Creator Bio
Jonas Phillips
1736–1803
The German-born Jonas Phillips immigrated to America in 1756. Settling first in Charleston, he worked as an indentured servant to pay off his passage. In 1759 he moved north, first to Albany, then to New York City, and eventually to Philadelphia. After initially failing in business, Phillips enjoyed considerable success. Intensely active in Jewish religious life in New York and Philadelphia, he was, at the same time, a fervent revolutionary patriot who served in the Philadelphia militia.
Content by Jonas Phillips
Primary Source
How a Jewish Appeal Shaped America’s Religious Freedom
In 1787, a Jewish Revolutionary War veteran urged the Constitutional Convention to ban religious tests—helping define America’s ideal of liberty.
Related Guide
Political Life and Thought
1750–1880
Jews debated all sides of the major political issues of their day. Some welcomed the idea of equality, whereas others feared the loss of their religious-institutional distinctiveness.