Mrs. Joseph Marx

Isaiah Isaacs is thought to have been the first Jewish settler in Richmond, Virginia, arriving in the area in 1769.  Like the subject’s father, Isaacs was a silversmith, but in 18th century tradition he branched out into other fields. Mr. Isaacs established a partnership with Jacob Cohen, and they operated one of, if not the, first Richmond city taverns, the Bird-in-Hand.

Richea Myers Marx (1769-1838) was the daughter of the silversmith Myer Myers of New York.  She married Joseph Marx, a German-born merchant who settled here in the 1790s. They resided in Richmond at 6th and Cary Streets.  The Marx family belonged to Beth Shalome Congregation and was prominent in the thriving Jewish community that has flourished in Richmond since the 18th century.