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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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/ \: ^ Q9 }9 [7 |; ~: A: D" s( g2 wReprinted from
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Publications of the
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3 G, B; g- A3 Q' O! M0 k6 [) {American Jewish Historical Socibtt, : j+ t6 q0 v. [ D/ A* I) c/ Z
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No. 13, 1905. ! J9 B* s9 ~- g
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
. H' u& o4 |; _* [% NPHILANTHROPIST.
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. , x4 H7 T+ A# ^
% G- n1 o8 C) N1 Q" vIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak 0 t/ g6 s4 {6 l. z2 ^3 \- U! K3 n
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
# @. M ?/ |! f0 tnor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the - h! A& d/ S1 E1 q" v
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
- h' G% ^+ \7 n) ifrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- 9 B9 D0 w: J2 }* W# `
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
9 K7 B$ D6 x4 E0 P; H Kconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's 2 @0 K( V0 P7 j% E
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring : z) W, C! j! t. g& ?6 q
the very name of one who would probably by common consent
# Z6 D7 h! j. u+ Ybe singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
- |$ A+ g# h: b. u, ~first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the 5 J# [% W- @5 P' E
relations between the investigations of local historical socie- - R, v9 _4 M4 [9 b& y" u
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account
1 l& N; I" k$ }+ efor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
1 Y. R; n/ O0 x5 S7 ]ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
V5 P! a9 f) q$ qspecialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
/ R& Q" n& e% w/ ?' ?. S3 L+ @torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- * k9 G( c* O; N; v; J0 Y
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in + n" i1 X! _9 R& j! O* B
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili- . Q' x# {2 B2 x% r3 {: n3 ]& F# c$ r
tary history of his . 6 J1 \0 E( }, q7 x# h2 R
W3 P( r. A- b4 N8 R
A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
/ h# R2 y4 P l) `& P! }within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by + ^% ~& P& N& Y% T; i
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
- y( b" h f2 X4 f# ifactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what / d3 ]5 \, ?* g% ~5 p
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
/ b( w4 s# D. U/ [# Y) ]Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal 2 E4 n; m5 r6 V! e
- |% ~3 p [; k- I2 Z K' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
. w- }5 @. {! v2 @& Kchants," published in 1856. ; H0 W0 G" r+ b) M) r0 _
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94 American Jewish Historical Society. ) T' x. G+ t4 e' |$ K: H
3 b' _) V! e: K) l% ~' greminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
/ p3 a1 v6 {4 j5 K% dlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
# y. q$ ~3 @+ W: L! Rleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; * B, B& \% e% _8 [
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
' |7 a4 V7 _) xlikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
3 ]0 f' H/ p7 z! r# C7 r2 Vraphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
& S# e2 G1 g% R: @) _sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
' s. d: Y. o4 w" z, ereminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago & r2 D. n3 w1 |8 n* Q9 l, a m
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
+ Z4 [$ f$ z+ C- oJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
8 T" j: D0 a9 l) u, G7 qin his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
% F( k# }, d, Tand early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
! C- c+ d7 q! e: i1 j- hmaturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
- ~2 c* K, A; f% p+ N; }4 Jguile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
5 o' l% e% B! \4 [" |% e! `3 rmore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
. @2 j3 t3 @ c9 A; oand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish 5 M5 w- H' F: u/ q. V" B/ t3 Z. ~
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
" E! `( Q+ b7 s/ T0 {& Runprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic . g5 N7 L) L9 ^/ g# h+ y2 i
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
+ Z7 ]. b# b* y2 nmunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
/ T! F3 @& b/ E: j, Q! d" I: Gimpossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
- ]& R% G+ a+ _4 @5 Qdisposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the 3 r" p: n4 x7 f) b& Y8 Z
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever ) V9 f. r) d6 i2 ?2 Y. i
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June - V" |1 |. }* y% i% v8 C; {
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
$ @4 h7 \3 V4 y. n$ x) d5 zstance that his individual career thus began with that of his
1 b/ O1 y- k: c5 D; Obeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
9 W# \' `0 h7 i" u8 c8 m) g# @ |0 ?ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
9 C& Y: _9 |8 `# j" Y/ z- Oof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by X* s, ?+ N: P s& A+ J$ X4 U
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- ' t9 p, W* M0 r9 G6 d5 X
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
4 a' _) m/ {! t; ~. q3 W* @4 Acareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac ) N1 w* P* t8 b$ Q$ K
. U) r/ c0 k: } R' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
; G2 O# O7 ?" P+ _& m' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
) Y: U7 W2 w0 N2 N+ rish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
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; E3 j, Z$ _/ e2 hJudah Touro — Koliler. 95 9 J9 n3 f7 b( x
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
- \& p5 {9 m6 |5 E0 _; \in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and - I" o7 [% ]; q/ u1 B5 R7 {
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
$ j" \) e/ M' |8 V- ndied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
& p7 u$ Y9 T# D0 P- ^bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city 4 ?9 n0 m: J# `! o7 N4 b5 r2 A
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
. _/ `! A2 ^# V8 R/ m6 _parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December ; M; Y! E4 w2 e* t
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, : Q$ s( n# `2 d6 ~/ b' {( C
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, ) d: d" j) n8 `- [
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
+ }- t. Y. Q- s( j9 Y8 Jing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- . `1 ]2 d$ o9 y% x$ z
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, $ K8 ]( t% d2 x5 A* ]- o
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
& U7 n @( U, _# n* ?those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
. E. n5 x7 Y8 `1 Cthem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were 7 l; i) G0 D& s
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- $ C7 h+ \; L5 V
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views ( h; g& l @5 ^4 I
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
% D( F8 P2 d" y7 m' u; \companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays ! H8 j) u, n& F
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the 6 W- h; C+ C& z& n& @
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
4 E+ B9 b1 W# R$ f" WMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the . O! D( l) X9 E- }- [/ j0 m
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
& P- N6 N. C: l1 A0 q/ Mwhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- ( k1 S- l/ M: Q) ~5 [; T
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these 4 b9 |. X0 H6 m: o
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which x4 v- I( @. {1 Q
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
' _6 Y; j( ~. N5 qslaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
; o* Y: O' T0 V z$ eJudah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and , L, k* m0 [" W R3 O. P2 F0 V
1 B. h) |2 q& z
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
5 d3 \ w9 o, S# U1 }: ANo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. 6 c4 v4 ~9 C% c( ]
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
8 Y I, t* `& Y* a' s7 q+ S: Xand New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences P( A- k) e \! J( F2 r
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ) W! O. M1 }: K* B
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
2 {- q Q2 f/ U/ q0 LRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. 1 V" k( r' `6 U- W2 X. H
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in 8 i9 ?! r: b9 L8 s1 O. c& f/ i
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. 0 ^& `- t4 G' a4 C! b: X# w8 X6 ]
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. % {8 o6 ~; W5 l$ |0 |+ G. `
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their - F, R8 V: p8 Q! }
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- ; O* j2 c4 a/ o! R( {0 S# ~3 _; F; f
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
6 T0 k* P t) j- ^" [, s- r9 Svised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a ) l: B: r5 }9 P9 s8 h/ F
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
/ e# b& G. n! v/ q3 _3 Pa voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends ( ~0 G- S+ R* m* \1 {$ _
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg- 3 C8 M$ z0 [# j0 a% ?
