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312 GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS
Savannah, addressed him a letter of congratulation to which he replied at some
length, speaking in the highest terms of the part taken by the Jews in the struggle
for independence and praying that the same wonder-working Deity who had delivered
them of old from the hand of the oppressor might continue to water them with the
dews of heaven.
It is not the purpose of this sketch to do more than trace the beginnings of the
Jewish colony in Georgia. But true to the heroic precedents furnished by the race in
Revolutionary times, the descendants of the old patriots of Hebrew blood were prompt
to enlist in 1861; and not a few of them made gallant soldiers. The last official
order of the Confederate Government was issued to a Jew—Maj. Raphael Moses;
and there were few Georgia regiments in which men of Israelitish stock were not
enlisted. The famous Straus family of New York was identified with Georgia from
1854 to 1856. One of the members of this household, Oscar S. Straus, became United
States Minister to Turkey, holding this office under three separate administrations.
He was also the first American citizen of Jewish parentage to hold a portfolio in the
cabinet of a President of the United States. Isidor and Nathan Straus, his elder
brothers, became wealthy merchants of the metropolis, men of wide sympathies for
the unfortunate, and of many noble philanthropies. The former of these, Isidor,
perished at sea, on board the ill-fated Titanic, in 1912.—L. L. Knight in Georgia's
Landmarks, Memorials and Legends, Vol. I.
GEORGIA PATRIOTS OUTLAWED BY THE TOBY GOVERNMENT.—On July 6, 1780, soon
after the fall of Savannah, an act was passed by the Tory Legislature and signed
by the royal governor, James Wright, condemning the "wicked and unprovoked
rebellion" against his Majesty in the Province of Georgia, and disqualifying certain
parties mentioned therein. At the same time full amnesty was offered to all who
should hasten to enroll themselves under the royal banners, by taking the oath of
allegiance to the House of Brunswick. The outlook was dark for the patriotic cause,
but even in this despondent hour there were few to desert the colors. The following
civilians and soldiers were by name declared to be specially obnoxious to the Crown
of England. The list is now Georgia's cherished roll of honor:
1. John Houstoun, rebel governor.
2. John Adams Treutlen, rebel governor.
3. Lachlan. Melntosh, rebel general.
4. George Walton, member of rebel congress,
5. William Stephens, rebel attorney-general.
6. John McClure, rebel major.
7. Joseph Clay, rebel paymaster-general.
8. N. Wymberley Jones, speaker rebel assembly.
9. Mordecai Sheftall, chairman rebel P. com.
10. William O'Bryan, rebel treasurer.
11. John Wereat, rebel counsellor.
12. Edward Telfair, member of rebel congress.
13. Edward Davies, member of rebel assembly.
14. Samuel Elbert, rebel general.
15. Seth John Cuthbert, a rebel major.
16. William Holsendorf, a rebel counsellor.
17. Bieha"-d Howley, a rebel governor.
18. George Galphin, rebel sup. Indian affairs.
19. Andrew Williamson, rebel general.
20. John White, rebel colonel.
21. Nehemiah Wade, rebel treasurer.
22. John Twiggs, rebel colonel.
23. Wm. Pew, rebel counsellor.
24. Edward Langworthy, rebel delegate.
Wm. Glaseock, rebel counsellor.
Robert Walton, rebel com. of forfeited estates.
27. Joseph Wood, Jr., clerk to the rebel assembly.
28. ———— Piggin, rebel colonel.
29. Wm. Hornby, distiller.
30. Pierce Butler, rebel officer.
•31. Joseph Wood, member of rebel congress.