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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND 4 x2 T# v6 ^* B
PHILANTHROPIST. % [: }# C; I+ W2 g: y) b: Z
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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* [$ M/ V& W% L1 J, i6 R
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Reprinted from 4 i( X" C/ ^- O' L
) L5 u# F B4 |1 O; `* [
Publications of the
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% W0 Y; [, i- U9 }% IAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt,
) o% [. K1 v) E, p' c# J2 D1 @5 [3 W
No. 13, 1905.
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
' T! O" u! W& [( K( m- w" WPHILANTHROPIST. 9 V# ^* S* W0 B, @
" m1 d ]8 {+ p
By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
' E m, Q; K. TTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, ! |, j( G, W7 u& H
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the 3 i# H9 X. r8 N6 w1 I3 Z
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating 7 K ^4 s- m" V) Q- ~
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- * J. k7 r& O( ^8 v
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in - o6 q) E7 h# b6 s. e& Q' z: |
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
6 e2 k# L* n3 l2 f& P: \History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring $ A" h+ W# @. @8 {
the very name of one who would probably by common consent
3 f$ }; {3 l/ k; _. abe singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
4 `6 l% I$ g: `' t. m3 R, n6 lfirst half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the 0 o9 L0 ~6 u4 Z0 z/ T9 B
relations between the investigations of local historical socie- 8 _) |$ W& h8 y- S+ M% q# S) K
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account 8 @- R7 t( \( W: E/ j9 @
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, & J& _. t" v$ @. m! V
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such . C/ ?. z) s3 a6 B
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his- : A) {* E3 P p" E$ n) ?5 u3 D
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
; L0 q: P+ Q: f4 v5 f# uvidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
/ P. k5 c0 |5 M" [- mquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
: h. f0 \$ B4 h( htary history of his .
! Q' g( k9 f1 a- {
7 g: v Y. ]8 oA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written ; C( j0 [; y0 H% b% u/ n% |* v
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by * ~+ \: K, L2 J4 T5 |7 O8 Q3 Y. y( s
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
6 `5 T! D, S) A- g4 [8 y( z" Ufactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
7 q& x. h' L/ ?" L5 p5 {high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
5 Z2 k2 T0 c% I9 y+ P/ O* e7 B; dWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal , V# }8 E& N; {* ~+ [
, T& ^+ E: [$ [/ L& M9 x
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
1 Z& Z, V% p$ K) v) `2 wchants," published in 1856. ) l& o3 _5 U. Z8 V
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93
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: h9 [, f7 Q5 L94 American Jewish Historical Society.
# ?1 @0 }5 e6 ~+ w) t7 ?8 j1 F6 x, l. _
reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- " f' K- S# V- C& _2 ]7 y
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- 6 E c( `0 G' C: M7 y! V* x
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
# I! R& _( r2 P- h; v5 \* {/ K8 A' Wthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
; j/ Q+ f$ D' r! v C R' flikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
% Q! V1 J# ]& E4 C3 uraphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary ; f/ ]* y/ R* b" E( N
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
: V+ {: m, a2 N/ Dreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago " }% l4 o% l5 F& i) l2 f+ G
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
, v# F& U0 Q9 I5 J) H/ W' p- gJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known # F7 u$ U1 t( [
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
7 L% P, G5 R( X: v9 _and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his 4 j2 D* z; w2 [ K# c; i; f
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no 6 ]# J z% k* M2 l: Y& i
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and 3 C1 q% X5 y1 V3 P9 ]
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect 9 O0 Y! O+ H; a1 W4 X( \) S- p' x+ `
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish Z$ Z* a/ ?4 K0 V. ^$ i/ ?
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh 4 C$ A# v, L, Z9 P
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
' X! B7 D6 S& b$ Jgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- : q+ k9 N0 p' H3 l
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore 1 F b9 V$ }- q# \! o) p
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
% [$ }! {, f9 }& Q- o ~disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the ) p: M( l; g! k
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever 2 s( O y B3 f3 n9 v# `
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
+ e1 M- P7 j( q- W9 P' k16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- ) _. `1 o1 j1 v! L! B" ]
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
! G8 a. S# |/ f" l2 R- x. qbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- ; e6 `8 M ~ r1 h/ s$ X8 U
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption - q1 p0 ^' L: ^: T3 b9 c* p
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
C/ B, k5 l: T8 y: \! x9 qthe dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- : F% X1 n2 l# |' z# r
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
5 z6 P& q5 @" o2 }career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
7 w: v4 T C0 P( V, @4 A( C, E3 r
5 q% k5 q; S4 ~' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. * n- f m- s, r; V
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- ! U3 H& j; p3 ]; e+ I5 _3 K
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- $ ^- J% A l- S B5 Z3 e9 F( Z! i
7 f6 a: ^, D+ h
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% T- q2 y! n7 q; ]6 yGift
8 [ j2 i( l G. L& L& oAuthc: ; }! @4 K# G: B% \8 v! U
& I7 {' W* P9 H3 }(Person^ 4 B6 D9 H: W: m/ I$ R8 ~7 t. o( o
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4 }$ ]* b5 {4 o; b0 s/ bJudah Touro — Koliler. 95
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays, $ g5 k. i2 w+ O
in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
1 [, H! C- r! b% [( B% KEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and ) D- b+ w& T; I- ?" X) E. B; c
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
2 R B" w5 x8 S. [- ^' jbers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city 7 r7 @% T+ K7 E; W6 _
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
! c. Y; e W5 rparted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
8 ^6 |4 K6 i1 c/ z W" ^& c8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
! |5 \8 I4 S& Z! T( z! @and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, 7 E2 ], _' M* W8 d7 Q# U9 f0 j! w
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- 0 C9 i' y: F% Z, W( R! P4 A
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- 5 _0 B; X: |# c/ T) X
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, 2 E- i- x0 S2 k1 u1 x& X, S# S
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely # z: N: S: b+ m7 j Z
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood 3 u$ ^. c! P; T q1 u
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were 4 J' B; d) p' c- T! g4 R7 |: _2 {1 A
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- , }) A8 S9 s+ O2 _# g) V
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views ! [+ ^( q( E8 q. N+ h/ ^8 S: S
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
' g/ x* C7 Y: H$ t. C7 O" zcompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays ?& N; w; D0 @$ g0 u
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the ) w! g' v- e/ J
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and ' O: k S0 B4 C3 `! x: f
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
3 v; W- O$ [: V8 {first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, # r1 g& K+ O. t& m5 d/ a7 b0 Z
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- 6 d5 U5 P) f1 _
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these - c+ A2 p2 ?4 F/ e1 T! L2 i
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which ( ^. T7 G/ j2 W( g
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
/ ?8 S# ^8 l7 O) `( Y+ H) bslaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
: g8 z! {8 Q/ p [" F% l! xJudah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
. r* C( }- r# C2 ]" W
; B$ h, Y- a3 J+ }( b% J) ltrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., 0 K! |+ D# I* ]5 I
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. ; L3 k0 ^0 H5 C/ ~' G2 [
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 8 Z* a0 ]- V& i2 P1 p+ R/ Y+ J
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences ! n( M$ |& ]7 S2 q
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- " @; ~- ` x. i# I7 x" D
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
, V9 u; x5 P- t8 }5 D( NRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." ' U5 q. f4 n% T1 A/ s1 W6 l
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96 American Jewish Historical Society.
