Solomon Solis. Copy of a letter written to Sarah Miriam Carvalho.

(AMERICAN-JUDAICA).

28th November

Philadelphia

1850

In this letter, Solis informs his sister (and brother, the letter is addressed to “Brother & Sister,” but only Sarah is named inside) about the status of a parcel of property owned by their late father in New Orleans. They possessed the deed, although it had not been recorded. Solis tells of his attempt to locate in New Orleans his father’s books, only to be rebuffed by “his old partner” who “knew nothing.” The letter discusses foreclosures and lawsuits, as well as contains moving language concerning their parents.

A small illustration of the property in question appears on the second page. Solomon Solis (1819-54) and Sarah Miriam Carvalho (1824-94) were siblings. Their London-born father, Jacob da Silva Solis (1780-1829) had been a founder of Congregation Shanarai Chasset in New Orleans in 1827. Sarah Miriam’s husband was the artist, photographer and explorer, Solomon Nunes Carvalho (1815-97). Reverend Isaac Leeser, a close friend of the artist, conducted their marriage in 1845. See https://archives.cjh.org/repositories/3/resources/356.