The Jews and Tillinghasts of Newport, Rhode Island
In addition, I am collecting materials and starting to write at least monographs on the following subjects re Tillinghasts:
Recently John Loeb and his foundation created a study site at the synagogue in Newport, centered around the famous George Washington letter extolling religious liberty.His executive director is a friend of mine and that got me to thinking about whether there was any commerce between the Tillinghasts and the Jews of Newport.I found two citations in Wayne's book and that is what I am building my article on.Hope I can found more.The issue of religious vs. civil freedom is also an important issue.Did the Tillinghasts foster religious freedom in Rhode Island (Pardon T., Roger Williams, etc.), but were part of the society that denied voting rights to Jews such as the merchant Lopez in Newport, who was also a client of the Tillinghasts?We shall see.
If you have any thoughts about these subjects, or any information to impart to me, I'd much appreciate it.
Kent Watkins
646 234 3545
[email protected]