Mordecai Sheftall - Jewish Patriot
Mordecai Sheftall (1735-1797) was born in Savannah, Georgia. He went into business at 17 and by his mid-20s had achieved financial success.
Army Officer
An early supporter of the patriotic cause, Sheftall became chairman of the Savannah affiliate of the Sons of Liberty. When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he was appointed commissary general to the American troops in Georgia. In 1778, he was named deputy commissary of issues in South Carolina and Georgia and served as a staff officer in the Continental Army. He helped provide and distribute food, uniforms, and munitions. He was promoted to colonel and is remembered as the highest-ranking known Jewish officer in the Revolutionary War.
Financier
View of old Savannah from the river
Sheftall loaned Georgia considerable funds to defend Savannah. He and his son were imprisoned by the British, who confiscated Sheftall’s property. After their release, father and son were captured again.
Eventually freed as part of a prisoner exchange, they moved to Philadelphia, where Sheftall helped build the Mikveh Israel synagogue.
In 1779, Sheftall returned to Savannah and served as the president of Congregation Mikveh Israel. His loans for the defense of Savannah were never repaid.
Mordecai Sheftall - Jewish Patriot
Mordecai Sheftall (1735-1797) was born in Savannah, Georgia. He went into business at 17 and by his mid-20s had achieved financial success.
Army Officer
An early supporter of the patriotic cause, Sheftall became chairman of the Savannah affiliate of the Sons of Liberty. When the Revolutionary War began in 1775, he was appointed commissary general to the American troops in Georgia. In 1778, he was named deputy commissary of issues in South Carolina and Georgia and served as a staff officer in the Continental Army. He helped provide and distribute food, uniforms, and munitions. He was promoted to colonel and is remembered as the highest-ranking known Jewish officer in the Revolutionary War.
Financier
View of old Savannah from the river
Sheftall loaned Georgia considerable funds to defend Savannah. He and his son were imprisoned by the British, who confiscated Sheftall’s property. After their release, father and son were captured again.
Eventually freed as part of a prisoner exchange, they moved to Philadelphia, where Sheftall helped build the Mikveh Israel synagogue.
In 1779, Sheftall returned to Savannah and served as the president of Congregation Mikveh Israel. His loans for the defense of Savannah were never repaid.