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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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. N) ]4 P: L% @# x' |JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND % e0 _- r- i3 q- Q1 ^) e
PHILANTHROPIST.
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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( q' ~2 J. _3 M( ~Reprinted from
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1 k$ n0 e7 i! X" c; x+ P$ bPublications of the ( G( Y% ] O+ d0 C$ U
( m% n- B& B; p. c& | _" ~American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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No. 13, 1905. 7 i: z+ v. J8 ]: I. \' N
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND # i- J' f) a) E
PHILANTHROPIST.
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5 D; Q, v+ L8 T3 }By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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* z; b* @: g" }; j; F% N1 C3 mIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak ) {. G7 \+ T# y; z4 I
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, ! W( Q* s+ [' n
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the - k+ V, y( R; a0 C7 L" X3 b; `! K `
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
5 w7 t0 F- y' g6 w) zfrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
) `7 z/ V$ g2 r: K9 Dmation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in ! n$ C) n6 q' Q
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's " x: ^; j* _6 v' L1 g; w
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring . S$ Y2 M3 t, S& y
the very name of one who would probably by common consent " l# K9 z# T0 Y, k6 w
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
3 `1 a# k* F8 R' H5 u8 ?' E4 t8 ofirst half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the + v! A1 V5 l' @6 k* A5 C
relations between the investigations of local historical socie-
% k ]: F- A; I+ m: j3 Vties and more general historical writings, can readily account
/ p r/ S. O( q' C' |! M; r" H! a" Jfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, + p6 `$ o+ @, x F( u7 X
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
' `; w X- r7 Y( P+ Ospecialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
. D9 u1 \- w% {- x r: C4 G- atorian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- 0 s! B5 K5 w i; u
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
/ W+ ?( T; N6 H* vquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
+ {; [9 y1 S7 D! y% atary history of his .
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; U9 M1 S$ G0 K5 p. ]% M6 R+ rA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
0 i3 g3 T# T# a% |within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
- ~3 v/ J/ ~* o3 bnon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- $ Z. J0 `; O& h3 J( ~
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
0 p8 Q5 ^: a0 j3 g; u1 ^$ qhigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
& U! i& T) }' D y3 a0 mWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
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' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
4 ~/ O& d0 i/ b% D$ d) ?. o9 Schants," published in 1856. & F7 Q$ w/ a1 Y) G1 Q' M8 s
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reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
& [4 q, D& _ B. A* Nlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- 9 a( |* I6 j2 U! c* O. m
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
* r( G: h2 K" a+ Mthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
3 B; t' L5 G) ?" mlikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
) I6 ~; N* d/ I" Wraphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary / E A5 x9 }- n) K7 Q7 ?
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal 7 k) }; Z, n8 \4 h5 U
reminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
- R, _5 ~3 ^' P9 S* m' v; D8 sare for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
5 |& c. L% f. r+ J+ i) pJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
6 d6 t3 p) _) H T$ ^/ H# Min his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy 1 l; b8 H* t% F/ ]8 G! U+ y
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his 4 g4 N- u h# n# K" }
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no ( s4 z1 ^: d0 @
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
5 _# L( ?2 x: t4 v3 Fmore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
0 L# |/ f* H5 g% P8 f! D ?and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
& Y$ w) d8 m% kname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh - k5 L) J6 O/ m, c0 C
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic % u% w# H& H7 `2 a% S( L
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- 7 T' r& H5 g' h0 b4 [2 G
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
- }/ Q1 r5 x, c' nimpossible, in view of the small and humble means at their $ t2 |2 r ?1 M1 p% ~( H, J6 y
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
" v! y% z7 F" Tfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever , h6 C* q9 Z1 Y% p7 u `" n1 ]
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. 0 t" B% A1 T- }9 N) ?6 ^; _' g; R
5 g2 y7 P# g1 N, D4 uJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
. z& N# ~/ h1 A/ t2 ^; L6 U9 Q16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
# q8 M: F7 f9 z. o' G6 X: Bstance that his individual career thus began with that of his
; w" X; {- c& X0 u; z6 g6 xbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
0 u8 E: l9 n* ^3 d6 ^2 e% tister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
, B( ]9 h# n2 _ R+ Mof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by + t* V! C7 E+ [* n' s& O! P
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- , A# U4 p' a# ~8 f+ I: F# R' `! M
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose - \) _- }; g6 J8 c& M5 g8 O4 g
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac ' Q7 n6 A5 R* M2 g6 V D
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' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. 4 A( a: n0 B9 d9 }( f
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- # \/ Z. p9 ~' _/ a
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
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" c* A2 W u# `! lJudah Touro — Koliler. 95
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' c" z! [ l( j+ E* H, ?Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
' Z2 [9 }' [! P r6 A9 C6 y `in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
, u/ p+ a. \& N3 b B4 O- C" ^Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
3 ^5 ` d1 @; E9 ^1 K6 b) Zdied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- $ o# [. \3 P8 y' E$ m
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city 2 H) i0 V3 [! u' S5 [3 w4 h
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
" W' a t" X% z/ o1 zparted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
( e$ b6 u! p! J6 ~; w8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
0 ?: p5 x9 s3 n+ Q3 L- Zand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, $ ^6 D3 G4 G( `: Z6 N2 N4 g
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
9 i" v) |* i1 ]% K! n2 d; ?! cing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
0 u9 e# y0 e0 n( [ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, : S' h0 ^5 P M7 S% F' o5 t( B( t. ^
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
4 c' I6 R( o( p0 ^* h) G5 \: sthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood ' g: _5 U$ Y4 f; l
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were 0 i4 @/ l! {# E0 g
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- : A' Q- o. L( [7 }/ [
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
5 `! p0 H7 M" N2 {3 S3 kof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
) K1 v0 q& r4 ^7 scompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
) Q9 e, Z, L, E$ q ^# h/ k; Pwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
