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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND ) ~; n7 T. q1 j+ d$ B, N7 x
PHILANTHROPIST.
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B. : T9 f* h+ C7 q! w
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4 H( v* l# u4 T: ?) y5 e) l. D9 rReprinted from # L! W: z: ?* M$ f( W
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Publications of the
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_4 _$ P; ~0 N0 ?* mAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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No. 13, 1905. ! G( b) I5 Z% j. i
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4 X( |! |4 x9 bJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND # p' i L5 m3 D5 w* {) Q
PHILANTHROPIST. % [. J# T; W# D) p6 p( \
# I4 f- C' q ZBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak / L% F7 x6 R$ ]
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, . c+ ?! p$ M& O" y( n6 i' U
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the : S0 b. U& @ g4 ]
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating 9 y7 C0 Y' b$ O8 s0 b, |
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- 1 D8 ]. `0 R, C
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in 3 \5 K8 c& g& J* l/ a
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's " |7 o5 k5 v" g7 Z& c
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
& v/ g( m4 C$ }+ M# hthe very name of one who would probably by common consent 0 D) H* v2 I! p i* w
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the 4 x$ B8 J: Y) }' k& y
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
1 Q4 G$ X& W- _* Krelations between the investigations of local historical socie- ) t" M+ K/ B3 M+ q1 Z* q& D
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account 1 w; s) J+ L9 g
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, 5 a& |6 o& |% [' G9 G
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such ; F. N+ {: R# H8 A& K
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
$ r( P, d4 p7 J0 ttorian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
6 v% F6 j0 T3 z/ r% ovidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in ! K& `( y" ?) R" F( {
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
- A2 }6 u- L/ ?: Z! Xtary history of his . ; ?) }7 ^9 S6 D
- Q# y+ T/ s% }/ N7 ?4 v- r9 DA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
" N; A" \! [0 |" d* k# E/ @- W# Hwithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
: |9 C, t3 G" y9 E& Vnon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- , Z/ p* y$ v9 _* T. D. U/ ~! i
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
5 Y3 U0 b& v6 t' c$ R; thigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
. B w( K( c7 K7 n5 pWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal : G- F2 k @0 u
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' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
2 P( | x7 T; K) qchants," published in 1856.
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94 American Jewish Historical Society. 1 K- O- G t* f) H9 G! x
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reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- ! j6 i$ a N+ C6 O8 g; M- `
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
+ [7 u7 I8 t: c( Ileans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; , c9 o" r% O) o0 s7 \
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be / L2 j- J% m* O
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- 5 K% ^- M) }6 q: g/ o
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
* V# g) W* m0 @2 U# ?" V8 ^sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
# o+ q/ y5 E, Qreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
: }$ V4 E# j& S: g# x$ {are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant. " o5 }# q+ C! T' u' Y
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
8 |) I4 C/ p: L3 U0 Ein his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
3 R& \4 Y4 ?/ C' n: E6 }. D* _and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
1 q2 S' F" K/ o9 [maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
% L, c) w- n- f3 d3 @% Y& Uguile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and 1 ~/ T; W: y) C; g: R% ~
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect 5 y. J4 y9 k1 _! Q F4 ~( y
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
0 s. B" }4 _+ L+ v/ b9 ]( \! P% P9 aname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
# J% r: Q& [% u/ s/ D) _. ^4 Ounprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic ' n2 x& _* a. O/ X; j
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- % @4 n1 n& l4 x i
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore 6 q' B+ f" h7 e' s9 W
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
% t$ d& p8 `' [disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
) T. Z s) l* Rfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
$ F0 P. x @& xsince been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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1 @/ `5 E# Z4 @7 t% }) MJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
* b9 J" M" c- h9 b$ m' D16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- 0 n p/ q% T9 O" p, y( T: U
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
9 d3 @7 ]5 R4 Hbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
* G3 U4 i. S0 [# }2 r$ `ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
, ~. @3 q5 B4 d6 r8 Dof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by * x* X2 c6 c) T$ d$ u
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- 6 S d; s1 Q, b
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose 4 r; n* j% _% O4 s* y
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac $ v& G$ e r; W9 o
( h, B/ a) a. P/ t. g0 D' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. ; t( U/ O; b! D9 u, Y# F' n; ^0 T- o
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
# w( p5 S3 ^7 p9 w8 ~& Aish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- + p0 k S8 J. t- C- o- G5 Z3 ^
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Judah Touro — Koliler. 95
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays, 0 L/ W/ h% O2 t. |: ^' D
in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
7 N+ ]8 v( N& X9 h) K, S+ @Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and * R$ I: {8 ]$ }0 i
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
8 @0 v% ?2 d; Fbers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city * r( O% v+ X U: B; X
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
" P* Q: g; P6 _- `' k. Gparted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December " ]$ Z! x. [; b6 @7 ~8 J( E# i [
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, 0 v5 X7 n t. e: U/ J- I4 |( O2 k
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
# Y- Z4 u6 p% W* e: s# o5 Qbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
3 G6 O* q# }0 |: W* W1 hing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
; j: ~! R' h9 a, ]( ^8 n9 Dber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
