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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND , b" H9 W! K, x" }3 [% j1 X
PHILANTHROPIST. ( K' O% P) @0 Q# ~3 ?2 {3 i7 Y
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5 ^: E$ S- ]& SBy max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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Reprinted from 0 D1 |; B( \$ w
* w$ u; a0 Q2 NPublications of the
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American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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4 R7 a' W. {9 o2 e, S6 G! |No. 13, 1905.
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
6 ?6 a: i2 @5 S5 @1 BPHILANTHROPIST.
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+ S. L/ A9 J1 w1 t* hBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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" w0 l# w S+ n( B; y3 {8 y$ JIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak 7 I* y3 u( v7 v) O2 G' Z3 x
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
+ O4 V' A1 s, J9 u8 f9 Gnor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
9 c" q9 q) ]; h2 T6 oname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating 3 t. g5 l) I4 [/ o
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- P7 G' e j* ]! G4 |5 ~
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in 8 \* U; B5 G% v
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's - z" r, `6 P5 A: S; m( U6 M, o
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring ; R( z J2 W: c' t# I) K
the very name of one who would probably by common consent ! X. @+ O9 Z/ @3 h
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the / b% A% T6 V" u& ~
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
/ A- ]- F7 `+ l- Q$ i, U( krelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
: ]2 ^* y$ a9 b& @* v2 ]% cties and more general historical writings, can readily account 5 R+ E/ P5 n+ Z2 N, T. ?
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
2 v' B u5 N, @$ l, `ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such # F" V8 t @# z/ `( P
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his- . [" G. j1 q }% C
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
2 `/ [( w6 s- q) m" @vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
2 h1 |- H" ~5 yquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
/ Y5 e2 e% l+ }: ltary history of his . 0 x+ p" W+ {; T6 M2 N* O2 @
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A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written 6 ~, c) G) r. W' f$ @" Q: O
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
, Q0 Z: ^4 z" v4 }# A+ f: rnon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
! q9 @7 T {8 q4 ~% f! C; H5 yfactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
% [3 a7 |! n+ b( y' f; Z' [3 ?8 Shigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander % r# O; O- w) Z5 V m
Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal w% p" ^3 |/ B- C. ^$ o
! W. K* p9 { e# R5 _; N. k' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- 9 }9 R" ]5 R: F7 B( c, x
chants," published in 1856.
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! c% ^5 B" b% z% J1 Q. V94 American Jewish Historical Society. 4 [) O2 e9 a0 e- N* K; h# E
3 M5 J! N+ @6 `reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
8 ]+ W% O7 G% K: slections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
7 K' L& o ^4 E* mleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; ; F2 v8 r# t, d
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
- |7 z0 v' |* l c/ m# F6 h1 klikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- $ h" l1 S6 U5 a) a
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary ) z) J! q/ H2 J) r) H
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
5 p" _- ?' G9 z& a) \; greminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago # n) @4 t6 C* A7 w1 w7 O% W6 ~- P
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant. . B7 u/ I4 ~) U, g1 m6 y
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
- f' L$ J, `; x& |9 B' R- c# W6 z2 gin his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy % P7 N$ N& J7 M: J; k
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his % u1 k# C4 u& W! U+ I
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
7 d- V$ e. d( h* `guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and 3 {; d# w" x' @: E& k4 `
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
+ H S/ e" y1 N1 f9 J' pand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish ' `" ^6 O( @& u0 B! n, a: K+ J: Q
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
1 M# U, z1 L+ a0 Eunprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
# @# N. ]9 s6 Q( ?- z( p6 tgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- ' Z: @9 ]+ g$ z9 a) g
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore 0 m% u$ ^% p9 E$ g7 E
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their / j( O7 i) h: W* R
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the 5 L9 ]* Q, t" m8 `$ e; P. e. x0 F
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever : T" W+ t2 j2 I+ i' d1 L
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. / U; f$ g4 ~" [8 d' C
/ ~2 ]8 E' d* U+ g2 _! W8 ?7 oJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June % J$ D1 R4 O# ^: e: N, h7 u
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- + L0 C* C$ w6 t" s# w+ d
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his 6 Z% o: D* c# G, q
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
/ ~8 [: \8 ^2 J+ Rister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
7 |0 u0 b4 b/ F- m; i/ fof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
# ^, \, r7 |- k- ^5 W" Jthe dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- ) u$ b P6 D& s6 y& @$ S
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
* w( Y% a7 b, m+ I+ H. ~career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
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' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
9 a% K. y, x# Y4 K: r# Q- p' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- $ t; S* r. Q, ] y( j+ b7 k: ^
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- 2 ^8 q- W- x3 @ r
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Gift 8 n5 M" w& z/ {0 ^, ~
Authc:
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) Y( _7 C4 p3 X, ~6 {. GJudah Touro — Koliler. 95 A& y: {) o7 P
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
s* z y5 j6 F: f5 w" @6 kin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
# N: |$ K0 x- CEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
8 ~4 b% i! W% _* i8 C6 ^3 Cdied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- 4 G* d! S" s- x# b3 C Q; U# [
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city - n/ t v$ g! p' K, `# Z
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
2 H# l" O- j/ z2 b: {parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December ) a" ~; S. b n% M, J0 }
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, : t& o7 W. y r2 w2 @
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
5 G4 [' Q% U9 Qbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
2 }7 F: |5 v. c& l% k+ Ding merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
" A1 K3 J& a# L: o" s6 @" [. g+ xber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, & }# t( T+ }3 T8 g' X
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely 9 I9 h+ K! m0 W
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
9 _/ B( s' V5 K: G) ?. e5 Kthem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were ; `9 m% D- S, U
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- $ g2 Y, ~% Q: ]7 E
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
* L: F. [+ A) T3 B) e) iof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- ) u- q: x' Z, I/ k2 i4 Y
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
( z; p: c! s- w; Ywas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
- D1 ?- Y$ I% M+ _0 N" ^, U9 Bpatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
