The American Jew as Patriot, Soldier and Citizen. Simon Wolf
already been mentioned under preceding heads, and others cited on the records are here added in alphabetical order:
Captain Noah Abraham
was called out with the battalion of Cumberland County Militia, of Pennsylvania, "by an order from Council, July 28, 1777."
Aaron Benjamin,
Ensign of 8th Connecticut Regiment, January 1, 1777; Second Lieutenant, February 14, 1778; First Lieutenant, May 7, 1778; Regimental Adjutant, April 1, 1780, to January, 1783; transferred to 5th Connecticut Regiment January 1, 1781; transferred to 3d Connecticut Regiment January 1, 1783; retained in Swift's Connecticut Regiment June, 1783, and served to November 3, 1783; Lieutenant-Colonel of 37th United States Infantry March 11, 1813; honorably discharged June 15, 1815; died January 11, 1829.
Samuel Benjamin,
Ensign of 8th Massachusetts Regiment January 1, 1777; Second Lieutenant October 3, 1777; First Lieutenant March 28, 1779, served to June, 1783.
Joseph Bloomfield,
Captain of 3d New Jersey Regiment February 9, 1776; Deputy Judge Advocate-General November 17, 1776, to October 29, 1778; Brigadier-General United States Army March 27, 1812; honorably discharged June 15, 1815; died October 3, 1823.
Moses Bloomfield,
(New Jersey) Hospital Surgeon May 14, 1777; Hospital Physician and Surgeon October 6, 1780; resigned December 13, 1780; died August 14, 1791.
Henry Pike Bush
is recorded as a soldier in the "Associators and Flying Camp," Pennsylvania.
Colonel Solomon Bush
was an officer in the Pennsylvania Militia (1777–1778), whose record is highly creditable and whose services won for him a well-deserved promotion. He was appointed Deputy Adjutant General of the Militia of the State on July 5, 1777. As to his subsequent career in the army, no stronger testimony could be desired than that set forth in the resolution adopted by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, at its session on Wednesday, October 20, 1779. It reads thus:
"The petition of Major Solomon Bush, in the militia of this State, being read, and due inquiry having been made into the circumstances of his case, it appears that Major Bush has, on many occasions, distinguished himself in the public service, especially in the winter of 1776, when the service was critical and hazardous.
"That he entered again into the said service in the summer of 1777, when General Sir William Howe invaded the State and the militia were called out pursuant to the resolutions of Congress and the requisition of His Excellency, General Washington; and in the month of September, 1777, acting as Deputy Adjutant General, he was dangerously wounded in a skirmish between the militia and the advance of the British Army, his thigh being broken and he brought off with great difficulty; that being carried to his father's house, on Chestnut Hill, and incapable of being moved, he fell into the hands of the British Army, when it moved up to Whitemarsh, in December, 1777, who took his parole; That he has ever since been confined with his wound, and incapable of performing any military duty, or acquiring a livelihood, but on the other hand, his situation attended with much difficulty and expense.
"All which circumstances being considered, and that the said Major Bush being at the time of receiving his wounds in Continental Service and now a prisoner of war.
"Resolved, That he be recommended to the especial notice of the Honourable Board of War, in order to obtain pay and rations equal to his rank; and that this Board in consideration of the services and sufferings of Major Bush, will permit him to draw from the State store, from time to time, such articles as may be necessary for his comfortable Subsistence and Support."
That Major Bush had already been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, is evidenced by another resolution, complimentary to him, adopted by the same Council seven days later, when he was "recommended to the Honourable the Board of War, for pay and rations accordingly." Again on November 5, 1785, the Council, over which Benjamin Franklin then presided, passed an order for the payment of a pension due to Lieutenant-Colonel Bush.
Major Lewis Bush
became First Lieutenant of the 6th Pennsylvania Battalion on January 9, 1776 and Captain the following June. He was transferred to Colonel Thomas Hartley's Additional Continental Regiment January 13, 1773 and was commissioned Major, March 12, 1777. That he proved a brave soldier, his efficient service in a number of battles affords ample evidence. At the battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777, he was fatally wounded, and four days later he died.
Jonas Bush
was in the roll of revolutionary soldiers, but there is no information given as to his rank or date of enlistment.
Jacob I. Cohen
in 1783 went to Charleston, S. C., and during the campaign which followed, took part as a volunteer soldier in the Continental army, serving under Moultrie and Lincoln. Frequent references to Mr. Cohen are found in the Madison papers, and his valuable services are repeatedly adverted to.
Philip Jacob Cohen
became so distinguished for the services he rendered to the Colonies that he was singled out by the British authorities through a special order depriving him of the right of holding or exercising any office of trust, honor or profit in the Province of Georgia.
Mordecai Davis,
Ensign of 2nd Pennsylvania Battery January 5, 1776; died on August 12, 1776.
Reuben Etting
was a clerk in Baltimore at the time of the battle at Lexington. Although only 19 years of age, he enlisted in a Maryland company, which hastened north to join the forces of Congress. He served in various battles and was taken prisoner by the British at the surrender of Charleston. When released from imprisonment by exchange he was broken in health from ill treatment in prison and exposure on the field. He was a captain of the Independent Blues in 1798, and Marshal of Maryland, appointed by President Jefferson.
Solomon Etting,
a native of York, Pennsylvania, appears as one of the committee of citizens appointed to forward resolutions to Washington expressive of disapprobation of a proposed treaty with Great Britain. Subsequently settled in Baltimore and became President of the Municipal Council.
Colonel Isaac Franks,
who then lived in Philadelphia, entered the army shortly after the battle of Lexington. He became aide-de-camp to General Washington, holding the rank of colonel, and serving throughout the war. After the Revolution Colonel Franks became the incumbent of various civil offices, among them Prothonotary of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, being appointed to that position on February 18, 1819. His residence in Germantown was for some time occupied by President Washington.
Colonel David S. Franks, Aide-de-camp. See sketch on p. 27.
Michael Gratz,
of Philadelphia, aided the Colonists in the Revolutionary war. He was one of the signers of the Non-Importation Resolutions (October 20, 1765), after the passage of the Stamp Act, and was among the most active, patriotic and respected Israelites of Philadelphia, being a conspicuous character in public affairs.
Bernard Hart
was Quartermaster of a brigade of State troops during the Revolution.
Michael Hart,
a public spirited and leading citizen of Easton, Pa., of whom it is recorded:
"Let it be remembered that Michael Hart was a Jew, practically pious, a Jew reverencing and strictly observant of the Sabbath and Festivals; dietary laws were also adhered to. * * * Mark well that he, Washington, the then honored as 'first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen,' even during a short sojourn, became for the hour the guest of the worthy Jew."
Moses Hammer
enlisted as a private in the 1st Pennsylvania Battalion November 15, 1775.