Abraham Mitchell immigrated to the United States from Leszno inPoland in the early 19th century, and his wife, EstherAllen Mitchell, came from England during those same years. They weremarried in 1821 in New York where they would raise their sixchildren. The second of these was Frances, known as Fanny to friendsand family. In 1848 Fanny married JonasPhillips Levy, son of Rachel MachadoPhillips Levy and brother ofUriah P. Levy and BenjaminLevy. Jonas was a merchant ship captain who commanded the USSAmerica during the Mexican American War, transporting troops tothe port of Veracruz. After the successful invasion by US troops,General Winfield Scott appointed Levy the port’s captain. It wasthere that Fanny and Jonas’ first child, Isabella, was born. Shewould be followed by four more children, including future congressmanJefferson Monroe Levy.
