Esther Phillips Moses

Born in Philadelphia, Esther was among the youngest of the childrenborn to Rebecca Mendes Machado and JonasPhillips, an amazing sixteen of whom survived to maturity,including Manuel, Rachel,Naphtali, Aaronand Zalegman. Her father, animmigrant from the Rhineland, aligned himself early with the patriotcause and served as a leader of Philadelphia’s Jewish communityafter an itinerant period bringing him to Charleston, Albany, and NewYork City.

In 1803, Esthermarried Myer Moses II, son of Rachel Andrews and Myer Moses, andbrother of Isaac Clifton of Charleston.The following year their first son, Franklin, was born inPhiladelphia, and soon after, the family moved to Charleston. Fourmore children followed.

Myer reached the rank of major, serving in the War of 1812. Franklinwould become a justice of the state Supreme Court, while his son,Franklin, Jr. would serve as governor of South Carolina duringReconstruction, detested by many white South Carolinians and plaguedfor years by political scandal.

Esther Phillips Moses

c. 1820