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Mordecai Myers

Mordecai Myers

Earliest Jewish resident of Western New York (1776-1871).  Born in Newport, Rhode Island.  Myers was captain of the cantonment of Williamsville during most of 1813 and therefore qualifies as the earliest known Jewish resident of Western New York.

Myers saw substantial action throughout the War of 1812.  He sustained a serious wound at the end of the Battle of Crysler's Farm on the Canadian side of the St. Lawrence River in November 1813, while leading the Thirteenth Pennsylvania Infantry.

Myers became mayor of Schenectady in 1851 as a Democrat, and again in 1854 as a Whig.

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