' K- {7 t2 r" B( W; P9 P' O) apatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
+ Z, C$ A/ {' g1 ]; WMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the % q1 J2 j8 e w+ |. c9 Q: D3 e
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
2 E- Y9 U1 L: |: Q4 mwhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- ( j" ^1 A5 [3 H3 n2 u4 {, }
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these 7 U( N; w" Q7 J* g. E! X" u
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which 7 T/ V# W* ]) p) {
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase ; P, ]8 ~" V: P4 z
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and 8 I) B. v$ W. z+ W# h" ~
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and 1 _. A; Y7 e3 K
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trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., 4 {; @9 ?; t" C% x8 {
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
8 k2 M3 [2 `& ~" M' M8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 1 z$ b8 y6 H, l% ^9 {6 x0 r! D
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
) U6 |8 H: R( j$ Vof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ; ~& U8 R0 Q* [/ x2 ^/ C) l
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
4 C4 \* e0 S) v3 g2 Y/ r' |Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
7 e: Q: W3 e# L$ T' M1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
4 x/ ]/ ^/ J1 Z- ]; Z+ l+ p) M) W( A3 ?a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. 4 X: D+ Q& z* f- r
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
4 h3 f* v& v) y* p, _vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
0 U. o; l% S% X) M v/ v rmercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- 5 q6 S ^3 M. d# l
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a ; @+ A3 X1 W: J% S# n# J
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after 6 ^4 ?+ |8 x3 `$ {
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
2 g6 X$ l& w. o8 R1 d0 C9 F% kknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg- 3 A) F( |# M$ P& @9 u
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they `# h: L) s, N6 ^& D. j8 g
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 2 O2 G3 G9 c- K6 Z, k7 f( y! o
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
9 T. U2 _- K: K, d F9 \chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- 3 B0 L) M$ ?. ~
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts + C! j# \4 {+ v% M. e9 |* |
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library % o& `1 Z% ?* V' X+ F
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George 0 Q# T2 Z$ n6 X2 ]* U/ @
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 4 R$ ]9 Q( L: j k
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
8 @0 A/ f% y2 X1 y0 _0 tplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws & ^+ E6 @$ x% M+ b% J5 }% c
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for , W) A1 B+ g! M- O5 J1 N7 G
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
1 ?2 t- ~- D$ y7 wnear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- , c5 e- j0 K& e$ |6 U
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., % N: b9 S% E( }# T4 E- R9 i
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
& \7 ? Y% _3 |) |1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very 9 I$ u. c5 q3 d- _8 c$ D
month in ignorance of her death.
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Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- $ z: C% p: H X8 V* ?
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
6 n X( k' ~' W% G0 waccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
' \* H0 {$ ?( \, q) f0 b6 xespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- 1 V: r) C$ g, h3 ~' \6 V
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
) h; ~/ `2 }( A$ G. y, i* X4 i/ pscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused . o; V% t2 w* I* M; A
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
7 b( _, n; k' _# lwhich he made further provision by his will, which contained
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6 e* \0 L/ b" \* r/ VJudah Touro — K older . 97
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a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
% g! d2 O0 h/ z5 N8 f w0 S8 Ginstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
9 \" r9 { d' qNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly : p# y$ o) _) O) D% t: _4 D
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
. B) g1 C9 [6 d- ^/ Znizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. # i2 O; ?+ j( h+ n( b
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Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- " L: b( v {7 [
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
- p/ t3 h; ], n( z- Q" q5 tthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, / J6 Q& k! V2 u
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- # N2 |* k5 c! I- X- h" Z, j: n, R
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
2 z% w' o% ^6 {( E5 a0 w- v" lteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of ; |' u7 E8 u& ]! c8 O2 b
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
/ W, c; L& i* K4 iin the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
) |$ N/ K- Y1 K+ Zpound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that : w9 u1 m1 q, m! S. A" L
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
5 g5 n0 f) K& ]; V8 K2 C+ N6 @Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
" m0 C2 ]" C0 B/ n6 v' fhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death 4 E0 w$ z1 i( V& e: L" T& w& `! x
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later 7 t0 Z$ k, ?! J# \+ R
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of 1 X* {, _* T: u3 n9 Q
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
+ M, `& I# O, @2 A1 i3 f) o& Y* fdence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- . V7 e' P) m5 b) B2 `
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
% J) b' n# w* a% ^bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
2 p% q; }1 F; z. g) E2 u. c2 Zso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- - G5 c" h$ J( o2 U/ r
scribed in the will itself. ; |; \! t# K( Q% [; M
5 F7 a( U/ D# N/ j" XJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred 1 {5 U' \; ]% W5 i
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
, D) }% ~5 n# C6 M) l* v4 K( G& N9 Oa brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other 3 e p) P2 B+ N; }; A4 ?6 o5 N2 c
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
+ p+ H6 A& T. ~7 ifriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
+ ]6 Z! [9 d! [agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every $ \3 p6 w) o1 c' i$ H; _1 G- n& _
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and 0 l1 x) Y6 g% W( E, }
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
( z1 j5 _8 [5 v) _& hcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his + Q. ~; B, F D4 |: s2 u. Q
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
1 I! m* @# F5 H# }1 Y, [" M( Y- \ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and , J" Y) ]/ z; ^8 R3 h
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- 0 N& n% o8 T9 K$ w* m0 n9 O
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- & U- E( a/ \' [( M
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
/ `% K- H/ i b) h; U7 rthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents 0 U6 y, `1 H `' y5 G! Y& R4 [8 w* Z
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. $ ]+ b* B2 d; v) F# L, K
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day 6 {& u; d! e) b4 R4 D5 W
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
# M9 k; t4 @1 S7 K; h) v+ Tthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
. I x; n% O Ctom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
$ |2 `1 w0 j$ v" M, a* S: tHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well - Z) [0 J/ p: p( ?
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- & E" ]3 R. ^3 d- w
standing.
