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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 3 S- [2 L$ k7 L& k* E; k5 d+ o
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
" o9 K3 K) ` T, g- S# b1 J% F8 zPHILANTHROPIST. 5 ^( q7 U: w' r+ w! g
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9 m2 ]/ l" Y+ H1 j5 I! ^; |By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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, f* [& [$ R! o8 aReprinted from 9 S0 M1 B" o% i# C0 Q3 Q
5 Q0 P8 i5 f: E1 X9 Y- kPublications of the - j. H+ v2 _- b: X8 j- W
" w) n9 a8 _# u- C5 a/ H: d4 B1 CAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt,
f8 ]+ R6 s; d9 s; v1 j O8 `) C. i& f6 x
No. 13, 1905.
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/ Z. J! W$ i8 W2 d- `& iJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
& v1 w- B3 K/ E% A( Q; f! i6 y# H! SPHILANTHROPIST.
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. . t5 B) Q0 c3 r, k( `" V
. W7 f: G1 T1 B$ d3 k" N; A7 w7 \It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
. O/ j7 M8 V5 }Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, , w* [- O0 U2 _0 I
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the # A' N, a" O9 M" ?) s7 U3 C
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
4 G! r/ l# v) h# q2 tfrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
" |* ?/ |6 S9 N, S, lmation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
( g9 _* Z: C- J K, Lconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
# ^- N0 ]# G3 V) CHistory of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring " a/ C) \5 k4 D, i" ~& J
the very name of one who would probably by common consent / f' d- v# |5 j" o/ ~1 g
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the " k2 o1 T- P: ?2 T7 K$ o
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
# l* Q9 v7 @4 ~9 C( }0 nrelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
2 J8 a$ h R5 xties and more general historical writings, can readily account
8 y) b" l2 z2 {6 |. S) t! Jfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
, ?# K( Z9 m- O. C) M$ M6 [ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such f1 s4 F9 f# p. L' v
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his- n/ X* E, z$ {# I" M
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
. O* x' d4 f3 L3 F4 h6 Gvidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in ' Z0 v% v7 r" U D; A# J
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili- 2 ?' Y4 r' ~* i7 H& `9 W' u
tary history of his .
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A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written ' Y0 p9 \. m) k
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
! y5 @; P) \! N0 R: j) z2 s2 B9 Hnon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- + \9 W2 M% D, ^( D& c$ h
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what $ ~# f5 K- ]( K ~1 X
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
1 T+ @2 o$ F. N) vWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal ) D7 D$ L+ Y2 I! e
, h' q' R8 | K0 a* f( y" \' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- ; h8 o2 o! [; C
chants," published in 1856.
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+ h; _0 G$ P0 q# t94 American Jewish Historical Society.
* B& J1 B. o0 O2 b# U* ^! [/ r3 c0 y* H$ b& i) A- w" L: c' }! n
reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- 6 x W7 a& c7 t" O* B5 k, B
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
; m$ a- u" i: C- cleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; ; b. Z- k: V4 j! m. I$ E- d
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be 2 `: H4 Z, q- S3 j( S+ w
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
8 q3 N O% M( b0 E: ~raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary 8 e, v+ ~, H; V
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
$ v) F, ~. v' T1 r ]1 k) Q3 Kreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
' B& o' G% b' C+ {+ c6 E) Qare for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant. 2 \% t* f" J5 b( z, E" k
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known 1 n4 r% ]5 Q |2 A9 n7 I
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
+ m. [. Q ` d2 d$ Tand early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his . y$ I# L' O# l& D
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no " @: q; B, Y1 O( d
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
/ \' [* C3 q0 w3 W, ^more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect % G( c/ m( Q2 }1 J* l2 i
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish ; _1 V; u+ O8 y; B# }
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
# d2 e4 p, M- f4 h* B" Uunprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
$ n3 j& A) X$ q4 l3 B7 Agifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- 0 j+ _/ {$ _1 ^! d9 {# O
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
_& k3 ^2 f$ A: Fimpossible, in view of the small and humble means at their ' W. b6 |1 v/ g, o7 |4 C# y! i' ?
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
4 ^1 k1 w" N4 g( d3 v) Ffoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
! [, T1 M0 h3 |# ]3 Qsince been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. + G/ J5 {, |" i) q* R" c- s
. J5 N C6 v1 L& X$ W$ D6 j/ D* PJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
: Y$ B H2 R' ]8 C) a' ^16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- 9 h+ C1 T4 K8 I1 H7 \" C0 L! _
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his % J) k. V+ R9 H4 }
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
# y- f& @. b% ~9 E/ Rister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
, {- k6 @8 N3 ]: Qof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by ! ~2 y% i/ o, z. C6 Z& l+ @
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- 9 h/ X3 ~& @7 v( R
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
3 Y0 g" @9 y- p3 h9 o+ M! \career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
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' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
. C) E$ O, ]9 c5 @! G Y' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
$ l9 T# B1 Y( l' s4 ^ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
, `" u- D# c+ f) ^3 p" w/ J; L8 b9 B( x
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Gift 8 s( A6 J& [& ` z
Authc:
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(Person^
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Judah Touro — Koliler. 95 3 g# L9 g( r8 z b9 w
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
$ u+ H- T0 }) Nin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and 9 L" Y7 x; j3 Y5 J
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
+ k4 m% o; N" ?6 T$ h7 k4 l- ddied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- 2 ~" N* U9 G0 l. O% n. @4 i
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
/ _4 W* H: t, M; z- Mduring the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
( h$ P6 D( k8 z3 lparted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December 8 E- N& y C x! x1 Z( D) U, q" s4 l9 Y
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
# p/ e7 |) `* y2 B$ g- }- e0 |and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
' a5 O9 r. }% B: vbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- 5 l3 a) {9 h4 Y: X0 Y+ I
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- 3 I$ b, K& @2 j0 c- f
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, 6 z1 f9 F" X! M* m$ l% P- M
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
) I! o+ @8 O& f& x- N2 Uthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood - ]" L' \; ^6 Q- X, \
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
5 {6 t4 n2 P$ h6 N; D L6 valso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- ( E. j C+ I& m% I
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views / M p7 v0 Q9 N$ u3 ~) y5 c
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
8 _9 Z* T% ?& H) Q; ycompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
4 X) s7 O, c) @) P2 Dwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
7 q6 L( Q; G5 I. ]7 Q6 N2 { z2 Zpatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
; h# ~! e+ |3 ^* G& O& TMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the / ?, M, z. h* |! Q8 B% U
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, ! Q; z1 ]" n. G: p( Q6 P$ X6 r; F
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- # R7 j0 u3 m9 L0 Q; @
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these E7 w% \6 \6 Z' z2 E
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
6 c5 g3 B8 b3 Binduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
) T$ v2 Y5 `* g* n4 X5 w4 wslaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and " o5 M6 L* P" k7 f4 V
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and " S8 v$ N) Q0 ]. O0 q. C
+ [. [' p# d% n D& _3 W
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
* ^0 s' L2 l; X# Q7 q) C. R; d- b0 U( |No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
) m4 R& E' Q- m! {1 t( u" S7 ?5 T2 W8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
/ s. q+ _& A* x4 `4 }. y) y! Fand New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences 1 P8 P9 T b+ u, a0 L$ ~& e
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ' M- C# L3 p6 @4 ^$ \
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; 2 k2 l, F+ m. O, Y
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. ( I& z6 P7 G& I" y% R2 g7 ~( i# T; F
% T2 W" m7 q0 D5 ~commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
& J2 y. E, H7 B- H2 ?1 `1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. : G' K1 U( O0 q1 t* [, ]
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. : Y) i3 e4 w0 Y3 ?& j1 C- |. ~$ O
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
2 X& D" |, N' p8 W4 P( T1 ivessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
( F. d4 i/ d+ h# N. Cmercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- # b4 F/ h6 o8 k/ ]0 H) @1 n/ w7 {, u
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
4 ?' W+ }0 L$ NFrench possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after ) m& ] u: ~" v3 R' y9 y. x( ?