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
( b& i# e4 k7 f0 f1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
; J6 X* g, p$ \/ wa valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
/ c" f5 e# C6 p6 _' vThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
" A8 |% N- ^4 j1 E% K, w* Gvessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
2 F U+ D9 u" B- lmercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- : S$ I' H5 o( V. l, u) k
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a % Q6 t" g# N6 d7 }; H
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after + [/ c, n) b, Y/ X; }5 s
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
, z/ d( ^1 ~4 \: Y6 T- y7 uknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
7 t. E9 a: ~4 Y) z. h) ement to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 9 Y( n! `4 T+ s, s
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in # @# `+ c& _. P$ _& ^. |" R
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- * P" q# f2 J) T; L9 n5 k6 g
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
- D" h7 x9 x i+ C' U7 u$ s* eport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts 3 Q7 k4 K* ^3 [( ~3 f
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library $ N9 H' J) B, ?# `* }4 `2 d) t, H& w
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George 1 `' R# m# \$ V
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
! |0 J" X! o% k; D1 ]7 ?Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- ! f! s) ~& E3 G; j$ b9 a
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws 2 b7 q" A* c' v5 D/ m. Q
light on the scope of his business dealings. . e% {. X# q" g3 ]+ X: P# u- u
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for 6 I. d, _/ \7 j& B
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
8 H5 Q! s+ j/ `: A: |near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
/ w$ X, B( q s8 Q: Zmained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., ( ~$ c& x. Q% i; s. O: E# _
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
K) I: _, V, }- z' u. A1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
9 `. V9 y! q' u6 @% f1 R3 Rmonth in ignorance of her death. : q6 l1 a2 G& ]0 ? y6 ?
/ R4 V* |8 Q0 ~6 k6 c' J( Q! |
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- ( {, D& Y1 @0 C
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
: t8 Y4 t( J; `0 W1 {/ D2 p* Gaccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
5 ~# J u8 g+ L; Q2 M& _$ ]# X1 Wespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- # E; M2 \3 i3 x/ [2 m
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
8 F; w; z" }5 |, q1 Uscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused 1 x& @8 ^7 M7 M" Q7 H; h
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
- P) q6 r0 v+ U6 J$ Owhich he made further provision by his will, which contained
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/ I1 }. T' Q) h2 i9 q/ J- D* S' Y3 m0 W' n: E4 x! K" _: n* ~
Judah Touro — K older . 97 ! W/ t4 t- f f5 |% x+ m, m
2 f! ]8 d: K6 K) @+ W, i0 N
a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston 8 Z2 u4 b- q( R; B1 Z( ~7 k
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and $ Y, H. z2 |4 V; f3 A& N
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly 6 J! I4 D; d9 `& g
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
3 D' c& |7 L. x+ |% ` cnizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. ! r p6 \& t& [- L ~- `
5 E2 ~) r* y) {- {
Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- 8 a4 Z& p( b1 F- ]- _$ |
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during , T/ \" G; s4 p' h! x
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
. }9 e) X- }- B9 _in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- ; U% i/ N& ]3 m- D$ R' T7 H3 E1 F
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
, f9 z: T8 s4 Y8 Yteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
3 \& |- U( s3 o. A. Kthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
7 n8 L0 N" X& ~6 |in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- 9 }9 X* B4 l* V* V. Y' V( H% N# W
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
. @+ @1 {; [9 j2 B3 h9 [he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. # j6 a$ j2 t$ M: e$ O
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
5 A# g# X5 p1 ^3 d3 C. v; @' a5 i( Shad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death " `4 ^8 K! L' Z# p
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later : ]0 i( U2 X! t6 V
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of # |5 h+ k3 a" d( k1 O
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
8 c- s, \. D/ ~( R: V1 C, h& Fdence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
) G6 [/ e9 I7 |7 S& Rherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
, V" R: p7 h9 t& Ybequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
, F! `! @8 @2 o$ q+ P6 S0 Bso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
: Y) q2 Y9 N1 k" t) A! a( F4 G# N" oscribed in the will itself. . }! j- |2 @" ~- ?( l& Z2 d- A
& J, t+ O2 p# h8 S$ U; q$ uJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred 7 B% N" T' y* A
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began ! n/ _' a) U1 e4 T0 o. j* W6 q
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
! I" r/ J+ {- t$ @2 H9 V0 I0 iexports of New England, making prompt returns to his 8 K/ S; t' @* ^+ _
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
4 y9 P, e! B0 d8 G" _agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
3 G. z* q) f8 g% `$ ]vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
6 H# ?! @+ F/ ~. ?. N6 Amany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
, w7 ] T( {; ^2 z3 n7 F" Qcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
\ q2 l; O7 o8 t* S9 jfunds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
3 a/ V8 |* Q" {ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His 3 ^2 V* x+ X9 \- L
7 [4 i8 S# o1 @( [4 A
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98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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, U8 c1 u) s# m) u' I" z% rcareer as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and 9 c- @% F2 d3 k4 z$ z$ d4 ~
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- : n: q3 a+ N2 o
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
; |2 G; h* @3 _4 q8 B' aing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to * R7 u6 u( f$ b* v6 H
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
% v% w8 C5 x; ]. aof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. 6 i% x! u* F8 y
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day ) @# N) P6 x5 y* _5 z3 h
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more 6 _8 I6 i. u7 J8 ?( l
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
" r8 z1 F& T, q1 r$ qtom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
' L9 v8 Y+ _: @2 C- LHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well 7 U2 `1 L2 B2 x: E6 S; ~! a
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- 3 }3 K4 m3 @$ [
standing. : w2 P' [$ C. P& h- }; e% a
2 d/ D- [7 H6 y- y/ D
It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
* J5 G5 p) k; t2 wdevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of ! S1 q5 d' E4 Z. D+ q7 V
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to % J( ]9 b: u3 v8 g: o; h
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made
7 J2 s% P: y9 U1 `3 M ?his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
& i9 \- M. d, p: Vpists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- . X7 X; c; A9 K4 T3 i
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, & \0 p, [' K1 U+ G5 e: s* ]
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
, t' Z% ^* }! h" kwithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that 6 X6 ^: D: n6 G
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- 7 z7 o, o6 T4 ]. F) U$ w
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
1 U( U; Q0 z+ J( MOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
. T/ \/ X0 f, L/ R Aviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
4 v# G9 ~2 I5 n0 f# P$ f. ]had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than " v( t2 O" n; X3 P! R5 l, h
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring * o. h. }0 W0 Y& z0 [
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
; c% J: Q( w& A- Y7 q$ hhim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- % l2 j: ]& a; f
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little o; A: k+ [/ x' F! _4 d
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble 0 l" ` L! K9 |! n) t. t7 ?; y0 b* I
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to # ^0 @3 h+ \( _0 G8 U
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 2 P3 o# s7 ^8 t/ ` p% J/ h# q: W4 g
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his % N" j. L8 t3 p# F2 O" Z4 J6 P
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 4 f' r( R. d" j! t! {" G- ?