! `6 v$ t5 I0 @Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
% u Z. D) O! B8 W7 @5 ?first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, . ~; s7 p3 s: }/ g B% G1 `
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
- D$ s" |+ S. Qist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
. _" X* ~* B0 w6 f) W" H7 i% m Rearly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
n" g0 D, Z3 ~: O! Cinduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase ( C9 z0 S7 B: G S# y2 ?# D5 v( T! A
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
- i& D# G. [/ [5 {Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
5 R& g x; x; [
+ d- b4 E$ C7 e: n. i, V- Xtrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., & k2 k0 g/ i: K* n/ K* T7 F! S
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
5 s5 U/ T. [- E: @8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
" ?0 p# t& h- b8 J8 T" t+ `" Zand New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences 9 T' \ [ J) ^0 ^
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New-
% c0 U, f \7 Y# Yport," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
; r: w- k8 ~+ o) L) r" _Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." $ M4 _! Q% g0 t7 m: `
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
* u2 B; U8 T6 ~- k$ }1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. , f$ D; a7 [3 F. B( C% a
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. 8 R8 ]' {8 t. D9 ]
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
. J' d5 V8 e8 h* U/ J1 Nvessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- / V& \" L- [5 F! e2 E
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
M6 v7 l* I! ^+ |9 c5 b3 qvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a 1 ]# m0 ~7 A7 n
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after ) V/ F( I" O% e
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends ! P, E5 R4 q2 t
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
, C$ {" d. S0 P. a0 @( ument to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
4 o" [" S/ R" D, k' jmade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in , X3 O3 H% ~0 [% P, y1 h
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- ! J% L* \, Q# o
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- 6 [8 x D2 W$ N( Q2 ], c* L( p7 X* e
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts & q7 Y3 Y$ u B5 q* b! m S/ u
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
4 d. X+ v# W/ O! ofrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George ! j/ R; r+ _( R
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 6 G9 f2 u$ a9 M3 f7 B
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
5 `' V- z1 L% ]plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws , x* B1 l/ J4 G( k% J' n5 C; u
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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9 [( ], g6 I2 C& K9 r/ wTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
5 W Z5 Q4 S0 z3 T0 e: Whis cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their 9 `8 w: o- r5 H o
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- 4 K3 b: c2 q1 w6 ~9 F! ?8 i8 A
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
# J8 ~% I1 z& R0 C. V5 _ r2 @and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
& _( \! ~% x& l% X! s! b/ D1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
% d4 a: Y/ p9 Q7 Pmonth in ignorance of her death.
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& P3 U9 F8 k z' h5 ]Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
! @! l3 L9 U j3 zton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
8 }* |. B0 P, U, l$ [accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
) D' }. ~0 i5 ~. v/ Wespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
9 o# O9 B1 [8 h5 u) r: u3 q# Rport, though the Jewish community of that town had been $ }1 I2 b5 D/ g4 N
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused % T7 V4 b! p, W9 j2 f! s! u
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for . a: r! {3 J5 i8 g/ v9 o
which he made further provision by his will, which contained 5 W2 Y* Y6 o& w3 ?% `
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( ^ \4 |& Y7 E4 XJudah Touro — K older . 97 ) F: w. ?. {* n: A5 j, }
$ A1 d0 w& M* h! c Qa number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
) @+ d+ C+ u4 _# Z; E. ~3 c5 dinstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and 6 W- U& f8 n4 U" A0 w
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly 3 \) K0 u" l( D M
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
: Z5 F/ g5 N" J: `+ a8 mnizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. 7 D" P* S: ^' Y* H* v
. }( m5 `3 n, {3 Q! WEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- - V& w+ y0 m4 M1 H- c
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
- W, U) Q2 J) E) ], L' tthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, : Y6 f* W: Q& ?
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
1 o9 C4 L6 [6 j7 B9 x0 oleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
# Z p9 D: `& v9 @teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
( \1 {5 [- Z) `9 C" `5 |5 P Fthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
; t* S: s8 ^4 C3 j& z; f$ ]/ e" Ein the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- $ z, e2 l3 ^. p7 l* F8 O
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
/ A. c3 k: Q; G: B: @' `he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. d' T$ ^# O# G) _- K
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
/ ]+ J! L6 P7 t3 khad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
0 @5 N3 n6 u" z8 T8 L$ X; ^% t" rwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
. m! \' z" J* h# w1 h( ]Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
8 M( S# W# q" D) _3 i- W N, SShepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- % \/ y7 }" F5 R9 ]! B2 \& I* E* E9 y
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
3 s# ~! C( g# T: |; v) F/ C) |herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
5 W! W) m$ p2 U& O5 I: Sbequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
" }( k- H k3 N/ U: _so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- ' h1 i- H7 H: E- W- ~/ i" p6 D
scribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred . _/ ?" S3 v8 G9 I( |( Z2 Q
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began 8 I l! u7 c5 W( l0 w2 e( P
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
% Q* h Q/ P7 Vexports of New England, making prompt returns to his
. {2 l6 B5 O- T* _$ h4 Ifriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
: n; D1 @% q. ~5 o, ?" b5 ^2 N& Y( @! _agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
" ?- \8 \3 U. pvessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and - C3 U$ E$ w' ]) r$ s
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain / K: v$ Q& Y" a& N! J A
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
$ F- p' R9 Z$ x; u" L5 D' xfunds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
4 Q$ y2 E8 T+ q% A4 ]% `) Y% zships 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
' e0 P V1 n$ tstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em-
8 W: d6 N9 Z# obarking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
! Z0 M8 D) Y( l* \1 _9 }, V. j- v' King aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
1 q3 }( D0 y% l0 e. W: ?' Jthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
9 z! \! i4 H/ q" ~3 Rof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
5 i3 E \/ `# ]: Q# @His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
2 H! V5 e) }( |- aby his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
7 t2 }* e9 F5 {" O* k; B( p1 R: t) Zthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
; U# \, l1 \3 A, u+ F4 Q7 @tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset. . T) z, p, J: L0 \8 K% `# _
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
! w6 m/ i( q7 `6 c- Tarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- 4 ` {2 {- d9 c8 d, r
standing.