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
8 Y. L5 _ A4 q/ [! p; imade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 9 y {# ]7 p9 r( G) _
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- ! p% R8 M5 e3 n) k- a0 ` m1 q% y
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- $ f! K, Z: @+ F, p
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
8 M- ?- e# s! O, A6 |into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library : {5 ^% M+ A: X2 N5 Z
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
( @1 Z& k4 K% k1 N6 o( dBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 8 s7 }' U' Z' p& S
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- / C$ W- L* u _; G& W
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws $ U3 f5 v% A7 |3 I3 N
light on the scope of his business dealings. " r) Q6 W3 ]/ f* Z
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for * g1 Y# W+ d9 ]( S7 u4 Q2 f
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
. c+ y! Q) i* l+ [/ Fnear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- ! g% I; u( }, s. \$ m; z$ b8 F
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
$ U* \6 Z1 u/ W+ p" rand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, / G* B: x6 E) ?9 K
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
2 o5 M3 j0 V8 z. V" T) zmonth in ignorance of her death.
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# V4 B( d2 B! v# q/ u! Z( RAbraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
( P; }# y3 h, H: S7 w- g( p, V2 z' Iton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
. q' }* b' l4 {8 Naccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
* R9 D* q0 W7 L. Nespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- ; F8 W6 H$ x$ e7 k# v6 \6 s
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
7 e+ b4 Z, N/ J5 [scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
3 b) Q$ I/ ?; u* a, e8 O9 Sa substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
- g3 E' s& B) I7 J/ _8 B swhich he made further provision by his will, which contained - j, c. w: R4 p% i5 I$ R
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: B1 f) Q+ ~6 Y8 DJudah Touro — K older . 97 ' q7 u( U/ A i1 Y* q4 s% ?2 n5 b
2 F6 H# y9 \ |" \5 A7 ?a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston 6 `) e" t! e( a! H5 u% t
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
6 H N8 r3 t, H/ |3 f) J% @0 X9 BNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly 9 n s6 ]/ F- P, }$ ^0 V' M) [4 ?0 `
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
j' V, e* g; Z$ n8 n$ znizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
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1 Q1 s& D: `. @3 {) y; v' mEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- 3 Z' F3 X# S$ z) o9 N
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during : i* u, K z. E( o6 n* T: S, c+ v- m0 L
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
7 S M0 x, ~" ~# M1 U) _in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- 9 Q- r# ^" Q) C" t' V; ?
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
! b, I# G9 q7 W, ]* dteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of / j$ _, m5 A1 d0 b0 U
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 5 M8 v. a( I9 w, {8 ]
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- ( j: c% ^& B Y5 e: B; U& t4 L
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
1 @/ G0 L8 l3 K8 a D# j+ q5 c6 Lhe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
7 P2 V# M# O; mShepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
9 x3 i5 i4 v3 [/ U& xhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
: ]6 F: \% i5 wwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
3 F- h5 X/ h9 D; ]Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
+ X* o) ~- s* e7 `1 g1 y( [Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
/ K$ m$ M/ `- E4 y( `dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- 3 j( g% b) |- A
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
& y3 _/ K7 S9 N3 lbequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, / c+ t7 m. G1 @0 V8 o# q8 z+ ~
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
9 Z, g, X$ o/ N) R0 Q9 bscribed in the will itself. * K( R `/ A0 o) h# P8 M8 _
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred . V0 f: e/ s6 B1 |$ {0 x" Z
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began $ q% w. N3 i9 T7 s) A$ u
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other $ M* b0 C% Q/ e1 V& t' R3 E5 a5 z" L
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
. @7 ~) U8 W2 g, Zfriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- ! X1 f& Q1 z2 ~6 V
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every 7 j, k& n. R) Z- g
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
2 { \8 x( s5 r+ K$ R/ C7 Q! [0 Omany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain : J5 \) j" D; A/ i3 [' G5 x2 T
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
( l, \: f) U- ^. ^funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in ' U* l/ R0 G& t4 S, t9 v9 E
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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: W. a3 r$ V( @career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and 3 ^' W% a9 L$ y1 l1 W1 X+ x& m, U6 N
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- ' S/ s% M% Q) I$ u+ h; e: N; ~
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
" ~7 y, J8 Z3 u7 x: A" v) aing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to 4 l6 ^+ {2 |. P3 `# G1 E! P
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
( @2 _6 t: B$ F2 s+ h& S: rof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. % U. R9 [' l7 d, p! z) P
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
, J4 E- j! O1 D4 |& r5 }; s' H* A! I- [by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more 3 |5 j" Z- { x$ w: \9 G
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus- 6 u$ g( q/ o4 }$ B
tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
* g6 u8 H; v# N; w+ N. PHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
$ G3 w! y/ [7 H9 M7 S- yarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder-
9 M3 M4 T; K0 J. _ G8 Y5 Zstanding. 3 O* ]5 I' d3 x8 m0 E! o; g
% g3 s9 x" @" UIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was , R" g$ L1 U( O1 Z1 c) q
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
0 ^! ]! f/ P2 `& i7 Q5 Tage, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
0 I) C6 J4 r& c% Wwork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made " w/ H9 r# q% i m
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
) _4 V- u1 ^! i6 {; ^pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
5 |$ u! n: d5 h/ j7 i# f' O$ Wtunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
$ l# a* L: J* y, `yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
7 Z# {$ T$ P+ t7 f, Kwithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
& U7 E3 U% X* h3 Q1 ]; ]* z! nhis whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
5 i1 F% j" b2 [! Uthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
' F# L# L& t5 G. n' D+ u" _Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
- P' i1 r# q+ m cviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who a" d/ |1 H* A6 u# J
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
# l9 {. p6 P; Hthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring & r( I$ L; ]: [4 }9 n* D- X
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 7 }: }* Y! q8 e( |
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- * i1 @8 X9 ~$ r F0 u6 U c
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
]& W( I) N: Oof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble ' e: l% h8 Z( _1 g* Y
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
" l4 ~# n* N- v2 xglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 3 K7 ^9 D8 o% y# h8 m1 Z
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
" ^1 O( X# E) O2 C! Khomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 2 c) _! a: q: h7 B
2 R: T; Z) P$ P. j. a/ o2 d
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
" i2 }! b( g% w& n6 [' ~8 d- va man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- R5 X" O" l7 x6 W3 G
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a q W) p6 Z6 M" I" J: V+ L" B$ h: J
