When most of us think about the American Revolution, a few legendary names come to mind: Paul Revere, John Hancock, George Washington. We think about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and we envision men in 18th-century garb sporting wavy white wigs. We think of Episcopalian and Anglican men, Christians and Quakers, but Jewish-Americans from that era don’t generally spring to mind. And it’s not because Jews were not involved in the Revolution.
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Overlooked by most history textbooks, a London-born Sephardic Jew named Francis Salvador settled in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1773, leaving his wife and children behind in England until he could provide for them a worthy home. It wasn’t long before he was made aware of the burgeoning American movement against the British, and he felt compelled to become more involved. At just 27, he was elected to South Carolina’s General Assembly—the first Jew elected to an American colonial legislature. Perhaps his penchant for leadership was genetic—Salvador’s great grandfather Joseph was the first Jewish director of the East India Company.
As part of his role, Salvador was tasked with helping to establish peace on the frontier, where the Cherokees were undergoing talks with the British to attack the rebel colonists who had settled nearby. On July 1, 1776, the Cherokees gave in to the pressure and began a widespread massacre of the colonial settlers. Like Paul Revere, Salvador galloped nearly 30 miles upon his horse to warn his comrades and join the troops in defending their people, likely saving lives in the process.
Out on the frontier, news did not travel fast, so just one month later, weeks after the Declaration of Independence had been signed, Salvador was shot and scalped by Cherokees, becoming the first Jew to die fighting for American liberty. He was just 29 years old.
It’s not that history has entirely forgotten Francis Salvador—in fact, the city of Charleston has a memorial in his name. But we, as Jews, can do better to honor his fortitude and bravery. So this 4th of July, as you’re chowing down on hot dogs and claiming choice parking spots beneath epic fireworks displays, put a hand over your heart and thank not only our forefathers who are the “usual suspects,” but the Jewish-American hero Francis Salvador as well.