5 m/ t5 a [7 b6 g7 b; WAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
# o9 A4 ]6 C- q* ]( tthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
6 l; @$ L: a$ V" D; f' T" Ethem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were ' i3 O [$ y: o( Y9 l+ p
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- 8 C9 s$ t3 b/ z' U
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views & `& d* h' D9 C0 A3 _" v% Y% R
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
5 F$ E/ X1 }7 i. {6 ]0 v! g2 ^companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
( r( h& C. \& zwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
7 Z7 _4 S8 }; t5 x4 \% hpatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
: C$ x* {. ^3 O$ G! @( S* @Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the : F, ]- X% w! h. V
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, 0 \% z% {, J& g4 D- B1 i
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- 9 @; Q, q& j) V. J, L4 t+ ]
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
! v5 m; D4 v1 ?7 O% P y" tearly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
- \ w6 p- \9 L0 s$ Iinduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
, M) c5 R9 J" u: o5 v, D! }slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
" c9 y2 _& d a: PJudah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
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, ]' U0 K7 Q, b( g7 Ktrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
+ d i$ F# Q) D0 o; QNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
$ i/ Z7 z* s+ l1 k- h9 N8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport S; C! ]/ [! V6 ?( L
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences , i5 W. C* e: _! \
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New-
4 M- H/ l I" G4 J+ Hport," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; 6 f" F U/ F4 _
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." - c: B* L/ d; U* f ~
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. 8 q; m8 D( z8 M9 P* L
5 V: q7 I; Z: b; i' I0 Ecommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
' ]1 j4 x E( k0 I0 u; x* q. e1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. 2 K- e6 h9 s! k3 K# d2 |5 Y3 B
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. * A* W/ c6 F* h
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their ) S1 V: d, V! C1 X
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- 9 {+ l1 U+ {. F% s4 {0 x
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- & `3 f) \( D1 H4 q& J% W2 t: o
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a & l$ N+ }% p2 j8 F1 a$ y- b
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
7 g) y* Y& N. F1 J; G/ ua voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
; Y1 a% M+ A \( Q3 bknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
' _+ m- f2 q. ^3 H6 Cment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they ( `$ |( ?3 `/ X6 q
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
5 S4 H- |! H# B" q0 | M: \- y8 YNew Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
1 o5 R. Z8 u( J) ]: bchant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
5 ?5 |% A/ w) z1 q- ^, vport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts W5 O/ g$ Q1 |1 X8 m
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library & k- w: n' Q- K. W1 j8 t4 \
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George 1 E* m: |! r8 ^1 |* {& [9 E9 R( o# w+ w
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah M7 {7 E7 C$ o. {
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
8 k' k5 S2 @* U1 aplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws % F6 X' P8 W) \. f! v, Y1 f9 ^
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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\" [/ L: z6 v3 m, NTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
! e' e5 O1 }; {! i- Q# E! V2 ?8 S3 Qhis cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
, \+ m# @" C0 ]" K( g5 tnear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
: H L% J! K+ U% N* c! ~; Fmained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., # E9 ^, O' I5 e z
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, 2 P' X4 k1 i. w) @
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
$ d7 ]1 o2 R' h/ y1 Hmonth in ignorance of her death.
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Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
- F9 d7 V9 P& a/ r) z, Z# Rton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
* \/ ?6 r: p/ Aaccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his $ w- u9 Q1 v1 H; _' h
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
9 l% a2 ^! j6 T+ lport, though the Jewish community of that town had been / B3 W/ v6 ^ k: J* n! D
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused 2 |3 t" f. h9 h& O9 s: _
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
, I4 J# E; F! x& c3 n( owhich he made further provision by his will, which contained
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& r+ L: B8 o% a: }3 v- N0 q8 NJudah Touro — K older . 97 7 n8 |0 K2 l* S( o
' X# a; l1 e- Oa number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
8 S% I" c0 Y! S& \2 V Qinstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
) ~8 P* u; _" \& A) A, b0 @( VNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly " O; _+ C3 S' K4 ?: D- l
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- 2 `( ^0 a+ \$ u
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
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R5 ]- s |2 U+ }3 D$ U9 h1 J9 |Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
; I' s- C: ?: `& \0 k2 j4 Pically recognized the claims of his country upon him during " Z) {) L" O3 d
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
$ J l, }8 I1 @7 A# T4 uin order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
& m$ f2 s5 \1 l1 I+ hleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
+ f* b& g: ?, O1 W p' ~teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of 8 O$ d( x/ g: D, |
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 6 C1 v1 {) q8 n. w4 [
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
7 p4 ~: K" A6 C# ]pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
$ M- R; b1 C( ^, {0 phe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
/ O) C- x: Y/ A1 RShepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians * x- |/ P- i& @/ [' a
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death ' w$ ~2 W! {! T- w/ L# {
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
& G5 S7 j! |, j3 N0 I7 G8 g7 KJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
6 f$ n! p% Y! q5 q U5 ]5 s1 W) uShepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
0 o) _+ b0 \/ g9 l' R$ Ldence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- 5 U# K0 A' K4 o: N! u" N4 }0 |
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large " u: q$ q3 a; R, c8 u
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
5 k* ]) O% ^4 E! o6 I; ~$ zso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
c, l* a! q4 f; b; w2 V+ Y1 xscribed in the will itself.