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn ; B" S0 k5 a+ I2 `
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 2 L1 f8 E4 F' L# f& n/ H0 a
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
g" J: n8 M5 y6 E* Q- J- \millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
) A, j3 M/ i$ n( j- t ~of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
# a; R6 I) N1 M) P% i5 G Tdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
: ~. a- Y3 W" Y5 ^wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
! t. L' H; [' ?% \& ]reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
- U1 x" y, q$ k; d+ i1 M9 ecence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
9 U5 X# P- A, m+ P: {splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ) U% Z4 h7 _ ^6 Z+ d/ X
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
$ r# N3 `* M# ]. N4 X- @6 Yreturn to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, ; D3 ]/ Y) L. j9 R% [' Q
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He % e& o' Z; U1 t+ ^) T
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and , P9 z( D8 W0 M8 a$ r$ a0 _" b1 F
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
( G: m2 A# t; \8 w5 K/ Wpassion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
+ s+ g- F7 T1 U# K7 E1 Da miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
1 L! c' n( V5 j, l7 \from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
4 u( a! T* B G1 Estealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions, / k% \9 W$ ~( c( M# m
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- 6 _& P9 L) ?7 `* V. }
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to ) Y) H4 g7 @3 {: \( H4 q2 |* w5 h
liberal and benevolent deeds." , S1 L V8 r7 V- S
* E& A1 R/ G' i
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess 9 x* K3 S% I4 b6 k
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
2 V: _3 e/ v% Vpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- 1 L7 w: Q* w6 F* e" A5 k
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
. \$ b1 F* ^% S$ Kare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when 8 t h' F; O0 D$ z ]: T/ H% T; f
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
, J; K! u$ @4 r& kcommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
4 U0 h8 j+ X1 D; @' t1 e! @1 ithe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- " K7 t3 [" o3 u/ v! g
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
& X: g& ]" M% o. o# Z7 htheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
- m: }7 L# \( v% T5 calready in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. 7 d+ {; \+ M( X
5 `7 D! h% Q3 B
2 R$ A, h L# i* ]0 j: ?0 X# L4 I/ t' n6 b0 Q- v- s
100 American Jewish Historical Society.
w1 \8 J# n! D- G; J
+ C8 l d. C* nAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material & c- i& r( z8 i X1 o
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
8 U6 Y, V' F ~5 s& ~7 PEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately & P b- v" Z8 L% j$ s8 d
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of 5 D$ h2 F$ L5 K u
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- i! _1 l, w/ `: V
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- * s" I6 E/ b W! L
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his : U9 h( i* {' N b' R2 |
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
. X" F! Q9 y) ?0 H9 I7 bseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 0 F% n# v! p1 t
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- % D6 f2 |7 g" h/ |
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 7 ^! [, V* ?8 i( C+ a6 u7 i. ]! r4 S
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
/ f, Q0 x; Z- `- N% I$ uand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication 0 {! L% r9 `# t( Z, q2 _9 u
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of ! H/ F' G7 N9 K4 {$ v1 N) @, J, D
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity 9 t" f& n+ x5 u$ _/ O. G
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these 2 n7 u& { c# n v# ^. {
lines, since become famous : # v/ g! I( b& J8 X& R
5 V0 o! J- \) P. MAmos and Judah — venerated names! # G- j0 l8 m( v9 p4 Q
9 |1 F# s( K" P0 A4 _6 l
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, , `, S$ h. I2 _3 c/ |' O# o
& O1 N4 [ ~: [( o7 W8 p" ?
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
6 `7 F0 |* L7 F' y3 H) b& n- m5 L' w7 q6 M! e
Each aids the work by giving it a check. ! f. a) A% `0 y5 f' p) b
. q7 f% ^; ~9 n: T; c [' y$ BChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan — 3 g/ S9 m/ d& }; v" x: y; J
$ I- i7 G( G: p) \. {/ c' i* L
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 6 z/ K Z9 R9 b; ~; d
# n4 j k/ q% [' h/ T+ ?" f
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
% v: d0 w9 N2 Y, H/ @( Pthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often # }+ x7 e. _& g0 L, g. u
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
& w: [; H5 \, B4 Q1 g% R, a) V |! [in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
r* M. d* ?- [; b2 m9 ]tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
/ s( H0 I$ u; g4 ~ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
2 m4 G" d O! F000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised % `, Q6 r% J* M! _ {
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- 7 d% m) n8 M, h) }6 `- W
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
2 Z) ]/ q4 t( Y! b+ A: e5 hoccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
( o5 v, ^3 ^ L1 O- u( amany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- : s% k) I/ F7 _9 O/ j+ L
4 [! X# y& u+ \" m( |* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. " r7 A: M! A4 w- L( M; V
8 I8 z6 R# V5 b1 d
2 f2 w8 S1 o3 \5 a5 z3 ~- E N& {; X% Z. D% N
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 3 ?, |. ]" B4 n" b! S# M5 {7 C
( Z# R2 O, C, T
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested # G' |" d+ K; @# d7 r
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, ) t, O$ q) C$ |! \. Q( i9 I/ R
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I 8 A' o2 l. ~5 z
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
$ J. ~% ~4 U" u9 l; k9 s+ mto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
2 p! p$ ^$ R. j' K/ N, {) c! Phim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister 2 j* R7 l! y* L1 O; j
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he ! N, g& I# ^2 i+ b D. D3 `7 X
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be # `, ] W( H& L0 n# z) `3 @ j5 c
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary ' x; l$ i0 R5 j! m8 C$ W
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
& _3 @7 t% c/ C+ D6 k/ Ucame interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " + P1 k: P2 Y# q2 ]. ~5 _% z' L) a
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's 4 i- E% {5 A: Q
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
+ l& @. C* q8 z" A# r+ L" G% hsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he S/ R3 w! ~% }8 {5 o5 G9 A M
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 1 y. K: K4 c5 D4 D( ]9 s
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected ( B+ z# `3 i2 W$ ]' a9 C9 h9 h
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- % I! v( x+ g" ]5 o0 V" P! O y
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- - I/ G7 }, P! X* m5 _) d
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed $ V" d/ q4 [) e" e1 [+ o
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
, n' O" H7 u) S6 A" x+ O% ~tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 3 Y7 `; w1 k: ?0 X' s
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
o2 Z/ D4 X' I+ b( x. g0 ZClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
/ @/ G: |+ |' S. ^ b, k3 Z- Lnever heard of but one religionist in the United States who
4 Z4 @$ N, _+ S. v+ gcan be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of $ e* V* Z1 c: T* J4 ~- r
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
, `9 K* k9 U' e/ u, c' z& B2 Xon other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- 8 Y& _0 B. y- g! u9 ?/ J
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
: ?) \! K% A. q/ u9 p/ K0 P4 ~scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. + f# i% V. s% d& B, }0 ?