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
: `: r, |7 p* u' p! a; }" Lknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg- , ], f, a8 i" y( V( i: [1 A
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 8 s3 ?. }8 ?& `% ]8 ~
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 1 @6 p0 V) y. u; F
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
) y+ J7 p% D3 N8 c: l Z, nchant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- 9 E9 Q: a$ v3 ], j
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
. m. Y& S$ c& `% }9 minto six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
. O3 S% ~5 W# n+ L8 K& K! N7 afrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George
8 T. n2 j% ^2 v UBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
* s3 w6 ?$ A( k3 k5 ^/ Y9 B- v2 wTouro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- % d& U, h6 r, |8 P4 S$ J8 o
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
; z/ s. b+ r; N6 t7 j5 [light on the scope of his business dealings.
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for 6 \0 Q5 I7 q3 s- w
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their : i% T5 L+ X3 f8 \
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- / j) V( n. w- P: r* s* L
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., " X; \( L( v; ~# }6 a) X! x
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, 5 f9 p& \2 e0 m9 m! A) ? o7 [ T) y
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very + t3 u9 u% L! v5 ]9 x" |
month in ignorance of her death. , R7 w4 {, b9 }$ ?' K
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Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- & a) k+ j3 i+ j6 I
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
8 w9 k) V5 C: _" l7 P% faccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
, X6 A. I/ t5 i5 Y- Cespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- " e1 ~) K9 W7 t$ j$ v4 j* C
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been ) D- R" q6 M; S
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
, v2 m0 n. Q% oa substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for : a# Y3 l8 {8 Q/ ] b5 U% H7 g
which he made further provision by his will, which contained
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6 w( x1 v6 l: A: |0 u; U- MJudah Touro — K older . 97 . M, {. A' U/ B. h
}/ |6 [" D/ {+ y3 z+ L7 za number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
' |/ \- @( y+ B. s3 kinstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
9 h* m3 {5 e6 P4 }) E8 P4 b# DNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly ; I- p& d8 ]. f: s9 s/ ]6 _$ Y" s4 o
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- " ?) ~! a+ S6 o3 U. Z
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
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Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
6 b( H0 k/ x' f' B& D0 Oically recognized the claims of his country upon him during $ {( j6 U$ L7 d6 R0 R7 z
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, 0 k3 `7 I m( d1 j0 F( Y
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
4 Z% W7 L% \3 xleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- & c4 ?' v& K0 \* K' B; f" j1 Q
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
: O# j+ B; R3 l# a+ f$ c' A ?% c* Rthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
0 E5 r/ t9 c: ^; B7 @; lin the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
" n" }- u8 O0 ]pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
5 p a+ {7 g+ r8 qhe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
9 u' L2 U, K9 @* |6 j0 eShepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
; V/ ]$ R) J' @' B- ~had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
: ^& P V) j/ ?9 H2 j5 E/ j: ywas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
4 A1 w. U: O# x h8 N& vJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of , m; H+ y; p' v2 E9 z' g7 B
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- 4 K+ j2 q$ T. ]6 x2 H+ h d6 x
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
# J; n3 \& t: E9 Qherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
0 P% A6 H5 P: |5 R4 ~- @/ B, S6 ?6 Fbequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
! X% u5 ?6 V; x6 H3 B( y$ V2 d- u- Dso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
8 S/ y& L9 r ]' S8 Escribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
. Y% k0 d4 }' X8 Yto, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began ' ^" K2 p; } l! I9 C1 }
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
/ w0 S% p. e( ^7 `exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
% J1 d+ t0 C/ J0 s1 q( kfriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
0 k& y p3 Z) M! o# tagement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
9 H, i1 _1 i& C4 p6 w' o$ }0 hvessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
% }) T1 a7 e- D( R3 V, \9 qmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
+ O" l+ v9 E+ E4 H6 B0 Gcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his ( E1 B( e5 }$ R- [
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in " [) f1 s2 T9 {0 ~
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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0 o9 m. b* P4 h5 p4 \career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and 2 S+ g: d0 E, k& z" h
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- 1 y0 L" Y! J0 U
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- 1 Z" x2 c2 q# x }' j3 R1 U
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to 2 s: k/ f5 O8 P# _
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
[1 T0 C$ c1 c- t% V. Z) {of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
: x2 F9 ]7 h1 M6 fHis neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day - w( u) _6 k3 ^! `6 @- C
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
: I+ i7 ~7 l1 }/ f1 l3 t/ r& F# Uthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
3 c- o4 q4 Z$ a; ltom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
" K- N$ N! h% w2 EHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
& S1 }) q# W* ^2 Rarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ; T* N7 u1 h1 \
standing.
! V4 r. |2 H) M; x
! p+ s. `3 ^$ x" Z! EIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was 6 w) m; Y/ ?( x, U$ ?