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
/ b" i* i y6 _' K% ydevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of 1 O- K6 z! M' l5 `
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
& O3 |! ?" `% M+ ?0 Owork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made # B/ l, X2 |+ Y' \; o
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
' ^" q/ h9 O- l+ ~+ B. Qpists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
- {" Q: C9 d3 b# l% m6 [tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, , }6 r$ H5 a$ _/ \1 Y9 k$ z7 H
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- : S" q% ~4 ~; k* {( D
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that 9 _: {1 C/ a+ O! q0 A2 b0 V
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- 8 C) J" o$ G4 t& E- ]5 h& y% N3 q% e
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New 0 k* d3 {7 |2 @) d y9 \) F
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
- O/ X) D6 _& I7 X e D$ _9 O" Fviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who ; Y8 C1 E# r. k' N0 [& W8 `
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
' M: n( W9 I1 S+ ~7 r. Q4 lthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring
8 Z: k- k+ [$ ?7 |, owarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 7 R# E) D- J; b( e4 g
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
6 d" |3 l) \ i* Ktions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little 7 x H3 ~# ~% R- f# T
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
( {. T3 r p. S" }aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
/ C* J' d" k* l2 q$ Hglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
; A) y S. }0 r8 m* `7 P0 Uhands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
+ A* I# @' W8 D. w1 \ d" Qhomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- $ I8 h9 l7 y6 v# D% K
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Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 + K2 d8 c* A" j& v
, ~, L5 D& l* _; x+ q, h; u/ o
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, + X: Q7 Q+ Z/ ` T" O
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- 3 S% \% ?( [+ y# o3 w
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
0 _* M4 n/ u& e' _5 S# uwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn 6 M9 }. N/ r& Y4 N8 I+ m
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 8 L1 a3 \, r. v$ G3 s/ [9 K
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
" D, l% v: l" ymillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
2 z, B& K/ P$ N, Mof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who ) H9 v. X7 z2 v8 F' {
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large + E# r: d5 C$ B* ^# W$ }7 i& @( `
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the : l& X- Y! Z/ E
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
5 F: x9 ^. Q! T# d/ Wcence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 5 U0 ]5 b8 S S7 B! ~
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ; e# a6 X. X5 ]0 G0 e7 \
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
3 M! R0 V9 f( Dreturn to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
3 S% S( x) X Dwere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
" @% d0 W9 f/ B- k/ E; }1 Wdeprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
6 t) |/ U0 Y4 j3 Dgratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
, l% I Q$ R+ u/ {/ S9 U0 npassion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
2 x% m% ], V1 s9 X$ G0 La miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
: p4 E6 [" V- q6 M8 s/ @; V- ?from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
3 d: i, T$ D. cstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
& U5 \1 z; G) C; P: O1 `& W2 |) V" band his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
' q! t' e7 d7 Rtion and display which are too often the main incentive to
) m1 f t7 A( eliberal and benevolent deeds."
. u3 s0 }1 U" C9 G0 x
5 g# l7 ?0 O7 l& y9 d- [, T. `3 qTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess ) u5 X" m' P$ y7 D
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the 2 |0 i" y7 W! v+ `" @9 V" p T0 J
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
! i; j: a# F! \; T/ n0 I8 ttions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
( W- p, c) \ g1 C, k6 j9 {3 k* nare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
. _4 D' D' O1 f+ M1 alarge gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as # ]1 P+ i4 r* n
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
3 T' |7 \! i$ X" r _the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- 4 y& e# N5 U# z w5 X, [
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up ( U% u. ^2 j% s: w
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid / H+ C8 z. ?" Y1 C# h0 R6 R9 e
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. ' O1 Y' G7 P" i! A& B
0 R+ V0 ~4 M6 A5 c- e) M C, j( M5 i& i
3 t& C+ X# \' ~9 R100 American Jewish Historical Society.
( X& b+ S6 Q: F3 y3 l
& @5 Z, P8 X' }) a2 hAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material " L f- g' y: Q
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
" R+ @1 X7 d- uEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
+ f' d) ?# E5 w- Doffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of 9 _' b* f' e8 B
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- ; y, k0 u: H. J" k4 k
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
! b) I3 h1 U' d3 \dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
/ d' p! N4 t K( A* U% L! i$ jinjunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
) k% k$ r* W: C5 ]seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
* l5 K& e! d$ l, v2 _" l3 P8 bably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
" b5 c$ o" C% F: g! s& Uish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 9 R) I7 C8 q; O
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, - f0 e! q, W3 F# H
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication + w! x! l8 c7 Z/ h% |4 ~# x
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
5 w) \, O$ O) m3 g( Tthe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
7 ~ p. P# H/ x# q- Kwas commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
/ S6 w5 c* m7 rlines, since become famous :
, r& I) {1 q" q. A" w* }$ L' r2 V
Amos and Judah — venerated names! 1 a* D) P) k7 I- t; ]/ z
; f% [$ _) v* @) m8 ]2 d
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, ( G1 F: w Z0 Z* F) O s6 ?% D0 X
: {! d/ \6 H( v" N% e+ t( W8 jLike generous coursers, running neck and neck. 5 _. p( n Z/ T3 r8 r" M3 n; A4 c
1 C: V: _! j7 p7 R
Each aids the work by giving it a check. - Q c/ x! v# Z2 \, f/ t4 Z% @# i
3 \6 R, `. ^: k' D5 k2 }, Z
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
- {2 e$ q" O1 y; S
( \3 N7 Z( R9 S# l& P& F/ w! HFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 9 |! E6 ~/ k6 J' F. j
6 M A; G% S7 ?3 h2 q3 {Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent . r! D! {! o# k. s5 p
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
" k0 U. K7 l$ Y$ h0 d5 X4 L5 V" dastonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
$ D3 X' O' V+ l0 tin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
4 r- a* G% Z- Y9 \1 p5 C* Ntian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
* h: R% Z* g) z8 o0 V4 N5 W& }ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- - M B W) R! Y+ D
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
# }: s6 s" c1 jby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- . [0 s% T7 @0 V! D6 u1 p- r
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to 9 }1 C" Q$ I& G( G. q2 y
occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after ! i2 R0 S$ |/ O) ~4 ?$ Y" ^* |
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
2 S2 o) B% u, l$ E8 Y; A) }! m" P
8 p, P7 e8 i# G2 K, k$ Q* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. 9 ~! _+ I: u! m5 C; C! G
2 O# C# A% E# G! ?7 k, }+ V- t' T; B$ q7 D* h4 ?
4 `- U2 r" O$ ?
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
1 f p% ?# ?5 H- y% C& r8 L9 {1 a9 A) ^3 ?
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested $ s6 A8 o0 u# g% [" k( {
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
. p4 E4 M$ S% Phe promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
) s; Q, F4 j+ s8 q+ R1 `2 Ham a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church / l. N' F% E( Z9 l
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
. j& X `3 S3 w5 Y2 ~5 w, @; y! Shim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister + C4 j% I. M$ r% S# d
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he / t- W ~. C) O/ \$ g' ?
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be 2 b( g; K% s% ~# j: \; M, _# F0 ?
