St. Eustatius, also known as Sint Eustatius in Dutch and locally as Statia, has a Jewish history dating back to the 17th century. This page explores the timeline of Jewish settlement, key historical events, and resources for genealogical research.
Timeline of Jewish Presence in St. Eustatius
- 1632: The Dutch stake a claim to St. Eustatius.
- 1650s: Sephardic Jews are among the first settlers of St. Eustatius.
- 1660: Two Jewish refugees from Brazil, Abraham Israel Henriquez and David Seraiva [Saraiva], visit St. Eustatius
- 1703: Daniel and Aron Cohen Henriquez settle in Statia
- 1705: Mozes Lopes Henriquez and Isaac Pinheiro arrive
- 1709 and 1713: French occupation temporarily forces out Jewish settlers
- 1711: Juda Obediente and Salomo Nunes Netto settle in Statia
- 1720: Isaac Naftali of New York engages in business on the island
- 1722: Jewish population reportedly reaches 1,204 (both Sephardic and Ashkenazi) (Source: Eric O. Ayisi)
- 1739: Honen Dalim synagogue is built
- 1757-1813: Dutch authorities issue grants to Portuguese Sephardim for leaving Amsterdam to settle in Dutch possessions abroad, including St. Eustatius.
- 1776-1781: St. Eustatius serves as a major arsenal for the American Revolution, with Jewish merchants playing a significant role.
- February 3, 1781: British forces under Admiral Rodney capture St. Eustatius.
- February 13, 1781: Rodney orders harsh treatment of Jews, including deportation and confiscation of property.
- November 20, 1781: French forces end British occupation of St. Eustatius.
- Post-1781: Many Sephardic Jews from St. Eustatius relocate to St. Thomas, establishing a new community there.
Notable Features of Statia’s Jewish Community
- Mix of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews
- Tensions between Sephardic and later-arriving Ashkenazi settlers
- Significant involvement in local business and trade
Historical Sites
Honen Dalim Synagogue
- Built in 1739 using yellow bricks imported from The Netherlands
- “Significantly diminished” by 1815 and later abandoned
- Now in ruins, an important historical landmark
- Honen Dalim
Oranjestad Jewish cemetery
- Cemetery functioned between 1739 and 1824
- Saint Eustatius Jewish cemetery inscriptions
- Burials include cantor Jacob Robles.
Genealogical Resources for St. Eustatius Jewish Research
- Statia Government
- Dutch National Archives
- Records from 1709-1828
- Records from 1828-1845
- Registers of slaves and slave owners (slavery abolished in 1863)
- American Jewish Archives
- Recommended Books:
- “St. Eustatius, Treasure Island of the Caribbean,” by Eric O. Ayisi
- Hebrew History Federation
- “History of the Jews of the Netherlands Antilles” by Isaac S Emmanuel and Suzanne A Emmanuel. Volume 1. Volume 2.
- “The Jews and St. Eustatius” by Dr. J. Hartog
- “Archaeology of the Jewish Synagogue Honen Dalim” by Dr. Norman F. Barka.
- “A Medley of Contradictions”: The Jewish Diaspora in St. Eustatius and Barbados by Derek Robert Miller
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