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" J9 ?' m: Q" N6 tJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred 9 j9 b/ g' Z8 B, u# k- I; a
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began ( Z1 [4 ] _* E' O+ Q( \
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
# p. i4 I( ^/ z! b4 V2 }exports of New England, making prompt returns to his ( V8 U# o3 K/ M+ G
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- . D# i+ A+ }! x3 _+ q! [
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
1 v- t2 t! j) Bvessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
* V( K9 H7 x$ w3 |5 Y1 Lmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
) O- t6 \& M c [& l' Y( N+ ]cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
! _8 ]/ d; o( efunds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in 1 C8 V4 X, R i Y/ `9 j/ H
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His 2 s/ o: y) m- Q" C$ n; t% G, j: j
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
+ Q6 { e7 \0 R: e$ L1 }) Fstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em-
( k. D0 W' g7 f6 \9 I. }: J/ Ybarking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- 7 \# b2 j7 O/ k+ N2 r, q
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
5 `3 E: U' a& c( bthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
4 m- A6 r: U% G* s1 pof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. / w6 o# |. Z, [9 o2 W
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day ; e, q! ?# Z J
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more ! V0 r3 Y2 Z! I# ~0 w9 g. e' t! V5 P
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
/ N6 M2 n; k+ E1 wtom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
1 I4 H/ u1 a& ?8 w4 @He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well 8 l# C% s7 T2 o1 _& d
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ! T. }7 d1 N% w" O4 t7 s l3 O
standing. . I/ u. _8 J2 V, u* {; K
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
! |+ H2 W1 O: P. ]! idevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of ) u- i6 }+ d" D i
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
" y* @; b P" b5 a* mwork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made - R* g/ v. Y9 d% Q y+ @, Y! j
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
* a! H5 A7 f! I- {4 ^2 apists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- + a9 H: @* j0 n" z8 \6 l! `0 I/ s* {
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, : m/ D* K; V: `9 M7 p1 A# n8 v
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- , W: m& V( X; u* k: {8 l
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
& l8 d# S+ A- O S+ N; b2 Khis whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
. `* i9 n: @# t+ Tthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New + }( N- }: k( E6 t1 J+ y$ T
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
& D- D3 q. j% ]. K. r) P) d$ Mviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
7 E! N4 k4 s6 ~had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than 1 J2 _/ b4 @) S! I- x9 E
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring
' I6 v/ Z; d1 f. ]. zwarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
1 q* A* Q# {7 B5 e% }; @2 R. Ghim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- ; w t( y6 k* k8 H' |- Q
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
' M8 X p: _3 A- k& V" Vof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble ; q! z o5 t: C, C" u+ n
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to - L9 J+ U8 o9 P
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his ; `) Z6 R# w7 ]) Y* k' v
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
5 {- b, l6 P- z. n1 phomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 9 c8 z9 A+ O$ {) T% d. R- K
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Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 O4 I2 S; D9 N
: M. s' l" Z, s/ m/ n5 [- mpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, . f% f$ r2 E3 m8 Y' N
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- : X4 o* m- d. Y; y. F
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
% @5 v8 a1 B8 N$ f nwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn " C) _% y* I: U4 x
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
% l9 q+ X C( F1 x/ M8 V( rbewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
) V4 [. S& A& A8 z% D% P; i3 A% Rmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death ) n" S, f l$ g& s2 s! g; Y9 X
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who / z- B% y8 {% W7 w) y& R
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
& u' ^- O) n7 |- ?7 y! Fwealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
% }2 U8 ~) w! Y/ l! ^: G; mreward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi- 1 O6 y, _' }2 j: ~6 p7 ]/ {% _
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 2 M1 [! Q y& f
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise 7 T4 @4 g7 ~8 M# Y4 s
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
. \/ H% G' j1 a, s: K6 p9 a6 }3 ureturn to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
, U- @- b/ d0 g$ H# ^were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
- u* S$ G- `8 B, o8 N. udeprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and , t, E/ |& j1 d8 R; m8 ^6 U
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
( j: m- v! @' B$ f4 n; Apassion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was % e |( y: J& |# v! k* Z; }# s
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, 5 ]) i# l. G+ H+ \% Q
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and / p" T9 C0 t# ~% \3 e
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
+ N9 x. o6 c& tand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- # G. P7 @" {/ T k0 f
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to 5 M% c h$ t/ K6 U5 U
liberal and benevolent deeds."
6 [ X) w* Y4 j( Z$ A2 Z% ?0 {$ r: \% ]% o
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
8 R' X% m4 H0 \% Othat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the 2 O7 O) z& X- {3 N6 x; k/ d0 d
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- 6 Q2 x0 J& T d- S6 l, z
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they * Z# ]9 ^# Z) `. D, @. D; N
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when 7 s, o$ A+ O( a. @- q
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
$ |* {' m- E7 L, `0 m% ]5 `) Kcommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
$ Y, O( u1 S) l, r2 Sthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- 9 k+ R( c9 m' e" r
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
% p x. A7 r& p! B Utheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
9 _( `6 J' n( b7 Z$ [already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
" Z0 {: e% v" n) ^, `" o( P; a) `' F, L! Q7 u; ~5 t( T8 b% f
/ f+ S$ T' R g2 W [5 h% O9 @7 Z
) S" T1 H$ ^$ u; D3 f8 y1 w- y100 American Jewish Historical Society.
. N' _* v5 O) D+ w! Z" I. l5 U1 |
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
3 ?! z. R$ t; ]; P- a" W/ Mresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward * R" Q) i0 R. d6 I2 Z2 |5 B
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately 1 I7 p8 T5 b5 y" i
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of 6 T9 \& I( E: C& W7 I
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
% K( F( x9 [$ B* c! d: U+ Jsary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- 7 i; R& c: G c7 F1 E
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
1 _3 J+ ?4 g* y6 m O0 c& D! d' Tinjunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he % O8 \" }4 |' G4 [' P( y- P1 A
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- ) P7 ~" a/ e P, _
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- / S* R. Q8 Y% w
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other : y. ?- H0 a1 G+ e; [
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, 1 \& {. m9 g J
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
4 Y ^5 Z/ u4 J4 q" ?: s# j `of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
) v9 E8 X3 m1 D0 wthe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity + y6 z, n: N0 f2 L' q# z" k4 e