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated 4 E6 R0 y3 k7 m2 o/ {7 t% J' @
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni- 1 }" b" e9 i- y; S: e; f X3 J
hilation." % y3 s; X& J/ d# X
: R& e! J' c, F# UOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- : d# W: t5 J* z1 A3 Z
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
/ x0 P' @" z) O$ mhim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
' v% W( L% r8 E$ \: D9 A3 `6 vties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
6 U4 x5 ?% o- T' U$ V8 R# m6 Y& C: Z& N) x" a5 q& j
! @: G+ @ i- h* l- G7 X
* @. E1 }6 W# ~2 k' P+ G/ |: l
102 American Jewish Historical Society. 8 b* n% C y' ]; {
5 `' e- ?/ Y$ I$ E* m" {7 Acharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued ( x' _1 j" x5 |
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his & O \" `4 h! O& R
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
" m& ^& V7 l2 {+ qtions in most distant sections of the country, would have
0 F8 C7 a/ \. `+ L2 {/ R+ W, h" lfound their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
5 R- U( H5 L$ p( `# p5 L+ Cnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
3 H, A, k/ K" c0 i$ x2 a5 \) P& T5 { Msummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be- : B* z: _& S! v7 F
quests, as follows : 3 x# d2 a& Q+ h8 V
" K9 ?' V5 \. X+ Q
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
- o$ @5 ?4 q. d' t( ` P$ ?# h& ahe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to 0 M+ x9 ]+ F5 Z! p# {
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
0 g' ~3 x3 I1 B& K( f5 v' P8 Snot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will : ]- k) L5 @' @
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in 5 M, X; \ o) u6 u" n
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in $ s: S3 U- i: h2 @1 v$ W
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- 0 D* n2 J' P9 R' i
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied ( {7 ]9 t- Z0 s2 \
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of 9 V5 }' V( B: T; V+ z/ I
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
4 K4 _7 i+ K* Qthem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
* P% M6 Y# q# d! D3 i7 w; d# [( Kblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He 5 C7 [8 q' c% v" Q
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the . C, L4 [! T* r U% C' a3 n; ^
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
% P) C6 Q" Z( s5 x* j# R5 a/ }4 T0 Oinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish - o9 b$ b/ ?; a5 @: p5 g. D
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 3 ?- q- M0 x8 d' ~* h
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to - r' x. N8 T! U6 _; ?" R# Y* u
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
1 @% I+ T- T7 m, T" Pbenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
" n. m; U3 @- x sinto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
' C: u3 z+ l( D3 ?) K! bIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
2 k% B$ u1 Z2 J/ l) ^7 ?tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
8 N4 t Z, P2 r2 m( I1 @West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost , a8 I* V- H# t+ m- f6 Q
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
% Y3 U* s- D& ~, u( THim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
* @1 @& `3 s( g2 R) Y1 n
6 K. x' d, C; C1 u° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
& K7 n3 A! e B+ Kit is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of _! j( V; d2 K$ W: K+ L
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their . }& k2 R. }# s
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
) c( @$ h- [9 J# \& R' gobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- 3 F; R4 o$ `' E& Y) e" u
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have , x/ X% }: m, i" s: f. h
omitted no deserving Jewish community. " I# X& ?3 u8 x+ X& z3 s
" _3 n& n; \; E" |, x; }/ a/ A8 U7 m$ ]/ \
% q4 D' f1 E+ I8 T
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 % r* ~ c2 \6 t# \/ [) e' W0 ?! Q" q
3 Z, I: V& ~, dcrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
S( K7 M$ |3 _; P2 Z0 Q% A; R3 d3 Qhistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are / r$ P! |0 ?0 Y5 J( M
subjected. 1 D# Y8 x- H9 ?0 e
/ C1 `0 n( ~, Y: nOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
* q5 m: x* \: U0 Q5 J, q2 n5 qshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
! M$ s- g0 o/ s( b1 VSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor- % y; F( n1 |3 `# T+ |# }; J+ B' n
ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
2 N7 J& d( z |brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
3 D; J1 _" n) a7 Jish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious ( V: e2 P+ t- f. l- j' {
temptation.
; y1 M* v9 b3 h: k3 ^5 ]8 r* v1 S# M# X$ P& L- {+ Y9 l; r
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile - M4 o* c/ e! {7 K. o
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, : Y4 ?- s+ v5 U- {
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, ; N" L) D+ |5 i6 i3 h, l
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
2 U! U- ~( T) e( Z+ {8 x- O; nattended by delegations from the numerous organizations he " x2 `/ r) n# l$ J5 V2 l
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the 1 t3 _- U% Q h% u( s6 o( J
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of 5 i! ]; m! O8 Q( B/ X
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, : N* |% L$ _5 C% _& r" M. }! @; C
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
! |7 b6 T, u- \" {& p5 I( `2 kthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells : k7 n& K, Z0 H' B4 q5 S% A
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
8 S& u7 ]7 w. U- p' x/ G, uwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were " j$ U' m @, J7 V2 }) S' E
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- 2 K) w q' t, C5 d1 o
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew * r- @) e8 M3 ] Q6 w4 s2 x
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was % m. Z1 w1 E! w8 \* i% y
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
0 \ x1 y7 s, i* fJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
5 H) J1 ?# O6 {were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
( g, t7 x& |1 Q: wphilanthropy.
