was born on 10 July 1830 on the island of St. Thomas to Frederick and Rachel Manzano de Pissarro.[3][4] His father, who was of Portuguese Jewish descent, held French nationality and his mother was native Creole.[2] His father was a merchant who came to the island from France to deal with the business affairs of a deceased uncle, and married his widow. The marriage, however, caused a stir within St. Thomas' small Jewish community, either because Rachel was outside the faith or because she was previously married to Frederick's uncle, and in subsequent years his four children were forced to attend the all-black primary school.[5] Upon his death, his will specified that his estate be split equally between the synagogue and St. Thomas' Protestant church.[6]