<P> Aaron Lopez is credited with making Newport an important center of trade . He encouraged 40 Portuguese Jewish families to settle there , and Newport had 150 vessels engaged in trade within 14 years of his activity . He was involved in the slave trade and manufactured spermaceti candles , ships , barrels , rum , chocolate , textiles , clothes , shoes , hats , and bottles . He became the wealthiest man in Newport but was denied citizenship on religious grounds , even though British law protected the rights of Jews to become citizens . He appealed to the Rhode Island legislature for redress and was refused with this ruling : `` Inasmuch as the said Aaron Lopez hath declared himself by religion a Jew , this Assembly doth not admit himself nor any other of that religion to the full freedom of this Colony . So that the said Aaron Lopez nor any other of said religion is not liable to be chosen into any office in this colony nor allowed to give vote as a free man in choosing others . '' Lopez persisted by applying for citizenship in Massachusetts , where it was granted . </P>
<P> Aaron Lopez is credited with making Newport an important center of trade . He encouraged 40 Portuguese Jewish families to settle there , and Newport had 150 vessels engaged in trade within 14 years of his activity . He was involved in the slave trade and manufactured spermaceti candles , ships , barrels , rum , chocolate , textiles , clothes , shoes , hats , and bottles . He became the wealthiest man in Newport but was denied citizenship on religious grounds , even though British law protected the rights of Jews to become citizens . He appealed to the Rhode Island legislature for redress and was refused with this ruling : `` Inasmuch as the said Aaron Lopez hath declared himself by religion a Jew , this Assembly doth not admit himself nor any other of that religion to the full freedom of this Colony . So that the said Aaron Lopez nor any other of said religion is not liable to be chosen into any office in this colony nor allowed to give vote as a free man in choosing others . '' Lopez persisted by applying for citizenship in Massachusetts , where it was granted . </P>
who was the colonial leader in rhode island that welcomed a jewish community to newport
who was the colonial leader in rhode island that welcomed a jewish community to newport
Aaron Lopez
Aaron Lopez