four thousand
pupils, it having opened with but five. In 1855 Miss Gratz
started a Jewish Foster Home. Her long experience on the board
of the Philadelphia Asylum enabled her to found the infant home,
and though she lived to see it well established she could hardly
anticipate its present usefulness as a modern institution.
She was connected with every movement
for bettering the condition of the poor and the sick of the city
among her people. When the unfortunate Civil War occurred she
was over eighty, but she stood firm and true to her country. Her
one thought was for a united land with no North, no South, no
East, no West Rebecca Gratz lived long past the Psalmist's age,
but she never lost her wonderful appearance, her charm of
manner, her interest in good works, and above all, her devotion
to the Jewish faith.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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