Hays, Moses Michael, 1739-1805

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Moses Michael Hays was an American banker, merchant, philanthropist, and a prominent Boston Jewish citizen. He helped establish the New England Masonic movement and in 1792 was elected as Grand Master, with Paul Revere as his deputy. Born in New York City he married Rachel Myers, younger sister of Myer Myers, a famed New York silversmith. The couple moved to Newport, Rhode Island in 1769, where Hays profited in the trans-Atlantic trade.

The Hays family left Newport for Boston ahead of the British occupation in 1776. He opened a shipping office in Boston and was among the first merchants there to underwrite shipbuilding, trade and insurance to newly opened Far Eastern markets. In 1784, Hays became a founder and the first depositor of the Massachusetts Bank, still doing business today as part of the Bank of America.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Papers of Hannah Ruth London, 1919-1990, bulk: 1923-1980 American Jewish Historical Society
referencedIn Autograph letter signed : Marblehead, Mass., to M. M. Hays, Boston, Mass., University of Chicago Library
referencedIn Myers family. Papers, 1763-1923. Virginia Historical Society Library
referencedIn Correspondence of Boston and Newport merchants, 1732-1790 (inclusive). Harvard Business School, Knowledge and Library Services/Baker Library
referencedIn Gratz family (Philadelphia) papers American Jewish Historical Society
creatorOf Hays family papers American Jewish Historical Society
creatorOf Moses M. Hays papers, 1769-1793. Massachusetts Historical Society
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Glover, John, 1732-1797. person
associatedWith Hays and Polock (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
childOf Hays, Judah, 1703-1764. person
associatedWith London, Hannah Ruth person
associatedWith Myers family. family
associatedWith Revere, Paul, 1735-1818 person
auntOrUncleOf Touro, Judah, 1775-1854 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Newport RI US
New York (State)
New York City NY US
Boston MA US
Boston MA US
United States
Subject
Account books
Insurance
Merchants
Slave trade
Occupation
Bankers
Merchants
Philanthropists
Activity

Person

Active 1769

Active 1793

Birth 1739-03-09

Death 1805-05-09

English

Information

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