8 t' h, y y2 Q% q5 p/ w* @$ I+ M7 L- p: s% [* l4 o: I2 f* ]
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
3 d, [) r l( K5 S, J( alowing appropriate inscription : " |) _7 Y" F g5 K" H2 ^9 z" h! T
, Q, }) s/ o+ Y( x5 g0 Z% oBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; 8 z8 M7 B8 ~! E& ^; f' E
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ( }5 U, J4 N( F* D) b! _
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- 6 l3 _# @% P& i1 e
thropy 4 j! n5 y: V, E. \' z$ _) D# O
To be remembered forever. - A% V9 {# Q- E
9 # Y8 r. I s0 D( h
! `0 G3 {8 ], d2 ^& I
5 s/ f6 A; j) X p% w; o# x
! O+ \& b k2 T& H( I104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
0 z+ k3 Z3 ~/ w5 F* C
5 w/ N, k4 K. ?7 O5 [WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
" Z6 Y+ p1 T4 L) g/ O: l/ q: P, M. l/ W" _, j* z3 ]
United States of America, + c, ]$ d" Q( Y
' r$ I! @: k8 m( n/ K; v+ D$ c
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. * x9 i0 y# e4 s! u* {
/ _" i3 s, g1 c* k3 d" n0 f9 \/ S- `Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
; g: ^; p3 R/ q) r8 r1 I! Dour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 2 v) O6 O& K# g/ b# J- T2 H& o
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter " \0 \. {. T9 K. v1 w
before 10 o'clock a. m..
0 `1 P% R2 n$ g1 {% {, ]+ f- D
: r; e8 ?# ?1 f- XBefore me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
1 [5 y' O; h9 e- ~! K" a$ a$ x2 ~, }city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn,
4 t4 c1 y' Q: L ~3 E' A% nand in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- $ {& V% H; S2 T$ o1 X
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- ( d+ G' C5 V& B* |
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
9 k, R& D1 S' }8 Y5 A/ _. W/ w4 @; c' R
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, 7 p' }, |" u- Y9 K# T
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
- P; c1 b" H5 J8 b, U/ T+ ?room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
, H3 F/ v; X/ y1 x" N4 ~sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
- Y6 H+ U; J( a, B8 X6 msaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
( t( M( h! _1 F3 N% |Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- & G3 H4 `. a) [3 d$ l0 @# {
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
: r! }6 ?9 K' apresence of said witnesses: & C/ r0 O: a0 r4 X' h
/ h4 x0 \6 v( W' ]1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
# X' i1 D0 g2 e' ^6 o3 Y* G- o# l* Y& F" E! [( ?' v, H, F
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
" z+ c1 |% t) P9 hCemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after ; z5 R/ b" Z& D, M7 F8 N S7 U
my decease.
+ L' T$ a+ V6 _8 B7 K( D3 F: a/ G
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
3 k9 {' y/ |+ C' ?! R" _. J7 W+ |Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
0 J }; R, }( I3 u# KNew Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
* Y7 h5 r- R1 J. A' |, t) }5 ?8 sAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
1 _9 r9 W3 ?# V" I7 Dtors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
' J' A: ^7 k! e( Aing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said * g. i2 |& {' G1 n$ b E$ k7 m) y! A
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
; {0 ^( O6 N; U' o& LDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
3 \+ v8 w9 Y8 Z& y" Csum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 3 V" E/ K8 H2 F7 e
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
1 ?$ j* g( h8 }# S6 {also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
; i# g$ X) `( mrendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
4 N; a; s$ `$ S1 E2 L/ Kbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
J- A" O6 ~3 ]5 M' ias aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
- E! H) S- @/ @ Hmy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
8 g5 C9 Z* ^" i4 M/ [under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
3 s- `4 Q0 P6 \ ]& ltion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, 4 e$ n3 u2 O. G; `2 v! s7 a; {
. [" ]1 e9 [- C0 j
. @: h' G4 T9 h" J# F/ `8 P4 R0 L* d- }2 Y0 n! z
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
5 D5 T# H6 _! i7 ]. R4 |% t8 r
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
; C) v2 b/ ^0 B. e% r y, Y, S9 @herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts 6 i2 ^* ]+ v, H h1 ~
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
# `8 r+ m7 k% R3 Emy estate, movable and immovable.
6 C1 j9 o7 _+ s- Z& N
0 @, u' S' S- C( R7 Y3 b, hIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
6 D# G1 B; C- G& g( a& ^of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
Q! T3 [* ~ A6 p/ cor Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last ; S6 K* o; ]2 q
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more ' [+ o, K2 I" m0 `' K) G
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
. g$ y* @2 Y& Z9 C( }# i/ \4 Qcase, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of 3 T+ M6 `5 @* A. a( u- k" I
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- 8 w( {& E% |- o2 V- r
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made : m5 y9 H/ o7 h3 p! r* Z* d8 h
to them. ! x Y9 q# z. J* j: @
. n2 X7 N; a* H6 }/ a4 W% \) _4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in ( c3 E) A) t" f- H6 a3 Q
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
* |/ h. @# q9 S6 G! f( _- K5 `the same shall have expired.