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these / F) g& o# l( j
lines, since become famous :
4 y& c" S5 S6 q3 T2 f6 t
k/ }1 a; L4 q" J dAmos and Judah — venerated names! / K& k1 k" d# D& R1 a6 A& U9 Y9 i
! |9 K8 K# j7 K# B
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, - L( R* Y7 }) i6 N
9 x G1 h# @" u2 GLike generous coursers, running neck and neck. 7 z; m0 K; Z, L
* c% q# R! d+ x4 y0 B: z) ^Each aids the work by giving it a check. - s+ b7 t, g7 ?" ]6 Z+ z
$ @8 D# s6 d( x+ `0 V b3 J* Q- R9 L
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan — ; T6 R b! n0 b, |
& A( a5 O# [; u7 @# d. v6 X# E1 O1 K; jFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
9 b0 y( \) G2 \- O1 p r# U
l2 N. @3 b' JJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent * q. O7 ~1 W3 }5 T2 J0 b
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often % x. M* p, t1 o/ a& \0 H
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration * _: d7 {8 R; f% ]" u \. I
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- & u) ?- f3 B+ v2 n: Y$ T
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- % p9 h$ `6 L/ I" k
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- , S) C, R8 L: c
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised d5 w2 a3 u& B! X, N: }
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- 6 l! ~% |* t" i5 e0 ~) ~+ _% ~( t3 q
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
, n! q: \5 w+ O- O6 |0 w- k5 Woccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after : M* R) _5 y+ N; _
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
" r3 J6 f5 f% H) R( k) a, ^) d/ Q1 a
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. 9 i1 @) h" f7 o2 E( { w/ j9 _
% G8 P$ o9 h) ~1 k; I
3 E2 |( a* d$ F$ Y, _% R3 @3 }9 H
! ~. S( u. E3 U" y/ M5 H2 z6 ]Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
3 L& R: U* A6 U+ }" {: d! L1 h- o" \& I
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested " ^0 O: n6 L% ~) d" \
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
7 T* {6 C4 u$ E$ O$ @% i bhe promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I 4 C$ M7 K- m0 r! ]) I, e
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church 8 V3 S# w7 C! K# E) w, _
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from 3 V/ ?0 }" c/ f" w
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister s. g4 M3 Q3 ?! \5 Q; t: M
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
; |& l" e: ]# x& A/ |declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be # H# i% F. J; \' i* D! H/ B
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary + x* O ?: \: |, X6 }1 Z8 r
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
0 I7 m; X ~6 T1 c" D9 \; `9 Ycame interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " - _5 U% r; G( o% ^& g8 r- q
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
( d& g$ E# ^9 T6 B, ]) Usettlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
. m6 a5 Y+ ?% M6 q1 Q. Usition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
$ w( x- Q) t8 M {- {( Y/ gwas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 1 `5 O8 v3 @5 A- C3 o* D
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
h% x. ?, r6 A2 ba synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- 8 O B! c$ `* V4 r% L
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
8 s; d6 k; B& vlar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
: v. { l7 ^7 j! NJanuary 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- ' L6 ]# y/ b+ ?2 t) F, _; P# D6 e
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 4 L, m8 ]% e( k' T; T
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. ( |! g% G: r r7 D# h* l
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have 6 ^) c" ~ P* \1 c9 z8 d+ i
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who 5 d, @, {. R, Y. r
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of / j9 L) ~/ i* ]2 W9 J7 x
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
# g1 S2 ?8 \$ F2 j7 don other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- 4 H1 I! a: z% c. E6 r6 c1 C% T$ `
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he 8 n3 y5 C* [9 }* \! r5 a
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. 0 u; B* Q {$ s& F! `8 q
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated 2 y- T) A) h6 Z1 d$ A: q5 P: O
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
$ L1 b1 x# P. e+ Zhilation." 9 B# {8 O: f3 @' B! {
' `* H1 {' i$ E! w( g9 g2 EOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- 5 L1 n/ ~- {# x( `
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
/ B1 w9 w6 r$ Y- ghim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi- 8 I$ D% j. U+ M2 M. i9 X5 a! b
ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their 2 b/ A% \8 \' G0 L7 |& g3 V
' q: i0 H, [+ ]2 L9 L, U" T
$ U; B& ^% ?+ B& `1 }( Z7 O* X! y
102 American Jewish Historical Society. 9 b+ U6 H i/ S3 h8 z/ }$ C2 L
) X {( v% }8 x' w; o$ E- zcharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
) C* v+ G3 U5 `! @( f: ?existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
8 S) T( T2 Z2 h& l2 _) d* u, gwise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- 6 R2 F% l b5 I1 @8 |' G& r
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have
1 d$ _( c* a; z E4 Y. z5 ?found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
! b9 e g* U2 c8 Hnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably 1 M& }) a* C8 ~) a \
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
# n X, P; S5 x1 Q/ f6 `4 tquests, as follows : . ^# W d2 n6 Y/ K" i- |& a5 l
2 \$ b5 d) q8 F# D% q3 K
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where / p2 _5 L& e5 X
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
" H0 h0 Y( g4 ~. p& _) Utheir relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
' r9 h) q; _9 g" Z: q4 @2 nnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
# p ~6 N$ l( g9 O+ kever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in 2 d; d: ~) Y, `" T
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in 3 G9 b7 g& R& H' u9 Y S
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- 7 r* ]8 Z* [4 ^5 H! y$ I
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 6 [: {* D8 ]' }( b
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of + H1 v/ e+ z6 R" @
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
* d1 m4 M/ u; H% N3 Athem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
, F& f- A/ |/ q% J* v" |5 m$ Gblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He 4 h8 C. c# x0 [+ `( c
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
. ], G2 J* V' o9 ochildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
* S4 N8 E4 H1 D7 q1 u# P9 {3 xinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish % u+ q6 b' q: w2 K7 y9 Y
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- " Z# _2 L c, ]3 t' m0 \4 J! y
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
/ m; }8 X& u; E% eglide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
& A. I' w, X' |$ s% Xbenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
0 m7 o1 i: H/ H' a" v: Dinto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of 8 T8 z( [2 c( j* L6 ~3 s3 O
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- 6 s, ?, M1 g- u: K9 D# C
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
4 D) N E' c# a iWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
# \$ V. \7 T# c7 pa solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
[$ D; H* i6 uHim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- ' y0 q) @* A/ @* B- ?) ?
2 x$ c F0 k& |5 n R% U
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because 4 v& ?8 C7 R) b9 }& X
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
/ w) |4 k+ P+ H) O( Y. V P6 ythe various Jewish communities of the United States and their
$ ]. z q6 [/ V6 o% f7 w& W$ Hinstitutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
9 n, j. {3 d. G1 {/ G' y3 O bobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
7 F7 l8 J) t, W0 R) `' vtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
$ @3 p7 \5 x! X7 a* a9 z! ~. romitted no deserving Jewish community.
