United States (at Franklin College, later part of Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania). Aaron Levy, founder of Aaronsburg, Centre County, Pennsylvania in 1786. Named for him, Aaronsburg is the first town in Pennsylvania (and probably in the entire United States) that was planned by and named after a Jew. He was also a known benefactor of Christian churches there. A pioneer and fur trader, he was a close friend and financial supporter of Haym Salomon. Benjamin Nones (1757–1826), born in France, he served on the staffs of both General Washington and General Lafayette. While still a private under Count Pulaski, he received a letter of commendation in 1779 written by Captain Verdier, a splendid testimonial to his courage. He fought in almost every action in the Carolinas. Nones became a Major of the Hebrew Legion of 400 men attached to Johann de Kalb’s command. Several years after the war, he was appointed an interpreter of Spanish and French for the United States government. John Moss (1771–1847) Philadelphia merchant, shipping magnate, and civic leader. Phillip Moses Russell, with the Continental Army at Valley Forge and surgeon's mate to General Washington. At least 21 Jewish soldiers of the Revolutionary War, and others from the War of 1812 and the Civil War, are interred in the burial grounds, including: Coshmon Pollock, the patriot from Georgia who fought in the siege of Savannah during the Revolution; Jacob I. Cohen, who fought in Pulaski's South Carolina campaign; Joseph Phillips, Benjamin Phillips, Abraham Mitchell, and Elias Pollock, veterans of the War of 1812. The cemetery ceased to be a regular place of burial in 1886 except for the interment of Josephine Etting in 1913, Fanny Polano Elmaleh, wife of Reverend Leon H. Elmaleh, in 1966, and Reverend Leon H. Elmaleh in 1972. See also Sons of the American Revolution Jewish history in Philadelphia Wikipedia:Jewish Encyclopedia topics References External links The Spruce Street Cemetery by Congregation Mikveh Israel, Mikveh Israel Cemetery by Independence Hall Association Mikveh Israel Cemetery by Sarah F. Goldsmith for the Historical Society of Pennsylvania Cemeteries of Congregation Shearith Israel Cemeteries in Philadelphia Cemeteries on the National Register of Historic Places in Philadelphia Jewish cemeteries in Pennsylvania Jews and Judaism in Philadelphia Independence National Historical Park Washington Square West, Philadelphia 1740 establishments in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania state historical marker significations Old City, Philadelphia Portuguese-Jewish culture in the United States Sephardi Jewish culture in