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- ^) A0 C; [' f8 `) n( ?JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
; A/ M8 H: G( p+ K5 ?9 g' @! IPHILANTHROPIST.
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5 s5 V, q/ w% w0 i- |0 o4 W( G2 [1 [; @/ Y
, `% ~, p& ?2 kBy max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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+ s9 g, l& s% ~) w! RReprinted from
+ t! N8 X; ^) w' `9 L% { s4 \: z4 _. I, _
Publications of the # V m! C% ^2 U1 P3 D
& B/ { ]9 q' j
American Jewish Historical Socibtt, . S! ]$ j5 H8 p1 L5 K
, X) H% v% {: C( O) T7 l, g% e0 r4 HNo. 13, 1905.
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8 {5 ~" y/ G# ~3 k7 k* j2 _5 f; q* eJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND 5 y$ H" t# {- ~' k( r
PHILANTHROPIST.
) c7 J! N* ?+ ?4 F
$ q8 \( _! b$ DBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
w& U: m* b9 f7 k" e$ N% E, R. x" v8 g, |4 ?& t3 c
It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
! y) z! O4 @ @4 H- H1 D/ [9 ?% A: bTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, 1 [! H7 ] G5 W" e- a5 M. d
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the : t9 s& h$ G& `0 L: e
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
U: W7 j4 i cfrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- 6 G; U( d, i0 ?$ {( o, \
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
3 |3 e; N b+ A2 Xconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
1 Y9 `$ C4 C2 j0 p0 `2 {History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
6 B! {" [/ a! uthe very name of one who would probably by common consent % q% F+ i% Z- ?9 y) Y: g; q& [
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
3 N% a/ z+ u1 kfirst half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
# j/ g& w; [2 frelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
; U' h* ?% v( x3 q$ A% c, Mties and more general historical writings, can readily account
, h7 W# t6 l( z3 }& w. Bfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, ) E# P/ e2 O! U* I% E
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
+ \5 M9 {5 O% h$ `specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
/ B( A$ ?' ]* h5 ?torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
" Y, @ D& P c0 Tvidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
# n9 _, p# k0 x; rquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili- + J; P- I( V$ ]5 M" Y5 b" P, |
tary history of his .
% K! w4 }' @0 x
6 B# O/ Z0 e0 M: _A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
Q4 v8 p# g( {4 t! D- S9 F ]3 S; Rwithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
5 m1 g+ M5 @0 o; Q/ Ynon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
' \) E( ?% x% g. Mfactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what ) Y [2 z+ P) m. D3 V
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
$ r2 _3 f4 |2 W9 `Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal , Q Z1 p |; C; L
/ g7 E5 r0 s+ S1 g
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- 6 E. f8 {! l2 R+ Z5 c* I1 j
chants," published in 1856.
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93 ) t' P! V% E( y/ q& r0 D2 \
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' Q7 A3 `7 @* e94 American Jewish Historical Society. 6 d6 Q: _! a, n. O; ?
, |9 T. w% N$ R/ z$ Creminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
+ }7 \* I. F S+ ]" W1 \' H8 m* Q+ }1 xlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- : d8 N6 O2 h/ x& \& y3 P" T* j0 U
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; & }+ W: `& d9 W" K$ Q( F
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be 1 X. ?) R! ]$ {( i
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- " ^' f) A. b3 ^: {" W
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
: ~5 ~/ \# W n9 @2 `6 ~sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal 3 [4 A" b! O( l, _* \
reminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
+ c- h" i j7 X% @' }are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
1 h+ A( Z; T0 B+ LJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known 8 q5 u5 r/ e% i
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy & J, r- I& j' q- Z1 k. O
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his $ D) d. W3 z% j9 S& W9 u
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no , J* M/ h9 F$ l1 r7 {( r
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
7 T8 h* H# E1 `* Z# }7 o7 G4 V# lmore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect 3 l- n O/ D' t
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish 4 k3 ?/ f1 V8 |+ l1 w+ ~$ |
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh . Z8 }4 W/ a& p" e/ h6 a) Y
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
$ j5 q" s$ O6 w8 vgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- - [ I9 {. t9 ~0 Z
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore # p, J8 ~2 J( E
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their / o7 v. t7 w& f
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
9 {% T# o7 w `- ?- n. W9 Pfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever # ~" {& A; t" p( U! z" d1 }
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. 4 j* }+ F& T" u; H3 v
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June 4 x$ c" I4 Q* Y, a% F1 z9 L3 `
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
# t, t4 F @+ h8 N, J+ B( b3 \* q: s& ~3 estance that his individual career thus began with that of his * P9 C: e. A2 G- H$ s
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
) ^% D4 e* b. Xister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
% f; \9 m* g0 |) Qof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by + `, K# d2 L/ V, P# c
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
0 }" q1 j( S/ V" v+ G% z% Q5 atery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
0 h" g' u2 H4 xcareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac 8 W4 s* ~' X$ T1 i8 K
% |8 A! w: v6 J5 W s' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. 4 {6 P) w; H6 d. y
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- 3 z6 G: K3 n3 x/ L5 L2 p' i& t
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- 8 X$ L, x3 u$ U' T
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Gift
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(Person^ + k/ V0 i& z3 I: f8 O7 v/ g
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; ~' T1 m& \) P! wJudah Touro — Koliler. 95 ' |' ? M9 V( P
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
4 h H$ ?5 f+ l3 Rin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
$ y$ L. F' Y8 ~; eEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and : E7 } [ U& L" b
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- * n. V0 f! \, F+ e) T
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city _& Z2 w: A0 c) [$ L1 @
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
% O" j! ~6 q& }, Aparted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
* ]4 M( M. T1 m8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
4 `+ t! }. E; j' iand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, 4 a; q& \0 \4 ^" N! {/ Q" _! Z
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- ]7 K" Z4 x+ \8 z! _6 Q4 u) B
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- ! z* C' x5 I3 O" g+ |7 j6 a
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, u9 B0 c8 c m. D
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely : h- i6 x3 E: z& p' i4 V
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood 3 J3 o- N+ ]8 k; `: @( }7 \5 ~( A
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
9 ?3 s' T7 L- J) Z8 P9 y Ualso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- 8 p: a. t" m3 z+ `0 S) u/ |4 e/ c
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views , w4 e% i- k4 M/ D8 p+ v
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
' w5 M, L9 O8 p; ccompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
+ p. F, |# e: B6 hwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the . I" g a C5 y
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and # u, {3 ^$ u4 m' a9 z' o, F+ a( ~
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
' }7 Q2 o' H2 y2 d' jfirst American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
/ k! H* o0 }, h' L) ~4 K* Ywhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- % n l3 f) I1 U" o
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
! I4 A% A; V" x) Wearly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
Z9 z! Q! U" D6 X: Q# i$ Sinduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase 6 C, g! g/ Y7 t% P
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and ; I% ]' d/ ^3 t: ]
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and 9 z$ X* X: N! O/ f u9 B% o" F
5 T- J7 G5 U) D( {. T/ D6 Qtrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
2 A4 [* f9 P$ }1 ^ l# V' p- aNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
/ o& U4 {2 I% W5 b8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
& _5 D( n1 F1 o( G0 x. {0 M5 |and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences ! z% f; ^. _1 C- {' R @, Y9 T% P- O
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- 9 h: l; K2 ~$ a# l; P2 {
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; * D6 P4 t" ? ~% D. ~7 ], E# _
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." - f! T: _3 p7 c$ W
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96 American Jewish Historical Society.