; u& U# `) i" o7 y& K/ n
9 z h7 p+ a( S: x/ t5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of % P- s% s+ d9 K8 |! ]
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
+ ]/ {& s% e* k% z6 m+ M. B: X |directed by this my last will or testament. ; X U# U7 ?, p, B" d7 @5 i2 i: u
\ O/ Z) s8 E2 Z/ `6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
, f0 G; Z7 L2 H. `persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
% \$ H" K" B: u% o2 ]property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their 3 R, p/ }4 @8 j) _& [8 j
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of ( I; X" v4 Q/ ~
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
4 d# ?! ~& @5 n1 uthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation, 9 k1 P) L( J' V2 @ x
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David % P/ E' X% ~/ u/ i: w8 S
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- * h- j9 R! g3 D6 Y- A2 E" }; H
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
! W: f$ P6 n. J7 e1 G( ^gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their 0 W0 e9 | d7 c# w
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
, v$ w: l/ f, n. Vmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
% D/ J+ F0 i# N q% rstrictions. 8 k6 }# m. F) Q+ W
% ]: Y& C( y& Z* r* o2 e/ s8 s
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 1 H, e4 [. b3 U; Q1 T3 y& h
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
* y9 a" M$ }: H I+ \% ~sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building ( L7 V) q" J0 K# h. A: n
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- $ ]- h6 @; C4 Z% L; I2 m
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- d! }% @0 H4 z# _. O0 A1 m! e
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- 1 P" D/ T6 z* O& _9 A" T
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them 7 Y# ~) x9 H! n: I! {
conformably with the laws of Louisiana. ; x- e% A) P7 g+ G
' Z7 H5 Y# }/ U* v! o
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
/ X1 c; i8 f9 H' B6 \2 a2 INew Orleans five thousand dollars. ( o" \: A5 z [, A
4 s* k9 H3 Q! m) i
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
1 ]1 b* O1 @) S* T x; D8 z; z" Cgarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
7 D2 r: B' e9 U* \8 H; z4 V) w8 U* w7 U3 S9 [# O8 s; ?/ W
0 V/ c: c; K: S0 k8 r
, _3 y0 }: D: j* E% v& s, R1 T( }/ P l2 z4 o106 American Jewish Historical Society. ; E) F* p: S" |
. K8 Y: j# X2 N' [1 q! k
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
1 U" A. p1 ?. P% _5 JNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
% C+ O; }& Z' X; ~0 e) K/ F: d- _. c3 o" s" m, v& N& {) F. ]
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society y6 L9 \7 Q% v& B) D
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
/ |7 s" }7 q( k( F" W4 M# n: J" U6 C
( [- X. ]2 E, P2 T3 B5 T/ Q12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
& v+ y5 |, ~7 ~7 e+ F8 lOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
# h* G! m& F: S. r" b1 p5 X B( }$ P: q3 m3 L. I- f/ m$ z
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- ! U( `/ |* k1 D- y; Z9 f1 o X
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. ' x% C0 A# I8 C. x+ \" Y
( u6 p' \' |0 S$ h& u# _% i) ?& f7 \. W14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief # `4 @) {+ P' s# M2 D$ q
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- " T# n2 `3 |. n% y1 d- }* y6 o
lars.
4 p& I* I2 @% L5 K, F6 Z/ r0 C+ L9 O2 `- W
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
1 w c2 T& v; Y: s' Y/ w x, j2 [1 wAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- : r# b1 y* n1 N9 G" C& o
sand dollars. 3 h" C1 d2 g7 a3 `; }) `1 W% D
N- w( o' U; M0 Z16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
6 w3 A" t3 ~0 c+ I( i2 Ulum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is ) u8 d. [! N, c( v3 z2 @* k) L
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
, E* v) B$ s1 i: J+ b+ vdollars.
2 t# `: P4 w/ a2 F6 {5 K7 v. s2 x' ~, Q
: G* H& D- M: F" u6 X4 F- e6 f7 y$ T& y17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
3 E! `# L. R2 g" D8 A$ W- Dfive thousand dollars.
6 q8 u, |, E: J$ ^. R! ]( u1 g: s1 l! P+ U3 d5 L0 ~ r
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- , D: Y# ?6 z$ _ ~4 P8 k( s f
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
- j8 _; x7 S1 V- Z" @8 V+ E+ J, M1 e6 O7 |
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First : o( L) |/ ~$ ]' ]6 ~* o0 j5 v1 m
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
, ~. k( N$ @0 {4 i; Q5 ]
- q# t6 g1 G! a1 K6 Z6 n9 P1 x$ G20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
2 ^& V2 {' O# i k2 n# L" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
8 ?; \ O2 |6 L% I3 I8 hcontributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
$ k+ o" M. g7 Uin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) 4 C8 x2 G2 e5 ?# O! {- G
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be 6 d' _' Z& D0 V1 O( `
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
& L) ]& R4 O8 J! w. `after my executors shall have legally organized and established
' b: J: h4 A/ _ Msaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
o: y: J+ M$ @! H+ S2 W4 Badminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 6 B! R( q. F/ y/ E
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
/ M) p5 n2 r* X/ Z6 Tjointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- 0 h* T5 E& p* A$ U' X1 S( S
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
+ z: @& T# L* J3 \/ p; Nthereof. 9 T' A# f2 y/ L$ d3 b4 B# M4 I- o
7 @/ z$ ]) K) F* `: {/ l
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of 8 s2 b" m1 c# l6 w* L/ }
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that , G# R/ a; C- x* V) U
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the : n, C0 J7 h. Z4 G( l
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept 0 w8 V! I& g5 o7 m. @; B2 Y; }+ s7 c
as a public park or promenade ground. ) z/ o( _( Z0 C* Q
: |2 {$ G4 J+ _, G% L22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport 5 N, E3 L" E. K$ J" i# p5 \/ f. U
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. 8 b6 T# e1 [2 D- }
3 S& ?* F2 _5 S" ^" K5 p; {
. f0 H' Q0 @4 p8 J: |
, Z. q& ]2 y1 Z3 _Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 / o: f* T' p7 A1 _. r7 g
3 d2 P0 P" e3 e$ O2 }23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
+ d0 q+ S& b+ I6 _: P0 r8 nShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
/ z" B+ Y0 a& ?5 r) u( e c% K1 A& m! a7 @1 ]* W6 r
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
6 G: X; |" ]6 w, b6 hford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 6 |, y$ {* P% A# N
' k9 I3 U J3 @; e
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New ; \" e- M t+ u8 q
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
: L1 \) p# u$ y9 q3 Q4 V; y7 s" p' c) e8 x. w+ e
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
5 s* k. ]6 W0 C9 J* zfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and 2 J0 {% G+ F8 I% d& D7 k( }7 A
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
' i7 n$ M" G2 R5 c4 p; t3 Bten thousand dollars. ) l$ v5 _+ o$ m. z
( H5 ]/ |; [& ]$ [& ?7 d* c
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
1 E1 S# K; ~% c RMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to ( m/ \2 R1 {3 Z& }) @# n
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
! i8 B& D7 N' w) B0 P6 Y9 _the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
1 |7 _( S, w! \/ r) i5 q/ T6 L+ M. Hworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
9 j0 ?% `( n( x. v( B* i" K9 kmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- 7 C5 c1 {& K! K* E% e
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through 1 B. i0 i8 M& A3 O0 B& K
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
1 y# c. d! n ^( [3 n) yas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
. t5 T+ I8 X/ _+ j/ Q6 H( h. vany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- n- C+ L9 n! N8 n
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and
6 s ~3 R* O2 ^7 d& Y# z6 K( Yin that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars % e, k* O! T* C3 l. t- z8 d
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the % M3 Y- Z8 S8 ^' t/ g
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- _0 `6 N9 u7 y" r& ?
