Francis Salvador - Jewish Patriot
Francis Salvador (1747–1776) was born in London to a wealthy Sephardic Jewish family. As he matured, he joined their efforts to settle poor Jews in the New World. In 1733, 42 Sephardic Jews from London arrived in Savannah, Georgia.
First Colonial Jewish Officeholder
In 1773, at age 26, Salvador immigrated to Charleston, South Carolina. He quickly formed friendships with prominent South Carolina leaders of the Revolution. In 1774, he was elected as a delegate to South Carolina’s Provincial Congress, making him the first Jew in the Thirteen Colonies to hold public office. He was subsequently reelected. At the time, the majority of Colonial era Jews could neither legally hold office nor vote.
As a delegate, Salvador served in major assignments, including obtaining ammunition, drafting the South Carolina’s state constitution, and urging the state’s delegation in Philadelphia to cast its vote for independence.
When the fighting began in July 1776, the British were aided by the Cherokee Indians. Salvador joined the South Carolina militia. The militia was ambushed, and Salvador was shot. He hid in the bushes until he was discovered by the Cherokees and scalped. When he died at age 29, he was the first Jew known to have perished in the Revolutionary War.
Francis Salvador Memorial, Charlestown, South Carolina
In 1950, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charleston’s Jewish congregation, the City of Charleston erected a memorial to Francis Salvador that reads …
Born an aristocrat, he became a democrat;
An Englishman, he cast his lot with the Americans;
True to his ancient faith, he gave his life;
For new hopes of human liberty and understanding.
Francis Salvador - Jewish Patriot
Francis Salvador (1747–1776) was born in London to a wealthy Sephardic Jewish family. As he matured, he joined their efforts to settle poor Jews in the New World. In 1733, 42 Sephardic Jews from London arrived in Savannah, Georgia.
First Colonial Jewish Officeholder
In 1773, at age 26, Salvador immigrated to Charleston, South Carolina. He quickly formed friendships with prominent South Carolina leaders of the Revolution. In 1774, he was elected as a delegate to South Carolina’s Provincial Congress, making him the first Jew in the Thirteen Colonies to hold public office. He was subsequently reelected. At the time, the majority of Colonial era Jews could neither legally hold office nor vote.
As a delegate, Salvador served in major assignments, including obtaining ammunition, drafting the South Carolina’s state constitution, and urging the state’s delegation in Philadelphia to cast its vote for independence.
When the fighting began in July 1776, the British were aided by the Cherokee Indians. Salvador joined the South Carolina militia. The militia was ambushed, and Salvador was shot. He hid in the bushes until he was discovered by the Cherokees and scalped. When he died at age 29, he was the first Jew known to have perished in the Revolutionary War.
Francis Salvador Memorial, Charlestown, South Carolina
In 1950, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Charleston’s Jewish congregation, the City of Charleston erected a memorial to Francis Salvador that reads …
Born an aristocrat, he became a democrat;
An Englishman, he cast his lot with the Americans;
True to his ancient faith, he gave his life;
For new hopes of human liberty and understanding.