A Rare Collection of Early Documents from an American Jewish Family, 19th century

This group of letters, marriage contracts, citizenship papers, fraternal order certificates and the like provides a fascinating cross-section of documents that can help to begin to trace the history of an American Jewish family in the 1800s. The documents attest to a great deal of communal involvement by the Semon/Cohen family. All but one of these documents precedes the Civil War. Of special note is a rare Ketubbah from Philadelphia, 1834. Early American kettubot are exceedingly scarce and the 1834 kettubah from Philadelphia is among the highlights of this collection of the Semon/Cohen family.

1.       Ketubbah printed on parchment with manuscript insertions, celebrating the marriage of Pesah son of Isaac Cohen to Miriam daughter of Isaac in London on Wednesday August 22, 1821 (= 24 Av 5581). Includes several witnesses' signatures. (12 ¾ x 8 7/8 in.; 322 x 225 mm). Worn along creases.

2.       Moses Semon: membership certificate in Free Mason lodge of South Carolina  22 march 1825.  (13 3/8 x 11 ½ in.; 340 x 294 mm). Printed on parchment; soiled and stained, remains of wax seal, slight wear along creases.

3.       Ketubbah, manuscript on parchment, celebrating the marriage of Meir son of Judah Leib to Gitkhi daughter of Eliezer in Philadelphia on Tuesday May 27, 1834 (= 18 Iyyar 5594). Includes several witnesses signatures, including one by Moses Semon. (20 x 11 in.; 505 x 280 mm). Stained at creases.

4.       Letter of commendation to Benjamin Cohen from Har Moriah Lodge of International Order of B'nai Brith. Acknowledging his past presidency.  August 3, 1852. With ink stamp of lodge.  (12 ½ x 7 7/8 in.; 315 x 199 mm). Holes along creases, stains along bottom.

5.       Certificate of Citizenship, issued in Philadelphia, dated September 7^th 1852 in behalf of Isaac Cohen, formerly of Great Britain. (9 7/8 x 12 7/8 in.; 250 x 328 mm). Separation along creases, old repair made along vertical center crease.

6.       Letter from Cong. B'nai Israel to B[enjamin] Cohen thanking him for having read the High Holiday sevices and offering him a lifetime seat. Oct 1 1855. (8 x 5 in.; 200 x 125 mm). Light blue paper, few holes along creases, edges bent.

7.       Letter to Benjamin Cohen from Congregation House of Israel, Nov 8, 1858 acknowledging his faithful service as Shamas. With embossed seal of the congregation.(9 ¾ x 7 5/8 in.; 249 x 194 mm). Minor losses at creases.

8.       Letter of Thanks from Oheb Shalom lodge 101 of Independent Order Kesher Shel Barzel  of Cincinnatti, Nov 26 1881 to Mrs. Isaac Cohen thanking her for manning a booth at the recent Orphan Fair. With embossed stamp of the lodge. (10 7/8 x 7 ¾ in.; 276 x 195 mm). Slight wear along creases, one hole in center.