6 n; @- K" J+ z" K; ?
6 r& w" x' x7 m I* J
; \+ _; _6 ~( P% [Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 % W; V$ `, D( b& v
5 A8 A' ~7 G2 Wpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
8 g" z. r2 F5 P* H4 Y3 Qa man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
6 w" X6 s! n0 k8 n/ \+ x: W' M* ]ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
' f9 u9 J2 g4 k/ n9 }7 R8 [7 Lwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn + m9 U6 A3 Q l4 ?. G* M, V# z
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to $ `$ ~6 ?: a: f( z3 v2 W2 V
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
* J+ e, L) D# P0 C: J/ L' F7 F: tmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
* R2 ?7 D& S! ^ ~1 Vof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
1 K) G% G) R8 X5 C7 o& a" Xdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
9 X! s) p( b2 f% twealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the 7 w% x/ `5 p% O
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi- . S/ n% K# A. o8 V8 j5 a; `
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 4 Q/ w! j8 ^1 L- a1 O
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
6 h! V5 f4 I$ n! Q4 V: J) Q0 G4 E' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
2 T2 [7 _% I! c2 \7 p) m/ L* U7 ^return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, / v) ]7 n6 |( p& B" @
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He 5 Q( ?# C/ Z7 W* Y, O
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
5 T6 O- \* E5 H- ogratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single $ u, H! N d" {
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
+ q; Y8 j/ \5 v* y) xa miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
: ] [4 z0 L, }0 `0 w* Hfrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
5 \# ]# c( l% P0 Ustealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions, ) j& v0 z" U5 l' S4 F# u( J
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- % U) S, O1 E1 B4 D5 T! U$ h+ A8 n3 i
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to % p! C9 y3 e0 p" S. z
liberal and benevolent deeds." 7 r4 p. s/ N& o* J; @& I
1 ]6 [5 J) C, Z$ T1 x; ~2 r" pTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
; u: u$ C; Y+ S6 D2 J, nthat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
8 \$ j7 O4 J# H& M- ypublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- 2 U" {1 c. I A8 a4 ]: u
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
$ X3 R2 B0 ?; i& ]are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when * K% p t% F5 z/ N4 n9 p/ o
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
% s, x1 n$ j X9 Vcommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards % r: `$ }: Y+ P g9 w
the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
% b7 i) N& O& g+ ]terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up * G1 J6 v) z4 _& r& A( G0 }
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
* l) y. q' M5 o; s4 N3 v7 Qalready in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
& T- H. `2 F) w# p8 B1 X6 U+ D" A. T4 q) _2 W( G
/ K( l* G1 o+ S) R( g9 i) I1 s* l
+ y% N% ^4 l9 x3 T) Q100 American Jewish Historical Society. + ]4 v- \8 r& e: L9 W
0 ? j! r3 L5 z/ zAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
' x% w1 _8 w3 N0 E2 Vresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward - T1 n7 `9 Y! r6 k
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
' A1 D( j. F/ y+ g% w. X' }offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of 7 @0 ]# x/ Y( \8 j9 X) I! [4 }: q6 b0 F
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
$ |) C5 W; \) Xsary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- 8 b/ m9 U3 e4 d. B* { U) I. Z
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his 5 E+ {, Y* _" @3 a7 |" T
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
( O8 t* ?$ W4 w nseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- , ^6 q8 @" ~) K3 [: _2 [5 q+ O
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- " p$ s+ ]7 v8 H
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 2 M, ]) T) y, M, s
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
B: I" ?0 d! y' j4 ^' Q+ T8 [and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
- R) z3 h2 V$ i) e1 {7 e5 Zof the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
! F! U' \$ K# b- |) d0 r8 [1 ^the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
& l- T/ a/ A9 ?was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these " K6 u1 K8 i* L# h9 y; [" Z
lines, since become famous : 2 y, B* r# N. I, r3 f4 {7 T
2 l" f8 `" y: x2 I4 GAmos and Judah — venerated names! 2 i4 d+ I" b v2 ~* W
9 h: s3 I0 v+ e8 f2 ?3 Z
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
. }6 t/ [* k2 v Z4 t. W, U8 h' F$ q. r. k& h, n
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck. ; P4 I y! s# C$ o( n
1 O, X* x( V: qEach aids the work by giving it a check.
2 _; W9 y9 v# R- K ~/ e3 v6 J3 D1 c* K
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan — % x# q& _4 ], }2 c, C
, k* D+ w- l7 q
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
* [' W8 ?* `5 R3 i
$ r5 `$ x! Y- Y' F! ^( C8 tJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
( Z: X; r3 ?2 [throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
1 M, l; \8 e$ I1 [7 B1 Pastonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
+ \( H8 f: m4 r9 h2 v, x9 Nin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
( O* j2 w9 F, B, l3 C0 s* |! ?tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
t% G; Q r2 jister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- 5 Y0 ~$ C+ ^3 }8 e; V
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised 3 Y: D: U2 z/ C) D7 f9 }; O; N# I
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- : F0 ~' @9 x( ~( b6 W
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
- E) M6 q/ t* O9 Ioccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
% V% m- q$ A* B- R3 r4 M& nmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
& s0 M: U. D0 [
' u" T, u; w0 @9 Z* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. ! y- X+ i: }. B& W) \1 Z5 e6 K$ ?