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( ^6 _: o V- h+ jIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
, V2 C8 c/ _8 i2 V! G9 q- Zdevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
4 n& j. l3 c/ ~age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to 5 i3 k, ]' L: p+ m: `5 R+ {
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made & I V4 W& _1 w
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- c# w$ i' T% b/ ^7 w
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
7 N# v6 U+ ^& Z6 F/ H( ttunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, , H" ~+ p0 G1 O8 X3 `
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
9 v3 s8 A0 J2 l M% M j: c3 Gwithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that 9 z- v. i v* l* J
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- ; g" b/ P8 s2 {
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
9 E- k W; v" u8 {5 iOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- # v" P( `, W* x! A( X
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who 1 c# q+ P5 j: C3 C$ Z% W
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than 1 e2 J% D- T) [
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring . x' Y& {' ^! } ]- u
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw ! [6 |/ W8 c/ M9 ?! T3 q( k( u
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- - p: R: L/ D% x/ s$ a R3 ^/ h
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little ! j4 x0 e/ v! O' j& N& w( e# I, R
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble 0 F8 Z$ P) C& n( ]0 E2 ^
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
# o; L: S4 U. m; c, V, P/ f9 _! _- uglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
* u6 v/ M; h( K8 ?" b2 g( {: x) Jhands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
1 r) B# d0 \7 Q' i8 ?homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 4 s7 a. R% `6 ?: o6 P* M
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6 W; E! `, w* t$ ]# I1 |) l; ]1 VJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 5 C2 e8 m' V- P. U/ E j
1 N2 V' G/ I* m D: hpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
$ ~/ p" I, R. u0 A/ e) C$ a) w3 Ca man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
" W' ?% C8 C5 o/ K2 }ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
' `1 {/ A8 i1 M8 ^0 A6 M$ \whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
3 U* v( j/ \" M u# Vaside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
5 S( R1 l: [9 F# i2 I; Ybewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a 6 J! n+ B+ q* R4 L& Y: n) J9 E! q3 K
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death [" e2 s0 a, B- T
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
% O. T" ?- {7 B5 ?+ W4 Ddoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large + D: G$ i5 K1 x, L
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
9 A0 Q4 ]) B( S0 D+ X" }" v% kreward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
! v2 h; o$ e, U+ `8 D4 q: b4 W& N! hcence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 3 u# V" F* ^; {) x) F6 [$ _! D
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise % v3 j: ~1 a) y
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall ) G* p' x v# N# J5 I6 s: z
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, - T ~% @. _' @* v; f
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He 7 r7 n9 k- g9 Y
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
2 p L) n D# t4 ~4 n( D: fgratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single 1 e [8 C# ^3 y, a1 ]
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
. t! J7 Y D% {5 H. Z: G6 Qa miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
" ^2 D0 r& d6 `/ E4 I4 Kfrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
) F5 s9 V' w, l2 I& q5 xstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
/ L; {! q Y; L6 l7 H9 oand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
0 J% A# s0 C7 \4 i. t# [tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
! y$ m7 h2 Y! A! M# j# K* xliberal and benevolent deeds." 2 |1 l9 [) ^) C) |2 H
. I' X. k5 e7 K4 s! E6 e# ^Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess 3 h3 D. X$ I: a4 }4 E! T
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
4 F) _# z6 V5 ]3 w3 vpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- " |/ @6 j+ y* z3 n
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they 6 Z; \# A& [; d) O7 j
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
! `7 H4 T+ D8 B, S4 E; u) Rlarge gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
+ a1 D/ d2 m! D( h" S# gcommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
$ c. x8 g# t2 Y+ q: C/ uthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- 8 S6 t' ] g. [) l4 ?8 h- r
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up # A& D2 {+ f7 K a8 u: i0 c6 D
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
$ q4 P8 ^) @2 Y# n U; R z0 {already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. o+ i2 R( ?( z0 `
9 w% w* |: O/ f0 F& C$ g* J
; Q. Q: F7 B W' Y. g: Y5 Q; [* G; g2 c5 U
100 American Jewish Historical Society.
* g( m% {, A9 c- J* g( ?. I' v! @5 ~! |, R6 K
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material # t9 r. z$ }4 F) d" z0 j8 m5 r
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward , W1 D) ^% t: P/ [
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately # y* f8 K2 F. d/ w* x4 h
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
% j n+ [2 J: q" ?4 T3 zAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
, i2 u2 Z# v! i$ I9 E) @sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
2 N5 e- j8 u4 xdignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his , |0 M) [7 n3 r/ c2 {3 t: k
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
9 p0 Y+ Q; C/ j$ j+ bseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
* b9 d- J# `, Y0 H3 ], {6 iably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- . S( z1 ~& q& o
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 4 \ C$ }5 N, J3 A! H
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, ; O6 u$ N/ [' P
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication & G, P: ]9 g s/ W4 x5 G. V
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
- @1 x' e1 L/ m4 b: t- x/ C7 Bthe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity - O3 a4 w$ n! k% p% [- i; d
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
, g# C& `0 U8 }* s# s. s0 Olines, since become famous :
& z" @: l9 l5 u! Y0 s9 @' M4 ^3 ]
Amos and Judah — venerated names! 7 \# }& O& m/ A$ q' Q2 D
J# C8 Q2 k! t+ e7 X2 B4 N7 SPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims, ; C+ @+ ?- l' }. v# n7 ]
: `0 Q4 O0 |' N6 C& ]8 ~Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
9 s- W; r( G, B& j' F5 ~
* h5 B6 _ |5 s4 i8 ?$ I& T+ {Each aids the work by giving it a check.