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
! I; ~6 ]. \0 Z ]age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to . B) u/ }) k: Y% x" f T
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made
% r: W- G6 L1 ~- T4 }2 n: z% ~7 k+ jhis name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- % p W; w2 U# C) O
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
, ^# w7 _7 b% d% T7 T+ d$ I& s" }( xtunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
$ s$ n4 u6 a& X6 x' k) g E( M6 Yyet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- 5 k8 ]9 @# \; N2 A1 ~
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that : _& C7 a# p t6 e
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
, j6 {6 r+ T$ h2 A" j' Hthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New . d$ C/ J3 L% V8 D! e! A0 t2 T
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- 3 `( X' X; f- F# t! o
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
' K( i; y4 g, }5 fhad won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than 3 C" x) [8 t- C; \# v
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring . d+ }) K4 H/ ]7 K
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 2 ~) m; j% h2 r4 x* C
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
0 ~- a0 D8 i9 r1 r+ S8 T2 y& Dtions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
1 u/ z% ^5 m+ i8 i/ b6 x1 Dof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
7 [* z& s! F5 k, a, [5 C1 u N2 qaspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to 9 R/ r& ^5 F1 Z& k
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his ) R/ L' |6 H( ]' G! _$ h% k
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
$ f+ |( O6 o; g4 ?2 ?homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
4 F x/ V B) O% F1 s! y
% C8 k- u8 c5 U" W/ n
9 L3 O1 z1 v* Z2 c. t/ X+ U
( l) v. n6 I: J) c; f* sJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 7 m4 q2 w, v1 d' v
6 q# F( }8 y9 r3 \% t% B
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, ' d* J* v' h/ @4 y" H
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- - X7 H! T: g- w" y! m e
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a ' F; ?3 @' ]0 m2 o" i% A D" y, l
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn $ V6 |/ ?1 C5 y; h+ C
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to % G0 f: E" d. \( s) h. z
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a + t& S' N/ S( P& x$ D' F! T
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death " R1 C- f; j% j% O& j, y
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
* P4 ^9 a9 D! K# S& Hdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
( V& Q5 F! l8 owealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
7 c6 H$ t, a4 F: Z! Zreward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi- : H: M5 U+ u$ V" \( m
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
. S ~# y4 W( A @. V* Z& c. s; Wsplendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise , t9 L9 a0 l9 T' r
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall : W8 z5 q9 }! Z# c2 ~4 P
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, ! H3 l9 ^. |7 m8 B5 d
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He $ s# w6 a- X2 I' Y/ g: w' H8 S v
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
* k. ^9 a0 H6 r. e- i( Egratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
1 | b; y8 V: R) ~6 w* O, zpassion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was 9 g( n( I- u4 F! I5 ]7 @& I1 I) `
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
) d5 R2 A: Q, w6 p/ {6 J3 Sfrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and ( k# P8 C- {; S% S, |$ B' q8 v
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions, + r8 Y. C% E* }. i. K& Y: O% {
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
1 n! J5 K6 d' E! s5 H$ _tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
" r+ d0 W- w. v% O5 X% Iliberal and benevolent deeds." 9 E4 D$ M4 Q; ]0 Q! O( I
P" j% |2 n0 E" c; U! W9 ?Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess & @( { q) _* v9 I. D+ y7 b* P
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
, J; {. s0 S& }0 |* Apublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- 2 G) k& p1 A4 a! Z! t4 R
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
5 f" d* _) t7 |# k; g7 i) zare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
0 ^' G9 q/ N2 C: X4 f- r. nlarge gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as & l$ G# n& G* m M% \# ?
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
7 Y' \ G2 h. A# z9 z3 a! Lthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
/ c8 R5 Z' c8 I! ~4 P/ v% Hterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
4 Q3 n1 U: ~; Mtheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid 5 A, A/ g0 h, n
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. ^$ ~3 E. k- C; ~* x
: I- L9 K) q. M! X0 y9 Y5 E* K7 s0 q+ L
) `+ w2 ]) x ^( k b) M" J
100 American Jewish Historical Society. , B+ p2 g; {; g+ o* P
/ p1 Q$ {6 a9 L5 H$ K+ Y8 y1 nAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material 0 ]& y' ]% n3 x" _6 o7 p
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
- a! f' @6 d, n3 Q' [0 \Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately 0 ~& ?( Y# ]9 [2 c, y' G* P
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of ( ~- b# U i+ d$ L' ?! t8 U
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
" E9 T/ d& H _$ ]5 `! V. Xsary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- / n$ ]# p3 Q m3 `( r8 M
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his 3 C+ E5 d' L e
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
/ M/ `$ f% X% Vseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 1 \/ h8 B. E; B$ u+ k
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
# p8 [. L: X' b" R5 ]ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
7 E5 N/ w) E, Q2 `& ^& tsingle gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
" N4 ~1 B( B8 L ]. c9 F/ ?8 kand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
7 K, I, w5 H7 _/ {5 S0 ]of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
0 F& ?# Q4 m/ P B: Dthe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
9 x7 l. f& s, @was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
7 D: C% q! K. Z" h9 @5 Clines, since become famous : # C+ c% b! ~/ I) X3 l9 l
2 L# |' `8 a% Z: x! X3 ?# TAmos and Judah — venerated names!
5 U+ l& N( F! j" c- R+ U! k
2 n; f1 e9 z4 D/ U5 OPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
5 A' W% D5 W, [: f0 L$ R0 T9 ^$ ^: c0 f4 }7 d' q3 S
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck. 0 N5 |7 R5 t8 S9 ]" B
. C6 L* S7 \$ M+ r7 _- aEach aids the work by giving it a check. % h* A, o ]# _9 s
3 ]8 g7 X0 t: f9 G2 `# G" U
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
6 R: d0 m* i. o; Z6 C1 @) @- w& Y, e# H3 }( C9 o9 C
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. ; |) O! y P$ b; U# a
& G% t6 H; Y0 n: d) w' L. rJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent / m. O3 X% c6 N! J5 G
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often - k% W" D7 I+ @$ v
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
$ l9 [7 M3 j, u" }' j, W1 w8 E& C0 Sin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
6 ?" c! b# ?& X) t, mtian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
4 X. D4 C3 g3 E9 U8 r+ eister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
! F1 A. g8 n. I: @6 g) Q- C* C8 X000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised $ @9 y: R3 C, u$ ^0 J$ T4 k" g
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
6 l" j' f6 k: P' ]4 x6 iing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
& @& z; L5 L, X: ioccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
- |$ y+ [0 J6 @, Wmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
4 G# K: ` C* z v& w9 Y! S9 V3 g( C! Q
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. ) V) B5 G2 W( r" J' b; Q
1 i0 K9 c' D, C* }; U
7 E6 L( O6 `5 M4 _3 n7 T2 d
' r k' h" A! ?8 ?
