The story of the Pereiras is a proud tale of one such family who sought refuge from the transplanted Inquisition in Brazil, in the Colonies of the newly forming United States.
The patriarch of the family, Don Jose Pereira, was a wealthy goldsmith who had successfully plied his craft in every location his family had lived. Now that he had arrived in New York with his wife and eleven children, he was denied permission to work by the local Dutch governor. His eldest son, Isaac, was also a skilled goldsmith, and he decided to try his fortune and relocate in the freer climate of Boston.
There, he settled with his young family and established himself as a talented silversmith, creating objects of great beauty which were eagerly sought after by the wealthy English colonists. As the years passed, Isaac became a member of the growing Jewish community in Boston. It was his desire that his son, Jacob, follow in his footsteps as a silversmith. Jacob, however, showed no inclination for the craft. On the contrary, he was fascinated by the world of books and scholarship. Eventually, his father accepted the fact that his son would follow another path.
Jacob decided to attend the University of Salerno and at the same time, pursue higher learning in Jewish subjects. He spent ten years in Salerno, where he studied under the direction of a noted Jewish physician and scholar. After that period of time, he returned home, an idealistic young doctor.
Upon his arrival, he became especially close with his cousin, Jose Pereira, a fiery young ballistics expert, who had a strong desire to aid his adopted country. Both young men joined the revolutionaries, and when Washington was in the throes of planning his strategy against the British General Howe, they requested an audience with him.
Jose spoke very directly to General Washington, telling him, "Your honor, pray forgive me, but I think your tactics may lead to disaster. I know the territory on both sides of the East River well, and I dare say that bravery and strategy notwithstanding, our troops, ill equipped and poorly trained as they are, do not have a chance against Howe, who, I am told, is right now advancing on our men."
Washington was furious at the audacity of the young Jew, but after a few minutes of discussion, perusing maps of the area, the General became convinced of his superior knowledge. Unfortunately, Jose's words were born out; only his advice prevented the worst from occurring.
General Washington followed the advice of the young Pereira and dared a quick, bold move of his troops across the river on the night of August 29, 1776. At the head of his company spread over a wide area on the Brooklyn side, Jose deceived the British by maintaining a cross- fire and constantly changing attacks and withdrawals, luring the British away from the scene of the crossing. Tragically, Jose himself lost his life, as he carried out the cover-up operation.
As the last contingent of Washington's troops waited to be ferried across the river, the British pressed in from all sides. It was then that Jose took the action which turned the tide of battle. Disguised as a farmhand, Jose made his way to the Hollings farm, where the largest powder magazine was hidden in the barns and sheds.
Soon, the British were startled by explosions which rocked the night and ripped huge gashes in the earth. The third and fourth explosions broke the British attack and the revolutionaries were saved for the time being. It was never discovered how Jose accomplished this feat single-handedly.
Jacob Pereira had so impressed General Washington that he was asked to join his staff. In the bleak days and weeks of fighting which followed, Doctor Pereira exerted a strong influence on the thinking of General Washington. When General Washington abandoned his headquarters at Morristown that winter, he reluctantly gave Doctor Pereira permission to return home to Boston. There, the young doctor established himself successfully as a physician and scholar of note. In Boston, his erudition was greatly valued by both the members of the Jewish community and the scholars of Harvard University, who consulted him often.
His proudest memories, however, were the few months which he had spent in the company of General Washington.
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