2 b! p- e! Z2 E* X$ A# V+ _% |" o7 v; L2 L9 [
3 p& Q: @/ E4 m2 I/ Z
n$ m5 O, E% H0 o% D- fJudah Touro — Kohler. 103
5 z1 S- k0 Y: @! q- T
$ d3 v1 y$ g h; y( Ocrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early # \. J$ H& ]2 q# w. T
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
2 K' y% s# X2 E. }; H( Wsubjected.
/ G% n9 W5 A& W' S/ Z- t& x
& U) a5 g2 M$ o( yOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
4 s3 b5 K k* M# M7 {* Eshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
+ w* l5 a/ w, G$ {4 S& j2 PSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor- ' m/ T& }" @3 r1 J5 P% F: G
ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish % v2 |* w9 |3 t# c" o
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
+ e3 Z( j. z- z9 o0 ]' nish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
! C# \- o) Y) ?2 S9 Ktemptation. 5 s+ e s. ^' ]' d5 ]
$ \- Y7 y5 V# zAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile ' o, p. o& Y- D; y) @
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, ! r. a% m6 p- }( g5 \$ c7 f
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
! Z0 _ u* y4 U; Q( ]3 kEhode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
@: n7 \4 w2 D9 Q3 V7 sattended by delegations from the numerous organizations he 3 |# f3 [+ A) o: w) v
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the % b+ ~ w2 ^; Z( b
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
& l: x9 k: D4 s3 SNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, O( O. o( X% F6 E
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
1 N& i8 |5 ~3 T- gthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells ( L6 A1 _( w% F/ H
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business 4 k8 G7 B f y* z6 g5 N# t
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
8 k* j/ g/ }! Q) [2 n6 J4 l- iEev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
8 r: J5 T/ Z; m H& {6 vphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew 9 ~3 m# [! y# G" g
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
( A! T0 k9 E9 n8 F8 ?3 x0 i% xbitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
# N! K. B8 K. {6 n% m% mJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
8 `# h" s6 v! ]" vwere named after him in order to commemorate his generous 4 x6 g* b. }$ N: g# S3 M& f/ ]" `' _; ^3 e
philanthropy.
5 C/ k6 q: u7 o4 Q$ X4 i3 t4 e5 {2 K
5 J/ [8 j# e" N8 iHis tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- 1 ~2 R3 W6 E6 y# h! T! d& A
lowing appropriate inscription : $ x3 H* @5 y; d, _
4 j; k9 H" _2 l2 T$ T7 i* s" V, R
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; & N- O+ B. k8 k7 j' L7 [; d, |7 s) G
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ' G9 X+ F% n R, r3 S6 {3 B
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
& j! F/ n e6 X5 Tthropy ; x6 c4 j+ a" @7 M) j) C) y
To be remembered forever. b7 z+ {; ^$ z, F7 L1 m
9 5 i8 D3 A- n! A) V9 w
# A' }9 S; }; f6 R
. \5 s! }8 Z5 g3 H2 \1 h7 U
. C! E9 o- S$ L H8 k104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
& m: ]( J* }8 @; p1 ?5 T$ ~- E F, M4 B8 W2 u% q
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. ' I: v- v! a7 G5 C$ H. _: D
+ K. z1 y5 D' P
United States of America, " Y( |/ T. E' _0 _
, A: A* @5 J9 |/ r0 s/ n
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. 1 J" I& M9 T/ H' d6 m
& q! T& x( J. k+ g& I! K3 ~" W2 a
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
5 ^+ ]7 B) t3 X7 m3 F. Eour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
! k. I1 _0 C. v" C- u m) @of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter & W# _" Q. Q; ?7 l) l& J4 o G
before 10 o'clock a. m..
, X5 G: r, H) x, l; z/ v8 Y% Z) m. C) Q0 P, ]5 p. a3 C3 T
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the ! {5 @4 B+ o! I( N" K2 r" M( S
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 5 |3 i* f! L* O, d4 J
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- ( {9 {( e6 n7 w* p3 Y& N( c2 G
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
1 ~, r& z6 _3 g3 w. bsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required — / \! E. U+ F! C/ v0 S; p; }8 N
8 F* \# o0 i+ k/ c, ePersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
. |! ?5 b$ b+ p" i; |" T: @whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
; d/ M! [5 p) a/ ]. w- hroom, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
. x8 N5 N: i9 J& `2 h0 ]: Nsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
! O2 }! c- F% L- e2 u6 Dsaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
+ |1 u ?* }. S9 u- jTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- : Q) U" H% b) }
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in ; T1 L: o# J+ b" U) R
presence of said witnesses: 9 T) V( Q1 `9 A4 \; x- B& V2 E' w' F
! O5 M {/ B7 G& Y6 w9 x. B
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
2 ?7 m4 Y6 y- Z# J* x. f' U. x$ ^; ?$ Z4 c! m% _6 ~
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish $ x; ~; n( \( O7 V2 K# l- n
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after " U0 u1 y8 [3 h# F, m% x) L
my decease. ) V/ f5 e1 o! _* i0 S
& Y V1 D N' J
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
7 ]' X9 I; E% L& TRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
5 x3 M; A+ |: s3 U4 QNew Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre , a6 S' ]$ q4 ^
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
5 Y7 ^/ D0 }% x2 ~9 w- Qtors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
% p) ~( b! N3 q3 jing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
7 c# D% \* f" y8 gAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre 9 ?, b- B5 [9 m' H# I
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
6 n! v3 s- V$ u. e% Vsum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 0 k& }& \4 Y( }) K6 T0 h
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but 9 l# b. x; d( ]
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
; j' u9 ~% Z+ c8 h# D: I/ e6 zrendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would 8 r! x( v* o1 `/ B6 U
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors ) E! p- u7 g+ ~3 `9 ~
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say - l6 A0 \ |3 i {5 P& h6 E$ l
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, 9 H+ V# H! h2 {% g
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva- 3 @" p( n* v1 @( x$ N/ x
tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, 7 B) W3 \" i+ K2 S) ?
