Benjamin Sheftall

American merchant; born in England at the beginning of the eighteenth century; died at Savannah. He was one of forty immigrants who arrived at Savannah in July, 1733. He left two sons, Levi and Mordedai. Benjamin commenced the well-known "Sheftall manuscript," completed by his son Mordecai, in which the immigration of the Jews to Georgia in 1733 is described. He was known for his antislavery views, and was one of the founders of the Union Society of Savannah. His eldest son, Levi, was a merchant in Savannah, and held, like his father, a leading place in the affairs of the Jewish congregation.