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 7 ]2 \0 |! y) h j
* h- F$ E+ ?) D+ _- s2 S
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
/ O1 q0 M1 Z7 G gthat he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
3 s% t* B/ g+ ^! L$ Che promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I / A: c2 o: F( @' r" t9 I6 s
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
' H) z; T' W8 v" \0 Uto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from " r( C/ M+ v$ l# o
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister 8 j! e* ?5 j: T
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he 0 A) I5 C% W9 u
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be / h/ O2 ]! U5 \$ X) X1 G" E# r
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary 9 P# _2 x$ S* X! D( P F9 P; C$ a
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- 0 S: \1 c4 r$ J7 j* N/ W# z
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " 1 y; v6 X$ K3 d; E
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's , ?$ ]" r7 `$ `& D6 J
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
4 g- z$ z- {+ e1 qsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
- d) J" v) H! L5 j0 ]$ U- Fwas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans;
$ m% Q+ j8 P% ^subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
: U' f' w+ Z9 B2 @! i- N1 Fa synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- 4 [. K- x4 H, B+ z
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
# S3 F- h6 l; b4 U4 N" W2 t- Wlar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed ( g( g$ K1 S3 ?: s% q1 R: D; q
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
% @, ~9 E% \2 b" ztributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable & l& |1 y9 K/ x3 ~2 \# D+ B
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
- i( d1 Q; h5 A8 d5 @$ B+ i! a% @Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
% F1 \9 R. V. r G fnever heard of but one religionist in the United States who
# y6 R) n1 ]( g' j" Kcan be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
0 Y2 h2 `2 ?$ nhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing 3 N& h8 [. E5 i- u
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- / H; X: B7 h q0 u& [5 m( |
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he 6 ]9 b7 d7 X% u% e9 ~" L, R
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. 0 i |) X2 c# m# o
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated % l2 K' N7 }4 ]7 b
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
# Q4 v6 R( q, j2 l) zhilation."
4 n& g' a7 U D, ~% y! S( ~
' ^) J4 i/ A8 EOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- # F; R3 {; ~4 n: i" @
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
% c9 R2 r$ W+ ohim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
- v( f. B2 G! zties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their 3 j% j$ K! A, p+ G
% Q# b! w8 {$ c2 F
1 Q5 [& _# S5 g$ c7 ^
# Z5 q( V% _& `! J- P. H! t) f( R102 American Jewish Historical Society.
' m& H1 [. C* T; i9 {, M h5 y2 x$ x4 T
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued # J, {6 W9 E4 U
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his 0 r8 E& u5 K$ q) w7 ^# \6 f1 Q
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
; T, i) q+ I2 |( O% r5 Stions in most distant sections of the country, would have
/ J7 n0 N2 E% E* Y( ~8 i; U( Pfound their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of / e9 z+ P* p d9 m
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
2 n" K$ q! e5 l: A9 ksummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be- " m7 o2 l% u4 M; Z+ D( {( N
quests, as follows :
. t& A- j6 v- o! Q+ V5 A1 J
' V# d3 \9 M' z. u% ?1 UHe thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where ! Y) O% Y+ I* o" F
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to - F. Y. v* [# Z( k0 C
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
7 t6 _& |9 _' z8 s( Xnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
3 W. Q; k' A$ c; Fever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in / E8 t: U6 u v# s4 n. Q
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
# K1 M- ~2 C# ?- E5 i9 w5 wthe day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- 2 x4 B& u m0 Z, q
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 6 T$ c9 V# P, \- z+ U
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
( j2 M% X/ w0 b- e' ~" r/ pthe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
, {# e1 p! H/ q) R( tthem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the 5 f8 j" N2 P5 s% s0 W" A
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
6 Y0 j. l3 ]3 @, Athought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the ' E9 R7 y( J: f; U
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those , Z( z: p" ~; B/ X; y# m4 X
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
. T& n7 t# p4 C9 ereligion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 5 k3 L$ Z- V, k% T
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
& T0 }) s0 e7 O. T( l: Q dglide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of ) R L4 a3 o+ j l
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
/ S. e; l: A- g' finto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of % y3 p- a1 ^" `+ F
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
+ o, v7 [6 }- y8 l2 Q! c l% ftection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
0 i4 p0 x2 ?, Z% H' O; dWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
- a+ u* ?4 N7 O9 U/ y3 W' Ka solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged - u9 S( l) I f q8 |# d
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
; |& l; G$ a5 ?- j1 c9 F5 O9 B
( T \5 } U3 H" W0 ~° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because & W2 Q7 S: e- ]% n) ]2 h0 g+ c
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of 9 R0 @7 |( W3 j1 ?
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their , |+ d- ?( v9 B. w+ ]
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
& [9 h% l3 {# q" }+ z X- eobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
5 z6 ]' A+ a4 b4 p, qtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
; z+ y2 T" v4 s! iomitted no deserving Jewish community. 3 h+ H* V, z) N3 q% k9 N
- |& w1 E" \( v6 f. l. y$ {
* N3 o+ y3 X6 z" B! Q; g" ^4 I' ~% Z! b A
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
' k) g6 I2 ~3 Y* @: }) l3 d1 ~# E' ?& G4 k# E# D* w0 ~$ O
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early 4 u0 q2 w4 [8 G# f: }; y2 t
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
, o! }5 K( V+ f& ~* U( S7 jsubjected. " g3 `/ O- z9 q6 q0 X
( k0 u6 N/ u- c5 U8 z
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
; C- s8 K! j/ dshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
8 j- M+ L% _/ O+ J+ N& S* SSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
/ X' Q& o6 \; i6 P" P( N* |ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
0 a" c3 Q/ h( d7 H Z4 Zbrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
1 M( a' ^4 `& j! c. cish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious t7 `( B& e! i' Z0 }; @( m
temptation. + I. x; |) A* l8 x: o9 ~. X
' v( @6 C- n8 D6 d; l" V" k
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
. Z8 Z) r% c) }9 S' {9 g U) a Gvied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
( m# C4 W3 O) _/ Uand these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
) J! B9 j& ?! [$ [Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were @/ h8 |0 M, ^/ m! X! Q* `+ d
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
5 S; \( }+ Y( H/ Lhad so generously remembered, coming from all over the
# P6 G+ M+ o a1 {( C0 X- ]6 Zland. By official resolution of the public authorities of
( r5 N2 a9 {8 N; YNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
% @* s( ?/ O- k. W. p& P& vhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of
+ Q1 e, e- k' [5 L7 R; N3 wthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
8 F# I- r* g( u" @" t6 Qof the various churches were tolled, and all places of business ! R, _6 K8 R' w
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
$ o6 V7 ]5 b7 ~+ b. ?0 DEev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
8 ` B, L$ T2 i) B4 m! S2 G5 Iphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew # x/ x; R% Z4 M8 Z% b! J) G: C
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
- x! l/ P- M; h5 D i% Y' @bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
- z- i! ^/ a6 x) K7 M+ b! hJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
' h, ^+ P; Y$ h. @: s) A8 Zwere named after him in order to commemorate his generous , Y5 B% E' U# e" b$ `" j# S
philanthropy.
