Haym Salomon - Freedom Fighter
Background
Haym Salomon was a Sephardic (Spanish) Jew born in Poland in 1740. Tens of thousands of Sephardic Jews left Spain after the Spanish Inquisition’s Alhambra Decree (1492) expelled Jews who refused to convert to Catholicism.
Lasting more than 350 years (1478-1834), the Spanish Inquisition reflected the antisemitic sentiments of other European countries, which placed restrictions on all aspects of Jewish life. The Thirteen Colonies and the American patriotic cause held the promise of egalitarianism and religious freedom.
Salomon studied finance in Western Europe. He reputedly spoke multiple languages, including French, German, Spanish, and English. Salomon immigrated to America in 1772 and settled in New York City in 1775.
Becoming a Patriot
In New York, Salomon worked as a successful financial broker, effectuating European trade transactions. He joined the Sons of Liberty, an underground organization formed to protect the colonies’ rights and oppose the unjust taxes levied by the British Crown. Its members included Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere.
“No taxation without representation” became the rallying cry of the Sons of Liberty
The British arrested Salomon twice for espionage. In 1776, he was imprisoned for 18 months. Fluent in German, he was forced to translate for Britain’s Hessian auxiliaries. He used his role to encourage the Hessians to desert and release the American prisoners. Once freed, Salomon continued to work clandestinely for the patriots.
Convicted again in 1778, Salomon was imprisoned in New York and sentenced to death. Not long after, he escaped to Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was located. He was later joined by his young family.
Haym Salomon - Freedom Fighter
Background
Haym Salomon was a Sephardic (Spanish) Jew born in Poland in 1740. Tens of thousands of Sephardic Jews left Spain after the Spanish Inquisition’s Alhambra Decree (1492) expelled Jews who refused to convert to Catholicism.
Lasting more than 350 years (1478-1834), the Spanish Inquisition reflected the antisemitic sentiments of other European countries, which placed restrictions on all aspects of Jewish life. The Thirteen Colonies and the American patriotic cause held the promise of egalitarianism and religious freedom.
Salomon studied finance in Western Europe. He reputedly spoke multiple languages, including French, German, Spanish, and English. Salomon immigrated to America in 1772 and settled in New York City in 1775.
Becoming a Patriot
In New York, Salomon worked as a successful financial broker, effectuating European trade transactions. He joined the Sons of Liberty, an underground organization formed to protect the colonies’ rights and oppose the unjust taxes levied by the British Crown. Its members included Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere.
“No taxation without representation” became the rallying cry of the Sons of Liberty
The British arrested Salomon twice for espionage. In 1776, he was imprisoned for 18 months. Fluent in German, he was forced to translate for Britain’s Hessian auxiliaries. He used his role to encourage the Hessians to desert and release the American prisoners. Once freed, Salomon continued to work clandestinely for the patriots.
Convicted again in 1778, Salomon was imprisoned in New York and sentenced to death. Not long after, he escaped to Philadelphia, where the Continental Congress was located. He was later joined by his young family.