1. In 1761 and 1762, Aaron Lopez unsuccessfully sued the colonial government of Rhode Island in an attempt to become a British subject.
17 Facts About Aaron Lopez
1. 2.
Aaron Lopez belonged to a family of conversos, Portuguese Jews who had converted to Catholicism, although the family continued to practice Judaism in secret.
3.
In 1750 Aaron Lopez married a woman named Anna, and within two years she gave birth to a daughter, Catherine.
4.
Aaron Lopez established himself as a shopkeeper in Newport shortly after his arrival.
5.
In 1761, Aaron Lopez joined eight other merchants to form a trust to control the cost and distribution of whale oil.
6.
Aaron Lopez expanded his trade beyond the North American coastline and by 1757 had major interests in the West Indian trade.
7.
Aaron Lopez sent ships to Europe and the Canary Islands.
8.
Between 1761 and 1774, Aaron Lopez was involved in the slave trade.
9.
Aaron Lopez manufactured spermaceti candles, ships, barrels, rum, and chocolate.
10.
Aaron Lopez had business interests in the production of textiles, clothes, shoes, hats, and bottles.
11.
In early 1776 Aaron Lopez relocated to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, then to Providence, Boston, and finally to Leicester, Massachusetts.
12.
Aaron Lopez purchased books for the Redwood Library and Athenaeum.
13.
Aaron Lopez contributed lumber to help build the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and he donated land to establish Leicester Academy in Leicester, Massachusetts.
14.
Aaron Lopez was a leading contributor who helped build the Touro Synagogue, and he was given the honor of laying one of its cornerstones.
15.
In 1761, Aaron Lopez applied to the Rhode Island Superior Court to become a naturalized citizen.
16.
Historians believe Aaron Lopez was the first Jew to become a naturalized citizen of Massachusetts.
17.
Aaron Lopez was buried in the Jewish cemetery in Newport.