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
0 L2 N$ }, O( N5 Xat New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- 5 n4 Y( l6 n$ ]/ P% j/ y" k a
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
/ k% X3 Y" X) i* _ G ^of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
' b9 D- o( C6 M1 ^9 O3 Z; k; s# esettlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
" o) z: |& F0 {/ Z9 jsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he 2 H* Z- J! u* }* i/ j n
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 3 w' _3 y0 f% ^
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected " J2 s n" A% m% m; W, k
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
8 P" S) @4 H% e4 ?- c+ Xpense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
$ f+ H" u, z& P( W. _' _lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed ; r1 [: W7 A0 B
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
' s0 a5 W' f$ H, d% l( N+ |tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
! x* W0 D+ P& C; Apurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
( d' p% ?8 t2 }6 rClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
5 R7 A: L4 a+ `# v$ ]* V" R- znever heard of but one religionist in the United States who
. ]2 k A% m Y2 p! H; W2 Wcan be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of 2 ]5 y6 `! b( |5 X4 j3 i1 i
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing 9 A! b* I- G7 O# w% v+ D/ D
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- 3 Z7 P: H! n, e. b' P: O/ l
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he . D- K- t' u9 K. L8 Q Y
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. 1 f& o/ g7 s: Q. N! b
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
$ K# p, c5 k; a! o" s* o- Nthe Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
/ L- X: j6 l1 S: z0 @hilation." ) t9 j% r' e$ C. O3 T+ ?$ F* k. d
. C7 N- V6 V: X$ l) x$ N' k5 v
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
# @4 f% R1 T! B0 V! Vprised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
$ ^- {/ N0 G. i4 \- Y9 bhim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi- * r' E: J" Y x
ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their . M4 T8 g9 t, E. o
& m' z9 D* n1 m, c
6 @) D. [% e* C2 `. ?* s+ L4 z, M! G4 n/ `& |
102 American Jewish Historical Society. : A. m, l: r3 B' t; \
; {) F; `) O7 g8 S, G8 |$ fcharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
( p: `7 y3 [/ q# ^$ G2 ~/ a3 O/ Sexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
% r+ L0 a( `# s! Hwise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- ; p! D' A9 `* o# d' {
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have
- `9 n( u- c+ e2 n! Hfound their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
. m7 z( S4 M. ?0 M& N% Tnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably 1 ?( U2 h2 T- k* O+ R
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be- 2 W3 R6 v4 G& \
quests, as follows :
; E7 g# P' j8 Y3 {* j8 I/ h! O5 N" }& F
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
* J7 d4 @+ ~/ d7 v5 d) l) whe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
& ~ [3 ?4 ?, f' I5 N Rtheir relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are ; }% Z$ {4 x7 z$ p7 p
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will ' T: j8 j8 q1 Y9 ?- R/ M
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
0 g& z. r$ ]6 W# c2 bhis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
2 k; {3 u* \' }( m, X2 Othe day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per-
0 j' s. Q# h! O* w \, u$ ^3 vsuasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied " a' A3 w9 |4 ?! a! z# R; p
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of 3 V; o0 J+ r9 b* F! ?
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded ' Y; f) h' o; @& I
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
; M" W: {/ O+ E3 g1 g- u5 Mblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
+ r2 v4 M/ e- |& @9 Dthought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
8 }$ K& y: E* _( \. S% F; ?0 x6 pchildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
- B$ J6 i6 Z! u2 i* b7 H5 ^. }2 pinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
; \1 I" T& w/ _0 S* Sreligion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
2 U& B0 y( w" W7 C# h" b5 XHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to 0 U( d2 E2 z! D5 |$ f. f% a
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
# o2 @0 j, D: X/ [benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
9 o: F9 v, E$ y0 Einto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
. g7 y: h$ S! A/ s+ P$ q' xIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
" z6 Z% d* q$ _; mtection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far - J; G* H5 |* R: ]# m1 F+ D
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost ' d" q. o0 G0 H; v& O
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged ! p; A+ i. u- V7 e- h" V
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- 8 X. u4 f! }3 e: I
, S3 J2 m! p a9 w# z
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because # _9 B k$ W9 m& G% y/ g
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
, J7 c2 k) x, J/ \1 ~the various Jewish communities of the United States and their % J0 @% Z* B* }4 k3 w4 y
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
+ j% C1 a+ _: r! F1 kobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
3 y- S2 W. o% s; Ttry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
) C+ L1 C* o8 j+ m$ Xomitted no deserving Jewish community.
8 b7 K8 X8 [2 P: Y4 h9 Z
+ d5 K. z- t2 A6 Y7 U5 v
+ q" x9 r3 X5 N+ }" b; R; \* Q% j: I+ C
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 % Q/ y- l+ m0 \1 [# `( y
& h/ a! J9 _4 l {crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early / z$ A2 q5 g1 f O
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
0 S7 `7 e& C9 k$ f$ M. B4 Isubjected. % V" @( }$ A8 K3 i+ y8 }- Y
9 _' X5 S5 F) \, l! K0 K* g
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he $ g) O/ d! m7 G& ]) d
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with 1 D. G. ~7 [0 m' ~& L! V
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
1 V, s3 y2 V6 ^) t9 j) uing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
; x% V; D; `- c& S3 D7 Nbrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
" U8 H9 Y5 ~7 M5 t0 s2 @ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious - q9 @! n/ M4 f
temptation.
) I, p. H2 A2 q0 M1 {/ j1 j2 T7 ?( `' a6 U- F4 V
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 8 @1 [' V/ T q P* Z, E* G
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, ; t; V& C1 n. U7 r }; Y! e
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
% H" G4 ~1 t% D4 V( J$ nEhode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were 1 s* ]( K/ x. i6 `1 C
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he 4 `; W$ X" ?# B) N7 r
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the 0 J( p1 E( l: z- E0 e3 C
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
1 T7 U6 @1 J* S" U& n( T {Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
4 p) o; E) D& Uhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of
9 W" z4 g! C) l( `; Athe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
1 L2 Y( W3 h) d( tof the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
# r: m& B9 v, ]6 P' Z7 w* I& F/ u; G) jwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
! Y8 W( m, d: dEev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
$ Y3 x, _8 U1 p' q( `' Iphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
" O% z# ^' L! T- {York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was 6 T7 ^, b) H- |
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of 3 e S3 r0 C6 v7 B
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
* {( I* ?" s4 r; Q6 Twere named after him in order to commemorate his generous 5 Q! G' F. {. U
philanthropy.
