Little is known about Rachel Phillips’ early life. It is believedshe came to America as an indentured servant; legend will have tostand in for fact in this case. A story is told that Rachel wassitting on a doorstep in Philadelphia, crying, when AaronLevy stopped her and asked what was wrong. She explained thatshe was a Jewish indentured servant, and that her master was makingher work on the Sabbath. At that, Aaron purchased her indenture andthe couple was married.

Aaron had acquired a sizable plot of land in Pennsylvania on thehopes that the town of Aaronburg, his town, would become the statecapital. The couple lived in Aaronsburg for several years, but whennothing became of this land speculation, they moved to Philadelphia.

Childless, they took Simon Gratz, son of Michaeland Miriam Simon Gratz, as something ofan adopted son.