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, ) U: i3 h1 j; A+ Z% K3 `! C H* q
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 0 N y+ M0 x% o- e6 @8 I0 R
my last will.
6 B! y- `( N3 X. [3 Q
& h* X% `3 n. H" b9 n# e; d28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
' I N7 D+ B2 \/ Lhave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
, [* |- f& f$ v% O/ ^6 f" m. awhich in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, ' c" ?: P# R b b
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
" M9 Y) f8 `. Y4 ?1 ~respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
9 V1 J9 |4 h- y1 [thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
" s# [) ?3 U9 E! Q: w& P3 T2 G, w* ~# L) adesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
P D5 k) E( G$ W2 Xexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- 7 B- o" q+ |2 n7 q6 o+ B7 E
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to " H( z( v# J# P4 D; [0 A- C
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. , m7 O3 _% [$ J1 b( ]. t
0 M& H, P$ l. C) d/ p# ?
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the 6 D. P m' V ]- C1 W
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. ' T1 S( y; [9 ~9 x- u
! b; v( D/ F. x/ X* m- f. V30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society - A+ x( H. _! s; ~# @
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. " I. S% n- R' s; d5 n
0 }$ A5 \5 R( ?! {" a$ c31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
8 M- H6 U( r7 a4 k: a2 S$ {" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
+ S& U3 P: v0 n! Y; {# R4 n7 e9 }5 }7 H- x5 C* s' Y0 v. _
9 o" v$ E" g; W
# U V( D% u _
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
, [$ A5 P" Y: J1 b0 \8 i3 {. n# J0 z! G/ [. y# K: k7 q$ h g* S
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund 9 p+ y0 o( k* O
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
+ b9 {' `5 a7 P0 w) p7 w3 HCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
, Y( }7 A6 L+ }dollars. , O" m! Z9 N+ I
* n* f" F( F) f/ Y$ V5 h; e4 K/ T0 c33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- 1 |5 C% Q: j4 H" F; C- [
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
9 G7 b0 z6 X/ n2 v hthe sum of three thousand dollars.
8 m7 V6 |" Q+ R3 k% l& U. b* S
- E# ]( j6 m$ O/ J; B7 @9 T$ {34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- ) ] Z) o7 f+ O7 d
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. / X! M& @& X8 Q- G( L, N4 b. ~
; t& F) \' V7 p3 ^! P7 }- [35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 5 {9 L* O# ~; u! V3 o3 O' |
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
0 O8 K/ d/ l4 T+ ua directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
9 J, G5 _$ Z; _0 h8 o2 w. bKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. # J6 @: x2 L) Z0 z# n
$ |# o6 |3 \1 q. W" a5 t9 F" t36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
! m1 f' y- l zciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
; [5 E8 Z4 D4 F& Mlars. : w+ ~0 l6 S( |# Z, K+ L
7 |* l6 l1 w6 r0 A2 q8 v) e37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
0 u6 {& s5 _# D/ L& V+ W, Q0 z, TPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
) T- c6 d& G$ h% k
3 |+ ]; P! q( s/ w) [38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- * J5 R$ v# T$ a; N
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. . f5 ~6 o$ i% L: ]
" @# z( M% m# G* n& P
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat 9 E; w" n3 ]3 d7 z. ~; y( {
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. ( u+ ]& o6 [0 |# J
d8 M9 A4 p8 J: L- \) g1 M
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth 8 J, E" J5 ~$ O
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
* T3 o& q6 s) e1 B) Z% m
5 y2 v9 c1 B U2 g* F41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
$ z/ n" G2 t. GIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand * V, z/ h3 U) c
dollars.
2 |5 }: P4 ]# ?5 m$ V* P! ~, K) h7 E) K3 @! a8 t
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
! y$ ]$ C/ e. g% n3 ?+ `5 [garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 7 R6 \: J1 C0 g" r* t: l
, Z, @/ T! Z5 M5 q7 [/ Q
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
0 ]7 b$ B$ ^& _' vIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
7 |( l& N6 T& x* s% C& O& h
) D% O* I) D4 w5 r44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- 1 @* m& m! m. w# r( z7 I9 q: x) t+ c* L
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 9 r+ x: ^8 z& h; \3 x
0 i: f3 P4 [- f/ W& h$ g45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
r/ A* W9 T' |phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
3 _9 l5 \% U' ]7 O- R4 \
! d9 S) d8 S9 c% Q9 {46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas ) C& _4 I) s+ L+ N* @) r& @5 W
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
7 }5 h O5 i- D) g6 B w0 q- z' K, j; F8 i) c: L
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
5 W$ u0 f$ {/ Krael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. 8 W# X" H0 S! J& S0 i9 |* o0 Q
9 ^/ o% X& y1 e: C3 d3 z' Q
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- `* w5 U6 n# l( V p
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. - l. [8 h! E: o
& [7 g4 \# G: A1 E49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
0 ?3 w0 H9 F0 lOhio, five thousand dollars.
( s3 f! H- I9 ^) V0 r0 c5 ^5 }0 H" ~+ V$ w, ]9 z
* i7 Y5 {8 @& r' i1 i; a0 ?( D
) ]- z( D' Y7 n! bJudah Touro — Kohler. 109
! T0 H1 a8 S1 W
: E" o# {" [! N! Y- I50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
, i: O7 V {, ~- BIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
# c& \; x9 L9 c$ _% h, I0 H- @) Y. Q) W9 f; m
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
9 [2 P& T! B) pEl," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
, Y; ^& V5 T; O, A/ y. Q" b% p; c, x# q3 F. }9 H
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
4 `) O, p/ x: T* Q; {of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 1 o$ C( H/ Y, b* @
~, h7 a$ v4 V1 O9 q' O53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
?' Q( O7 N" i( d3 HEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. ( l0 S% V) Y" O
& d& m O7 X& u8 [2 {, k
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
% P5 W5 R3 [# F/ E/ E# t, Gnamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
7 s3 z: K0 i9 e0 i5 nham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
. p: J8 m, v) o: R+ K# Z( i+ I
( L& O8 T( N# i2 K! Q; ZFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts,
: z+ i1 J2 x2 b9 d9 q7 i6 ffive thousand dollars. ( ]1 t0 Z9 Q+ l& \7 u6 y# s( g
2 V, |+ y3 V: D/ Q1 H3 JSecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
9 i4 Q* b7 m; {+ ~4 f" K ]five thousand dollars. 2 l, l x' N! q
( Z0 N0 ?- \6 r0 T7 C
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
* w5 m: M) G9 S; t- ~: Csand dollars.