5 c# _! p% V# o+ d
. o1 i+ a, M0 ?8 k
5 r# N7 L( P$ q) j8 }3 h) E1 dJudah Touro — Kohler. 101 8 D o+ i2 p# z
5 a* Q: w2 ?+ Y& ^( e
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested / F* P. c8 X5 d, {# a C
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
* d9 W* N! I6 ]# e% N! O9 zhe promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
5 V5 u* W9 J n, A8 w qam a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
9 }( N4 r N+ _: V( kto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
# p d7 D3 \7 I }3 hhim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
* w% Y# @* t% ]2 Q/ W8 udied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he $ v7 M$ l1 J' K2 m1 F" k4 r
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
* f& ]1 P1 [- kdistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary " C1 s6 c _2 F
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- 6 T: S2 {2 ]' p
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
8 i; P ^" B4 A lof jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's 6 ~+ L, d3 d0 o
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
) g3 l8 x6 i0 A1 L+ k& Csition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
- r- u% A& `9 H4 Swas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; : O# O# J, Z' G9 J
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
, ~; @& M9 |* f* Oa synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
( b! e$ Z( v1 @. I' m# g" |5 bpense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
# Y% C+ d1 D b0 nlar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed 8 k4 r7 L$ ]9 N) k5 t
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
' M, b, X7 b. _, L8 |tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 3 b8 T, [/ `9 S; ]
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. 8 K$ R$ i3 k& F1 D! G$ [$ r0 s
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have ( `2 d# r9 H T2 x# p1 L/ g; [
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who / W0 y3 F! a' C) z1 ]6 p
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
0 Y1 Z2 ?# d! ?" n( @his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing : [" p5 s! c: ?- g/ k( ~ Y! R
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
0 k* j0 \% R1 Hgers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he $ Q2 Y* \9 N0 J7 U# w+ y- x" Q* {7 f9 X; |
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. ) s. D5 x \# \1 @. `+ k. e( t
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated ! p3 {$ a% V( e" N/ z g: W
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
' O) D8 t" ~% A3 r- c4 Chilation."
* ]+ `' l5 x& a) e- {5 B6 _! g3 M1 j3 b7 V+ i6 J
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- ' H B' \3 T6 T g# U# ]" }" c
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by $ f2 U8 G+ v4 O2 s3 C% q% W
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi- 8 j1 ]/ r& @; I1 o" m' ~
ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
! v3 R ^" d( b2 H2 @+ w8 x: v/ |# W: X$ R6 s4 |# O9 A
2 @2 Y/ a1 g9 g: N& M# F8 T6 K% }; g- e) o O
102 American Jewish Historical Society. $ \3 G x. X4 P0 [
+ y5 s: W+ X! J; xcharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
# N9 k+ ^* S1 F1 E" ^existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his M# N; ~( x! |4 p
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- # l: v9 D5 K! ~3 X
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have # A9 h' {2 U! n& G# E
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
, @+ \1 i* @0 m# M9 z0 e c* fnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably ( M, o" [ C8 R" B- [0 U
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
- I% Z3 ?3 k9 C+ ]) d) [quests, as follows :
6 N" t/ W8 l6 u! I1 K+ u) o- h1 p$ p, l- g1 I+ Z
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where 9 L: n0 N- q5 P2 _, ?- Y
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to 5 D( L; ]+ e# L9 a) e3 T! v. C
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are - r, f( v4 E$ g0 D5 J
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will ; a% t: Z' a$ K" Y4 x
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in . S% k5 P( c: ^5 p6 q" b0 c8 \- }1 [& R& \
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
I$ r6 P4 J, C1 D" Xthe day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per-
3 ^+ T6 `1 L3 a3 h( r" w4 hsuasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 1 }: P8 g6 `6 h1 B2 y0 I- o
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of 8 E3 O$ d1 q M3 b* l
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded % K% r5 R7 [* Z: K: b( _! ^
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
( @6 u) F: C. p2 H$ H8 Sblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He ) w2 }- y. O( P& ?, R; q' v
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
' v9 V& `8 C7 S5 E; j+ `! G a- Lchildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
1 |/ }2 [; h( }institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
5 o/ L3 n. U1 d) P8 xreligion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- * q! x' u# C- a7 _- P' ]5 d7 { |
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to : f8 ~! i. Q& u+ i: L) Y
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of - w9 o7 c# P& N3 I7 i
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
5 f6 y5 y) e9 z3 Uinto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of 9 f8 ?1 R. z4 }5 {, ?% h$ G9 J) c* F
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- 1 V" `: P# ^; Q
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
6 Y! }. Y( I" k! HWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 6 y/ u8 r9 g) P6 w' r8 Q u( X
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged % S! [" F& X: B1 F) ?
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
( s; x: D6 O# {& i7 l( N7 W! J! Q; {6 X2 ~0 ^/ G5 S
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because ( r( K. _& o5 {. G2 u5 P' x
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
% G9 N' T0 ?% z/ r8 C* Pthe various Jewish communities of the United States and their & N1 j) \; Q; i0 L O( ?, z
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
+ X9 C4 ]. ~" o" Xobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- ; P+ N9 s6 y2 }
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
4 _3 I+ k [) ]- [omitted no deserving Jewish community.
/ q# l. G0 f8 M; I
) u- O7 ^% }, @) g* H% q$ I" p) b& D7 |- `) W8 L& F2 p5 b
6 u% _* E) j; @: L! Q4 {$ j3 ?Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
5 ?# U1 Y: ^* M- ^( [. X: K7 W/ [& v% V; e8 K1 X$ m
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
* I; t) _! C: _% l8 Z# hhistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are R% ~( ?9 A b, G0 h
subjected. / G2 j6 y" R0 \ T: z* K
* @+ d( @. `/ ], _# e( l6 p
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
5 C. u: u8 s/ r9 y z; _should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
# b3 K0 Z& ^" W, z$ xSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
# M( @% d5 L7 x: W. q$ bing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
# K8 s& v: A5 Z- Abrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- 4 Z( g9 c0 b# I P
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious 3 y9 n: e0 f! g1 Q! n+ U* g7 @
temptation.
