Francis Salvador

Meet Francis Salvador, a notable Jewish political figure during the American Revolution. Born in London in 1747 to a prominent Jewish family with ties to the British East India Company, his family played a significant role in establishing Jewish communities in colonial America. After the death of his father, Salvador was raised by his uncle, Joseph Salvador, who had substantial business interests in the East India Company. Salvador followed his family’s legacy, working for the British East India Company and marrying his first cousin, Sarah Salvador, with whom he had four children. However, the family’s wealth was devastated by the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, leaving them with only 7,000 acres in South Carolina. In 1773, Salvador moved to the Ninety Six district in South Carolina to rebuild his family’s fortune, leaving his wife and children in England. Upon arriving in South Carolina, Salvador quickly became involved in the growing independence movement. He was elected to South Carolina’s First Provincial Congress in January 1775, becoming the first Jewish person to hold political office in the state. Salvador became a vocal advocate for independence, leading to his re-election to the Second Provincial Congress in November 1775, where he helped raise funds for the newly formed militia units. In July 1776, Salvador earned the nickname “Southern Paul Revere” for his 30-mile ride to warn militia units of an impending Indian attack. A month later, he led a group of militiamen toward the Keowee River, where they were ambushed by British and Native American forces. Salvador was wounded, scalped and ultimately died from his injuries on August 1, 1776, at the age of 29. Salvador was recently inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame, which recognizes and honors both contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina’s heritage and progress.

Learn more about Salvador’s story here: battlefields.org/learn/biographies/francis-salvador