Gratz Family Papers
Item
Country
US
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
eng
Contact information: postal address
105 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Contact information: phone number
001 215-440-3400
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
Reference number
Mss.Ms.Coll.72
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (official language of the state)
Gratz Family Papers
Language of title
eng
Creator / accumulator
Gratz family
Date(s)
1750/1974
Date note
bulk: 1750/1879
Language(s)
eng
Extent
3.20 linear metres (20 boxes)
Type of material
Textual Material
Scope and content
This collection comprises business and personal correspondence from the Gratz family since the late 18th century. It includes letters that record the business, cultural and private lives of three generations of Gratz family members. It also provides a lively picture of the early times of the Jewish community of Philadelphia.
The first series of the collection, which includes correspondence of Barnard and Michael Gratz brothers, contains relevant information on establishing a Jewish congregation in Philadelphia. Also of particular interest is the third series, containing Rebecca Gratz's correspondence, which includes rich data on the family life of the Philadelphia Jewish elite in the early 19th century.
The first series of the collection, which includes correspondence of Barnard and Michael Gratz brothers, contains relevant information on establishing a Jewish congregation in Philadelphia. Also of particular interest is the third series, containing Rebecca Gratz's correspondence, which includes rich data on the family life of the Philadelphia Jewish elite in the early 19th century.
Archival history
This collection is the result of a donation from Sara McColl and Henry Joseph to the American Philosophical Society in 1992.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Gratz family members were important figures in Philadelphia's social, intellectual, and business life during the Revolutionary and early national periods and were central figures in the Jewish community. Barnard (1738-1801) and Michael Gratz (1740-1811), emigrants from Silesia to Philadelphia, were business partners with extensive interests in coastal shipping and western trade and actively supported America's independence. Michael's daughter, Rebecca (1781-1869), became arguably the most famous member of the family through her philanthropic activities, helping to found the Philadelphia Orphan Society (1815), the Hebrew Sunday School Society (1838) and supporting many other causes.
Access points: locations
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
Seven series compose this collection: I. Barnard and Michael Gratz 1750-1804; II. Simon, Hyman, Joseph, Jacob, Benjamin Gratz 1791-1861; III. Rebecca Gratz 1795-1867; IV. Rachel Gratz Moses 1797-1879; V. Sarah Gratz 1800-1808; VI. Miscellaneous 1786-1974; VII. Artifacts 1805-1900. It also includes one oversize flat box with files from all seven series. Letters are arranged according to the recipient.
Access, restrictions
Digital copies of some material are available in:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2023
Bibliography
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| American Philosophical Society Library | Collections (official language of the state) |