9 h3 V' C& Z: l, o4 b. \; u+ H
; \ k+ t6 q$ TAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
, y+ d% ^* q" ?: S+ W/ r5 rvied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
$ l+ b6 E4 d4 Wand these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, 1 `; s8 _0 b; F+ [8 G O
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were ! w s' R! _7 _: V) Z; O! F1 i
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
2 K$ w! B" V4 T3 c, M% J! Xhad so generously remembered, coming from all over the 4 p- P: W; J, Y6 O
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
# d7 A6 m4 J, b% d3 z6 Z- p NNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
, E! a+ b/ Y8 k6 `: W, xhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of 1 B) b, Z2 _) L- ~# M9 R
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
: k0 T) r3 t/ w0 A3 y5 [of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
3 P+ f9 y1 x$ g" ^. f& v4 v/ Pwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
* Q: c# p4 D5 M4 D; ^2 JEev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
7 O& g9 D( ~% jphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew 8 d* O, {$ E3 n
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was - P4 L) K$ r4 n/ v: F0 @$ U6 |
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of % R" F. H8 r1 H2 Q) ]2 Y; o, m/ s
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans $ X+ q3 ~" n' P/ v$ m: g3 D% g
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous ; J& Q& q3 ~; e7 b7 m. Q
philanthropy.
- H' @9 G) y5 `6 B3 | T
" L4 `1 N( }4 h$ [% FHis tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
& b9 Y* |; {* Z8 C# @lowing appropriate inscription :
2 T7 I2 u/ c6 A) Z7 l/ D! K
; b1 g: _3 x( m% P: K# w1 e' ZBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; " X- C: l! D+ S- P7 f: W; Q( r+ H2 x
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
5 R8 [8 g. ?( L% t, ]3 M' y jThe last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- . U$ {+ F+ [, e( U, M
thropy
9 h$ |+ K1 ~" d! w1 ]* BTo be remembered forever.
4 z1 {7 p1 p1 f9
3 t2 e: H6 v3 x) P6 P, W
; l3 ^6 { W5 V7 P3 ~ G# y) R, m( R6 `" p
6 R" C- ^8 Z3 O; J, C. J104 American Jeujish Historical Society. ! }" C/ }/ g! ]
% `/ ?3 _* F% u8 b# K% Z. n- uWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
# }& X# ]! t$ Z Q
) R# C! d8 ?1 o6 C- D( w- dUnited States of America, . Z' _7 l- y& d
% b) y% E) n2 W& W/ Z' r8 {State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. 4 z b. M$ o; e0 e& e
- s6 L0 L; D" S: W; _Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
K; r u# m! ~+ e- wour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
: p/ z$ r" ]* p3 @of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
8 b Y) p3 ] [3 u" `before 10 o'clock a. m.. . g4 q$ ~( Q# s- F% H$ Y
X4 g2 y0 Y& U1 k2 V4 P
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the 3 O3 [6 N8 S: A
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, ^- u, C4 a7 M8 e/ p9 d) p7 {+ ^
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 4 O3 E5 C: V" p+ c! G
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
0 r% \# L7 V) C* Nsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
& |$ i8 f1 v; I0 |$ N
; }9 ?$ c4 ?' J8 ?' T) j2 VPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
) g: x0 D8 p$ W9 }whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
" O- ]! \! H1 ]2 Lroom, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
. ^1 M1 b" G4 u) s& Hsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
9 `2 l2 }* Y) C0 T8 zsaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah - h' y8 z; p$ A$ G4 m
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
; Q5 y! {, b" D$ \/ o7 Mment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in $ i# D. o% l( G4 ?8 [
presence of said witnesses:
9 s, W* a$ [$ r* @4 f. I7 [
. I6 V; l: \2 Q1 J& h1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
# {, m3 X$ q# F# P; ^
: B0 q$ J7 m+ J( K3 u: ~3 g2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
9 u+ o, ?5 X8 u) c. \0 C4 RCemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after $ e4 ]0 m4 |9 U7 j4 F' x0 y
my decease.
, R$ | Y3 X$ J% m8 R! X, P2 J, M9 v/ e! }& j) f
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
' c1 M: X0 \/ dRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
3 V5 t+ t' t. Q) A! XNew Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre - i/ p# c4 n1 G* [3 D
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- ( r) P. t( Z( f! o7 w6 t
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
3 g( U* w. ]" h- x- t( u6 t( D' @2 d uing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said + K* p, J6 `% u* U
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre * D2 J) ^& k* y) V- ]" ?! @; I: m N2 m
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the / i3 N0 ~+ g: z$ z: F) S& S
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
* V/ X! z; d& p1 P# [* Gnot only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but + n: W2 a! U4 n! K) ]
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, $ o1 F6 W; ?/ f( k |) R# @) Z
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would " f1 w8 ^" w% J. c
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors / f$ {& @. P+ ]# S
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say 0 T; F8 a5 C6 @& e( j
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, " S8 f6 p5 Q+ C
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva- ' A7 N: A# N- E
tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, $ k- g# u h* d
7 \6 y# {! J; i/ ]2 @1 J& O2 z: ]) l7 {* J" o( h
' e3 y1 C( U9 o. ?. ZJudah Touro — Eohler. 105
8 ~( X- K9 N' a9 V/ h- L: A5 z" p! p. C6 ~9 x, D- J6 Y
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
0 j, |, r8 ]; m1 C0 gherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts ( K7 h. ^% N$ l
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 7 _# x) u( l3 ~. o* v! Y
my estate, movable and immovable. 2 ]3 H4 J( d; j W' a8 R
2 H8 m0 k% y2 [+ GIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more 1 O3 j# ?. r+ ~8 a/ W0 G
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor ' r0 e7 s6 H" Z+ @3 f% g
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last ' N" V0 [7 H3 t V& ^
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more $ U2 h# [/ @( `% f7 I
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
" ^$ d0 L# _# C, w( Tcase, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
' S4 p7 Q) m% [those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
0 V8 L7 F. O, w8 e2 Y- i8 Cherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made 7 E0 ?* d) }. a1 B& Z/ r
to them.
, n# p/ T) i7 x$ ^
5 W! `8 r- `9 H8 R4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in 4 B! W9 S" `& p0 [
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
* g) a W9 m! ]/ e/ m: ithe same shall have expired.