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( t6 ]6 m) |2 L2 }0 W% \/ y9 ~$ K! ecommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in 6 I" W& n4 ?% I5 D3 U W
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. ' H: Y% z" B K
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
: y: K- H I# p7 o8 G! \8 _The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
* [! f$ Z. W0 X& V% E, wvessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- 7 H$ n7 T. j3 ~$ p9 Z& R( b# {: D
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
7 h) V, d% |) {2 @6 B7 B* Nvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
' ~' B# A. V5 S8 g WFrench possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
( [/ J+ _; w/ l2 O# b0 \, q" Y; da voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
& o* v4 m- t( U9 t( c. r. Eknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg- 1 E6 _% c8 c# r+ B* v4 B: P# B0 ?" V
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 1 N8 p2 h1 }: ^, Q3 ^
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 0 Y6 U9 r& \+ W: `9 r, c. D" S3 E
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- 5 X0 n+ [0 A( @4 l. I/ m( `
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
! Z1 [. \' O/ I# Gport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts # G- M0 d/ K! T2 ?+ M
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library 1 P% W- x) {- j% e
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
- k* O9 ^# \2 S: ]' qBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
* K# `. l4 Y* J/ Z2 eTouro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
* W3 [; p. L) E1 n: ~- Xplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
# _: C6 y9 h1 V6 J% G6 R Slight on the scope of his business dealings. $ E1 H8 a( z ^
( C$ v6 r6 Q1 j; `$ T. r
Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
" b2 N$ |) ]8 U9 w; ^, bhis cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
( l9 _$ A. k" \) T& r2 ynear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
2 A3 R/ u- d& x6 L! Q9 Rmained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
1 |. }5 `$ Z/ U8 Q) i# v( [! J7 ? iand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, & `4 j; h; Z; `! F/ v8 b, d4 O
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
4 l# K1 D5 s- V# M9 K0 N7 J( ~' F) cmonth in ignorance of her death. 2 q9 G- M9 S- b+ B7 j5 M/ S
& m* O! t( |! j+ G' H
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
6 H3 ]" p! U7 g4 V. v* u7 ~ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
( a+ J8 }! m X" z8 x- i% ?* Maccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
8 o1 {* {7 x) m- v- b1 }" q9 {especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
7 V t* S1 V( _% J% B) A) Sport, though the Jewish community of that town had been
% j/ A6 p) \/ q" W" T Yscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
, m2 D. R& u( q/ Z! e' Da substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
( w; ?, `5 f) N. l. k. @which he made further provision by his will, which contained
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, N. S; ]+ t, N0 n& PJudah Touro — K older . 97
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q/ e/ v% z# H6 ?+ Aa number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston , s+ w& I5 |/ `7 w! G( T( [, B
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
3 ~; z# Y; p7 E( e& wNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly 6 X& s* J+ s. p' F! l$ v7 ^8 a
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- , a/ `' d- @" n: X; Y7 Z- f9 i
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. ! w/ j% `/ [+ c9 A/ p. g
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Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- 0 ~9 J5 K; T! K& b ~" U q
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during ; l0 B2 D. x9 H' i3 y
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, ; R1 e& E% B# H. N5 q5 b
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
+ X% b! D$ D# Y% Y1 pleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
+ {4 _8 _9 R! }( u" V( steered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of 6 |' t# k$ M+ A1 \
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
* V0 S) R0 l' N6 c8 win the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
/ J. X. Z6 v0 ~, A& dpound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
( n. }( f/ E: K8 Rhe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
n/ a8 _7 `2 \3 a7 ]Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
# G. [$ O2 l8 z4 ~had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
0 Q4 F6 G0 s9 B- z0 [was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
4 I( O* y% K2 z, ~7 oJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
8 O9 X1 `+ w8 @, n4 hShepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- ; q& r R& y; Q
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
, Q8 \/ m+ t: t; d, n! k N1 }2 xherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large 8 }- | m4 {$ v# o$ Z4 @
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, 0 j+ [0 S I7 T0 H
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- $ d4 }; x. u; `% P( b
scribed in the will itself. 4 C/ y/ |) b8 |; [4 p$ o' W
" L( K9 g h j, h2 PJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred ; }3 O! }7 K0 n v$ q1 Q
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
5 V3 n- r3 ~- {a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other 9 g% F" }1 j( d, v$ k
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his 2 X8 a) g. A( h$ P" Q+ X
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- * R( m% a, m( P% B9 H2 D
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
" v" Q6 x5 q, x' ovessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
' v7 f: k' q& w+ k J' Lmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain + |, p9 |/ \& h/ Z
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his 0 [( r- D$ P8 }( k9 @( w
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in : g$ r9 I8 i% g9 ]& w4 V
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His ) N5 z' Y" h: f1 E/ `& P$ M
- T. O O5 [" {0 z z* U+ W* H& ^4 \
4 ~% i; [' u! I+ N% [98 American Jewish Historical Society. 1 s2 Q. b& ]* u
0 _2 f: O% G: S/ l( I" \ xcareer as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
& }' {. M2 A( G+ n9 Xstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- ) b" r* d }, ]+ ]) `* j
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
, V. m2 C, v1 j5 }4 Xing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
* Z) W* |8 b1 D1 P. N9 nthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents 0 X9 t" t( Q( t1 f, l
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
( K: L2 `& V: R" h& B3 k5 zHis neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day 3 z Z7 K4 x; C) v# Z/ O7 y& L
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
% i8 P1 x: Q* Wthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
, @: p8 ^9 \! V5 a2 }4 e4 Ztom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
7 u+ T7 O* {6 BHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
, ]9 Y4 b- ~1 [" {arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ( ~! U; X3 c# ~' P2 H7 ]% R( v
standing.