% k% ^' B2 t+ L3 j, k+ _( M1 j! A
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
9 ?: {9 s Q8 O2 d" Zlowing appropriate inscription :
8 {' k7 \ D7 J6 t; V* H6 R# u1 a: q \5 V7 k ?! N7 R
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; 2 Z( D7 O( \. z% L
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ; f: m+ r& ], T2 \# P+ r
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
2 a/ s2 Y& }4 @. y! Uthropy
( w' W2 r9 Z+ N" R, ?& j2 n# nTo be remembered forever.
- n: @0 x! E) _8 s9
4 e" k: f) D5 R( ]( `$ V( b! X! \$ L7 B7 [3 ?$ e8 ?9 u: }
% l, e2 S8 h+ I9 Z: [
, |, ^9 u. p# i* a104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
# D: ~' h, Z8 q+ b% G, f; d5 w% o5 Y1 S
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
1 I/ `/ g. Q' _: P5 j0 u6 K. _; @3 K8 |9 K9 ~$ u
United States of America, . d: B7 i8 B4 y& Z M L* Y5 t
# ~6 p& i5 H$ Z/ c u) ?) y
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
7 g- X$ |# E3 q2 R' V2 M* R) z) f2 Y, K8 u. T
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
' t% d: s5 Z3 o( m h7 ~ ^our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence + h, R W; z0 H4 z1 b
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
0 |3 U+ F* ?, h! v0 _before 10 o'clock a. m.. ( l/ N* l6 m8 F. h9 F3 Y
6 ? j4 R) V6 b/ ~. k: U7 uBefore me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the % F9 {+ l7 A' r6 q9 Y! Y
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, ) }2 I# Q6 j' @% ?
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- " W1 J% S, `0 z
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- / D9 v+ b0 s. N1 @
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
0 g! R( e7 O$ |2 Y. v7 _, c& \ F: P- J
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
: u, ], J2 k1 `( [ Ewhom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a " Y3 X+ X/ N) C7 l N- B7 g
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
, L- H! k* H- ~5 f: b6 m) Ssound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
& t6 @# |; |' ~4 K4 lsaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah , G1 w# N# V8 |% ]
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- 5 X+ S b- v( v/ O
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in 7 Y. h3 Q9 K# h
presence of said witnesses:
" o# B7 U0 _' g) [# v
6 x4 ^7 ^: v8 J, S+ B/ M+ ]1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
$ g) i$ \) [+ @" b# f- y( V2 h. B" t. C. g# M
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 7 b$ N' Q$ a7 s, |
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
# t2 b* t. ?- n0 p6 [. X9 B8 cmy decease. $ r: s/ n% f- ?$ l/ ]4 C% h1 t
/ m' e" } y6 z5 [' @
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
J9 X/ d, c7 E/ `" k4 WRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
- g, q' C* B1 i% r( |& V: U0 ]New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
+ h# c) X9 N! p5 O4 b4 RAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
8 a* h( l3 K9 j# a7 y$ [) S5 C3 [tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
- |4 x# [9 @) j3 x4 o( N6 u/ Ving distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said Q- ]/ V! z3 ~7 q1 p2 p
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
. c; S& P( ?2 a4 W' qDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the 3 l! i! Y- w' |; C0 l: W
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 3 K' o; I; f o$ l
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but 0 r+ F. `# A/ |8 A0 R4 \( u
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, ) j& e6 ?* B. a/ G9 p
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
8 T0 ^0 P% w9 ?0 hbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
: }0 E$ V) j+ o Q+ T) K, C- u8 ~as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
, k- L& t! s4 t* [/ A) X7 ^my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
; }2 N m* ?3 l$ b5 v2 l/ {under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
/ Y) j) R# Y( M1 Ftion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
- a. A; O. i( T2 u
+ H. p( s2 l1 d* J/ x0 l
: |6 G0 h# a9 c. P9 M
+ r1 q- J( M) E) p) r" HJudah Touro — Eohler. 105 ; N" x2 A2 o2 ^& L! V3 n! _0 C
' T9 m, _& A+ U- A8 ^
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep- 2 `% I3 n" s5 X: d+ U+ g' U
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
6 e3 I* Y' `# C" Qof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of ' u8 E: R2 v. M) ^
my estate, movable and immovable.
+ A" Q, x: Y( [( E% x2 q% X8 L- W2 f6 E! \+ y+ _0 @% I/ ?
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
( }8 W5 |/ W" ]of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor % {/ k+ a+ F2 K s( G( f9 i- Y8 `7 x
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last # i5 S* }& W& a
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
* F$ z0 c) O+ Vof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
6 m) A9 w- r K% J* J! P7 ycase, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of 3 Z8 k: I5 S! A7 a
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- ( L$ O v7 `& s1 q. {. O, ?
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
! H0 O I8 O% P7 ^6 x: qto them. $ X: S' e7 a5 w& P
$ u5 A2 X/ O" s0 {+ J4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
3 l( ~2 O5 Z! dforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
. V( L9 g F. R$ G- Z1 ~ n' Bthe same shall have expired.
! c. E, B6 c: W$ `! M( D2 d% B W E7 F# m
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
1 ]; U# v0 Q+ d8 ?which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner 2 h# p) x3 T- X( P
directed by this my last will or testament.