/ m2 y7 C; p! g! a
M; \1 H% |& R2 @His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
0 o1 @4 t+ S( P/ }1 h2 Dlowing appropriate inscription :
, c' i; Q9 P( j% O1 C% o" e: u0 q% C% A- h! K
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; 7 J9 w1 e! X* G, \- f
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. + O! D) `7 q I' o% q# e$ E1 N
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- : u2 Z5 Z0 j# T
thropy 4 p* Q2 F7 Z* B8 E
To be remembered forever. 5 l0 n7 P; J' L: Y: ?5 k
9
- q3 `3 y0 u# Z* K0 V+ P! ]2 n8 k( z5 I; I1 m5 p8 c* E
; f2 N Q5 y; m2 s' A; _2 U" z" y5 ~3 w+ }
104 American Jeujish Historical Society. . q1 ?5 P, s+ T# Z
% H& @( a/ d, z! \ a: DWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. 4 t" F w' J3 O, v& E0 ?) D* r
3 y+ H" D1 H& s8 }( c# f' D$ o( nUnited States of America,
9 o9 n5 L6 z! i9 K$ [- ^# V1 w% r# ?) o5 H# a I
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. 7 ? @% e: A* i: ~ C9 h
9 |5 D: F: Q: \. ]4 H: b9 a" J
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of E+ ~/ T! q9 H! z% O
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 1 X' r. _4 Q8 l0 R: e5 j- n
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
! V. X- F3 ~) K. s% Bbefore 10 o'clock a. m..
3 F* F3 ]5 N! s, B$ a+ |1 V3 K: W$ c! e- N% V8 y7 {8 g
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the 9 t, S, u- `9 x$ u5 U3 q# u, X: R- o
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, . _0 V+ ^2 ]8 d, A) {' t! i
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
' E: E! k D% M# J1 K3 w3 G1 g g9 }herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- 0 x/ v: A. K9 s' E
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
m1 \. b3 {4 R5 P9 A
9 L; [6 ?* R: C' u, S6 [9 Z4 \6 J APersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
& Q1 q" c. e) j+ H" n& }whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a % `- O: x+ N9 C7 b* i9 i
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
' B# ~+ y0 s5 g2 L9 jsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the $ ]$ |7 y$ }, a0 @5 u3 z6 u/ f
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah , H$ e+ }# O v- ~$ ?; o. D5 i( X
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- " |/ [/ w- B- j8 }* @6 p: m
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in 1 Q1 v' d" [3 X' d o* D
presence of said witnesses: % _3 A- e5 R4 _, P
, z; P4 H3 ^$ Q9 u7 ?
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
0 P8 N: q2 Y$ |4 t0 T' h
. p2 ^" ^, X" S) i9 u2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 5 j4 Y4 k: |! c- `' @8 T4 T8 ^
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
/ r* k! @6 E" a. A' g) qmy decease.
- t$ D9 a+ F: Z% d- Y* ^7 r# @# x* w, y3 j g' h
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
" n6 W4 u/ p. C/ M1 U1 M: R, jRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 9 C/ D' {, R( J( r
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
0 H5 N" \/ U. ~: A& ~5 hAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- : N1 h7 N8 Z A( h5 e0 A$ t% r8 f
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- 9 F0 B K: c5 q( I9 l4 S
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said : k4 x% @$ i% R, s- [9 ?( a1 x& g
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre * ?1 d3 M5 z0 G; g3 l
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the : e: G% o" |9 ~8 h' ^/ s
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 9 O2 l* a9 z- S
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but + O0 R& A& U- W/ @# D
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
( Z# X4 u" U/ @3 l: w% Vrendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would , G! S, g( I5 L0 c2 W3 @
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors / q) v6 F' b/ H0 ^: [6 \* T8 c
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
: F ^ O( A; F' V9 {) `& V! Fmy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, ! V) `. _" e$ R: d2 g
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva- " A6 K6 w2 k2 r# \# l
tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
4 F0 X2 ~4 }) ^( R" u. Q, \6 l9 F
3 E- d) @& G. m4 D) M5 l' X7 r8 e: [% v! [" J% I
. l& v$ `. a U' A+ j* c; gJudah Touro — Eohler. 105
9 \" {% H# Z" \ R) m6 _% W
1 g2 B8 D( T- `/ s+ a2 q2 c+ z- n, QI hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
# ]( h8 P2 @% p: R* C; Eherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts 3 ?! ^5 E7 D$ O9 ` R1 D, q7 P
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
6 C- u$ |3 r6 c8 V- |. V& _' mmy estate, movable and immovable. 7 ^4 z4 Y# f- u* [# e
v V4 A/ O6 K9 u9 w% s- N0 KIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
* S4 H5 J) T& X: ^- E- fof my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
' [, o% N9 _5 }1 w8 u* }! K( Jor Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last , c9 y# N* O _$ N' L' N. }4 I8 e
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
! i$ ^- |( A- j0 W8 Q" z! P6 Tof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that ; \0 B( U2 A0 B" }1 G0 U# |! {, U; y
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of $ [, P; ^/ ]' c6 d0 G
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
' _6 ^+ Q" F0 f8 }: f. Kherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made 1 j. u: C" q1 b) b M }) p- Q9 ^
to them.
; n% N/ Z% ?$ l( b5 c9 m+ z. S, v' K* _
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in 5 _& i7 R% E7 G. c
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until - j" x8 Q3 c$ @$ Q% f: G9 e
the same shall have expired.
$ ^$ ?. G6 C; O" G
3 G+ v, }- q- W# X$ j- m5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of - |4 V, u. |! U |
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
) X" ~2 a+ D( a$ q1 U, c$ ddirected by this my last will or testament. - N7 Y) u, l# u, }8 {) Q h
3 ~$ E3 M- l3 F: X5 v2 F6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis- ' R% t/ @( z0 r: B& Y- b4 M
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain $ m- O! A! u$ b& K2 \$ a
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their / {4 J( ^, b$ j' g" @) g h
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
& {8 k* s7 y; ethe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
8 Z, y+ `' f# Rthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation, 2 p( U6 V5 E+ D1 o, S) O! L
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David ) b0 W3 h+ S) h Z' O# w! X' ~
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- , c+ ^; c, U, @; m5 H3 C
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
O3 i+ M7 A+ z- E6 ]gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
6 x0 z, F' i, tReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
* R" m8 u6 M0 t# k4 L/ Kmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- % x/ Y6 X$ H$ {* n
strictions.
