Levy, Samson

Colonial merchant of Philadelphia. He was one of the originators, in 1748, of the City Dancing Assembly, a famous social organization of Philadelphia. In Nov., 1765, he signed, with other merchants of the city, including six Jews, the celebrated resolutions not to import goods from England until the Stamp Act had been repealed. He had two sons, Moses and Samson. Moses Levy (b. Philadelphia 1757; d. there May 9, 1826) was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1776. On March 19, 1778, he was admitted to the bar; from 1802 to 1822 he was recorder of Philadelphia; from 1822 to 1825, presiding judge of the district court for the city and county of Philadelphia. At one time he was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, and he was a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania for twenty-four years. Samson Levy (b. Philadelphia 1761; d. there Dec. 15, 1831) studied law with his brother Moses Levy, was admitted to the bar on June 9, 1787, and became one of the best-known lawyers of the city. He was one of the incorporators of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Bibliography:

  * Brown, The Forum;
  * Martin, The Bench and Bar of Philadelphia;
  * Morais, The Jews of Philadelphia;
  * Rosenbach, The Jews of Philadelphia Prior to 1800;
  * Publications Am. Jew. Hist. Soc. i. 60.



A. A. S. W. R.