& a: j% i) H0 w C& C, ]. l1 B" d* q2 L: Z. i8 t1 k
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of / F* u4 K! `5 }2 q, p+ Y0 m& t* ^5 z$ _
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner ' [! Z( X" @, r2 m/ u$ f/ e
directed by this my last will or testament. 9 Q' ], d5 S7 P3 D0 @2 J% D' N
# x- R* U) o% G6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
e6 _+ q: H& A3 p! R1 |persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
7 Z( M5 ^% C3 O" uproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
% H6 j8 v7 ]! R' H0 KSynagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
" C" d' Z. T( v+ Fthe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from & R, ^- P- i1 V5 h$ ]
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
7 M, E7 V5 N9 x4 ]the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David ) j, t+ C+ _/ N' o
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
9 ?: `) z4 j" w* ]) B( X# Ning and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- 9 G' X+ q, \6 A5 a9 ~! G1 ]
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their 5 L% U& l- c) |, m
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
/ V7 D( }* O1 S# H1 Q) p8 Fmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
: \& E' o2 G, C- ~strictions. $ f& }* E* u7 N r
% j) ~/ w0 K; t7 m0 w; f7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 8 {" s- W/ Z" ]0 r( Z
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession 4 O% w I" s3 J, {
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building 1 t; B4 `. Q9 q+ `# C8 J7 n
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- 0 d$ m T: V* b2 j; L- W8 H [7 w
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- - ^6 Q! c l1 [, }) h* u5 S, p5 D
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- & @( S; x8 ?! w
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them 2 R& s) n6 k2 ?( g
conformably with the laws of Louisiana. ! ?7 A1 I: P2 L5 E& R4 |
7 X. O+ t$ E8 w" B% Y8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
% B: f1 w) [4 @! N* `! cNew Orleans five thousand dollars.
9 l% }) A: T G) w% U+ ?7 a& [! b5 j0 B: n5 ~' k! ]" e" J8 C
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
' n1 C' _$ w8 I+ |' fgarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. # p; _, W) p2 s7 {2 a9 T5 q$ D# S
9 z4 r. a/ w: |# U5 N
' M5 b# M" N1 M3 `: s; R" J
" n& M* G- V+ Z" G2 G! e' `$ L106 American Jewish Historical Society.
7 _" v( T: D, k, r
9 \# H/ D7 F5 c/ g2 u$ V8 p10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
+ b$ ^6 k3 m. C8 K2 fNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. ! ?+ p# X, ^' y7 M7 L
* L9 y: a' A7 v5 h11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
1 h, n- m, d# B1 O2 U6 w8 oof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
* r: |; q% c9 ]6 ~" M1 @) t& N: ?/ V& j
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New ; P4 S E7 x+ W% I" `1 H$ f2 Z0 k
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
+ H9 E& Y& g. C/ r7 [+ m
5 l1 `) l$ Q& e1 Q. ^- M( e; r9 n13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- 2 m7 g# V; Z* w$ y
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
% l& R' r) J2 A3 }+ S5 p( S
! O. O3 E2 K* j/ ^7 w14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief - }' l Z/ y$ w( Z2 D3 q7 A# x% L
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- 8 M- l) F5 k7 v/ O
lars.
' h% Z N a3 G2 H ?0 y- N& D/ u9 A( g; W* h' ]9 R6 I! \
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
+ h, }1 t4 v' V+ O3 G MAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
) G3 B2 L. J7 B( y7 `) osand dollars. $ [9 D$ B6 k4 d' x+ i) }. E
; Z# D# w, ~0 ^. z8 l16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- / [- x; W7 C/ M9 Z0 D4 U' B( N
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
! R/ s/ A8 @" U$ ~chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
& x7 R/ R, ]- F2 }6 l+ g" L- Kdollars. ; v1 H E& V# m5 k; ^$ Q- m
: f' {& c: \2 A" |/ h- m2 V, T: W1 S
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, ) E% O+ _2 T% C3 M' y( j3 V6 M
five thousand dollars. ) W1 R! {4 R9 ]
! ~5 T$ \2 m Z; J& v7 b! [
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- 1 Y/ W! ~6 S* K* ^, ?- ~ S$ X
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 0 k% X7 c. G- C Z1 f
; _) x+ K8 v, c; p
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
( K( X. ~1 L8 j) S# F$ v1 CDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
3 b: U6 _% q& A3 b2 O' B7 q
" l: {% x& z! X9 R4 r. E20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
& e7 c& B; T3 s* L, E2 \" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of & c8 P/ y; A) T2 b% {
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity $ U0 u' Z. {4 r5 F$ s
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
3 N7 B% Z" C* \% m, k; D; F6 wand I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be # d4 P. n% R( E1 g
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that ) `: N7 s8 c6 @/ z
after my executors shall have legally organized and established 8 \. `& Y S$ K- ~! t9 @
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
3 t2 ]( _( W/ ^8 F; F5 fadminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 6 @' s- I s K8 H7 N. y' a; g
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con- 7 v3 T' j$ q0 Y9 f. s' y2 a
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
1 F% h% q* R# {3 U+ J$ Qcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
6 A0 ~ x7 K E, H* {0 a1 Dthereof. ' r$ e( U3 U% \
4 z# r5 _" M/ @8 R" p& `- }
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
1 i/ r/ N+ S% F, l6 qRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
& g( ?" d: B8 L$ E- N; s* Zthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
1 f0 o8 p, | \5 wproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
9 x1 a% G. R5 J. \as a public park or promenade ground. 6 b9 M) Z5 i+ u: F- D) s
; `" J2 D t; w' ^
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
/ p% o. M" b9 q8 Daforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. ' t5 n" k& x3 F/ A% `
0 S `2 f0 Z& A$ v1 z+ o, s
7 R% X; n0 A# w J" N' `7 |
. x% C8 r* o6 ]8 U; p! R5 h, BJudah Touro — Kohler. 107
P4 ~- C3 f) I( a. _
1 F$ J" ]) J6 r* j23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay 8 R( Y' C, M" R1 r/ e' k1 d* t
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
& _ X. v3 F; I% I& C+ B, e; u& ~7 h4 _2 R' y$ }9 {! {3 i+ H& B
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
1 c! x D G9 _5 f r8 z2 mford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
6 C) q- l3 r: P- `; Q0 L& O4 v
; C7 F# \# k( h25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New ; h8 `3 ]9 r9 i$ r) W1 A- I' x
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. ) J. S; |9 j# @( Q9 ^
, Q2 C4 z7 E8 |; p& a
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, - o7 X: w* Y, o' @. Q( d: u3 g7 ~
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
7 K+ P. k/ y' [& _" A9 @. NState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), * w1 A: G8 R6 y6 v3 Z: e9 |
ten thousand dollars.