1 s' S3 g' f" s6 r# l3 |$ d; ]7 c' n) |1 ~
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan — 9 ?: W1 E4 y" P' u) H4 }
" h% K, T( E* t5 Q" ^8 e; p$ [
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
$ g0 C X% V6 G" E1 w3 w5 z; s3 V3 K. N" Z1 B, `# p: _
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
0 m$ y7 Z* e5 pthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often * G" g5 s9 u \4 x6 j$ W
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
2 h, p7 D1 u9 e+ Z' I: ~. [ zin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
, E0 ~* M6 k% o" A0 T$ }2 V' ttian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
* Y1 _: N6 k3 \$ k8 wister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- % G% _# G0 R8 `) Q& z/ R1 a
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised . e3 {; N- ^. T: z
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
$ s$ z( ~/ J# e2 m% P- qing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
/ g2 ~3 n) ^1 v9 z Y h: O% Ooccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
- [$ l" G S. h+ Jmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
+ a I1 G% {8 c& \+ x' t" G. q" {6 X% ^ \' a
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. 8 E' S$ Y, }& A- b @0 R5 }
* u* }$ r' V W' J7 e) w
- N, Z% a0 W1 L3 x# I! G6 |3 c/ \; I" \; w. X6 N
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 , S T+ B" k( e: F6 |
9 a& `) t+ R; Q f( Otribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested & w& s5 u7 q& D8 x
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
# w" G: ~7 G' D+ v) `+ y$ s, [he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
$ W; x( M3 D. w8 c) ~+ g) W8 P; {5 |am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
5 ^1 a7 |5 s% a) X1 O6 }to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from 4 Z" |7 T3 [& P5 t
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister / R& f' i" R% J" C
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
_3 g' r* m! Ydeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
5 e0 h7 w. l" y/ S/ `" V# ^distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
/ b7 ~' s4 U" V& `+ ?' mat New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- - k R* ?( R; u1 L4 Z$ L
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " / W7 W7 o" U) \. l, y: i* [+ I
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's 3 O' c2 N- H! r) [" C
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui- 1 F5 p& W+ T/ o Q: G7 z; s
sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
( i' |8 g1 \; m3 b9 Swas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 8 [2 S: [. G4 N# `, O2 |) |% u
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
4 ~/ l2 k' }+ Ma synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
9 S" ~- D" d3 J3 S( Dpense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
( S! K! i, l' {1 b+ klar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed 7 D' a- h+ V+ @
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- - U2 d# W2 S2 S! x" Z
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable I% K% q4 d( `/ e+ | _
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. : u+ K" K! w1 Z8 q3 b
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
/ K5 q4 ~" b# mnever heard of but one religionist in the United States who $ e3 M1 Z' K k. w
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
/ q. @! P: l4 J0 J/ yhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing , ?* \# s( g+ q' @
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- 6 ~5 p, t+ G4 {4 P% [
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
, Z& c0 Z3 @) R7 E" o fscattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. " D" a2 ^$ a' i+ y2 H; i" k! ^
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated # B# N/ N- j4 A4 W6 q0 z$ Z
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
0 p! I2 O& l3 I uhilation."
' w9 Y# k) Z" C1 p6 u
5 a4 a" E" m( W1 `One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- 0 ^+ r6 g* \) x. E% e# K
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by 6 s; n& G# I( g. y
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
, [# d! _" K8 r; ]! \ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their ) a) a8 t/ w# ]; X2 `; z9 l) C
8 k' ?, n" E+ Q! a* G3 Q
9 B% H( a" H4 `4 a& z8 l7 A5 ~- @% P7 ^+ ?
102 American Jewish Historical Society. ! r" Z/ L. O( Y
$ w2 ]/ K) f+ B: ^charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
1 F' h: s9 v! w9 T) J' s' X# Fexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
2 \7 V/ P5 ]) w% V! q, E: uwise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- 5 d- @+ J9 l9 k# g$ J5 ]
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have % ? {0 C0 A0 N# [
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of * D3 T- ?# g; P' O2 ?. M$ E. V
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
- q$ x' V! _, ~7 @% V4 K- M' E( Asummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
& h* j2 M U- u; \# Dquests, as follows : ; X. q2 k2 q1 c2 r3 a; r3 k
" g7 _1 w; K# r8 Y& [3 u$ g( q: ^He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where 9 x: C* \1 K2 F" v9 y4 K
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to & H" a' t: S2 n+ ] }6 f8 h6 \) C
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are $ w3 o/ |! n: u2 J5 M) Z* O9 d
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will 9 b- j* j- _( V- X" l- Z
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in 4 } b; A9 s2 V+ X
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in 0 J8 d% Y) V3 Q: |% e. f. [
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per-
/ V6 ]2 y' I% D" asuasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied
" f; X1 V! N. j5 Jthe means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of 4 B U3 m# n/ R% ]3 s
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
: o0 K J0 G; t# m1 `them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
: m3 M0 P) l# iblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He ; x1 V! C( A' f! y, u/ B
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
3 K P7 H( [5 V/ H3 q i/ P, Schildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
" p+ |( p& \9 H8 P$ j( qinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
% h; K3 f: _7 W u5 ]religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
& l$ K' d) A8 @/ q5 UHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
. @; j+ V. B9 c4 U% T, v5 Z. `glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of ( R3 X; ~4 J$ Q. Q
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop ~: F, R: B# C' Z$ b
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
& C+ u. W/ e2 p# r) r$ ZIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- * i3 `, }0 Y" J0 ` n- {
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
5 b+ ^" k: y/ ^- t6 j: ]7 DWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 8 w7 `+ C/ }3 @5 e( W) {" n
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
0 D* x+ D0 H2 }* _& t4 F, LHim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
: b% M) c# n7 X- W; o! `, o* E- L6 y [9 H
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because ; J x4 g6 ~9 Y$ o, {
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of 4 v0 R0 Q$ L" _. w- |1 [/ g$ I
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their , M0 c1 z& ]- l
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
0 j9 m: {7 ?6 ^+ y+ Aobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
( s$ w' M0 o& y) ]6 R9 o- Xtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have 1 t" Z7 U0 `5 L9 R3 L4 \
omitted no deserving Jewish community. 5 {5 k! y; W i% P0 D6 t
" @ a) y& A) t
7 i$ `7 {8 F9 Z B( J: _) g" M. _1 B
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
; _& Q6 J, A7 F5 ` y3 T+ }
$ c2 O% N/ n7 [6 ]! f* h: H- Acrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
. r, B6 X; ~) x3 S% mhistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
3 }, k( m0 O! `8 gsubjected. 5 j# n0 Y# U' E; F9 y. @
: J( E. Z9 T0 A0 [! @% WOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he / N! j5 z0 k; P
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with ' u+ n$ m6 k7 e% N5 X: {! q
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
, Y2 c9 R- `9 j2 ring to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish & [' S5 f# H# _ o' P
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
9 T/ }5 [/ g+ V, Vish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
8 Z* z. i3 m; }# p4 B& k& ftemptation. , k" q" E' @+ S& n7 [, J% w0 Z. ~
5 m& c# N4 n! U. b; O4 RAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 8 w, U; f, w; U5 Q5 j0 y1 _& {2 d
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, , \+ b5 g0 p6 R L6 C
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
0 @/ n8 c- _& U! }5 [5 c) n# }Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were 2 T4 ~" k/ c% r. k& M! g0 V) {
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he : E: u; i3 M6 K: E; M/ @& y/ f. h
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
$ p; E9 `& c/ u1 F5 _+ G$ hland. By official resolution of the public authorities of
. M! v- `3 D# WNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
2 y% U; x3 [9 J) v/ Z! P$ Vhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of
5 x! O' X% O- l+ U w2 w* jthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
+ G. L% y9 F' G$ U" Bof the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
( i! |( R5 t- _ L1 E- w% Qwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
0 ~0 @- [$ g" g/ O3 z0 }& _6 @Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
8 l! [/ ~' F4 S5 O" b( a( g, {4 @phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
9 J' T- Z( J/ u5 xYork. A project to erect a monument to his memory was 9 S. Y1 O7 x7 l: \; C. ~1 ]5 H
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
5 Q0 }, D1 M A YJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
! z8 n. b e& M2 H+ @were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
x6 n1 K5 e$ \ h" M, V$ mphilanthropy.