5 G/ p/ f# t2 z- i9 Y. y
3 ~6 d5 J' m7 ~It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
. `) _# u! h/ i7 A9 Cdevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
; w) G5 I9 ~! |/ q) _9 yage, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
' ?: o$ T; C/ jwork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made 3 K$ {7 _, X: z7 A" ]$ `7 q
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
3 o& f( R; p8 d; C5 j, Cpists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- , }7 T9 U+ b) w0 Q# r; H5 A
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
1 b: f9 u( |5 T7 z7 E! p' O# |yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- & i: r: O; ?6 o4 ]" r
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
% [& `4 D9 R/ bhis whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
. c5 d5 N0 r+ ~, U0 Y- z# }: Sthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
: I2 }8 o6 x1 O- q( d) pOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- " K4 b; \% i% y6 n1 I1 |. e8 z5 w
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
5 P( j! n8 C3 \. U4 shad won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
( D0 I/ ?0 v1 Uthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring Y& J, Z, }( r& C9 F
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
& } v4 L+ T* A- W) v" L, C8 m2 G7 Zhim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
' x9 n) |, X! X* A' H: e- Ttions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
& r2 [4 x0 c0 W8 T' [of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble " x4 h2 }1 t6 e5 T* M
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
9 }, C* J$ J* N& h" B! M# D! Yglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 8 L9 R$ V2 \: Y2 Z7 s/ u
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
/ P4 L. ~# |0 y8 k1 R- phomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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% u7 g- k4 `- d: @. ?1 D% [' R2 i# X) L- N
Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99
3 M) U5 q) {* y% I! d/ {, d ]+ ]; L0 @( ?( M' N1 f5 Z
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, 1 D d2 O* p! b! B2 a
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
/ W0 @: |: G5 W$ @$ p0 Bties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
$ W) t! p7 A% d9 C. [whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
3 n+ _$ d A! R4 M5 e0 _aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 2 ?" O+ ~% O7 I, ]! w% A7 `
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
- X1 ~: W5 ~+ @4 x* L4 amillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death # z; t7 O0 G5 W* v6 U ^% o
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who * F- W" N# M# [/ M/ f7 m% U4 C
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large # x5 H+ }3 \6 o$ ^
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
( I5 T8 n. }4 Q$ |! rreward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
. {# D* ]% D1 u! e3 G Ocence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
0 n. @0 ?0 e. K4 t1 _; ~splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
& j( Y& x ~9 i4 m8 \* d4 {' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
, W8 q( N) i7 ]1 k/ V Breturn to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
* G$ y) F4 ^: p- ^were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
r9 _; p7 P' L' d, ^3 {1 Vdeprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and 2 Q; b8 S$ V( [
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
% @, d+ Q* ?$ O+ apassion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
- B# G3 @: m8 q+ x! Z# ya miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
, Q% y7 Y7 T7 L! h2 [# S: ~" ffrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and 8 ~( b% v. Y2 H& ]- e
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
( A0 X" _) |- Q! land his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
: n8 S, n8 N+ @* S/ Dtion and display which are too often the main incentive to
; }9 v5 M- O9 C' t: a8 oliberal and benevolent deeds." ! @/ d- K$ D5 T2 e* S# L2 K% N
2 j9 ~3 v& a {1 vTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
- Q; g2 C7 V$ S" W# r* ^that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the 9 t2 Z! c u4 h7 t. {; X& a
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
8 b, ^# R4 a1 t; X' i) M) Ltions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they " L9 l; W) ^6 D# A6 d. E
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
9 r0 H* b- o2 ~3 c6 ]8 mlarge gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as ' I7 H3 b; v% a$ X- Y8 k3 v- }/ ?
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
9 u! j8 Q3 f6 S, M2 e6 g- J$ Jthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- , i5 b6 Z( q# G- r% U/ h. |! J
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up : \/ d2 M& i' y3 Q" p
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid $ [* i$ ~ a' O" T$ c, R5 ^
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
( h6 k8 y6 z1 ~+ z
2 H7 w) p1 @$ O5 l. {* g. d1 q O% J S! S' f2 y
! i. l9 i/ D: a, c. ]6 I0 }0 {( j100 American Jewish Historical Society. Q( P; A5 _7 ] x% C2 u
2 b& |: p0 }# |* q
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
2 H6 x' @) O6 v* I5 \6 Uresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward ; l3 m" O' x- m, w1 I s
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately " T8 w4 q5 u; T+ R* C6 z6 I
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
6 B o6 t5 o8 z4 q c$ i" K) y. xAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
# Q) G8 _" X8 B# J4 [sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- / a ?1 L( u1 r% ?7 }
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
4 H: M/ H+ |/ A7 ?injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
! W, ?0 ~' l7 y4 ^seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 6 h' K% Q5 L/ d( o1 B
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- 8 I A3 u) o( z: F6 p
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
# f% T/ _" H- T& f# m n$ xsingle gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
; P. ]( U9 `* j ~and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication 7 f* B$ B3 ?1 h2 W( V: A& E
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
m2 I" R% i7 G, H9 @the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
. x4 o! z7 q2 k6 kwas commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
' L" [* c1 h, @% f: l9 P0 |! Clines, since become famous : 4 \3 H% X) ~; \) l: u
_7 `, c/ I9 m) I9 }Amos and Judah — venerated names!
4 u( b+ Q8 o# B( u! o4 p! t
) `- j. ~* x! p; j$ MPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
# ^# |' d( x! G; ~5 g) v
M1 j$ @* r( A1 E7 ^; Y0 RLike generous coursers, running neck and neck.
& _+ Q1 u1 |7 P* [1 S9 ^0 \0 y# _$ ?, P* h4 G4 m' S
Each aids the work by giving it a check.
$ J1 P1 O! N I; E6 b$ b" z3 t) A! f1 g, n {0 H
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
! l- X; v: V/ B; F, _3 s: _( d, c3 {' y( ^ q
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. ]- s( ^1 b6 e( q
2 \. G0 c) h/ P. F" }& H4 v: ]
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
$ q' R5 [* i5 y9 q) q9 lthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often 5 T( L2 Q/ a! }% U1 h$ O4 K1 |- A
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
) v4 C" |; o, u |in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
( o/ ~2 u; Q/ U4 Q/ Wtian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- 3 m2 [2 T; ]+ { v
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- 4 c( R9 O3 a! p) ~7 b. `$ G4 [# H
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised 3 B b# H) s* G1 x" ]
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
) R- Q6 f# V" ] M5 H* C# M# r0 Uing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
9 j/ j v+ m5 aoccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
4 v7 i9 t! _; y/ b3 L% D0 H, w$ b rmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
( \. t( K. Y4 ^4 R/ ?