1 v" M' D9 T! C8 S' o$ F
! ?1 C! L2 B% c% f
, i# C6 s4 \) G! Q9 Z4 W0 fJudah Touro — Eohler. 105 S n& Z3 N) I$ e% `0 y
5 D* c8 \% k! H6 w; i2 f% G
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
) \* w# o' F* ~4 V8 iherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
* r7 e2 x3 W! i( [: x- eof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
% L& M: r' `+ dmy estate, movable and immovable. 7 O i' _; E! k5 S- w( |# j
% W, ?3 z7 I$ s7 c' \0 E
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
: B$ Y" w, s" ~8 Wof my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor ) H; d9 n7 z- b- \ O
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last " z' r4 y& y: A0 X
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
. [* w5 [' R4 B) `; Gof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
! @' h( y: c# pcase, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
0 `- P, E. v7 T4 {1 P& Qthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
& F; Y& W( @2 _3 w3 a# y! ]herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
5 o% E/ L+ M! V7 S6 Y/ E0 R8 w' [to them.
0 w4 X" l- i& r/ |. Y$ n% `: A' Y) w+ S$ } k# f
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in * `. O" ~) e9 a2 b; V
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
4 m8 K2 g2 @" J3 t2 Fthe same shall have expired.
" b' |2 Y1 a' k/ l9 ]. V5 a7 B& O. P# S# z. l/ W
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
! ^! P0 G0 B, kwhich I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
/ H7 Q, J7 \2 |% O$ Mdirected by this my last will or testament.
' r% V& q* _ ^1 N2 R# Q
, d4 S# k* H5 H R3 I0 O) y6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
3 U& A6 x$ g3 O6 [/ I! |persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
( R, O5 ] h: q' Uproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their ) g7 Q n) V5 t( s7 T5 x0 D
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of # s7 m5 t3 J7 F. B5 b" g
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from * y& n9 D! D4 ^1 A
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
; S( D- M3 r2 ^ Q2 Rthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
5 _: p4 Y5 L, bUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
* k2 e0 u& a* F7 y+ e7 B$ A9 qing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- 1 e4 M& f) F9 S/ U" A# E
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their - b; P- @% g: q) j
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by K- V) l1 O5 o' I) `% ~
my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
8 V' F6 b$ A& A' ^3 ]5 Cstrictions. $ S0 Z7 j$ A2 \
- S# S7 j9 |) {: J$ l$ X( v8 P7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New & A( x1 F6 M8 V5 Y6 c
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
) d+ z H! v/ s2 A8 S( qsale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
' i8 }- B4 U4 i2 j( M2 ?) xnow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- 4 f ^- L! g& Y$ T4 v; s
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- - e4 L% V9 T' ^+ Y
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- 1 ~' ], D9 m+ e
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
6 D0 g; n5 m7 ~' H2 kconformably with the laws of Louisiana. ) o. N' |, q3 \ i' \& x
4 l, y, n, ~7 z8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of 2 s5 ~, Y' ]. C" C B" {0 a
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
+ |6 d4 h6 F8 F5 S; g; j5 ]" Z v9 a1 e: K8 V
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 4 U o8 B0 P8 [1 Q# ?
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
$ t' k2 t+ b6 ^; G) P- P9 J& L& ]1 ]: B) A v* W l$ x
4 n( J8 T6 b4 j' \; a) C2 K0 I! P' p! i
106 American Jewish Historical Society.
$ m9 U; S# l+ }0 L, i' {- k1 k) N/ U% F2 s# P- M$ `* n0 o; z
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
6 J5 T/ o! I- [5 B) ENew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
' j* U+ i! e' l% G, O
- y; z3 M6 Q/ K2 U11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
4 K. `+ q' h1 h7 \7 \0 Qof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
, C F" I! q1 ?; ~
5 n8 y+ o: a1 u- d" l12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New $ c/ R v5 n f+ c' z+ y$ N# u
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
6 G: d3 v" P/ t }3 V0 X; N4 `. B1 H* a* g) V, [
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- $ |0 j# }; l% y+ _) u% _: y
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
/ E9 w/ t8 Y- C9 }" Y+ z# s" r( M# l [+ l: s# l- M
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief / s5 z. d7 k" w' Q' {0 b1 o5 l& X) _9 [
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
) \# ^1 R! b$ \lars. & N& l9 f" K( |& X
: J7 P' [( h$ C7 N: S' \
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan 9 n9 n8 Y% K8 W0 Q. o
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- ; w# D6 S4 V6 H
sand dollars. 4 D. c/ N4 L# ^1 Y
) |* i4 j5 v4 y/ R. q$ d
16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
6 B2 \6 X8 q2 m6 j7 S' d7 qlum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is 3 p* s1 h2 q% `
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
t8 ?1 d+ b- R8 g& udollars.
9 Z, f' q1 m1 Z, a* _2 v
6 t8 H5 T; g3 L7 a/ v( @17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
, k3 I0 l5 B0 p/ X# a& @/ @five thousand dollars. 1 _- S/ ~/ q# n( a
( q6 N7 K, Z1 q& b- ?8 Y
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- 2 O/ }: s6 Y- k. i. F
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 6 j5 W0 N9 o" [; T1 }
% O4 u7 k( T1 b% v19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First 5 }. v' C& v7 F% r
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. + C$ n7 X' O" a! a! J
% f8 m# y" m7 F" e" u
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an 4 o; W8 H: u+ L9 f9 ]
" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of ( o/ n! r* }% P) Q7 S
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity 1 ~; `- C Q6 F! [, ~! w: Z
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) 3 r3 L8 f: K* F" t" _" Q
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
' t7 ]; l0 P! c# i$ H$ @organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
' i3 {/ |8 @$ W7 h4 P. s' `after my executors shall have legally organized and established 8 g1 x6 J' n$ |1 R
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to # [; b) J2 ~' {& M9 y
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 0 ^& \1 _. L m% Z9 f( k7 ]
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
# b% K, R; u+ w, s& ljointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
5 D, G4 \: B1 h# ^0 e* jcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
3 F- ^+ ~/ o$ T) m* ithereof. 9 o* _$ A4 ?9 ^+ Z- S! D1 N
# e& T8 z+ V$ i9 Q' H% Z8 ]4 Z; b
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
5 R9 i. }# }) d' TRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
. ]* H) W' @# Vthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the $ _* O7 a* z6 z$ S& z9 g' D& T
