Gratz Family Papers
Item
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Country
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US
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Language of name of institution
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eng
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Contact information: postal address
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105 South Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
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Contact information: phone number
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001 215-440-3400
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Reference number
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Mss.Ms.Coll.72
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Type of reference number
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Archival reference number
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Title (official language of the state)
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Gratz Family Papers
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Language of title
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eng
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Creator / accumulator
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Gratz family
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Date(s)
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1750/1974
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Date note
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bulk: 1750/1879
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Language(s)
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eng
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Extent
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3.20 linear metres (20 boxes)
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Type of material
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Textual Material
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Scope and content
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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.
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Archival history
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This collection is the result of a donation from Sara McColl and Henry Joseph to the American Philosophical Society in 1992.
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Administrative / Biographical history
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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.
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(source: American Philosophical Society Library online catalogue)
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System of arrangement
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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.
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Author of the description
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Carla Vieira, 2023