+ X: x6 |" @& ]& e4 X9 U- i+ s5 |7 _- w4 S1 t+ j0 y6 ?0 `2 c
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 7 ]! b" q( V; c! A" F2 S
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- & Z/ @ h6 A0 a3 L" o
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
2 f! r$ U3 {1 Z7 R+ z$ \3 j3 wistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the 1 H- ?# H Q& Q" d' Q
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be * W- n) P! T9 q. `+ |, G
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
! P* Q) }7 m% `) M! ~% gas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
) T) q2 K/ T6 q t( o7 R; b, Uof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, ! z2 [) C. N& ]" W6 ]! @, D
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
% b9 H, k, v$ H( Y1 b# p0 Lfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
' j6 m! R$ L% Acontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct 2 K8 a r. Z* K$ V# S
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
' v: Q L6 W" @ J F$ Gof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
$ b n5 d9 J( c- Gsum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, 0 i% D) B/ S3 d0 o* S: d
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould. $ [/ l$ C$ }4 }5 l
6 l' a0 h) b' y6 j$ s" h56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine 3 V, {' i. a! ~8 M: M5 g+ B! }0 u
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
# ~, y( l1 s% x1 u q7 n0 }- nremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
8 o) Z; q/ G7 Q' B1 Z# P5 i- Y, s+ L
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and 6 {( l( b0 E. \
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
4 @! O3 q5 g4 I8 E9 S8 G1 ZRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
- c+ U* K- Z* G! Xequally divided between them.
# _ n) ]/ M+ B8 B- t2 {3 l. O8 X. ?0 q
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
& s/ x4 r) v- Y8 [) h. hthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
+ V4 ]) K% e0 V+ LVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
' `, A& h' Y! { |9 `, \% w) lremembrance. & V$ s. K- J; ^4 U1 p
- ~- P& X( m* M/ n9 y
# q: e. Y2 F( V% W' |
% ?9 b T- ]$ `7 C2 c110 American Jewish Historical Society.
- }( Q3 d) M9 x& Q( p. X; u
% Q& e) ^: l. q. G) \* a59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, 3 M7 q* \( X3 K2 P
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of 5 y% e& J# k$ h5 ?0 O% p
my esteem and kind remembrance. : k Q: r, z l/ D( Q- g1 S
% W6 Y* l4 a: g& q60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
7 ]9 p6 r$ x& Ymy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a ! O4 {/ x" f! S3 G* m" b# h
token of my regard. # Y& l& r- X! F" T) }* f* |4 K: F& A
$ y$ D3 |* u; n# L8 P3 r# |
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
2 S! }0 C$ j1 r9 z6 \9 K1 @my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his 2 n N$ c7 F3 R; [* U# \! ]. v
wife, to be equally divided between them.
+ M( z# ^4 T- P! n( |# }4 B/ @. E& I6 }1 d) W# Y
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 3 k8 H& m. W/ t5 f& B5 C6 d
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
9 J2 ?$ R& U2 n$ @7 R' i/ S5 ^my remembrance. * D' }( G j' Y1 C
3 q9 i& n6 }* L63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
8 b( \" z6 W# q: j" \# z Iof Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- 6 i) k! m4 k$ d6 B; a! V
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
2 H# n0 s# t1 q2 Q6 b$ zlars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
0 x5 U) c* X3 l" O/ N1 S, aof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind 1 R( w0 G1 E1 T1 W1 {
regard. - }. p& M3 Q+ m% j9 ?7 C6 }# ]! H
- q7 G2 \3 l$ G# s2 N! R% M64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
/ n# P! g- m, j; J' c* n9 n" H# Pto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
. _, A" O$ `2 i2 g1 ]memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, / n: G& q. @: a" F9 h
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
3 i) U: B( s0 fto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
$ x0 t$ r% _ K/ c& T* ^0 j0 o: ^memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of : u7 M3 `+ L( j# X0 l
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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. b1 z% n/ |! V+ W( _0 c. ? M; o66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
% z% R4 L; m+ R, I' M+ T5 mmade previously to these presents. 7 O( q8 s# x7 I" v8 K
2 c, d) m- x; A* RThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to & K5 f7 b6 `' h1 S, p
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
7 X2 q( W- f _* v& Sherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the & w) a( a" e# z& V U2 q( X- E
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
0 E6 x* b9 f6 n1 ]3 s" ]; Hproper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
7 k' R+ }$ Z4 itestament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- % q0 T. v9 ?& p! L3 J q0 h
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same ; F/ o8 `+ q! ~) n, g' L& l
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. " z3 }8 J$ o5 {! C" J
# e8 P& F* ?2 n: a5 Y7 ?8 eAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- " k( B/ p1 _- o7 O7 o$ V
ing aside to other acts. ) f' G: x2 g2 }0 j
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
' g; \6 l3 U- P6 m$ s1 Zsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and 4 ?9 ~7 U; w! c2 V0 I, Z
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
6 Z4 F* |% L5 \Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, ; g. a# `/ B7 ~9 L2 K
9 w+ b, B0 J, t6 f
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Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill 2 ~4 t" v4 F8 r
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said 8 q, S" P% g% y' I6 W$ K: l) z
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
3 @7 d" Y" w6 o% k, S1 E& dnames. (Signed.)
5 O. O. D6 k5 X- y+ S! u! N8 d0 L. L0 |
J. TOUEO,
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J. Montgomery,
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H. Shepherd, Jr.,
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Geo. W. Lee, o; x- Y3 t, u) I. P
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Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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9 I& \* A& z& ]! g5 i$ _' J7 {# A+ a; e. b ~. x
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 4 B- N$ _5 l1 o8 S8 A# L
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9 K" U: Q, H1 ?% b1 M* a X9 y014 495 461 |
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