* \0 s" A0 W# \& n- Z3 `2 f/ A
/ u) ]6 J" p7 R# P6 G0 a. W6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis- 5 Y, y/ J5 c' h$ q1 e
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain ; A$ L* L) ^8 F/ C1 n, n
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
7 w9 r3 g6 B" }3 ^! n/ T/ k( \: t) |Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of # K. g3 k W, I7 C5 M2 J
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from - m# @# C5 j; d, I
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation, ! s3 }9 \3 T( L% B1 l8 L) X& q7 ]
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David : H O+ I5 S- V
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
1 t( s8 ^+ H; T: ~) {& Eing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- 9 b& V* p$ O# F1 T _
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
* o& i- B, t$ Z) EReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
7 s. d- T L+ k' K7 rmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
# O. R( W! u1 a! b# ^2 T! g5 Rstrictions.
6 P6 h9 _* ?2 }% C
' {. f: f; G9 `. g' B& m1 p$ h2 D% g7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New ; E. y( E& e) D
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession ' u4 n" p8 ]+ t% y l
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building ) G; }& R" z8 h; r8 j
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
$ h) Y) ~/ w% m& y! o; ?) K/ dtemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
( R' R- [0 W G( R: }) U4 m/ S7 Gitable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- . v% @$ t% C Y6 k
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
. G, v. Y$ y; X6 }; \9 h. Sconformably with the laws of Louisiana. - q$ H5 {* R& Q2 P: @1 R
$ s1 @* T' T/ W7 {- q# ^4 ] Q
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
& Y( ?5 X/ N6 HNew Orleans five thousand dollars. ) V3 m( ]3 T/ v5 A
2 {2 a# ~- b# r
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
+ G+ O. d# q9 N( h' J( igarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
: O+ M" \1 \: m6 O" ~. V" R
4 r7 R$ W; M. k4 Y9 Q* i( o
* U8 I/ j# }* s9 k, s: i- x2 I( g5 a
106 American Jewish Historical Society. ! ^( b. L* a3 h0 B9 C, T" f
- h/ f+ K! e/ J3 `1 F* G' ^6 K10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
# l2 M# s7 s( V4 D+ y6 V- |3 |$ jNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. 6 r& H2 _' `0 u( L5 O' v
6 }/ ]+ @' d/ B4 k! O7 H( e
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society 6 A8 y/ @2 q7 c( ^
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
. ^% N' w- U. U; F% M$ J! J6 a7 O- t$ N. @
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
2 N6 W; }( b, Y1 k( yOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
" o0 _& g, B' B. m
6 }! L( w$ W# Y" R6 _( D13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
, ^$ z% I' J6 [( J# l! ftute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. 0 j9 e9 x1 ]! p& q& Z+ o/ u
9 r' z# r. x1 U. `5 r8 f% H# D0 z6 D
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
6 |3 t. `8 L4 i {2 mof destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- % G3 R( F! Q* D( R
lars.
# c# P# i8 w* ~$ O* E
' H; d. V% m8 e3 `# g15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan ! B* o/ q% T/ b+ B% |& j7 p; F- i
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- 4 R2 ]% j# ] |& J
sand dollars.
, c; R* j6 E7 ~" {% j- v
+ o, z/ U% ?) {! `8 _* I16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- , x* e; o4 x* r: G. x; K
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
$ k# }( N8 k' `+ }1 p3 i P5 Jchairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand + u9 O4 A: T% v, \% e5 V4 _% i
dollars.
4 A% ]5 Q1 S) G1 t5 ^2 O
9 P. H$ b/ W9 C: G17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, 0 |; d" E( B+ c! M) a2 F: m
five thousand dollars.
" r$ ~0 e! s4 a5 `! G5 @2 B- V
U6 H, ^# J& X) f0 r" E' c18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
' H/ z& H" i! Ttion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
& P. G( R# }2 [8 u e8 f- d- d7 z
" e' b% d0 N# X9 e/ }. j2 b19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
: U0 Z1 R4 Q/ k; _. ^! {) b* JDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. / l9 y; L2 \# C7 C" c9 f4 V& d
4 u3 v( r1 o7 U, o" `% \2 G! n) X+ Z+ d20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
" x/ T( {5 h6 ^( y* l" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
( J6 j/ y4 Q2 R8 O+ Econtributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity 8 f% d& O$ z2 p" `
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
; T9 m3 v% V h! j# oand I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be G6 }, X* a7 h: C4 r) n8 E
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
( m* R$ ]" c/ c& z; _; vafter my executors shall have legally organized and established
+ E6 o# L) e; Y- Msaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
" A- M$ ~+ m: D7 r% P4 hadminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- ) M _9 f1 g) d: e; k
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
$ M* _7 V% s- Q5 R- }jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
) V( G" _: y7 q- k) v) d9 G% Zcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
/ N* }6 U- r2 a f3 Sthereof.
/ m9 ]2 I$ X9 b6 N ]/ A7 i9 ^1 ~& A+ q- e
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
$ l. \% N' i4 G: s5 qRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
) V2 l4 U9 @9 ?2 _* N: t- a3 [4 V" ithe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the & o' i/ x& U8 J3 T# p# a b" j
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept 2 l6 ~. {& J6 R- w! J
as a public park or promenade ground.
" b: F3 t2 ^3 A* I
- G; K5 J, m" P y7 o22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport + p! c6 L( `2 n
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
/ N- z* o1 x- C/ g' W$ T* V( u) s
" F- O/ ?5 J- z. e/ w- R9 I. i' ~ K; d5 X
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107
9 A0 m3 T; Z4 _& @/ d* ]9 Z' r5 B; p5 C. t0 h2 s
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
, l+ L. [4 ~) ~& OShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. / _; W! d7 F5 q, y5 w# `4 U
% }+ B/ @- @. y
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart- + T8 i4 s/ [% ], z7 V
ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 0 f5 |% i; |6 f; I
( @0 x1 [: p6 L
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
- u6 ?5 b7 q" y' `' Q1 N2 l; iHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. ! s) G1 @3 K, x" X* m; F" ?8 L5 W
