Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-31
TWO ursroRrc mILLsToNEs.
Interesting Relics Connected WIN
shearith Israel Congregation
(New York Herald)

(New York Herald)
The exact connection between two old
Dutch millstones and a synagogue may
be somewhat difficult TO imagine. Never
theless, there Is a very distinct ana MS
torically interesting connection between
the two old millstones which nave oeen
set up on black walnut tables ana now
stand IN the entrance hall or the syna-
gogue Shearith Israel, In Nineteenth
street. near Fifth avenue.
Shearith Israel Is the Oldest Hebrew con-
gregation in this city. The Rev. Henri
Gus Selyns. pastor OF the First Dutch re
formed church. gave II priority 20 TRINITY
church In 1852, and placed IL fourtn III
not third, among the churche5 OF new
York
A Dutchman, Convert Loockerman,
built the first grist-miil IN the United
States, on a site now covered Dy south
William street In 1926. In the mousse ad-
Joining this mill the First Dutch Re-
formed church was founded. and there
the congregation met until the year 1910.
About that time the mill was destroyed
and John Harpording, a shoemaker, TOOK
the house, the congregation having moved
into more convenient and commodious
quarters.
LANDING OF THE REFUGEES.
The bark Catarina. commanded by Cap
tain Jacques de la Motthe, landed on
September y. 1854. on the shores OF New
Amsterdam. twenty seven Hebrew refu-
gees from tho persecution IN Bran, ana
supposed 10 be the first Hebrews 10 set
tie in this country. II has been proved
since that they had predecessors in
Maryland and this city itself.
These twenty-seven refugees began 10
look about for a place OF worship, ana
In 1852 they rentsu John Harpording's
hous and found the old mill-stones In the
yard. They called themselves Shearith
Israel remnant of Israeli. and they re-
manned in Happenings house until De-
cember 10, 1928, when they erected new
synagogue west OF the old house, taking
the millstones with them and using
them as fagstones In the synagogue
yard.
This synagogue was destroyed In 1877,
and Il new one was cOnsecrated on TIE
eve OF Shabat Hagadole 0he great saD SAP
bath OF the Passover. in 1873. The mill
stones were taken along, and once more
placed In the synagogue YARD. In 1893 tnls
building was sold and the congresatoii,,
moved away to a new synagogue eteete ,i
on the west side OF Crosby street. between
Spring and Broome streets. Inc mill
stones were not taken along.
FOUND THE AiILL-sTONES.
There was a great fire in the year 1850,
and portions Of the lower part Of the city
were clean wiped out. among them the
old synagogue. the old mill-house. ana
Mil street itself was swept away, and a
wider thoroughfare. now called south VIZ
liam street, was constructed. Inc nre'
however, did not destroy the nill-stohss.
A big wholesale liquor-dealing firm bought
what they could of the site and USED the
mill-stones for tagging.
n. Taylor Phillips, clerk to the present
congregation was visiting the neighbor-
hood Of South William street a short time
ago. He remembered the story OF the ola
father and grandfather. He found the old
stones in the yard and related their his,
tory to the owners OF the place; The old
moved 10 the synagogue. Shearith Israel
will soon move uptown 10 handsome
new synagogue I'm SEVENTEEN street. near
Central Park West, and the two old mill
stones which have been so closely con-
nected with the congregation, Will nave
place of honor there.