5 N7 B, f# S/ F, X0 @* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. # W' J* S# ?3 V4 ]( Z8 J- H
& v% ]1 x# R/ L* x3 j6 S; ~
) M. i3 i( }" s [
, y- [5 j) r/ e- c+ u. _Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 % h4 a; p @1 E; @, o
8 t4 I2 c- _( B" t& t! Z+ etribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested " N& X* |5 t) ~- ?" q0 m' d2 J
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, 4 G/ Q: ^. @# f# c3 h) H: V
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
8 v4 n' V. u& D `am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church ) v: P6 h; O; ]/ ^7 ]! l& _" M
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
$ v6 P" P, l& ~) |- ehim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister 9 T/ n1 ^3 X4 {
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
( N* A0 ^ ~1 tdeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be : d: \2 l6 M: A& g( V
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary 2 m, b! T$ }! i4 z! g, G) I
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- ! X6 X# U2 p* k* t6 k. t( p1 i. @! ?
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
: i5 ? g9 a; B! R5 Fof jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's ' G7 Z2 {8 h6 C+ w& E# C, ?
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
" e- Y8 c t) q$ y/ S& i5 I/ Msition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
, W }0 j0 M4 @. a. uwas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 4 l+ A- b- F" C e7 J' X
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
0 } N. S6 `5 ea synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- . m5 o( n: e: n0 G' N
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
' G0 F$ Q6 J6 O3 O2 klar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
) J% w$ z3 k( y: j/ LJanuary 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
0 E0 h" e+ T5 N$ Q8 J& _/ Vtributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 9 N! E+ R9 d) r1 r1 o$ G
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. 4 l; n0 p7 `! N$ M2 h
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have 1 o3 V! W$ b0 ?. [. r
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who 5 P8 D5 R2 t+ x/ G4 k! {
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of & r( v3 {- F9 K& l0 D! J7 q
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing # O, k5 E1 W3 s/ l8 n2 h
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- 5 [' Z7 X$ W# f1 ?; E8 a3 d! g0 q
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he $ O P8 a- [5 R8 V: o, j& Z2 P6 o! C! L
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. * u( t4 i0 `, Z8 ~6 T/ h J
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
1 m+ z3 i' Z, @$ Y0 t6 t- Vthe Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni- & u9 G. o: i" t) [. P5 \0 H1 L( f
hilation."
) O+ {( d8 G: R7 [/ X! [% F; f7 ]4 D- f1 r* s
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- - U: \' p( T: @$ @1 C( W
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
, U6 d" p1 Q, w" l5 O: whim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
5 h8 i* s6 @. o8 s6 c! fties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
. }! {, X3 A0 z: S: }( g
) j8 C& x; z- S; J! w( H
. E& e6 F1 G! l$ K* k# O+ M1 k9 N2 O
102 American Jewish Historical Society.
& a; X. r) P. }: B3 c
# X0 P1 Z1 X# n. F; |% ^, I( p! D5 Ucharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
3 l' @- y# D1 E' P0 F2 jexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
, R5 W: x5 x+ f, s) mwise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
" V3 Z, [# m6 G% ?: F3 _5 D4 etions in most distant sections of the country, would have 6 B X' K8 o$ Z" N8 T+ c
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
m4 O! [" Z; h# ^. b6 f# j& E# _necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
7 }. v6 I% x7 f7 n8 Bsummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
4 q' \0 q+ A2 R2 [/ Iquests, as follows :
' a- S% B$ G3 h: M; n J) R! O# ~0 t" Z+ Q8 V
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where " }! p8 E' {7 I/ q, _0 G
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to # n. _$ t7 S1 e* |: z$ |* o* r
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
9 v, Q8 H; z8 t- ^5 Bnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will $ ?4 A" ~; K' d2 ] i- @
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
( a/ @$ p! i: G. I; x; [1 Z6 J; p2 dhis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
" E, v, a: n2 o+ p+ ?the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- ' h: l& x6 e% J4 x L
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied ' [9 G: X" W0 J4 w- {" v8 m
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
! M& V _/ U! r! `. \% j0 Lthe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded . g4 A! \9 C1 a
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the : O2 r5 v2 M T# m G6 P- o
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
! H1 K8 G' U" d4 _thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 3 }7 w. E9 J# L/ n9 {
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
! e9 ?( L1 u! ]' {9 hinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
8 o0 h3 [# W e( G; \4 x1 [religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 8 i' a& u# x) q
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to 4 ~+ \% n0 \, J' U& U3 V
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
, Z' |% w( `7 Q5 E! p0 {$ i: Q, Ybenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop 0 C' ^2 R4 h& h% d3 Q$ I) t0 E# a8 y
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
3 z! k: q0 j: F ]9 zIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
0 x( e0 D( T2 Ltection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
, Q$ c; P7 }/ H; [' M- I8 |" uWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
; |# ?4 @) O: r8 c5 j/ Xa solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
" c6 I! K+ @0 _4 n' b9 }Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
2 i8 n% `# q7 s1 `, f! L7 s$ N5 j0 {, w# \
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because 3 p' X( n" H8 y9 D$ m
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of " j, H" w2 n: \3 n
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their 7 Y) q, x# P' d7 A: _
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
5 v8 G2 E: @8 t6 S1 Q8 c6 mobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- 5 r+ d7 a5 q, B' `8 b
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have + [' `2 H3 \7 m8 q& V
omitted no deserving Jewish community.
0 e/ f$ w( [ x6 y2 ^- h
; i" Y& i k4 A7 g
k& g) D: s, d2 W
- W% y9 k/ {- \: ]! S$ |! O% `/ G/ yJudah Touro — Kohler. 103 1 Q1 M& l$ q% X/ U6 l5 [+ M1 E
3 ~ k( p7 ^ Lcrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early - K% S; X! v3 d: H' m5 {" _
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
, `# K2 {) E( p8 `" q+ V- tsubjected. , { _/ K; m- H5 x# b
7 M; n: h4 l+ l O4 Q1 ~& lOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he ) d! `4 z8 j) Z( S! f. Q/ x0 x9 x
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
, H- \( j8 C1 m7 p% L* QSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor- ' a) D7 I! j2 g0 a; T
ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
4 M3 t2 H: m1 S6 Pbrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- * k) [! ?# Y- k- J9 P
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
- B3 N6 c. ]$ o4 Ctemptation. % L* t2 N! l$ G4 ?8 U
' i1 p3 j4 x! C* |, z0 xAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile / l# H% b. D/ D$ ?# o
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, ! I. M& y( N0 g
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, 2 ~ ], V# P) L' C; c! A
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
% J; U/ e2 v% |attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
; c) R6 n/ `& n/ W; dhad so generously remembered, coming from all over the
& |6 M. s% @0 mland. By official resolution of the public authorities of 9 k( b* e4 J6 G6 f
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, 2 s, R, l R3 F8 M
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
3 c5 F! e/ G% K6 y5 }* u) v! P4 }# \the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells 8 [$ V; |$ T- ~0 [ b
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
- C1 Y0 Z l& w- ~2 Wwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were - n1 m- k1 W1 R% [1 A* u6 i
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
|1 W% \# x; g% s: R, v; Yphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
6 f; p( o) c4 h( x2 a" {York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
" p, ?, y$ G8 @( Abitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of ( [" G7 u( I( Q+ ?- X9 I5 A
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
1 b" v% F1 R' J, cwere named after him in order to commemorate his generous
% k! K' M$ z* O! c A$ H& |3 @9 tphilanthropy.