& h$ c: q) L3 p: E
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
3 q+ I5 u8 s4 j/ N: k7 yfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
R- t; A; Q$ sState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
# T( K5 }/ {( ^ten thousand dollars.
- Q7 ?. B' b; s0 t/ k, f
0 v. Q- u8 G ]# G" v27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
# C: L: ^1 u& p, Q) T1 ^: sMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
5 g, A! D& A) s9 Lameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in + q& B0 x( l. [7 P9 m5 I4 \! j
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of ' u0 }) t( R7 s1 ^% y1 `
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without ) V" G$ V! [# S8 Q
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- ; l" C! I% n( ]
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through k7 N4 R7 U+ i9 J. Y! B: _. i
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
5 w3 l1 `" A' P- yas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
}4 Y9 G+ D4 F1 v, i) O$ I* \! R. d+ Sany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- 4 v) J8 V1 q3 f: z! x5 Z: }
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and # Q1 ]4 o Q0 X. _6 g8 ~+ e' U u' q
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars i+ o9 n t; E6 }. `& b n$ E0 M! H
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the . g' D4 ^: _' y2 O$ _ p
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- 1 {$ a( O* p4 n! @& E
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
' k; b2 ~5 Y6 wof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
0 m+ V+ t3 A5 E% o; tmy last will. * T! \+ @, \6 D, |( u
' n/ Z4 F; r. [" v k5 o4 N28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I & H, `! R! v L+ H
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
T t: i- p/ }4 w2 P' {which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, ! U1 K6 g) P1 d2 ]/ z; f
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
! \! i1 C* ]( z9 w1 Irespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
- z# P) h `* cthereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
& K1 T0 Z9 J1 ~/ D" S; [: j5 c. Hdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
$ z* g, r2 z$ T2 Sexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
( D8 U. t, T) ecease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
% T' K1 w, G# I; Uinherit in the premises according to my wishes. % B: t3 m/ T- q% i/ X$ t
! G& j+ J7 p9 s
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the 4 G" [) Y; v4 l: ?9 p
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
" h) E! q4 B5 G/ `! T4 |; B& \# g* ?0 M" B* s2 U0 C# u
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society & p, w' \& k# C3 L. P
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. 1 m5 Q. z3 g B8 c) b4 S
9 D) x) w, a5 S/ X9 \31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society X/ R3 d1 G! e
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
2 E4 T, Q3 p1 y8 q; e, a% ~& I, c/ M. V( [9 a) R3 o
/ `2 _ {0 _8 A' e" w& y* u/ A1 ^
" h" v+ O$ c; b
108 American Jewish Historical Society. * V- O7 n2 x( [0 k4 T" a3 e% J
# z4 [4 }2 r s3 @32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund / u+ }% i8 Q# w* O+ P7 S& T
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
/ a, \/ w9 L+ [6 P( ~" c/ \0 [3 f( `City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand % b( y- }/ B) e* R
dollars. 6 q7 l! J2 x* A9 w1 Z# i% `
7 a- B6 Q+ c$ l2 T33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
- E8 {& ?5 v+ [) S9 W6 I5 D& xbrew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, 2 `5 f: n9 G) r4 e l7 B# \3 a
the sum of three thousand dollars. ( v2 r& V6 w/ n3 A3 C
( w0 ^- s' q6 k! \
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 5 a! ~/ V: j6 T" B! I" t
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. ) T1 p% j$ C$ `& C
, j( z4 |4 h9 r6 F
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of ) J# D# e& I( R% ~8 @# V
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
7 }; l# U7 U3 g( Z+ G$ Ra directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. 3 R+ v% C+ k# M- e$ N* i
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
/ T& i( `6 ^: J3 o5 a0 v, `1 U4 ]. ~* N/ f7 `
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
( f4 y8 D1 |# G+ m L+ \( jciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
1 @4 |" c8 d' d/ v8 C. F7 K# ?lars. + R7 x9 {: B5 a% [6 l$ D7 Z3 e
( V' N9 R/ _7 Q: g* J6 H6 U
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
2 e+ T/ h# `/ VPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars. ' i9 Y8 {1 X% M4 \7 X8 Q
" Y0 V5 l" C% j- E. {1 P38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- ( C! ]- u' \; V8 V
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. u* Q0 ^6 e/ x& r8 m
2 X( p- b$ e- u39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
9 |! C9 Z R% l4 h6 Y% `8 bIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
2 P7 [" m$ n) M8 ]) x
* v O% w+ `+ M+ r' g* @40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
+ n8 Z) w5 g" d) JShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. $ w4 {9 q+ }9 ~
, l) t% D G4 b3 i0 v, J h41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith 4 M# E5 m$ w0 K5 |6 _) i a, P2 g
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand ; x0 v+ N6 o+ S q" t) M
dollars. 3 ^4 |& w$ `0 |$ q
6 [* F5 O3 E3 Y% t( O3 I6 h42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
: ?" F" ^9 L$ M! Xgarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 3 X# r& a+ c, V7 M c0 |
: j O, e7 V9 g6 Q5 h0 D; p
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve 3 H/ z l. K. D, n( `
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
7 [% D& A4 J3 K8 g+ f2 z
: q% C# A: W% U5 q% ^( _44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- 0 n0 ]; r5 C! ~' `* J1 P/ o
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
' w1 T" J$ K% K1 p9 T; D! j8 F: a7 j$ z! D( F" G$ s$ E
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
8 n& w. M9 r7 d5 Q) t$ cphis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
: U A1 |/ H2 G2 |$ Y9 H( |; y- Y( `
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
: Z% R- Y2 n& s+ B- ?$ P# h$ \Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. + ]6 f4 W" W- B
7 t$ _2 L! \: c; ^
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
' u5 F* m7 d4 B! W% y4 Z$ a7 t M" nrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
& O! g. p: a& M4 F- P* G0 o3 [+ K2 a
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
3 z/ x! g+ k( H7 B* |dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. }8 g- H5 [- P& n) r. i- Z0 }
8 O+ [* q L1 b% C( e6 k49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
6 D. k" n; y/ `( vOhio, five thousand dollars. 6 V& F' F& \! K
! ?/ \: }& \! l7 f
2 b& c8 u2 M' Z9 p
! y1 S. X' L$ W& H6 k: ?Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
9 _3 e7 |- X. p8 e% n/ R2 J
) n+ C! V/ [. b, }* E: P50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
' o) N* p0 e6 y2 F) O/ f% GIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. , i, Z0 s3 O8 w8 A, W- N
1 J$ @( y, n# E, F5 T51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
4 ~2 t% D: i, R, nEl," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
! d9 B% c3 z: u, n/ O0 M, w
, }( }- w) z- `/ E8 b+ a, E52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
( F+ Q" ~" E3 K' fof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 3 K9 `- f a# X8 u9 J
# q: @% O) I: ~- \4 [
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth ; v( t% {1 h! |: e6 a4 _5 W7 f
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
& f7 f3 }- }, p# t; C+ e0 k% ]; @8 F; l
! r, z; }2 B4 g0 a1 Y4 N54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
% Y% ^* n3 z4 R; P- Fnamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
5 K- j9 N! [4 a2 }; k, c2 ?' kham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
) \+ ^+ N b4 g* e
; i; N. a. P& oFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, 9 g; Y7 \! G7 q6 x
five thousand dollars.
# P0 F- R& Y' Y- {* ~ p
9 O% Q) y/ _$ V, e! [Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
" @4 j7 q4 f( T% _6 tfive thousand dollars. ) s' B% ]/ Z8 m7 y6 c8 ^
( H+ i+ K) i+ V# e* s% gThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- [1 ]3 W& p" C% b4 Q0 `; h2 S
sand dollars.
. H1 g3 x* ~ f2 y- F" d+ j
" J5 B$ [' M9 V6 k3 _55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
6 P% Z* l! U" ^: S" _6 y+ u! Apaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- * w' e8 G/ J8 q P
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
" U- s0 S! M- c5 b0 yistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
' j0 X' m6 j; rJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be # o% h4 z' f6 Y8 t. W5 P- ?