( ?+ b- Q- ]' Q* m4 K. C) z' _3 K: i; l: { O
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir & G3 C+ N, A( L
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to " q( U" A- z+ |. Z {. m! t
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
& e# R$ P8 i3 g7 Gthe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
9 ~- Z5 [' i0 ]3 H: fworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without % w* ^' i6 R0 y
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- " L+ q a. _& z$ O/ z( \" a
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
- X2 ~( m" l: E3 V1 d; vthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, , P) N& B( n% m9 @) j; F
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of 1 h' U( o Y5 q+ s4 P
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- + O* _& V8 o% T7 o; p" [
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and ; l: m( G; ]! K- M: V& t
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
4 v4 x" e; [! R) {8 u) zbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the . e$ F. p9 n4 A; u& I, z8 {2 ^
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
, q$ {+ x/ C4 v- i1 p; X) t2 a8 |can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, ) w. [# t$ a }9 L; i
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
9 y0 y/ `* ^7 H5 W: ~0 Ymy last will.
% O8 R, U( ~. V# z/ R/ K* V5 {
# D- ]7 n8 Z5 v! ?4 o$ t- z28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
; U1 h( r0 ` g( q7 \0 Ahave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to % Y2 Z) V/ V6 \/ h% R6 S }: N6 P
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer,
: O# Z( I2 c2 h+ K$ [9 G6 w- Fshall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them 7 Y: W7 e4 v: v9 e4 q( }0 W
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and ) o& n/ y. _- t7 k. k
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
1 a! t7 C) _1 q2 P2 Tdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
; J2 A- S/ I+ i- Yexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
7 v6 S2 g+ |9 |4 zcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to 4 l; J* y/ `- j0 U9 I
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. ' A' @/ h2 _; Y3 V( H
9 O( J9 X& j& ^9 H" k8 f29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
+ c& U, M7 O$ \City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
+ x5 i& l: e" j& Y) ~1 W! _0 W( q' _6 l4 b- {' k2 x0 r" [0 y+ {; m6 |$ x f
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society A) e" k$ ~+ e2 K% T. R
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. + g1 S/ x) Z9 L ]& X( |1 ]
g v9 F6 t* D/ Q. y" X31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
5 G: S" P2 n, h6 B" n! u" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars. 8 ~' \- r0 Y# T
; L3 a) ]8 [( U# r
4 W; ]" h- ]* h: j5 q% d+ [
8 A7 {2 w* o7 f8 N' N& n) m108 American Jewish Historical Society.
# j0 {- G, o9 _* u! q) F0 i
$ G# b& M/ f$ i9 Z7 z7 U32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund 4 X5 [9 Y9 [5 {) u8 T
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the 6 j0 G; O/ i' ]0 }% d
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand ! {% `8 e; c/ R" D' z0 r
dollars. . H! l# ?9 Y. u' \8 Z* ?
& G( p/ ?* P) Y3 x _& U
33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- + m1 B6 l1 G2 }. G9 r
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, 0 M/ W! s! Z) ~9 I( Z i
the sum of three thousand dollars.
/ y! q" s2 f8 Q: G; g
" H9 N' R, G p, S% a# o5 m6 W, P34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
8 S9 W+ I) N' |# P5 U9 Sgarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. 2 k1 {% T, I6 g; M4 y
) w! d* T+ J# E35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 9 [9 R' L3 V; ~; Y N- o) d x
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
3 i% Q4 J j- C3 G5 pa directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
, v b- u- C8 N$ I6 v. OKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
& I( M1 @' l) o# a. g7 H
3 M& L5 _+ D& m" A36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 5 ?( Z P+ X* b. U
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
" f2 ]+ i! ^* h, clars.
8 r6 Y- H) U# R* J P
q2 U$ G1 s4 I% T37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of - ?$ i: l: g$ ?& u% d
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
& R d7 A4 p( g% Q' f
! K* l8 T( K8 s- l38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
4 a+ `) p2 l% b9 ]delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
0 u/ B. Q$ ]9 O& X( E: M. Y% F( N; u! B* s
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat 2 ?& f' b) E$ H! R, r# u5 ] f
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
9 Q. H' W. I: v- b5 \4 t+ G8 I& ]3 T- z3 @9 j8 f( n( C$ `
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth 9 O$ N7 }2 l# @" X# f; P( E
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. 7 g( A- d! B3 ~, | h, }
6 F8 a% A# c- Q6 u
41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
1 f% g! f9 O+ V) r) ~8 \5 r0 H+ |Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand * x, F1 U) l* _9 ?$ R9 U9 w
dollars. ' @; ~3 Y: |3 b2 S- l, z
% R# t' a9 w5 [% G; a5 C
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 4 h+ h. E/ w" F! d8 l: r Y, e
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. % B1 m2 M9 ~0 n: }6 H
* A5 S0 H1 U- }" [7 a% c
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
0 U1 Z4 R5 m; S$ eIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
$ k$ s1 A- t8 o" |, U/ {9 V4 c
1 }; v! x; j: p9 C44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- N5 K) W3 X2 \9 O- E3 n
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
/ K ]; A4 ?$ w! r. s7 f% Y
4 Q. o- P8 V& P- b45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- + l+ x- K9 n7 ^$ L) ]/ H
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
! n t# Y9 }& f' c, Q4 @2 i" u: ]- }; w- T
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
4 S% @) o% ]) T4 JIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. 1 r S* V- j7 h1 I. S5 `! Y' c
) u' `+ p7 |6 q/ Q- A47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
$ Y" P2 }- M* c( k( E, Vrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
/ J; V; j* J" U1 `
# r$ J& @3 h. a- i6 B( S \48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- 8 J' E1 }6 H8 Q) m) Z1 V
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
8 d- `+ V& O0 V# U) y
2 }& t# E, `5 U* p* Z4 ]/ c6 [49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
& R0 K, f+ d2 l% y9 L, n+ J# F. cOhio, five thousand dollars. , z# |' Y' e, `$ w/ a( v* s& [
0 Y( k6 E) c+ v2 l6 E
_& R! ^3 G5 [/ t
. q, r$ n4 G! Z# [2 tJudah Touro — Kohler. 109
1 c/ M# M. W( r* V6 ]6 Q1 s2 X( b
- M3 p3 m+ V, Y1 K) A. c50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth ' ^1 ?# R. |( \7 g% z( j
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
; M! z- x: W. }, O2 @" ~' a) I% O& F
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai # w. M$ x" M9 f2 }
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
o& w4 \5 X0 A0 A: m$ A7 [7 T; ^7 P% @
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," 7 }( }; I6 x5 U' I- Y
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. ! v9 h4 H. h& r& M$ w7 n/ s4 j3 E1 h& r
& p) U( x- h7 D+ J( u8 t: u, \: |4 t
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
8 ]2 B% F. s- b) h3 P- v# i, {El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
1 a6 ^7 L4 G9 {# M7 b% [. x k8 i% ?. G9 r" U* z
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
% m8 v0 y) Q* ~( r2 cnamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- 3 B$ m( D' P& U' B
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
6 @9 u& U6 B: W" V' n3 X
# u1 O5 j$ W! e& {$ _, f. NFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts,
# k- Z1 O* Y7 t% y% Qfive thousand dollars. ! y0 m# R$ ?$ w% c8 _! Z3 D4 }
4 X& ~ }0 [8 ~9 U- i
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, 5 }! S9 a) M4 T8 h% \7 ?