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
0 I4 C0 K d' w2 o0 B4 _as a public park or promenade ground.
; w, o% C* X3 |1 M; e7 w, _ o7 ~
% x: C, Y7 }( ^ o0 k0 Q22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
, N7 B5 M: L2 H4 \% x4 x" Laforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. " |# F1 c; I4 Y+ \
3 y5 P. W. L' k# u8 ~
- }, _, S9 W; P' H- k
7 r% T$ n9 R' q' W8 P. x' A( B
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 . ?9 v( R9 ~4 U- B# M
8 g4 d! e4 c5 l6 ~* q
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
/ s3 _" \" q- fShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
6 ?: I+ f+ f5 U3 C6 ?: ~4 g P$ P3 O2 g( `; n
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
# K/ }" C& x6 h3 ~0 B4 M7 A. Q* Iford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 4 a, v% @7 F H, s8 r$ h
* d# n" ]' G, o# n1 Z: k7 x25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New - L4 c: q! y8 z% ]3 Z/ F
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. : q1 a# d& {6 o
* ~* j4 l* T% n+ _$ |/ { C, I26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
% G& a u( R$ e6 \* v vfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and ' a: f, D8 o: D" H2 j
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
- Z& `, X; n$ o* G: @% Aten thousand dollars.
M7 Z) Z+ }% G% v2 t- }/ _5 R O/ p. N6 z9 X* I
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir + E3 d; e+ n: C, ]
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to / `" \7 T9 X" f1 a9 Q; ~: S; `2 z
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
1 k# y. @" {3 |6 pthe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of ! Y1 T6 N+ o- i! U0 |! l
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
7 a7 I0 [$ L( @/ A, O5 fmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- / W0 M# Z5 O1 N$ j0 L) W
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
( T! P6 ]$ T# Hthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, 8 n3 X& y2 } c7 l" {7 [2 j
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
1 h+ y6 ]8 O1 s3 Xany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- 3 Y4 Q) L$ t- s% G( l: x; c% w
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and ( p, R% R' M9 T- Y! X' M# W w
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
1 v( _1 I( m2 }% ]be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
$ y( q; x' j8 L4 c+ uCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- 0 S, a" p: [ Y% _2 l4 `) k) }
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, 7 J' G7 l' |" U l6 ~" A
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
! E; l) F6 F8 \9 a4 X2 Smy last will.
! J U3 j3 W' L; ?- W; S, t0 f8 q' d& \ h+ N6 S+ b# s8 R
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I $ S ~* j' v& Z2 n: V; H+ l6 f z
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to ; y* }% O% R- Z/ N% e8 o2 _
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer,
! s) D, w3 j. ]2 ?6 ushall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them " ]4 l* M% I3 G' _* N2 N1 N
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
, c! {, ?1 o8 `3 s# X! L7 cthereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I & a ^: O, n2 p! R* E. Y& t
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
7 N: @# m' r% D& ^executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- - c9 I* t" I! n% W
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
0 D3 v5 J9 {6 \9 _' e6 Linherit in the premises according to my wishes. # v" F* z4 s4 g3 v
; c$ K: L- h: Q; t29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
; [& E: Q- s) T( ICity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. & y! e6 C( E, O8 g
! q8 d( [6 x; s$ l2 W8 L
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society 7 x; _2 ] F+ d2 M7 I
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. " R# f. v/ R( J: H
8 H( l$ b- R$ L31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
) ^. t J* D- c2 R! l" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
; I9 @" K# Y+ S& Q; z) t0 W, V& u7 E9 Y0 v0 A y& r
. b2 ~) s m/ w+ S: z# k9 p5 s
9 Y/ P) y6 U# l0 B% {3 N/ Q: n( c: g8 K
108 American Jewish Historical Society. 0 {, A5 P- x+ l$ ^! `) r
, T. y; T9 }/ O( S32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
+ v- h1 s3 P- X$ W' L4 s1 Q+ {attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the 4 D1 x/ t. Z0 E3 Z
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
# v- n1 S0 ^$ H# Pdollars.
6 y5 h0 X6 K( y& ]
& n; |/ ?. e1 ~+ f5 g6 [8 n8 m! M33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
3 h: @8 E! v: D `# l3 v& T. ?brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
9 T( V# N j O- n" [( m5 ]. Athe sum of three thousand dollars.
, q! r1 p# z E2 A+ c: A5 |9 ?
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
) v3 L* e1 W' G u$ E8 Tgarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. * |$ G0 G1 C* ?* ~
1 O* T1 D" c* I, Y+ k5 C1 O& p
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of " r% g( D0 P2 B- ~ h
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
: }! j! B2 q/ P0 Oa directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
/ H) Y. k: j5 a& p- N9 X' m) C2 SKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
4 [- H" ^ p4 y' B
- t4 u: c# U( I( ]8 w$ M0 P* |3 d$ X36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 7 O. K2 e' N) X: W4 l- G- L
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
6 b, V2 T) F: Z$ K8 H, W2 O& }lars.