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
( A. ]0 c6 ~0 U4 l# @7 m$ A5 N. Kas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation 7 ?- u- f0 @8 v4 s7 V) U
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
' y! L8 [0 b2 J1 @7 Z* T1 V% w: Athat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed - r/ `( T3 Q% c- @& y- g+ N
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should * P y3 {% [- }5 N( j; z6 V5 ?: b
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
0 e% w5 g! C- X: N: l) Xthe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration . e' }4 o5 z; c: Z, R& A8 ?, Q; v
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
% I: W% _: Y* Esum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
! e9 l* B8 V. pthe said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
4 g7 R! r% L4 J0 B( D
4 c8 ~* a9 x2 h' m: a7 E56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
7 j( t2 v1 ]# g. `6 H! Z0 v) iHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
" L& N6 Y8 v8 o# O* r# Y) Mremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
, B+ I3 K3 V3 G1 o6 Y" q2 s% {0 f- C' }; ~( E
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
) A) X! z- O5 OJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
+ R. ^; k9 k7 r$ g3 F( A) u5 t# Q1 }+ QRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
' N X4 `. p- lequally divided between them. * Z% K) S8 V( X
, y$ V0 ]; `0 s, V8 o
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
$ X! x; c n" j( Gthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, 4 B% p3 u9 u: N" ~% x. h" P7 V
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
* ?$ @" z# `/ A7 {; m0 n) D/ ~2 Z7 y( lremembrance.
. \0 R' T$ {8 J7 p: W- L7 e$ v* u# M. k0 ]) m
. U, l t5 f8 K) m, g& A2 X# B
; b o. G( _% E' j8 p3 y( G7 x% l110 American Jewish Historical Society.
2 N, C% T& Q# d# G7 f1 [& f9 v* u( p! }, ?$ ~& Y7 s+ c
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
2 D) g: I& k2 s" N0 M" Yof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
1 `6 L0 V+ N/ Y+ x3 f2 l4 B& S. |( W2 R* Kmy esteem and kind remembrance.
: A5 e {0 a* A9 d6 v3 l& e( I
1 S) N3 j8 o6 C1 _% C' } s) u60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 3 L4 E6 q* u2 `
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a ( A ]% r4 l M: `0 K7 i$ g, g2 j& ~
token of my regard. 4 A" s# j6 Z8 G
) L: i4 P5 G; y \61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
3 K2 |/ g6 H9 p% T: qmy friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
4 `6 ]1 G% L" y( _, `/ U& Zwife, to be equally divided between them.
" {) {- U& K% Q. _1 _9 k( `. Z! b" B) H9 u6 U1 k3 X
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
0 C0 \( a( W$ v L( }" R0 _( Rmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of 0 j3 N l- v& Z: m# c9 Q1 G: g
my remembrance. , H" p* k8 q. i' O( s* l+ o" N" s
. T' l O$ q" f
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, / {+ b9 K q( A3 S' t
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
9 e+ Z( ?& j' I% Z% ^' m4 w, ?ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- : p; H# b" O* s2 g; E/ S, Z
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
2 E; {; x. R; v1 X" m" ^$ g Kof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind 1 g' p/ K( v6 ] F' W6 g
regard. 9 h" O R5 a, Q! P3 o2 V
3 L7 p2 }# H: e' ~* u' ? Y
64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, ' P9 }) Y. h& k) ~1 g
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable ) F: f8 Q* I' b; [" E( `
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
+ l( i$ i5 [5 F+ Ewife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
6 ~. N/ y9 ]0 h# E- Z7 }- s J+ H: G1 ?
65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 7 d/ Q" h1 p/ O) ]; Y; X; b
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable - O3 H8 r Q% k' O
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of ! h8 u9 D1 j) U0 j; d0 Z ^
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
/ ~" v) F4 Q. v1 k. L7 R
6 P& J" ^8 G! b7 n, p2 K66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
3 s$ Y1 V L9 }) q- [5 E" nmade previously to these presents.
0 l$ h: n" B+ j. o5 z( z# s! F7 O
2 a0 e7 L$ q1 {/ V* xThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to : V" I" A% ~0 o4 Z
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses 0 L/ X9 o. G7 w: r8 l
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the ( p# B! S8 _4 h+ M: n. p2 P+ e
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
* \4 ^4 J- O. | } A3 V: _proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
* p5 r& q1 T+ D) }( `testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
8 S4 `8 X0 r1 |6 u' z) vence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
0 x% z' }( V0 w* Xpresence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
G/ @1 @. f x* s7 ^% d1 I: J
. B3 r S, f/ H' p( ]$ p* zAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- : o% |& \" V9 V5 f! p3 Z
ing aside to other acts.
4 @6 [6 j+ t0 w" ^' s- j5 X+ d: | O9 Q
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
b v* o2 t' D7 L( osaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
& J' a7 W' G) ^( |- s7 i8 S3 c8 gyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan ) S; t2 a5 i+ t( W. X8 D' Q# |7 Q* }
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, & C4 D, ~ O( m% A* l/ P
5 s& |, W# \! Y
: u& J/ Y& M# E: T- E2 d" C
3 W" V. L- j7 tJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill 5 `- q- f: E1 I/ R J
* o$ l/ G/ E! I$ v& {
all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said 4 W% x, o" w/ F) N* m d# p3 z- x
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
# I+ _/ V3 o# `, V/ m v$ h0 Knames. (Signed.) ) p, t4 x, p( ~2 x
6 ^( D$ G% _; ^( v- A6 G1 z
J. TOUEO, & j8 C! a; w8 `) [7 l* S
. }+ h2 Z2 K9 a) i% ]4 c/ i; y
J. Montgomery, " I5 Q6 [+ g, Z# Y( h& J$ _9 B g' x
- Y) E3 S) G( x+ N/ uH. Shepherd, Jr., : t; }1 r- `' t+ @2 n
R' W+ T4 }' m
Geo. W. Lee,
/ |& }, l2 F/ o5 X, R( S4 g# d) `& B* E n7 j# z/ U8 N' {
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
7 {/ K# D, M" l h6 @$ ?- H" \' R$ ?$ C/ z, D0 Z( u9 e# |/ N
5 t1 P* `$ Z( }+ M, ~! i
' F% C# I) y, ?7 q: V) sLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 1 A% O/ |: h& {) I& y/ J# J1 n7 u3 j
5 e, D: d3 C( T7 s' x* f; A/ G
8 j2 m$ v% _4 k( L1 F( ~3 {+ |014 495 461 |
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