A Guide to the Reuben Charles Papers
Finding aid created by Kapri Crowley
University of Florida Smathers Libraries - Special and Area Studies Collections
April 2012
Descriptive Summary |
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| Creator: | Charles, Reuben | |
| Title: | Reuben Charles Papers | |
| Dates: | 1810-1843 | |
| Abstract: | Papers dealing with the operation of Moses Levy's Pilgrimage Plantation, managed by Reuben Charles. | |
| Extent: | 0.4 Linear feet. 1 box. | |
| Identification: | MS 308 | |
| Language(s): | English | |
Biographical/Historical Note
Reuben Charles acted as Moses E. Levy's manager and attorney for the Pilgrimage Plantation in Alachua County, Florida, between 1824 and 1826.
Moses E. Levy (1757-1826) was a successful merchant and one of Florida's first Jewish pioneers. At the end of the colonial period he acquired land in Alachua County with the hope of encouraging further Jewish immigration. His principle land holding was the Pilgrimage Plantation, dedicated to the growing of sugar cane. Levy's son, David Levy Yulee, developed the Florida Railroad and became the first Jewish member of the United States Senate.
Source: Monaco, C. S. Moses Levy of Florida: Jewish Utopian and Antebellum Reformer. USA: Louisiana State University Press, 2005
Scope and Content
The collection is composed of letters, bills of sale, merchandise lists, and other information related to the operation of Levy's Pilgrimage Plantation, which was located near current day Micanopy. The collection is chronologically organized from 1810 to 1843 in four folders. However, there are many documents that do not reflect a specific date. Documents include information about the transactions of goods, planting, and legal negotiations that Reuben conducted for Levy's ships and property. On the whole, the collection contains business transactions.
Access or Use Restrictions
Access
The collection is open for research.
Related or Separated Material
For additional information on this topic, see the David Levy Yulee Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Library, University of Florida. A portion of the papers are online via the UF Digital Collections.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Reuben Charles Papers, Special and Area Studies Collections, George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida.
Acquisition Information
Daniel S. Coleman, Wade H. Coleman, and David L. Girardin donated the collection in memory of Virginia Shaw Girardin and Meta Shaw Coleman.
Contents List
| Box | Folder | ||||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Bills of sales and letters. 20 items. 1810-1824 | |||||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Bills of sales and letters. 17 items. 1825-1829 | |||||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Bills of sales and letters. 19 items. 1830-1843 | |||||||||||
| 1 | 4 | Bills of sales and letters. 18 items. Not dated | |||||||||||
For further information, please contact: Special Collections Access Services.
