Daniel Hart

Consul and businessman

Born in Mannheim, Germany, Daniel Hart immigrated to Charleston in 1783 and quickly became a leading merchant. He was active with the Chamber of Commerce, and served the Kingdom of Holland as its consul in the city. He and his brother Joseph were partners in a general merchandise business in Georgetown District; in Charleston he worked with his brother Hyman Hart until the latter’s death in 1791. Daniel and Hyman had married sisters. Daniel’s wife, Bella, and Hyman’s wife, Hannah, were both daughters of Mordecai and Mary Cohen Levy.

Starting about 1792, Daniel and Bella Hart (1762–1851) lived on East Bay Street with their growing family. By 1795, Daniel Hart had begun an independent mercantile business as a commissioned trader and auctioneer. From stores on the waterfront and a shop next to his residence, he dealt in everything from “slops ” (cheap readymade clothing for laborers and sailors) to stockings, handkerchiefs, molasses, rum, brandy, tobacco, bacon, and slaves. Between 1801 and 1803, Hart was in partnership with his brother-in-law Israel DeLieben and John Stewart, doing business as Hart, Stewart & Co.

Newspapers afford us glimpses of Hart’s life. In 1795, his house was targeted by an arsonist, who also attempted to burn the dwelling of Solomon Hyams on King Street, and another King Street building near the synagogue on Hasell Street. A few years later, as president of the Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, Hart advertised a cash reward for the arrest and conviction of the person(s) who had been “flinging stones and breaking the windows of the Hebrew Synagogue during divine service.” It is not known whether the vandals were ever identified.

Daniel Hart died in 1811 after “a severe and painful illness of six weeks, which he bore with manly fortitude and due resignation.” He left a widow and seven children.

Daniel Hart (d. 1811)

Tea service of Daniel Hart and Esther Ezekial Hart

Reward offered to stop synagogue vandalism