(Mikveh Israel). Commercial order and receipt.

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA).

Philadelphia

1785

Headed: “Jews Congregation,” a list of lumber and the prices paid.

This document is the order placed by Mikveh Israel to the Philadelphia lumber firm of Wayne & Maxfield. Significant amounts of lumber, boards and shingles of many types of wood are listed. This was the raw materials required for the “Building Back of the Synagogue” - an expansion of the structure on Cherry Alley, first constructed in 1782. A signed note attests that the lumber was “Deliver’d to.” Recorded is Michael Gratz, Parnas of the synagogue, who oversaw this transaction; and Matthias Sadler, who was the artificer, or contractor.