# N, ]- Q" h: F4 t, X6 Y( b8 W; G2 Z8 x, N0 i( a: n C- X
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 6 e! b! C7 L- w# k
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
( ^. t0 Q% T) w# I$ N' G9 B3 ssale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
1 B9 ^- w$ w6 A; A% }now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- ; M4 |7 I5 o1 Q' W# T! n
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- 7 F9 b d$ K& ? X
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
5 Y' j+ }9 \0 S6 S, v+ ?4 H$ Lecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them / O i+ g; }( u8 C: ^3 o
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
! B8 y: z5 @ g% b( U$ I1 f2 N5 Z
: a$ ^5 s5 s# Y" f3 c j6 |8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of . q6 O. W( N7 [% D% h
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
) S; p+ J: J( l; H: E" x9 n' E# X# Y9 L2 Q; O! u& N
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
L4 J* F( s# \6 Z/ y# u# Fgarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
1 T" B8 B1 i" i. H: m. S& s" T2 i9 O2 p% h0 g5 \# s
: [9 p# d. \6 U5 _
! o: |% r3 W/ ]2 o8 s106 American Jewish Historical Society. / W# l F4 t% b) p3 T+ J9 M/ c4 q
7 A0 E* D, k5 v$ X: V& Q7 x
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
+ i7 E8 K+ `, X! kNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. n( G4 R! d7 }* w
; m# C2 q$ D7 X
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society ! E( ~3 [ t% m$ \
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. % c8 P4 ~2 x" y4 w- D
5 e" c' V5 D) K( T( ?2 x
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New t3 Y/ ]* u7 p2 r
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
9 R# M& U) {# J& S( k( b i5 u0 G) h ]' P4 w) C* \
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- # M+ X; F8 P/ v$ o0 w) p
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. " v4 r9 F/ |; `) u( O+ I) u3 o1 Q$ ~- j+ U
$ i" n9 t7 H. M! q9 e14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief ! j! `4 B0 q% H+ O8 F* L
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
( _# M# @- l. }: S+ x- r3 O7 glars. . a9 I* ]/ f9 h
" Y1 \3 G# s- l: y' x1 m& l+ H" Q% m
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan r/ s: h9 K4 r& L. D+ ~
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
0 O8 n. _4 |; A- v! {; c6 \( csand dollars. 8 A6 [7 C4 R6 Q, Z" A8 }& K5 v% F
8 S# Z4 m [6 u, v9 C. L16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
) D+ }; ], U+ b! tlum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
7 Q* l3 Y* R3 Z0 Q% m2 j9 bchairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
$ e7 O" p; V! ~( xdollars.
+ V, X+ ~; K$ E+ u+ g, D4 H P$ T3 H
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, ( M7 p8 w$ s; ?
five thousand dollars. & D5 l2 E4 ?2 S6 G" u2 \
* i% C0 E$ o$ d3 R7 f" Y( @
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
- I! z) |8 O; `1 {# L6 otion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. * R& L4 [" x V2 ]* \$ g/ Y
& K& _1 ]$ g, e19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First 5 R% n7 g6 Y* r& b
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
* W3 \# v. o& r
) e3 ` Z0 E# o* P5 A# W' H# a9 V20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an / a$ ^8 C2 k. _/ z9 }& z3 C) f
" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
7 S& t9 {; Z* ]7 g( f. G; Jcontributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity : a; c, n" ?' y- q- \
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
$ Z3 h7 _/ _) X- D5 y+ e5 S( N+ o* @and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be 8 o s! O# [1 j Y7 Q2 {
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
/ d4 f, F' Q8 h' mafter my executors shall have legally organized and established
# m- S2 O9 p* Msaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
4 m4 R* j$ F3 G* [2 P! wadminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 5 a9 K) S3 K* F2 g% Q/ G; @
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
, X0 {) E3 E: v7 s/ ^3 \- i* gjointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- 1 T, J& `! J/ f- r8 g3 ^( s
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
p7 h6 o/ y+ t+ B3 j, }thereof. , X, M2 a2 I6 i+ A# _
/ m- ^# I* n1 K* Z% v
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
- O' p3 N- l6 G4 I( j4 r6 YRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
1 d+ @/ S$ Q6 g# I* F. wthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
! f1 t( q% a; f' B, X9 eproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept + M2 Z: t5 B- a1 r2 U; q0 u3 w
as a public park or promenade ground.
+ D# e! A; l B3 @9 v
/ g: ~) g# J" ^- T0 Z22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport - u9 S: t; R5 v" j6 u8 Q. s1 i0 |- ?: k
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
! Z& z, D! U1 K7 Q2 e A
. i( G+ F! g8 w7 `4 U: k, f3 u) X1 ~6 L2 ?
4 L* J8 i6 r+ J: |' ^5 S
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 0 o- b* y& D$ ~! d7 v" F
5 a; w2 Z& {! v! B
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
q) O4 ~4 n- A0 p) V' |" lShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. 3 i. g3 h: R, k3 K2 ` P
1 A7 P# e% ~2 x0 T, e
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
+ A8 o3 X$ v( o9 k2 Bford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. * z$ a' T4 [0 {& v& k5 B9 a/ c( n% f
0 P7 H; k( G G4 \; |6 m: W25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New . m: T4 W, o# e9 L
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. / i, v3 A( y- ^; L! N
9 }9 |0 T1 I" t26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, ' ^- v. {# I, S* L2 Y# j, M6 Q$ ?
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and 6 |! P3 o( E$ N% X$ W4 {
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
6 k$ I$ U8 r3 P% A0 iten thousand dollars. 4 U+ z' ]% D$ z
, B3 a5 \% D) _27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir + N7 j9 v$ p7 T! S' Z) v5 I
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to : a; G: z" X2 T) _# p
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
7 v2 N# R" v: x: _6 y, S$ Wthe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of $ J7 o. e L, l L4 @$ I8 i4 m
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without ( ~( ]7 O5 m0 ^, s0 C
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
* j5 |- M4 L G8 ` ]$ T- ]sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through - r6 X1 m+ T( s- A7 w
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
* A& k- A( ^8 T- Qas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of ; I4 X! x, t# [# r0 k) r
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
2 R' @7 R2 g9 g% f( u$ F% w4 o$ fing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and
& I- d6 B0 o8 Cin that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars 2 E5 M, r& h. R1 S8 C
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the * k0 b* ^' m# O
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
/ f! [: w4 Q% \9 c3 Kcan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
$ {6 Z& Q2 x3 Q4 {of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 4 s! H6 j9 V$ F+ P+ U
my last will.
