Alfred Gratz family papers

The five members of the Philadelphia Gratz family who have documents in this collection are Hyman Gratz (1776-1857), Simon Gratz (b. 1773), Joseph Gratz (1785-1857), Henry S. Gratz (1859-1922), and Alfred Gratz (1855-1938). Hyman, Simon, and Joseph Gratz were brothers, born to the prominent Philadelphia merchant, Michael Gratz. Their sister, Rebecca Gratz, was the prototype of the heroine in Sir Walter Scott's Ivanhoe and a noted Philadelphia philanthropist. The three brothers, who fought in the War of 1812, were prominent Philadelphians as successful merchants and financiers, and as patrons of the arts and leaders in the Jewish community. Although the Alfred Gratz Family Papers span the dates 1802-1894 (bulk dates 1880-1892) and include documents related to five members of the Gratz family, the papers chiefly are comprised of correspondence and documents generated during the initial years following Alfred Gratz's election as Register of Wills for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1888. In addition to .5 linear feet of correspondence and documents related to Alfred Gratz, the papers include ten documents related to Hyman Gratz, Simon Gratz, Joseph Gratz, and Henry S. Gratz. The documents include receipts, deeds, a stock certificate, a membership certificate, letters, and a bond of indemnity. A description of each of these items is included in the series notes.