Abraham Wagg

Abraham Wagg (1719 – April 27, 1803) was a Jewish merchant in colonial New York City and a Loyalist during the American Revolution. He tried to promote a reconciliation between Britain and the colonies and later settled in England.

New York

Wagg was probably born in London. He settled in New York around 1770, where he became a wholesale grocer and chocolate manufacturer. That year he married Rachel Gomez (1739–1809), daughter of the merchant Mordecai Gomez.

Revolution

Wagg stayed in New York City after the British occupied it in 1776. Serving with the militia and fire watch, he was badly injured and left permanently lame. He took an oath of allegiance to Great Britain in 1777. During the war he sought to act as a peacemaker, addressing proposals for reconciliation between Great Britain and the colonies to British officials.

England

In 1779 Wagg sailed for England and settled in Bristol. From there he sought compensation for the property he had lost in New York, without success. He died in Bristol on April 27, 1803.