Rodrigo Benjamin Mendes Pacheco

Rodrigo Benjamin Mendes Pacheco was an early U.S. merchant from Europe who went to New York City early in his career and was made freeman of the city in 1712. He made a remarkable career in New York dealing in various goods such as guns, rum, wine, ironware, glass, furs, and foodstuff. Part of his strategy was to often advertise his wares in newspapers.

As Pacheco’s mercantile business flourished he also became involved in community’s affairs. He petitioned the authorities in 1728 with others for the right to purchase land for a Jewish cemetery, and was instrumental in the erection of the Shearith Israel synagogue on Mill Street, in 1729–30. In 1731 Pacheco was appointed colonial agent for the province, perhaps the highest position held by a Jew in colonial New York. However, in the wake of a bitter legal entanglement over his business affairs, Pacheco settled permanently in London in 1731.