" A& O* N9 t S8 f7 K
$ D) g' D9 W! F* \4 @28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I 6 i1 J- y( K4 q, ]6 V
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
: v0 n1 Z8 ?' Q8 E# Owhich in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, ; h a/ o) C$ w/ N/ h
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
+ h5 \5 u/ I* C5 qrespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
# R) ^: H# W# P, p6 u; b1 p4 ~thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
/ P V' p" U0 C9 Odesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
- A) s* |# U. g! yexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
F* }4 p0 @ I+ kcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
% w+ q/ M& S! g @inherit in the premises according to my wishes. ) j @( ^! p+ t. I
% \5 ^7 s) N4 o29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
$ P K/ h# W3 Y! N* a% X3 hCity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
) P0 R" w( f' d; R9 ^$ h: A1 p. @: @" s- a, g$ B1 \
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
$ t& c8 U# a2 ?9 u/ B" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. % N3 X! K" l0 o9 @
0 D8 S' i4 c3 q- v0 O% X31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society 5 D1 _3 T# P+ O- q/ G# ]" i0 N
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
; E& b0 q/ O8 F# w" P8 K9 g6 E/ y
) |( V. s* m# s6 w8 g
E5 O9 C0 e0 H108 American Jewish Historical Society.
& _3 |& B5 S" U2 O1 E/ J" \$ B3 K2 v0 f6 F3 j
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
7 _: M, \7 E5 w+ t' Wattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
- Y) T% }) d; D0 @City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand ! J8 g8 @2 ?/ W
dollars.
8 z. [! ] C4 c: { j0 J$ Z3 U- Q. R( o
33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
- g1 [" j$ \5 n: [- y8 Ibrew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
2 W+ S5 o* _! J2 B, A1 X8 W* V6 tthe sum of three thousand dollars. ) m, l# Z2 L; ~4 w1 D% K
! F2 I( H$ o1 h5 a4 e
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- ' B+ \- B) u& R% K; Q" D, p
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
6 }: v8 H5 X, o4 g
z& F# q) ]' K7 s8 Z35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
) X4 V! M! X$ J3 K; Z8 ?5 R0 ythe City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
" |5 c4 v3 N) `# ]! L9 s- ~2 ]a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
. i+ G4 K& l; q( [7 ?Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. * o% r$ V" D8 D. p
4 k* W3 M7 X# a. b# s3 a& f3 l36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
* \$ @ q8 K2 F0 Cciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
- H, `+ i- k' V; o% _$ ^+ Vlars.
4 J1 n( S) s9 B% K2 }
/ m1 O1 [+ L6 T; A! G7 N: `37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of 5 g( r& L# B, e# O9 \' S0 y
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
) x$ w" |3 W7 l& }* d, C& ^ ]6 i' {8 ]5 U+ M1 o- J; ]& m, H% c* r
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
4 Q6 V ?: u/ Q6 e+ w5 Z8 i7 R* { _delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
: n5 i: R' d* b B7 J. z( f% ?- q1 p4 W& A. w6 {
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat 1 Q) @( K3 D# s
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
- ?) w" F: N: ~$ {1 A: D$ L4 W' F$ n- u& b: P7 }
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth 4 M/ C5 w$ H* u
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. * H2 z: J' j1 E+ x& k
d; k* a4 v3 n0 x9 H$ f41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith ) |' N) u8 x1 g1 i5 D0 C
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
& G' j) S" }7 rdollars.
' N" S& A" q0 s# Z A j! e M2 e/ @$ ]0 k1 s
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
4 M9 }0 @5 A7 M2 n4 r% M9 Igarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. |- s, ~) i$ X! u8 H
) n' l. E- \) ~' y- X( T43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
" _7 G+ k# K, T% H. N$ a4 z% s; U! pIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
. l* ]' a+ Z! \& z( e! n& h
$ P9 ]* b! y; B44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- + ^$ R3 r4 x% O! K4 s v$ x! @; Q" n
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 9 M* G6 O: _# N
1 X Z# _- D* B9 e% U45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- 1 F1 j! |2 w" |& F/ Z' Z) K- _0 ]
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
6 K/ u% e" K W2 q$ r- H! _
3 l9 `* [: K' R! V( r; Q3 \7 c46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
0 r, O2 z9 v: mIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. 4 j3 o5 U2 ^& r
6 {/ ]" U! y% D! k
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
1 z! l1 X0 E" Arael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. ) K4 [7 V& o" B
# u1 z' X" @) v g0 w \48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
" v9 g; [% s" y* m2 W0 b$ {+ _dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. ) l z) i2 \- b' y- o
3 @6 t- h4 v* C2 ?' k5 p: U
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, $ z/ Z6 M/ R4 [4 c4 Y9 K
Ohio, five thousand dollars. ' H0 m( K$ W( i4 ?/ Y
8 r) D: `: c; m7 S
9 q. o1 I/ T" W [) r+ l& `: U) p7 B8 W4 R; k
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
0 p# i6 m! l1 X/ J% V6 A' B, ?, R8 Y0 Q
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
# W& x' \8 K8 ~5 }% p% A" y4 R7 LIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. ) }$ {0 S* D+ B) S' N
6 N- u% H6 {. \51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai + o3 `: y! {4 Q A% H+ m3 f
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
6 e* k# M3 R& W9 ]1 ?4 D4 Q) I
* k/ s# d x4 B9 }, _52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
( i0 M. Z* Q5 E& wof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
* x4 }, O% m: l0 I0 V1 p+ i1 U4 L0 Q7 S& Z
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
& y4 q; p. ^ p# x* c& N4 w& D. h1 YEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. , V2 P& _: F$ e3 t3 d9 U1 O' G
/ H; A! e3 R3 T3 [ }. U
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
5 c2 w! G& H4 qnamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
6 D8 E) I# R6 Zham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: , t2 L* a# n) F A) H
+ m2 J& @! h* }# O: A
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts,
3 B1 P; _. o6 ufive thousand dollars.
7 m$ X z) U. c" ? \# r* Q, @( U
0 Y4 o5 @/ r4 [- }- T8 YSecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, 3 y: g9 \6 O# Z8 `
five thousand dollars.