five thousand dollars. 7 ^- u- T9 z7 G3 g
D" H8 C5 Z( |
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
" B, `5 X4 \2 q1 d; }8 k* W- R L6 Ksand dollars. ; J& I5 J. \: y) s: F% k3 ^
% p1 [8 z0 }+ p& B* O2 I+ l5 ? ~
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 5 g* x1 D4 x$ v8 X' K
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- 1 y. ]5 p4 e# O
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
2 c7 L! m6 l Bistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the & B0 } ^; ^# m5 Z6 J
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be ) t% |# p; D ]( N
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
, `& I; o; N* ?6 H1 @. S ]. Was my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation 6 y8 V, b6 p, K' c% n
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, / T" l: H* K2 d) x: w/ A
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed 0 |0 N- k1 ?, x! o- M" Q
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should & u) K, h' f: t- I
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
3 F y) u, V/ |5 }the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
, r$ K1 }3 c/ c( t$ ]" Gof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
/ [. F& X- h& G6 A1 rsum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, ' d, V2 O' s, b' d
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
7 h2 l" H" ?# l; B# m' B$ W3 o4 D4 z% }
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine 9 ?4 ~ ~ j6 |2 l
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
/ l8 Y% C. [9 {6 ~1 ?remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. 8 q/ M9 ^* V# c3 p5 Y
+ `& I, i& {% x
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
, Z8 s1 n* T# n. N( \5 [3 jJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of + Q& O8 U) Z& I6 c; A( r
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be 4 B; k" ? `. ~% W" k/ T, s! T
equally divided between them.
$ Q2 n) i. ?9 R+ W: S) e* ]. n0 p& Y+ E: \3 B
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
+ [' M+ n. g6 D b& S5 {2 M. ]the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
' w+ _" n$ k, X/ {9 H! rVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my # n- h' G) C, z' q- A s6 Q
remembrance. ( H, F2 R4 {0 Y, m/ k
- T: t0 D5 Z# G5 ]$ C/ U5 |! y) R/ M* g9 a
% ~6 f% }2 _- O* K2 P. x% C110 American Jewish Historical Society. , I0 H! c& k- P) R
! d+ L l# H. r8 B/ a59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, : H5 X7 v2 T& R% c8 r
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of % w9 D7 y8 Y Y$ R: e
my esteem and kind remembrance.
/ _( F$ n; w% L5 J" Q" ?% a8 W# G) p
60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
: j$ v7 a0 M2 D J/ x9 cmy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a ' q. w! ~+ T' s
token of my regard. ; x! S. g$ E* N# Q0 k& N$ ~! ~3 \, b ~' n
, {! o+ `% H& i3 _! [1 O' V+ H) d, t6 q61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
' w2 s% M2 |; X% |1 \my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
& f, I9 F; S! O* w8 [ bwife, to be equally divided between them.
0 i+ ?$ X! ?# P! N- b B1 Q, ] p
: t5 c# Z8 B" N% n- R62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to # E ^: j( u0 O! \" {: w' I3 n3 R
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
: p# ^" N+ H7 t% `: A) Tmy remembrance.
: l. I$ b3 ^9 D: I" Y% k6 f
" z z& @/ l3 m W63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, * T7 \( X' ~; n
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- ! b$ S' \9 O1 p
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
) K" R* C1 ^1 Slars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase 8 }3 K: W) F7 J3 w- X
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind ' Y: I7 A- H0 X0 R2 l
regard. + m0 {8 X: f$ m% o: C) R$ p/ b- Y
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64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
' b) m- | p: [to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
$ g% B+ h3 \: u/ mmemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
4 W9 L8 j& u+ ]. a7 gwife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. 9 ]2 H: v6 _0 Q% A2 p
3 c& Q: f1 `3 t9 Z* |: r65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 1 h1 V0 ]6 S3 {# j% b
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
3 m6 f5 R8 f# |) P' P7 y# rmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
& p+ l5 `/ r% @& h! } S6 W* _Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans. - Q) B! x5 q5 c# `
0 H! f9 B3 r2 S4 E: h4 N66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
* y9 C; L8 W! o' G% V3 d) Rmade previously to these presents. t1 E. m2 E6 c$ ~% q
# u d" a+ k- B( _1 j) Q
Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
& R9 |8 V7 W4 {! h# V( K( }me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
+ P. p* ?; b* U* v9 X" P$ o7 sherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the 3 W2 S! l1 d6 d* [% ~2 N. [5 E
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own ' `. t7 b7 R3 c9 p/ P0 g
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
. C9 P( }8 I7 }- btestament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
% k( b# T$ w8 |- a0 y% ]ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
+ o7 I8 X' U+ P3 I7 Npresence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
( `9 Q% G+ S8 k" V/ `; E* d8 c" O2 King aside to other acts.
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
7 K% g @. j$ X' f2 [said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
$ ?2 M5 L2 M O& u7 Kyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan " e% n1 j! Q' u$ D
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
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r4 h# b. h# W: M% H
9 h. X$ j3 X2 [Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill 4 V' W7 e5 L) M1 r" U- \6 w
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
1 G: t: y8 x/ s& k: @6 Gtestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their ( V# s& D" i F/ _; k# |1 b
names. (Signed.) " S* x( i1 y- C1 R
* k" K% G. ]6 E
J. TOUEO,
# D: W* Y% Z$ _# a0 ~& n
% w1 W* q; H* ~+ d% mJ. Montgomery, 0 U- d, y |! V% Q+ Q. O" y3 m" Z) x
5 H ^* d8 C+ k$ [
H. Shepherd, Jr., * [9 r4 n& y) S* }
! C# F& I9 F+ Y) iGeo. W. Lee, 5 M6 N. T0 T. c. s( h
* H0 D: W3 f9 I _% K, R/ O$ [
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. ; L' M! L' Y$ e
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% i. {0 O9 o) s" e5 r# \- X' R9 N, }+ H0 C# l5 a# Y
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS . _; E7 n2 {3 ]9 W7 u& @# o
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