7 B' I3 z4 k( ~: s1 i2 n* v5 T9 d
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- 4 v: {, ?' k2 l) v
lowing appropriate inscription : % o& a8 J" \. K3 X S' z& [* d7 E
' T: \7 t5 C8 h3 ]By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
0 w. m- Q# }7 D. b% v0 W+ `# KIn charity and for salvation he dispensed it. 3 W& t% `. k; v
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- , e, v1 A1 b1 s0 F
thropy " x C/ ?- _+ S2 N0 I* Y
To be remembered forever. 2 s4 o3 F9 c5 I B; T5 C- o7 z3 k
9
3 M0 O- F9 O! b
: y+ B$ l# B$ B- [* Z( F' @# D! u. i. ~! V* U+ y) Y- a- e
& R9 y( {" ~6 J" Y' \3 `6 _
104 American Jeujish Historical Society. 2 h6 L, t; h6 n0 n6 y
: b5 `; x! E, D* V; P _0 ?/ Z. dWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
/ F8 X- A- Z C9 T7 @1 ?8 T! J, [5 ^6 _$ G3 C6 N
United States of America,
( u9 I& y( n/ C2 k9 x
1 N$ c% A. O: NState of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
7 L' f. [) p) _& ~6 Y* a3 X
5 t. [* O1 J( ]Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of 0 s/ r7 Y; t3 B8 p/ Y4 Z
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 0 m% O. E* n; s4 |! h, k9 l
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter 0 E% `0 n! U1 d+ y
before 10 o'clock a. m.. 8 [( i4 ]2 U3 c; B+ O; p: O
7 u6 e4 x7 e6 r' d# J! ?Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
( L! u& M1 o7 I- A- e7 Z) O8 j- icity of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 2 W* h1 T; p9 u0 a5 j
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 0 i# ?( i* f* t
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
3 M; m O7 }! ^; R' }4 I+ `siding in said city, and hereto expressly required — 5 A5 c" t" Y, \ F" ~+ M
; c4 D n; L I% Z
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, 6 q1 k f3 k. I- a: F. \$ v: v5 s
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a ) @2 O" e; w& @) a* u
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but : X: V) Y$ e2 A. l6 f
sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the & P+ O5 U9 i, V
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah 1 q6 Y+ Y& p8 T: E5 e
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- ! T9 _7 y0 p$ y+ G
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
3 U/ H% S; z0 ^ I1 Hpresence of said witnesses:
) U1 F' J1 R7 y/ R& N! x: q3 ]( W7 Y4 {/ t, H: ?8 j- _" W* t5 E. q
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
( o q. X1 {8 {* r: |6 x6 e, Q& i/ X1 P4 H( k( I9 h1 Q- W3 P
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
: W. A) m/ q; M6 F7 Y& k n8 KCemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after 8 I; H( l) @% a5 ^
my decease. , ]% C# D: q- r) ?0 q% x
0 v- r- @! }* ?% Z* I
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends " @; x; h! k8 b/ J0 l& w
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of ' O% k8 Z* \" p0 o! G% h
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre - O3 a) e+ o8 c" N# `
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- ! X6 m7 L6 F* A& R: y) z" I- Y
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- & a2 U" X' o Q, C! N9 L; F, m
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said ) S! }4 d+ s, E/ v
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
( s* L4 t/ |7 [( w6 }Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
( [+ b1 Z. V% {sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
( L. M9 \" ^! D$ ^. @% Lnot only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
5 U" |6 L' U3 o2 balso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, % b( K5 F2 y# p. @( w7 [. {* r
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would 1 e8 k* }8 y8 I! v
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
9 R$ K+ w3 ?! U$ W& W: J' uas aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
( }8 S: o- n1 P8 } |my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, ; { ?/ K$ A: _8 e8 G; h5 {
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
9 b' {" V" ~5 \# Htion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
( d* v; H8 e" O' u" t. i1 V% K$ `1 k0 |$ n3 L% U
+ g. ]- K2 _6 r* i5 `# E
/ i J$ `1 @# WJudah Touro — Eohler. 105 ; z; O- O8 t9 S) [# {4 p% S
2 a% n1 k2 u9 u Z: Y
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep- * i9 c% I1 d+ e6 K8 h. a
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts 8 L, A2 e1 O/ C; C9 O
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 7 G4 o9 n" W. b' j, h5 R
my estate, movable and immovable. % z$ M; F, S# K1 C
$ e4 c# ]8 ?- @9 |. @
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more % Q& F' h1 j! b% F% N" y, V
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
, W4 U r f; d3 B r" qor Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last + K" X0 l9 E$ O* G$ D
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more 1 Z# |4 h2 |, P! T. h a3 t
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
1 b" X& a9 O* Q6 ~: i. ~& }# e" j+ ?" |case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
5 e+ [: T$ b' q7 K2 D1 pthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- " J' @( D3 I0 @2 k: g
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
3 J8 }3 s6 J; Mto them. t+ E, V% C: i0 G8 f
+ J; A6 t4 O4 J4 w0 @! C4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
; i, o! J* U9 X$ A1 q/ ?force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
1 N0 o7 ~. t- n" [0 G( A" jthe same shall have expired.
3 j# d3 Y( b: V1 i
% w. [& O" A6 V- u; i' [8 F5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
1 i6 s" R* h8 }7 Qwhich I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner 8 H2 o$ W8 B1 X( \3 `8 G- v
directed by this my last will or testament.