: ]/ Y+ \5 F) @6 Z# E" q! {+ p' Q/ z0 D& l v' x- U5 B; q
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- 4 k. {) `; n: Z- f- f
sand dollars.
! Y6 U0 y3 l9 m# I V# T. k& M" W9 a& l v9 a! ^
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 6 R: P H8 h# E" O" I- m* {! _
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
7 t( L& B+ [2 v& ~ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- * Z2 }7 z; g* L! @
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
1 y' i! r v$ S2 q( f( i0 ^' O- R$ gJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
6 c2 |) ^1 v9 x# v7 I: F- qappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
$ p0 Q3 p v o/ q; W, P/ f; oas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
* D" u% l; E$ u% cof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
2 m0 p9 t: b: y5 B5 v; p! `, wthat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
% `6 o% h$ R' nfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should d% v; ?+ f6 }- m% o( G& t
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct ' f( _3 ^: J8 m* F
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration $ p5 G/ l$ s& b) h9 l& o
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the 8 V: t* R. F& ^* `4 B
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
& p" i% }& c0 f; Q$ X! n- G* tthe said David and said Nathan H. Gould. & s9 C5 z6 A |9 q3 G$ h
% H$ e# ^! U* m1 T
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
( `& z( p3 K) a& D/ SHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
- _2 W! L' }: bremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. + y- r% w# L; `# e( W
8 V+ b5 _7 {3 c8 p2 A& i3 \
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and 3 v$ a) G0 X9 c+ A0 L, w$ ?
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of % G: K3 K+ b" Y. o0 y
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
4 K( i! G6 `4 u9 jequally divided between them.
; g8 b3 V0 J& ^+ x, I9 B. q0 X) Q c2 [2 _5 |, `' ~( u
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to ( ?) F) |9 B% d4 J* N# r
the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, 9 ]( l ?* j6 H, x& C+ b9 }+ I
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
+ P8 d3 v3 T2 a. X; L% n* Bremembrance.
! f: v7 [( Z D( {
; e% q6 G: Q3 Y/ a1 o# f l9 E8 D
+ V. U! s/ j0 @0 U6 D0 ?
110 American Jewish Historical Society. / i$ l9 f$ @" x* a5 [
/ y) _# f ~) z" \' Q; B59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
w+ o3 T, }! M7 ~$ A! xof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of ' ?3 {$ T" C1 }' D' w" k6 a! B+ w
my esteem and kind remembrance. 4 d0 h7 A: Y0 s0 \: t# r" D
: q- j% R) Y ~& o& m1 L: v. P60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to ' _! c$ Q: o; N7 Y# t
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
5 \1 O) b( D( P; q6 T) vtoken of my regard.
3 O7 m3 F# I6 n5 Z' I/ T
6 b8 i0 b& T* y61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to L! I1 Z" q" }$ n2 a$ x- a- A
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
3 I$ |' u) \% C9 g: Bwife, to be equally divided between them. k* B; c, n! w
2 h% M6 t, Z7 c5 Q1 [' Y62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
/ k. L7 _4 s# L3 a/ B4 M4 Q& \my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
6 ?) M( i& K7 J' wmy remembrance. ! O& a% X+ z+ r6 E
: n1 @) J: p {2 p
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, 8 Z) \; {% b1 F4 ?' | U
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
6 w! T; ?0 e# F( ^ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- 3 H$ Q Q: g* w, s3 f u! q1 U3 L
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
7 r3 d' v: |& c! D+ eof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
- ]) Q' b# O; [4 Q! P. \0 `* M1 N5 [regard. 1 D T$ f! R" z& _- Q
1 [2 h, k8 {3 P/ }9 }( i64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
; t. d9 i; b$ S' Jto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
8 v! d# k* K1 ~$ A. ?memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, 0 r+ H( z% @& |# a: [
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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4 C: Z6 O( G y- K* ?3 P65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 3 @' N' Z3 Z H& ?' B. Y0 x% z4 Z
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
% O. U5 c+ Q( y. ]7 ?2 j% Tmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of $ g* h* K7 h4 N% |
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
4 L2 Y7 N, M9 C+ R+ `: Gmade previously to these presents. " V* L0 G8 G0 T& {. ~* p7 F- x
+ C. H5 T) [0 M2 q3 ?
Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to # O' T# W2 l5 L1 P, Z8 L
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
# i- \( o5 |7 C" y$ i Vherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
( l: X" h* d2 j$ F* K, usame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
. R7 G+ t: D. _, z/ aproper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
( f8 x( S$ e% b& B* ltestament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- - I* C/ v6 N# u3 S
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same $ ?" t; ?5 |2 ~4 U2 j
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. $ u; |( x4 \5 ~# X/ F b
9 `4 ]& [; J/ M; Q1 N0 cAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- 1 b, q m, P& R$ i2 n( b
ing aside to other acts.
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
0 q$ w+ ?: j* }8 e5 w6 W) zsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
; D3 R" N9 h' m( f; Yyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan ; ^, c# O5 J+ B" U- G& d) }
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, ! P. M* K: j1 G9 S* j2 ?) M7 S8 |
. ?+ W* n' }! c$ }
* Z+ }% {7 C+ Y4 u( }+ t9 n: M
6 ?$ G0 \$ H* Y! k6 y- LJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill 6 c, J# v9 g% ^1 H; ^% y
& n( {" k! ?# c k' gall three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
! R. c$ C7 u) K. itestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
4 |5 k' z* b* S* S8 Fnames. (Signed.)
* l( f! m% r' {* ]
: v7 V; c4 Y$ G7 K) `J. TOUEO,
* h1 C; e% f# i2 r; ]# A
8 }$ d$ Z; S, ?5 M( K! K) [J. Montgomery, % C5 [: L* b& J4 V4 J, Q. |
+ G: p, E5 ~3 Z
H. Shepherd, Jr., / |! ?- s5 F, ^% Y# y/ S# @
* D h7 w+ {! T: V$ ~- b
Geo. W. Lee,
0 z1 ?; w0 l1 A; c$ n/ H! \, u/ |7 z6 L# `4 e# ]5 ]8 E7 |' c
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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! v" r& N! W" t; x/ L9 Q/ Z' BLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
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6 V7 p( k! `4 I% D: c014 495 461 |
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