Mordecai Marks (1706 - 1771)

Born 23 Apr 1706 in Aldersgate, London, England

Husband of Elizabeth (Yorieu) Marks — married 15 Dec 1729 in Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut Colony

Descendants

Died 8 Jan 1771 at age 64 in Derby, New Haven, Connecticut Colony

Biography

Mordecai MARKS was born ^[1] 1706 in London, England. He died ^[1] 8 Jan 1771 in Derby, New Haven, CT and was buried ^[1][2][3] in Old Episcopal Cemetery, Elm Street, Ansonia, New Haven, CT. Mordecai married ^[1] Elizabeth VOXIEN on 15 Dec 1729 in Stratford, Fairfield, CT.

Mordecai was born in 1706 in London, England, near the Aldgate (Aldersgate) in Aldgate Ward. He grew up among the street markets of Shoemaker Row and Patticoat Lane now known as London's East End.

As an Ashkenazi Jew, his native language was Yiddish in the Juden-Deutsch (West Yiddish) dialect written with Hebrew letters. The Ashkenazi, known as German Jews, originated west of the Elbe river along the Rhine. It's believed his family were members of the Great Synagogue at Dukes Place (West end of Mitre Street), London. Early records at Dukes Place include Marks named Zachariah, David, Solomon and Alexander.

The Jewish people were expelled from England in 1290 by Edward I, though it's known some did remain. Uusry laws that prohibited charging interest did not apply to them as they were considered aliens (or infadels); therefore they were permitted to act as money lenders and bankers, and as such amassed tremendous wealth over the English. Oliver Cromwell readmitted Jews in 1657 when he saw their contribution to the economic success of Holland.

In 1726 young Mordecai came to America and settled in New England. It's believed he may have been part of the group transported to America by Benjamin Levy's calling. He converted to the Christian faith and was baptized 20 April 1729 by Rev. Samuel Johnson, rector of Christ Church (Episcopal) in Stratford, Fairfield Co. CT. He was married there by Rev. Johnson 15 Dec 1729 to Elizabeth Vosien as recorded in the church records.

They moved from Stratford to Derby, New Haven Co. CT, where Mordecai was a merchant with a large business. In the "History of Derby", it is recorded Mordecai and two other men, "in great reverance and regard to the Church of England as established by law for the honor of God", deeded two parcels of land on 13 April 1747 to the church society for the purpose of a parish church (Christ's Church, later St. James) in the township of said Derby, CT, on behalf of the community.

"The said Hull, Clark and Mordecai Marks and the rest of our neighbors consent therein, for the greater accomplishment of the endeavers aforesaid in great reverance and regard to the Church of England as established by law for the honor of God and surest peace and compact of ourselves, neighbors and posterity, have founded the parish church aforesaid, and for the endowment thereof do by these; presents freely give, grant, convey and conform unto the society and their siccessors forever". --signed: Samuel Hull, William Clark, Mordecai Marks.

Mordecai died 8 Jan 1771 aged 65. The inscription on his tombstone reads: "In memory of Mordecai Marks who was born in the City of London where he spent 20 of his life. He lived 25 years in the town of Derby, a useful member of society, an affectionate husband, a tender parent and a constant communicant of the church, and on the 8th day of January 1771 in ye 65th year of his age he departed this mortal life in hopes of life immortal."

Elizabeth survived until 1798. Their children: 1) Mary 2) Zachariah 3) Mordecai 4) Elizabeth 5) Nehemiah 6) Abraham

Birth

23 APR 1706 London, England

Immigration

ABT 1726

Marriage

Husband: Mordecai Marks

Wife: Elizabeth Yorieu

Marriage 15 DEC 1729 Stratford, Connecticut (Fairfield)

1. Child: Mary Marks
2. Child: Zephania Marks
3. Child: Mordecai Marks
4. Child: Elizabeth Marks
5. Child: Nehemiah Marks
6. Child: Abraham Marks

Death

8 JAN 1771 Derby, Connecticut (New Haven)

Burial

Elm Street Cemetery, Ansonia, New Haven, CT

Facts

a shephardic jew from London

1721 emigrated to Derby, Conn

became a prosperous trader

was converted to Anglican faith

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} Susan Woodruff Abbott, Families of Early Milford, Connecticut, CD-Local and Family Histories: CT, 1600's - 1800's, (Produced in collaboration with the Genealogical Publishing Company, 2000), p. 422.
2. ↑ Samuel Orcutt, History of the Old Town of Derby, Connecticut, 1642-1880 (1880, Reprint: Bowie, Maryland, Heritage Books, Inc., 1998), p. 821. "In memory of | Mr. MORDECAI MARKS | who was born | in the city of London where he spent | about 20 of ye first years of his life he lived | 25 years in the town of Derby a useful member | of society an affectionate husband a tender | parent and constant communicant of the | church and on the 8th day of January 1771 | and in ye 65 year of his age he departed this | mortal life in hopes of life immortal."
3. ↑ 1934 WPA Headstone Inscriptions - Elm St. Cemetery, p. 205. http://oxfordpast.net/elmstcemscan205.html.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #47560887
• Jacobus, Donald Lines. Churchmen of 1738 Under Rev. Jonathan Arnold of West Haven, Connecticut, The American Genealogist (Barrington, RI, 1958) Vol. 34, Page 247.