( u6 P5 w+ L h q8 n0 V! B6 |. K$ h% x3 p' e6 b
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- n& ^9 Q: D8 k, B; R9 |
lowing appropriate inscription :
/ a9 H8 r3 }' x2 M. n$ a! N3 P7 L$ z1 M. U9 c% w
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; 5 g: C1 Y6 x6 [. s! z5 U
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ; Z# Y m; j) m9 y4 [
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
; L2 s7 f* o7 Bthropy % x e0 j, H; }. u! s
To be remembered forever.
+ O9 U+ J- K* J! v9 ~: E* a9
* b& {# R2 a/ G" _9 l
! S7 h' z+ |% ?1 g: g! J9 U, y; M- a' K; C4 x6 ~* X* Y7 \$ Z+ W! @
: R- f6 n0 V9 X' W+ t104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
1 v" u# Y8 ]. ~8 j) M# n- {6 {$ s; e* _6 V
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. * s; c8 y# Q, C6 L2 h" [
. d* j# ]" D' w w
United States of America, , U( J! G) Z8 [3 }
: @: J5 {$ A0 M3 AState of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. 7 P1 F$ A! F' h1 `( ?+ I& O9 {0 K
$ o/ i) e- I3 GBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of % a m |' x/ a$ C, H
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
% f. _9 x6 p% i; C0 Fof the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter * Z* h9 @; t0 V& l. r
before 10 o'clock a. m..
% Q$ C! n9 J4 ]; q7 }- c2 l% g* I# f6 I" p( x
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
$ x$ G1 i6 k8 ~+ Y; f9 ]* {' `city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 2 e0 Y1 s4 J# C
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- - | R* x$ z6 H3 g; Z( `/ M5 W" L
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
4 H8 s3 O, l1 q; f4 dsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
) k/ D. {7 q7 c; h" W- ^: u- M$ h( L
$ g( Y+ a C* v1 bPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, * J/ J) B# `, U9 C0 \4 T+ g: I6 ~
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
% y/ q- O9 v1 F" W& |room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
1 N& [4 x# E- G; c: X* G. _sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
4 `* H. N( g7 d0 K1 i3 nsaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah . |1 s4 V$ Q2 X0 D0 a
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
7 o1 W* i: G1 A4 Vment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in 2 p7 M/ z/ P" e4 C5 F
presence of said witnesses: 8 h* C+ l4 y0 a4 `! K/ \9 `$ c
6 Q# g3 G% T: z! ?! k7 e" I1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
8 R; v3 N1 ?9 M( I6 g' A0 I( y4 S: O! r: M2 ^
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 6 t4 d2 @. [1 Z( W
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after 8 c3 K, I' A! ^: ^% X
my decease. 3 F/ @% L( Q: C4 y; N
$ i/ w5 ]; u$ w! N: ]
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
2 [: M; b9 O3 W) q' R/ s; t, GRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
% ~: _/ f% u5 g7 o6 s2 |New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre 6 c K% `+ g4 r* ^ Q
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- & D! B8 B9 @4 ~+ y4 Q
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- 5 ]# y/ P3 S( X( S' x$ m
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
% K: H1 X8 p7 M$ i5 {8 X8 S. {Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
" z( K7 e4 A9 m' _9 E3 bDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
! W2 b0 p, n/ w5 x1 gsum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, ! k! D0 U! P% m s6 t/ {' ~
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but * Z" h: |7 D8 ]7 b8 |1 d J" }
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
. z0 l8 b4 |2 G7 Z% q2 Frendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
2 ]6 L, z+ j# q1 {% E% Y3 wbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors " x1 J E7 F! a2 k* X
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say 7 F( Q( W- Z: ]9 i2 u( |/ k
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
- X4 t I; \" q' g8 e) E6 D4 Aunder Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
) s0 |* M2 M+ ~6 J4 h. dtion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
% c) t8 |1 b, [% @# o2 I ~: t, D
; I* \# i8 |# T/ d" \ T& Q# `
: `/ B u/ t. m& Z, a
) G% }% M+ n1 X$ g6 C5 ZJudah Touro — Eohler. 105 * X+ |3 X2 y% \) D7 ~. n' |
9 B- c$ C% V9 K' U: V! v/ M6 `
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
) ~1 e e$ E6 {( d$ Aherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
4 {* x$ ` J6 `# Iof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
+ Z4 A+ H5 G* r# M1 r" I/ e7 m% Dmy estate, movable and immovable. 7 X' o- B/ r8 l" k$ j
8 I6 N4 ~: }( n1 j d
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more 5 }% c% n+ T, o, g8 T
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
- a y' F- t `; Por Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last ( y1 A- K; q2 B2 }7 {
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
! O) y& l& k3 Kof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
( {8 g% s8 e8 c }case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
$ P; Z3 p! z$ D; K: f) y8 gthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
# r" V( v+ H) E7 vherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
1 c" b5 e6 M% q. ?+ b. Hto them. ! a1 c: O( M% w- q
( ?% i. ^' p- G. _9 R
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in 9 k/ V, L) `0 }1 h+ E% M( B* j
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until + Z O7 C+ x% B
the same shall have expired.
