Jacob I. Cohen

Description

Miniature portrait on ivory of Jacob I. Cohen (1744-1823), ca. 1780, by Abraham (ca.1750-1806) or Joseph (ca.1760-1803) Daniel. Cohen was born in Oberdorf, Germany, and was the first of his family to immigrate to American when he arrived in 1773. He originally settled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania before moving to Charleston South, Carolina, home to a large Jewish community. During the American Revolution, Cohen served in the Charleston Regiment of Militia. Despite only having a few members of Jewish descent in his outfit, his company became known as "The Jew Company." After the war, he moved to Philadelphia for a few years before coming to Richmond to open a successful dry goods store. Cohen spent his last years in Philadelphia. Upon his death in 1823, he freed his slaves and willed $25 to each of them. He is buried in Mikvah Israel Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.