Autograph Letter Signed to Barnard and Michael Gratz of Philadelphia from their sister Leah and other family members, written from their birthplace of Langendorf, Silesia

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

February 1st

Langendorf

1782

Text in Yiddish

FASCINATING 18TH CENTURY LETTER IN YIDDISH BETWEEN GRATZ FAMILY MEMBERS IN EUROPE AND AMERICA. Address panel states in Yiddish, “To Philadelphia, to my beloved brothers, Baer [Barnard] and Yechiel [Michael] Gratz.” "Dearly beloved brother-in-law, We have not received the least communication from you since 17th April, 1769 to present. I wrote you on 12th Menachem [Av] 1769 from all the family, and again on Rosh Chodesh Iyar, 1775, but never received any reply. Here we are all in good health. I have three sons: Chaim Leib, now 15 years; Koppel, 13 years; Hirschel, 11 years. My brother Jonathan has two sons: Koppel, married with three children; and Joseph Chaim. I have been alone now for twelve years. Our King [took away the abilities of Jews to earn a living. [p.2] Signed “Feivel [Philip] son of Zevi Bloch.” In another hand: “I, Leah, greet in my own handwriting, my beloved brothers Baer and Yechiel with your entire family. I implore you to write me. From your faithful sister, Leah daughter of Zalman [Gratz].” [p.3] “Langendorf, 1 February 1782” "To my brother-in-law Berl and my brother-in-law Yechiel with your dear wives and children. I join my brother Feivel in writing. [There is a reference to brother Solomon in London.] We have not received any communication from you. It must be because of the [Revolutionary] War. My wife, your sister Gitel died 22 Adar, 1772. Her two sons: Koppel is married, and Joseph Chaim is still single. Wishing you much luck,Your brother-in-law, Jonathan son of the deceased Tzvi Bloch. I am your sister Gitel’s son. I greet my uncles Baer and Yechiel. My family consists of three sons. The two families of Gratz and Bloch, both native to Langendorf, Silesia were integrated by marriage in many ways. Zalman (Solomon) Gratz married Frumett, sister of Tzvi (Hirsch) Bloch. Into the next generation, Gitel Gratz was married to her first cousin Jonathan Bloch. In this letter, we learn of Gitel’s demise ten years earlier in 1772. Thus, if it were only for the fact that their sister Gitel (nee Gratz) was married to one of the Bloch brothers, Feivel and Jonathan Bloch would have been justified in addressing the two Gratz brothers of Philadelphia, Baer and Yechiel as their brothers-in-law. However, Malcolm H. Stern speculates that the Gratzes’ sister Leah was also married to a Bloch, one “Jonas Hirschel Bloch.” But perhaps that lay in the future. As of this writing, it would appear that she is a single sister remaining back in Langendorf. To add to the confusion, it appears there are two “Leahs.” One writing from Langendorf, Silesia addressing her two brothers in Philadelphia, and another Leah residing in Philadelphia greeted by the sons of Feivel Bloch in Langendorf. Who is the Philadelphian Leah, and why is she greeted only by the children of Feivel Bloch?