4 m9 z% T$ Q; U4 t; N$ w+ h% g( W1 c% k7 u
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of , q {3 [: E" D o
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner + A& X7 _: ]5 ]4 Z/ f
directed by this my last will or testament. . J3 o n3 R/ p- ]
, c! S' Y) H+ a
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis- : y$ Y3 p A5 L
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
4 U% [/ _/ V6 i% @; H9 n, _1 B% _property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their 2 E& B" P4 ?5 ~7 X l, b* b" F
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
$ Q. D/ G) h' Xthe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from + l$ O" `: J( o3 ~8 z
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
( X) n) X4 q8 l9 w' zthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
/ \! e& }& ?5 N" W/ tUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- # Y, W. z4 z: t# h# |2 @6 Q/ A
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
$ y# z1 a; j2 Y8 S2 h. {" igregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
- Y6 |: h# f+ q' WReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
5 g# e& w0 |; ~my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- 1 a6 \. j9 {( e* ^
strictions. . C. U: k) l. Y# F7 x& G' q: \2 C
( ~/ g6 w% g' ` z7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 7 n8 r! _' n/ _9 i
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession ( f9 V! G) W$ Y# D" X5 l7 G
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building + C6 F6 _" F! ?7 t2 s5 r( C) O
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
3 ]1 t. z' w* \; h/ W4 a$ Q Mtemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
* G' o$ i# ?, y% u+ {itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
; C& ]/ |1 Z) [% c, H/ zecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
) }2 t& E/ v7 N5 ?conformably with the laws of Louisiana. 4 Z; `! T/ A3 U: U, m0 S
5 b7 l, _/ H8 R# G x$ k/ w: r8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
4 [- @# |% N5 H" C2 W0 H$ x& z4 g5 M" XNew Orleans five thousand dollars. 2 P1 m" l% ]5 n' v2 ~
% C- |' v0 b: Z% A7 P. E: U9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- " r; |2 _* U' d3 Q% n
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
3 M+ a3 i9 S& u' a1 d" Z/ [; n1 \/ X- j, @- P) t( M- K* v, y
# _1 Q" {- ? L: I" Q
5 G9 F* s" m" a106 American Jewish Historical Society.
! }0 C& Y- ~ G# H( ?! l( D
9 c0 L/ Y' z3 O5 B/ j' w B10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 3 s- p* [) N+ C0 r8 f0 C1 v
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. # q: k0 h6 L8 _* u' M$ U
3 r/ |1 t% e: w& H7 N; E; T v
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society - q5 L+ u2 r: z3 b+ h* y7 B
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. # s1 I, o f0 g# w) \' D
' O$ y; v8 x) n* F# ~$ p12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New / K6 y7 P) j& I8 _ |8 s8 ?) R
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. , p3 R5 J+ J. g2 T: a9 U
8 p, C8 D; s; y, w% u0 Z& z
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
- c8 a1 D2 U- J+ X. \% E* Q, D+ }tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. 9 h% u9 \9 F" t* n$ P2 H
/ R9 g. ` ]- ^" _4 R5 Y
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief # C) s# w( `7 g( X/ T
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
9 S8 Y6 u$ x7 ?. J3 k l# Glars.
1 L* F4 P o" I" L
0 W, ~' i" B* h, M15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan # i/ C! X, O6 Y: C7 z. l
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- 8 R/ u% j3 ?$ ]! E( I
sand dollars.
; I8 h) F1 ^5 Z# K5 D
8 ~3 d& @/ |: R8 m16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- * l' ~7 F& y( R k6 i$ y% Q3 n6 }
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
; |% L: J4 z1 u' p1 b7 M' m* achairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand : [; T A2 }: d0 t* F# W/ }' [
dollars. # _. [3 I5 ~/ k
& d$ X N# O. P( `4 ^) k, T6 n( ?17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
% ?- G k/ t( { r1 L) s) Hfive thousand dollars. " \ ~ a6 h/ `: @% l$ K
, ?+ L/ \: V) m8 F% v" [5 z
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
. I- D$ c; R7 p; l+ ation " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. & ^, n( Q& L1 F( k3 j" m) `
. E* V: P& M+ }, C/ z
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
/ C5 Z" p2 V" v6 G/ sDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 6 B2 W. Z+ J8 V4 G) Y
2 M' @0 n7 o# f2 l- ]6 e5 c* `& S+ I& {
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
' f8 t+ o3 n6 \+ D; q! T/ C4 f% n6 Y" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of + Z. u* ^# `" x& \# U
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity " w1 k1 s7 |, g5 n: }
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) % i4 b5 I4 h9 ?6 @9 m" C
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be 5 z1 @6 x# |6 ^' A6 B
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that $ B, y. f K7 A2 d9 \! j
after my executors shall have legally organized and established
4 b& w4 Y3 e- S4 X. z e- csaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
2 o' _- j2 V1 ~! ~administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
u- B5 |, U B0 B: d5 P7 [, Y6 y* Rsons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
- D. M- f! F3 U z& J9 djointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
' p; [& [; ]' v8 xcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
$ H, v7 l' X2 {thereof. 5 o, m: y5 W% W7 t5 ~2 N
# J* T, h+ a# L" ?
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
0 Q8 i6 _5 J, y. M) D4 Q. i! ]( VRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that * ~6 R: H$ }: L9 B9 \; y0 X. u
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 4 e3 y9 f3 K& ~1 L0 E) [- `7 J/ B
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
7 p6 w2 S/ O1 uas a public park or promenade ground. 4 |+ F# f1 p: ?
1 S4 u; x+ p5 S$ ^) D. `) [$ x22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport ( o. V0 e, O0 w' G
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. % K' [/ q# `2 u" @" t+ ]% p& h
, U/ T$ H8 H* R7 x7 _2 D) {0 i" I- y4 _# a
( O' Z" d1 x+ ^7 E1 `Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 , c" _" m1 C( X0 H8 X. P8 w
) D, Z! [5 K! V- B9 \5 `23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay # E' v# X7 ~# d! q; `# Y6 I: ^6 S9 |
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
& g/ H- D! i# Z7 \" I, F$ p
8 F. U% u4 c6 l n$ f H24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
# s8 j0 b9 W8 L) C% Sford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. " o: W7 R4 v2 m
( G0 a+ h* _7 v, A3 p* x7 \" D5 }: U
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
- X% o+ y3 {$ E0 W% K1 b8 xHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. % \" j N& g# Q0 L X# ^8 p
" L0 I3 _* S; b+ d* z
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
" ~; D& y, s7 g0 y Efor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
0 \( Z. m2 w0 @: d6 lState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
* P6 n2 |9 M* D! Z6 t% x7 Bten thousand dollars.
