Joseph De Palacios & Company

Joseph De Palacios & Company was established in 1779 by Joseph De Palacios (life dates unknown) and Isaac Da Costa Junior (c.1751-1809). While both Joseph and Isaac had ties to the Sephardic community in Portugal, Joseph likely immigrated by way of Pensacola, Florida, and Isaac was raised in Charleston by his parents Isaac (1721-1783) and Sarah Pimenta Da Costa (c.1735-1793).  Announcing their partnership in The South Carolina Gazette and Country Journal, Joseph and Isaac anticipated a supply of goods from Europe and the West Indies that “flatter themselves a genteel assortment, which they propose selling on reasonable terms.”¹ By 1783, Joseph operated under his own name at 80 Tradd Street selling liquor and groceries, and by 1786 Isaac established himself at 55 King Street.

¹ “Joseph De Palacios and Isaac Da Costa,” The South Carolina Gazette and Country Journal, October 13, 1779, 2.