PORTUGUESE-SEPHARDIC WOMAN OF THE SOUTH
| Rebecca was born March 19, 1792, at sea, en route to St. Eustatius, on a ship used for cargo transport in the West Indies. Her father, merchant for the cargo, was Jacob Phillips, and her mother Hannah Isaacs Phillips. As a firl, she probably travelled with her family from Newport where her mother was from, to Charleston the most thriving seaport at the time, and perhaps occassionally to the West Indies. Her father also owned a plantation in the 96th District of South Carolina, about 200 miles from Charleston. Rebecca's mother had died, probably in childbirth, in Jamaica, travelling with her husband when Rebecca was six. The year was 1798. After that, Rebecca's grandmonther |
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| Rebecca Mears Isaacs probably moved from Newport to Charleston, and young Rebecca and her siblings and cousins lived together. |
Rebecca married Isaiah Moses in 1807 when she was 15; he had arrived in Charleston in 1800. Rebecca's first three children were born in Columbia--I don't know why; Isaiah continued with his successful dry goods retail business in Charleston. In 1813 Isaiah bought a plantation outside of Charleston, and Rebecca spent her "mid-life" years raising her family in town and working in the business, and presumably on the plantation.
by her descendant - Judith Shanks
rim@mail.serve.com
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Decorative marriage contracts are a distinctive Sephardic tradition that was continued even after the Jews fled Portugal and Spain. In the "ketubbah" above you will notice the double arched design (containing the text) that originated from the Moorish period. In the center of the "ketubbah" is a building that contains the "hamsah" (la mano), as a symbol for protection against the evil eye. Happiness and the best to you. Your wife is like a fruitful vine, within your home. Your sons are like young olive trees around your table. Therefore, shall be blessed, the man who fears G-d. G-d shall bless you from Zion, and you shall see the goodness of Jerusalem all the days of your life. And may you see sons of your sons. Peace on Israel. G-d saved Joseph’s life, and he was a very successful man, and all he touches succeeds.
E-mail: Rufina Bernardetti Silva Mausenbaum
