Born in the Giessen in Hesse, Germany, Isaac Moses made his way toNew York as a young man. He prospered in finance and became a freemanin 1766. Four years later he married his niece Reyna Levy. They hadten children, including Joshua Moses. Astrong supporter of the American cause, during the Revolutionary Warhe and Robert Morris outfitted eight privateers to prey on Britishshipping. In 1784 Moses co-founded the Bank of New York withAlexander Hamilton.