sentences:  The first American Jewish clergyman to deliver sermons in English, Mendes Seixas became known for his civic activities as well as his defense of religious liberty, participating in the inauguration of President George Washington and helping found King's College, the precursor of New York City's great Columbia University.Gershon's father, Isaac Mendes Seixas (1709-1780), was a merchant born in Lisbon, Portugal, who first emigrated to Barbados before coming to the British colonies, living in New York City around 1730 and moving to Newport, Rhode Island, around 1765.He married Rachel Franks, who bore seven children, including Gershom.