7 n. q) U8 z# ^. N% l' f5 ^4 D5 j8 P& r2 \
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
& v' ?- @# e4 A% d2 y0 D$ Opersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
; X% }9 F6 U: W# m1 A& [property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
; J8 | Z" p; L C* p7 p$ i: o1 [Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of 3 b5 c/ s0 m% I
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from 9 n: t* [/ Z: N# O7 S% U
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
6 }7 R/ o8 F z& o; lthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David ' c! `' C7 ~2 h" Z) R( P, T) c
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- . W8 c. ~4 e8 O. J( i) l' x
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
4 S" Y# }: Y7 D2 a" h2 i. ugregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
0 O1 T& x2 a4 d) f5 z9 MReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
& o$ o% ?* ~& ^my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
2 w6 a8 E( W* u5 Sstrictions.
( d- s# `6 ^! q' Y, W$ C% C9 S) \, w) E" N
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
# I+ z- p. G8 F% A1 p+ q" oOrleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
- {% w3 k1 o- r# n: @" ssale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building : P! c$ @6 r; C, t
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
" J' R" I" v2 k& B" N2 ~$ a( _6 ^ Utemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
" \& [' I$ N) L3 p3 u# B" _7 bitable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- # j( |) Z* C8 f, e n
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
5 o$ w) s+ `+ k& Lconformably with the laws of Louisiana.
$ v" G" D9 F# D/ \: g/ n7 K5 P+ @, j8 f' m
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of 7 e/ t# W0 C9 l2 n: ~4 n
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
/ d: t" e$ J. @4 ~3 y% q, z3 ^3 g* P6 p/ z
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
! J9 \+ x$ w$ W4 m, Ogarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
$ m# u" L' G, e2 G
/ o6 g" ^( [; f' s6 M8 r' \6 y4 K, O8 ]- Z1 m2 E
4 h t4 U% v% f/ C: g
106 American Jewish Historical Society.
+ q5 B9 Y' V- S) H4 W( A2 H
$ |( L. R( `* b* h10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
: V' Z/ Y) J$ r' g6 s$ a1 uNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. " {( \5 y: c$ K0 a \
" L% I7 ~' B, P0 h9 D7 j, m11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society 7 B" K1 y) i* [' K; B9 V- u0 `
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
; ?! s2 {* O4 ^, d% T) T: S% K' b$ X, d# w' k
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New ( H1 j6 U7 A+ J, H4 j+ B" S
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. % Q/ P; D+ K* G
6 ~: E* ^( T" |9 ~% q o1 A4 k! p
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- 2 O" f# {& I3 G4 g4 [% \
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. , L3 h" }2 l2 M/ h+ F% R
5 o8 p! `) v9 x# j* S# t14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief G1 r* [7 S6 G. s& r( X1 ]
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
' W& C1 {/ X4 U# I/ n2 p. Q( dlars. # h/ Y/ e6 f. V' S# \7 k. U: I# G
6 Z; B3 ^$ @0 g' S: U1 b) ~15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
% g b) S, m3 e! z% B$ MAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- % F! X9 f, z n/ m
sand dollars. ) z6 G1 L% S+ E0 N# j/ F& z
6 j% N. y& a1 |1 t16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
0 E2 T8 K& q1 l. g4 glum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is - B! a0 N+ }+ h. {9 N: A% l2 B' f p% [
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand & b1 v3 R7 H1 s6 Z( g* |/ Y
dollars. 9 ^# F& E; G* r; i& Q
1 ^* K2 ?' S9 s: H+ U17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, : T' E) z' P5 E+ r5 I% Z7 L
five thousand dollars. ( T+ }3 S2 N6 e5 F; Z4 N# j, z
2 I! Z" E/ u v18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- 7 J3 ?* ]3 ?) x8 l1 m* q/ Q
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
7 F! o$ _7 d6 ?+ ~
, k# e- p+ c1 H19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
$ t1 ?( y! |* ?# JDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
0 C. f0 l- {6 k) n. Q. ?+ q- L; m1 u d* C) `$ A, @
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
! r. m- @. _7 j# B; y" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of 9 z9 H/ T) [0 p8 ~1 @6 M
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
0 B! ]* x; @) \! k& ~6 r8 o0 Oin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) 5 T6 s7 J3 m1 ~) \' @
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be + u8 i& j [# v4 Z
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that 3 q+ A; v: N, w; R# p
after my executors shall have legally organized and established / J# |, b4 a: O3 \2 Q7 \( b; N7 I
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to 4 ?) ?& t# g; P6 R2 u7 C
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
; `5 I5 W8 F- \sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
; h7 N$ H) @' n, A2 e: M" |jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- * E) ]4 |2 u; l [
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control * ^2 t' k* `& ~: z) v
thereof.
5 h+ w" e' K+ W" L5 w; j, R7 ]& c
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
0 i8 q" H: m/ p' E& s6 x( @: zRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that 1 f }6 k$ {2 T' ?2 |, J" h# T: v* J
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
$ y7 f8 u, W8 ^' j% Q8 tproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept / M- a. C$ z: U+ b( J ]( H2 W7 d
as a public park or promenade ground.
, F4 ?5 {7 B- G8 c% }0 H: ~+ m2 m# w& S$ y' X, Z& I: o
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport & e3 ]& O% U# |" S
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
6 G" _5 ?5 b. m
5 K3 @3 d' F: ~7 W" h$ B; S, r' p: v' u/ V- T+ {6 _
l8 F, W! H! i& ]' ?! c
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107
4 ? ~) D% B7 O9 c: o0 u& _( [" g k4 g' c& R N
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay - ?3 ]0 J/ \+ ^) g* g2 r3 h% b
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. ; `+ v; u8 T4 F2 a C
" ]/ a6 o+ k2 a" R9 |) s: B$ B. s5 N$ h
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
; j- |0 Z/ H) Y3 o" sford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 5 J2 `% f0 H, G' F7 c* U8 N
5 \/ V5 [5 S6 k% ]- t) B25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New ! E5 c! z0 v0 V* W
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
. k3 x. l. W8 Z& g4 m# F
/ I1 g2 a9 G/ y0 N' u8 l* [26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, 4 E7 e- L8 d3 n; f
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
9 N7 R g1 F3 V! f, |/ m9 g* {: WState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), , j, H* q( @( x5 Y* S. [
ten thousand dollars.