% [1 ]6 `) M S, O, j! M# `1 |% F! T# Q) m% r- ^6 I
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir . t+ _3 G9 F: C D0 z* r" T' x
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to , I8 l, z' g2 \/ I" D! R! |
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
1 D) I2 N* _( othe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of 2 F+ \: n3 R' r
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
1 n& D7 m* \- F( jmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- * d3 Z) Z3 o0 W! D) X
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through 8 A" L# \8 b9 T p6 I7 [
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
; T# N: Z1 p! K f7 C5 j$ B; Bas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of ' G# h+ Z/ H, @3 V1 f
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- 2 }! S' ~3 |- Z! V1 f. g& e
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and " Z2 K/ Y) j, W( V
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
L, z3 O2 n$ n: ~$ g$ f* \be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
+ `. Z8 O0 a( gCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- - W2 ~( B2 L% @! N. C7 J9 N
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, $ m( m) A1 E$ f4 T
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this - f; t& P0 x$ w
my last will. 2 i' \2 }0 i4 g5 _; R
' T# P! w1 F5 c. I
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
; M/ D! B. X* G/ R( Ehave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to : X/ J3 d5 p3 F7 Q) \6 f
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, ) n9 m- z6 Z7 M! O
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
+ {/ c0 j: y& h# b* P9 a6 Arespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and 1 b; Z l) b8 D+ o$ V1 L4 ]' m, A
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I , R- A5 d7 E5 ~/ B/ q
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my ! t. B. z& d8 j& w
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- ; H+ F2 D( c! | O* j
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to $ |$ D, i, C& x s% j" ]7 G
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. 2 B' F7 K5 E. ^; q9 s
2 j1 X+ }! N- S$ E7 I( p/ u29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
8 P/ Z, t% Y" X; j5 X ?City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. % D( B. Z/ _4 g9 d$ q
/ Z& n8 W2 Y' I: `0 M0 K
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
! i, `% J C7 i! @" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. & [% A1 n8 ]8 P+ _4 b$ i! _
. V( ?! C5 u: |# v: \+ [% R1 Y: Q. h31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society 8 D3 w, v/ d. j9 x; w( T3 G
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
2 f% m- c* A& ~; m! q$ m- p
2 |3 s- E3 ~1 p$ n+ Y/ K d% l( G& r' H
# f- I3 R J- b! g. {1 F0 h
108 American Jewish Historical Society. 3 R/ R5 ~3 R( W
f9 P' P$ N1 k. H& i
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund " B( U5 A, ?6 g8 s
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
- t- {7 R9 t+ |, q1 tCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand 3 m6 q0 I& _3 p1 I% n
dollars. 7 d+ }7 D) e7 V
' g3 I" _( [/ F1 W J33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- . |, N4 g9 ]7 p5 B
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
: F: m1 a% k, T3 R( u+ Mthe sum of three thousand dollars. 5 \4 ]' ~! x- T7 c. b' {$ r7 S
' t- h- T N% c# Y" `8 J34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 0 Y4 t/ i9 @8 ` Q
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. 4 ]; p% `+ S, e+ c% E' i" u @6 a
L1 k5 ^- P8 N/ n
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 1 t; T& J3 l0 J% Y) j
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was 8 u& Z& H2 f; C7 _
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
. G8 |6 @) Q6 ]/ }7 [Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
p; K1 g$ n+ M# I' Y/ }5 y, C5 O$ S" M
* e7 r# f* j4 f5 f7 u36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- ; @! _3 ^ q6 r4 P
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
( `" E6 \( \5 A3 P3 b, i' elars. 8 i6 k x6 ]4 @- \
3 @8 z3 w7 b: w" @8 j; w4 j0 E5 L
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
7 g" C& h$ [, U9 P* i& I0 qPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
( v0 l$ [' M, `( I& x! c
2 b% M/ r* H6 ]0 q8 D+ a4 V. s38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
! \/ y% h* b7 x2 p, X- udelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
k$ I: x4 L% |' ?7 n' I) ~5 F' H. j' o+ a+ x) j
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
& w% \) v& }4 D! @% yIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. # f; n( A! E$ V6 ^* M* ^
4 }1 {' B1 K6 n6 Y6 T40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
9 `4 C+ n% H( M- v$ jShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
2 A' {4 g# g" U% V9 P0 y" ~& G' W# u
' B3 X2 V" u" Y' t41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
4 A' i* H2 P; c- d) F4 x. H2 R* _: LIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
( v" b( q# t9 ldollars. . c, U3 S% j0 g9 e4 i" r Z8 ]) m
8 V, k' J2 U/ K2 M5 D42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 8 A7 c0 [# P( W
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
+ `4 V) s' P5 [
( Q& c) E. L7 B$ I* P" n: `43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
8 c4 K4 P( d" o# `) `+ t$ dIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
' y" K, ?7 `9 s7 C, K( z( c4 H
5 u. r4 X+ ~. M' q8 L( T44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont-
( A2 z! J. V% Y" M7 `+ ogomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
' k1 e: ~8 s2 s' F- T0 w0 X/ z; [4 ^/ C/ y
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- % v+ r' ^2 g0 Z; { x* F4 n
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
/ j7 Z$ B# i+ ^9 Z. o3 J: C9 J7 T9 Q% c* G+ a3 p% D% m5 h) O; {4 j
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas 4 i$ k5 I, q5 c8 S9 U
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
5 _1 w' P& J5 w8 E: E% o9 w6 A5 o0 A' V/ P& i$ C
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is- 1 p) H$ R7 A. K# u) `
rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
& }& L; a( s6 T/ V" x# P' ~' m' g" q6 c* Y4 J6 G1 ~8 y
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- 8 _+ d( @5 h W
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
3 C& i# O3 G) Q. `8 o( E8 M& L7 l. d4 w
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
9 R: @: z# g n; bOhio, five thousand dollars. 3 X8 V/ x' v3 }0 _+ |
0 l( S6 Z' I8 r4 e
0 r4 {' B" Y* `5 F2 w; R. k2 N% G' b0 z
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 5 S0 u( d1 C1 Z; _! k
8 y" d% G3 M8 q/ I3 J/ Y50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
8 T8 n& u4 ~3 {5 s% p7 n# NIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
# }$ c- b7 n7 f! S
, p% q! M1 t& ~5 L# i51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
* X! Q0 m0 Y5 v( S2 I W" S' l2 w+ `6 `El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
0 s; w ^+ v, i1 r% n
. I3 M7 E8 z4 b7 l* G$ V* I52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," 3 g) I2 q6 A6 N. R$ S( g
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
4 F( A3 k1 ` Q
+ i+ s# l$ u( I53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
0 ?/ u8 l6 {5 z2 `; l" w* {; CEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
* q4 N% R K# n+ W0 `' Q* N# w5 ]* ^4 {; k" S
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, . f+ I- r/ m9 Y7 x# W
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- & X) }2 V; ~: U! a" W3 q. D
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: 9 Z8 Z/ [; p7 r* L% I: M
9 \, r: m; K! U. X( Z
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, 9 b& b+ ^/ h' V v0 c) W
five thousand dollars. ; }1 H+ F7 N/ m9 E7 s/ m" I2 j/ K/ U
. w6 W' O. n6 HSecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
% k7 e7 x% C# o# p+ | [: S1 ]: Ofive thousand dollars.
