Moses Lindo

Moses Lindo was a London born Jewish merchant credited for making Charleston, South Carolina a center of the indigo trade.

While living in London, Lindo noticed the exceptional quality of indigo, a plant which is the source of a very specific dye, which grows in South Carolina. Recognizing a good business opportunity, Lindo left England in 1756 and became an indigo planter and slave owner in the New World.

In 1762 he was appointed “Surveyor and Inspector General of Indigo, Drugs and Dye.” In this position he established a quality grading system for indigo and made it a major export of Charleston.

His efforts to raise the industry had a positive outcome and earned him a fortune. Indigo became the second most important crop after the rice and therefore brought great wealth to the colony. As a successful and respected businessman, Lindo remained in office until he resigned in 1772.

He died two years later.