$ B8 ]: [% A( o" |( o2 D! ^) ^+ U. f( N$ S# \4 P, {
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
2 }3 J1 T! [+ P9 ^% Y" X6 P5 HMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
$ {0 Z" H7 n/ o ~& ^ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
) V6 q- @. c# c. Y6 E7 u7 x6 othe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
* h$ j W' G& tworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without " y$ Z* M5 Y1 y) D/ b* J" |
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
) q1 I! M3 N5 G9 \, ~1 a0 Nsand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
+ ~9 K6 {, T. |- _! Ethe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, l) q/ L% z$ V
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of + Q- U6 T7 ]/ G/ J# s; R
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
# }) G# O+ J5 l6 c2 hing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and / G4 x" C$ x4 k) ?: ~
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
7 C& Q9 b- ~* o- V* M& kbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
3 B* A/ k) O. X/ bCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
f. o9 m ?; N. Ocan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
$ `( A3 U6 Q# w* D7 q9 fof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 0 Q6 ^7 o" V F* f; E+ W
my last will. 6 P- G8 D6 c2 O1 B( w1 S
; r# p# o1 o* P2 g( y0 N28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I , R" Q! G* L; L% l# \1 I
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
. Y( R; W- s1 m; M! @which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, % I2 g% ^1 L' N& [( j" l) ^
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them Z" v3 h/ g4 |) E9 F7 @
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
+ m; G4 e9 P: Bthereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I $ Z4 k! R" E& L& m9 m
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my 3 ^5 k! @7 k, m9 Q2 b. f- {2 `/ v
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
$ k& w( H2 _+ p: ~/ O2 lcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
$ h/ i5 @4 m+ F) Qinherit in the premises according to my wishes. 1 j# }7 l7 [7 }/ w9 z5 O
4 p4 G h0 W" Q* L$ P h
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
! R k& \* ?0 v' W* k8 \: Q. jCity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
' B7 E* n5 T7 m3 z- J- |, U3 W
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
1 V; z% a* `# u/ a" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
9 Z. n4 b: `, h. l( n# n$ @' T N6 b5 s5 a" t. |
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society - J. {+ d1 j* f' S0 x9 w
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars. ! _) N+ y1 B; w1 g! Z |! e1 G
0 y& j3 _. \: y- V2 \; ?0 k
) f1 M/ }/ k) n, t5 j* J7 N+ L+ {) B; G# }, E# y
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
/ K3 O6 J: F* g) n
( k) k! e; K6 G3 O0 d9 o1 A) A, ^32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
; q1 I2 r0 D0 ]8 k1 ~attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
- h7 i5 U t8 a5 n9 xCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
4 l% c: ]) `: L# `8 L: v+ X& C: zdollars. " u, ?4 H+ g( c5 q5 M
, E3 h, a) u7 {; q8 A33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- & s3 t) x1 a5 z8 \
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
2 |( _5 w) [: j; S# \* Dthe sum of three thousand dollars.
' [: |8 r+ ^* n' M- U3 I
1 G( h. Q9 S j) p/ R# ]34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
' Y/ z: m4 H5 N3 K( n- \9 ]garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
" B" Q% y. a& \4 V) T. D2 m$ l, B, s/ S: V& m- y9 d8 d4 i
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
& l. L3 m3 O/ c$ c3 W, l* `1 K+ _) `the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
; g0 I% t& E9 [, ha directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. ' G8 J# n2 O6 ?; @, y! g* G" u
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
& L3 I5 z- T1 N4 ?2 L: _ s
5 E# a% h6 Z1 _' q5 ]: Z' ?36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 4 e* X0 `9 Z2 \, r6 |. h# y
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
; h% A3 e# M: @$ G" zlars.
& L% f( A+ T# Y6 d- M( A1 u
, W9 s" [. R; {3 A8 e% B9 F* d* Q37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of 2 g2 \, Z: G( F4 e& f
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
# e/ n l1 @+ w- g( q
. L/ E! W( T; U2 F! r) f$ Y. v38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
4 j. c& a; ?) [( @# Ldelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. 3 h# W5 N" p! I! F+ f" J
& d8 V4 L$ A5 X4 g' m39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat 0 ~9 \8 B, B' Q, ~) [) R
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. 0 H. Y3 [ s4 Q+ d2 F2 e' t& e/ Y7 n
7 ^" t+ h8 E! d! |40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
& r, M3 v* L* ^+ k# N8 t UShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. ; h9 P# _2 o, I5 Y
% e! A6 g8 R5 j41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith 1 u' N% T# v! E0 O3 P' D" W2 I
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
9 @: I0 D. E" ddollars.
. C, p$ ^/ A: C# Q- [" J0 m s4 w
, Z$ E7 i; T6 s" `4 r42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
0 i+ j9 ~& ^( r- M$ Sgarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
+ H, Q5 Y0 w! i' K1 p ^( t; \2 p( t) M/ S
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
2 I D2 A9 r" j d' ZIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
( b# P( u! W" G4 B0 w, f6 w8 _; M# V
8 A' {4 U& N. l! K( _7 E9 }44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- / K3 e$ J: m" ^% ?6 g4 j& R
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
8 P6 w4 V2 ]9 z8 H+ q0 p
S" A. U) I @6 j) H% P45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
- z' b# N; N/ S- o% s6 R3 g0 Pphis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
+ O( j! i/ N8 A" I3 {- e& g" Y# P: |3 I h$ b
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas ) U. x% A2 J0 D6 {2 s5 A
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. - ?4 ?4 n U# V# B7 K' ?
9 `- y6 V' H6 s$ \% V0 \0 N5 u5 C47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
* K4 p! X3 j# H) P0 q$ ?; Vrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. P9 W" ~+ I0 R" ]
) t, ^% ?# z- h: X
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
* {: ^: i( r% x' ~6 q1 idim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. . j K9 S& t7 u
$ u0 j0 ^1 Z( @& E/ S1 L
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, - N4 P5 \& U0 |: n* @# u {% U
Ohio, five thousand dollars.
5 o7 e+ w8 ]5 y. n- h2 \( d
# w5 `0 I+ L3 M6 i: `/ r
% q% ?* h" P/ m- F3 R! }6 ^- {" Y5 {4 O
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 6 ^" C( B0 {4 X1 d. `) L# T4 k* H
4 }( R1 d+ T, H: S
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
7 O; c* m& w$ J- A& X7 zIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. " \" h/ t, l* k
/ a/ {4 o1 O+ `4 U
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai 8 o& S v/ v, s7 w1 A1 ^9 y
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
* I0 i2 O) p3 s( M" c5 f' d, g: c# O- C5 r- R7 `
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," * ^& J! g6 F: U) {# I6 Y
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
" D. k) k3 j$ N0 [; g! ?5 t. C) D9 w8 y. d7 K
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
; T' @; r7 ], q: l9 X: Y9 BEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
+ |5 t( N- T0 n) j( Y$ I& \5 W! W' `: f' c% l$ V
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
9 h/ F) s1 s, ynamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
9 W$ r7 H% w4 Mham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
6 o* g$ J! d% F4 q5 p( W/ b) } s$ I3 k1 F: v3 m% y2 t
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, 9 F1 g3 v. m$ k/ z
five thousand dollars.