: U2 {: m- _1 O% h& w# l K8 H
/ I- L0 n2 {0 u: @, H) r2 WThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- 3 @5 y6 C- P. @! f7 B. b3 T
sand dollars.
9 v s7 G, C0 u" B$ Z2 Z& F% {- ~- I9 J5 F% i8 P3 \
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 7 R0 C m1 W+ J9 U- w! R
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
+ e# r3 w' }1 a f- [ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
# a7 L' o* N8 t( C& w2 {3 b" q' m9 `istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the 2 a" l f2 G: e$ O4 y1 S) _
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
5 C9 S% N5 C: E( M/ V3 Sappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
! l5 x) ~( w. i. n' z- kas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
% D+ j- n, ~4 n) Q! Oof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, N7 M$ n. J( F( B( W
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed . r# ~0 P/ G4 a! T4 o
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should / s' c) g8 F1 p7 a3 w1 z
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct 0 {" U4 s5 u+ b, U* {. P. A3 X
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration 6 m7 q: G1 S$ J& k1 b2 E# u8 N
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
?' N f, Q$ @4 ~: W% Ksum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
5 E* e; `% V" zthe said David and said Nathan H. Gould. * }$ U. R) G& Q3 c' ]' J
& y& B* o/ L( A- o& |56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine 9 F& R6 ]7 q* f) R1 X+ B
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind 4 @9 q$ S# Q- m0 q' S% a
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. 2 ? e% K9 l% J
! e5 U% t; p8 r( Q$ e, k$ r8 v57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and 0 H4 v( l& A7 ]7 T% t- L' }
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of 5 y( S7 i) @; T
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be 3 W$ I) l0 h6 B5 A
equally divided between them.
; A. X3 g! C: k) ]& H1 X
% |: d3 e2 Z$ z4 Z58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to 8 o N* {& H' }, H, w: n& A
the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, 0 q. G( v Q4 H
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
+ c3 r$ g0 v) g& ]remembrance. . K; p' `) T4 i; a
, S& L" \7 C7 f1 Z5 s9 I
; l" }/ O9 N) u, i# f4 o6 v; b! y# }* k; p2 I% z9 k
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
) [2 N8 J6 P7 `. W; v5 D: a
4 Q- c% o7 x1 b0 a/ a% ?# F59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
3 i5 X( V9 X* s3 {5 s7 }4 {* z6 I7 _of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of 3 U6 y- ]7 Y4 \$ {$ M' ?% i* U0 u( v
my esteem and kind remembrance.
7 k% W% @" S# P: `: f3 ~8 r) j. t7 U. b6 O* w
60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 9 j" w$ h' [3 Q' H" l3 m* p
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a ! W6 j# ?6 y+ T1 U0 ]+ Z
token of my regard. / i" n+ L( _ _* q- S
# f# b( A ^' W- |: f* F61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to / @2 \) N6 T# P1 j( `. t% f! b
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
; n5 y$ L( ^+ Y6 cwife, to be equally divided between them. % U: U. f: I$ J) k
! {8 @# ~5 w- l$ i5 w
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
) [5 v# ^% d3 Mmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
; {, ^; i h j- o) Omy remembrance. , u6 e2 D0 [' \7 H
/ T2 \* T2 u+ O63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, * \5 R! @) W0 _
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
* e0 [6 Z/ z; Recutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
4 J" V a- X" u G* Wlars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
+ d$ ?! _3 R9 A1 [of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind 2 }- b9 @8 d! i4 L
regard. 5 \5 @+ ]7 M( S
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64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, & G" ~7 C6 i( c, S' `& n6 y8 Z
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
: g& R9 X3 B1 C7 umemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, 5 n9 a8 l* a( H5 `' G, G6 \
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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; W7 n# @% C( } G$ O& d3 s3 A65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
9 ]7 g0 t1 L* tto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
5 O6 I+ D' g7 |) T. S& Zmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
) A/ |( v$ c7 e( dMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have l2 U. `4 P4 d9 ?0 ]
made previously to these presents.
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Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to 8 X- f: O4 Y0 W% B" Y2 I5 c" N
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses " p" B6 I/ b- f" h) p" _0 _% L- R
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
; `9 @2 n) ^$ Z- Jsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own * n! d* I4 f# R& {
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this 5 m$ G a* e$ J8 Y
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
W, G' a# c6 c: h7 S9 q- pence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same $ H3 _) Y* x9 a, @ `5 E
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. - \; m5 Y: Z+ o' t- {7 F0 U
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
- ]* C& H" i( T/ Y+ K3 V* k5 uing aside to other acts.
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the 3 I' F0 ~- ]' P6 ]1 T
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and , Q' H8 S, |, j8 o, o) t+ S& `
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
; |! n4 s$ t, v% bMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
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' r3 B' u% B" I0 x! X3 t% y+ B; ?3 E+ h. t
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
a# A- E' j! j/ dtestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
0 E7 L9 q Q" G+ p3 ~0 e; q6 J( e- hnames. (Signed.)
4 F. B6 J$ Q$ W) e1 X9 J m% ]8 r. U4 h0 s/ L( `/ D
J. TOUEO, 7 v5 ?/ M9 i _( F# W
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J. Montgomery, " G& K8 {8 h' S# `- Y( A- \
8 @( ?7 @8 B/ T* [+ i, BH. Shepherd, Jr.,
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+ X' u# l% W' ?3 V3 J& |" w. gGeo. W. Lee,
" p1 g& x4 {( ?" F8 r
7 ]( i. O2 i- _# X4 `Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 5 D3 ^1 ]7 o2 ~5 o
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014 495 461 |
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