& @. E6 [* [4 V3 S* s- J. {0 `1 _6 Q
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, % u6 b$ @3 `5 |/ s, J( K5 p. M
five thousand dollars. 3 D( i$ p( M$ F& n
' f2 N' }( }1 D7 O( ZThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
. [& o5 l6 g# q2 B2 hsand dollars. 9 q* S+ b$ w1 n+ `7 |
2 Z" y8 e+ e/ M' V4 H7 T" m6 l
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 0 W' d) ^$ t$ V2 G, C
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
& c( {1 b/ \5 q" C# ~ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- / W3 k+ u& h: h
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the 1 X% y9 r+ _, C6 R3 R* I# r$ ]! n1 b
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be + k3 y; Q7 Z& b& V! Y8 C
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner [ M2 N! v/ w$ `- H
as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
* V: O7 {3 q! B1 C. }# q3 i8 q4 nof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
9 O- J4 }+ ~( V% M* d) X J! kthat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
3 O# p Z' B, U# u- O# S- Ifriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should ! t6 N; P2 X p! b3 b% E
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct ) \3 k& ~" W! W3 l
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration 2 Q0 z1 j# a+ @: U( Y
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
0 H" X/ b4 C" `, P* i* s Csum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
: h. F- U8 F3 a6 P! |! W, G0 Ethe said David and said Nathan H. Gould. ) W8 u: |) \1 ?
6 O% x b. ~. o* s# M' k7 K' j& A56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine ) u2 p/ E; n; S' g9 a: ?
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind + K- i [. u4 L- I* r# G; p9 J
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
+ e, V r$ w" U/ i$ v
4 i0 N7 L" m- r57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and }9 j! H! |3 z9 v0 ?. s
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
5 o- N# s! q) S( l& V8 dRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be * W( i# Q, m, l# g9 C
equally divided between them. * x" W3 [0 |8 w! j" z& T$ D7 b
* P7 k" d% e9 d. F58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
/ }/ u+ {& ?/ T+ j9 uthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
. i r5 j& M( w- a* f* b3 c, ^ y' ?Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my . ]" |: [9 q# T! I$ _
remembrance.
" P' Q1 s( B1 Z+ }8 Y2 v1 [ q. p, R1 I7 u4 g
; s6 {6 W1 B! _! g! ~. } G% ~, N/ o
110 American Jewish Historical Society. " v2 ]! X z3 b! L ]
8 o8 j' A; w2 u& m4 F% W* f, N
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, " r5 X N0 r# v+ \ N
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
% [9 B7 J" _8 M5 [! X, Umy esteem and kind remembrance.
- N/ q: \: d. ~/ d8 M6 k# y$ v# h
- u$ g( H' F2 ^5 y. v2 Y60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
e0 C* U# ]1 Cmy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
2 j* ~8 O0 ]# [' O R1 Ptoken of my regard. : @8 G6 g) H! g. m
4 ~4 n6 T% t9 @1 [# W61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
" s4 y I9 ^8 M) Xmy friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his 9 Q, x7 s3 R- b
wife, to be equally divided between them. 1 P( a8 a U' L8 u: l R N/ M
" ]- m1 h) j% D# ?- b1 Y0 @
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
/ U; _1 a1 q# ?" c2 mmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of & u& u1 z; w& }7 ~; s
my remembrance. , n, }' a) F b4 ~' @( E9 v* P
8 D6 C0 g8 L% D4 O
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, 1 d- e8 G2 l' c' l
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
( G( y0 r, R0 T- T, |9 iecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- + o6 Z, b6 E: l4 r) f9 y' s5 d
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase / i# W0 C2 ]# l& `2 K9 B
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
4 C3 n/ \# Z: `1 qregard.
9 I. \2 g7 i# r# ~* j1 U0 Z4 s& ~% o' p
64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, ( z1 V4 X; w. O. w( ]4 }1 |; B
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
& g" l# x/ c$ Rmemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
/ S' O( U. b9 m& h4 Bwife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
7 o/ I+ h4 Y% R: u$ l, R, x' E x) H) D1 \% k# D' c
65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 6 B5 J2 s5 j- w# C
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
Y# o' V' L3 u0 {4 S7 o% kmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of # G( ?/ }- S2 j B* _& R0 j
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans. % }8 p R; k/ [* z
. e% B7 b& W3 L i6 W, w66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
% q/ Y8 u0 n; f" Emade previously to these presents.
/ z* _$ w$ ]; I. M. A2 R ?8 x' F% X$ l" v3 y y5 N. j
Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
% Q2 n! U. |+ V* w( `0 |me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
# Y1 [) D. R, O* I, M. M- bherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the . Q1 a6 [! x7 L) k
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
: {% n/ ?+ C$ Z8 ?proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this 8 o( ]% S; M/ V# M
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- 7 X) y7 }! X7 \) `7 t/ a6 ?% n
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
- ^( Q) f/ h1 {1 m6 Npresence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
7 W6 Z D. C( t! p+ R8 y9 P
) T0 h% R2 b& oAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
; `& J+ M4 b4 }' y9 uing aside to other acts. 5 {5 I) Z+ {: h0 q+ Q4 p
7 d1 w0 i1 d& J4 h
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
* H' p5 C1 Z6 q# Xsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
5 D5 I% N: K. S; G5 d$ y' Oyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan 3 {( P) U4 R& g! z
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, * g+ S J) D7 C$ S( ]' l; q+ `$ B. {
' b! K1 o f+ w; x4 p2 ^
+ F2 [' v Q4 L
% N! x) @. S1 e% ^ _% b2 ]2 zJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill
9 K: p( u; w) D/ I" W9 r1 o6 y' v3 j$ v2 S
all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said 6 |* K ]0 D M
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
5 y! ?( x1 T/ r3 Y: Dnames. (Signed.) # e/ T& f! K8 c$ n
5 A& ?0 m5 X" I
J. TOUEO, 8 x3 _; C7 `1 r
1 y7 W4 X v2 F! p
J. Montgomery, ( d" y: Y, X5 S7 {( h4 c0 H7 M
" E h; \) h: i" x3 Z! c: b, W
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
. ^/ d$ C; b5 A' r+ @9 O7 I7 U
Geo. W. Lee, 2 G+ l9 P5 e7 n% A" K8 u! C' _6 N
" x- d6 {( }! x+ [. }/ N2 ~Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
/ l3 G, }2 U. e! J8 b9 }, B1 ~3 u! p) c; r3 w& z
4 z% ~* t" Z" \
7 \% H, Y9 e1 u& W% } h$ q3 ILIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
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~1 S% J6 [$ G! o1 i" E3 |& K+ l; m# D$ H
; c1 d: y' X. g7 V8 T7 q014 495 461 |
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