6 P3 ]( W# O- x4 G# Z O3 K7 r4 L0 B* c; m1 z
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
/ B& l1 d' ~: W7 X1 Z3 CPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
, k7 I: ^9 D: u6 b& @
. I1 ?+ b3 R$ i' r) ]1 Y: B38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
( {9 a# J3 n4 ndelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
8 p5 c0 y/ S3 ?* ]6 i% q! r- e: c/ b$ a% @% L1 U6 y# Z# c" o, s k
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
^& v, S- T* W/ {5 ^1 L5 sIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
" @% |7 a) l. y, k# R6 E" \
& q" G: i; }9 }4 A4 X5 e40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
% Q0 k$ n' `# l; _Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. 7 U/ n& `! c" K( _; S
9 p: A' e4 T; q2 G! {
41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith # S- j/ v& j* t3 i5 ]& a
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
9 n& p/ q8 K4 E& h6 z9 n4 Idollars. & p& O# ?! ]8 o! R2 b* Y" v) m& ]
& n% D" F2 i3 e* C+ n
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 6 d6 g$ a* T& o
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 1 L0 q& o9 a; F/ T
$ D# h3 Q0 ]9 b& ]2 a# j3 Q) u
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve 3 D( z, n9 o2 ?- S
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
7 A- W# r4 ?8 V( R" F. W% t: U Q" p: q; D
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- % ?6 j* f" ]4 |
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 1 B4 U5 p" J( M6 U/ H4 a
7 b: a- }2 L2 t: R' N* c+ M
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- 5 A4 a$ f0 B$ G* n% `
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars. / ?( k4 b% P8 c0 C/ r: [
" N4 w% O9 p& |$ j9 `: I$ [' P; E
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas $ b' B( A V" C+ o5 p9 D
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
/ ]" l6 I7 a) b4 z/ V/ X1 `! c$ b# J$ p3 f8 |# _' O) {! V* `! \
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is- $ j% g1 D E3 ^* c, [1 ?
rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
: u- { W4 w; n5 `0 Y, f
/ P% [2 u3 F5 _) E5 Y% l" Y48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
8 B+ K/ ~$ J P9 C/ f8 Fdim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
; `4 F8 ^. G6 ^2 j0 }
& | b5 s7 T9 A49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, 8 e% z4 u3 m- X* w
Ohio, five thousand dollars.
, p3 k7 k; }) G2 x3 D0 @" X" H; M- P1 t
7 a2 G7 ]$ T: `- |/ s5 |, P
" W0 u! e" T( L
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 9 W' k$ Q l- O* a( @, }) i5 n3 r
9 n* P2 v! @0 n/ D
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth 4 p! H x. Z* j; q
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
) S' ~1 ]) N: a$ H# v7 h! m+ y+ o" r" Z8 o, ` Q
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai 7 f& B6 n' ~- c% G- `! P, C
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
) a$ J( `$ s" R: R+ r9 S( M p9 u* [& g- A, o
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
, V K9 r! N1 c: \' k5 q; Jof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. . c6 W& g Z1 @7 V0 o
7 b" I" d& C/ v- x" ^ Q: R
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth E* }; j' n3 I t' x8 d
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
, H- y+ [" T# S3 t7 u4 _5 Y3 @1 p6 m' h- y' D8 Q) l
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
- A8 ^: ^' i8 J8 f3 Nnamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- 1 q, c2 P; n4 |
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: * U- b5 I* G' I# `
& B8 X& B O) X4 B7 x! H+ e5 f
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, * h- ]: o' m' y3 D" m, U% J# O
five thousand dollars.
& Y' X1 D( s1 O- h! U# y
2 A, ?$ a' T) Z9 OSecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, - f& L' `8 Q# C# z9 k" ]
five thousand dollars.
5 h2 Z0 ?& ^" f& U: p" Q' N4 D0 e0 w" I" O% p8 ~% h% \" }
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
9 B7 H3 w* j9 w6 i4 ^9 zsand dollars. ! R: J, m2 m& J1 K4 `8 P
2 T, y6 S2 c7 ?6 R, g55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of & E& E' {+ C+ n" E0 h+ Z" ~
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
, t2 e5 [0 w+ L* m( |5 M* A* Jish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
# R6 I, ?: B i$ f( u6 h3 ^/ |istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the - s, c9 v( B* a, a% R" F l
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
5 R* h _! G# o' Q- a8 P/ p) qappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
- w) z& z0 ~7 Z" \2 Zas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
! S$ a4 l% O- g, y/ w; K1 f4 u C; Yof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, / w, a' Z5 e0 c& e3 X+ t
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed : T; X( x; X; _' r' s/ n! u5 D
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should + }) J5 W( ]4 Z
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
' |5 }7 H: R: C$ y' Q2 Gthe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration : S7 K p$ h1 Y( C3 E8 n
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
( D! \3 a* z/ v* a' e) {7 O+ G2 T; U7 Dsum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, 4 g: ~* Z$ Y1 q; R
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
9 q4 }" e: f9 s' i- ]7 H2 z
9 [. c4 x9 y+ E3 t6 I$ U56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine " \! k6 u! G0 V- L, S: M
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
' |: R$ m0 R6 r- I; M. Iremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
/ G# a! m+ E B8 A v- C* A+ n' ]$ D
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
/ B5 j& Z/ Y) B* tJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
! i) z; y# B' Z# N% l6 N" h9 V; a9 vRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be o" t* ~, }) N3 m! i/ F
equally divided between them. , ^1 v" s+ y3 K7 K8 f" o: d
6 g) y# H+ S- ?7 L. }2 m
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
) \+ {0 ~2 L' y H0 e- Ythe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, * O) N9 i K0 @% A Z0 Q8 V9 ~
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
' \# F3 i# v& t' _* vremembrance. & |! d8 q/ B) v
( G) Z2 D' L# v' \4 o
) K9 r: O' J& v0 g/ h) N: g
( ~3 o2 E2 D% e8 r3 u8 K( m/ ~$ J; s110 American Jewish Historical Society. , V& k7 \1 T5 _8 z: ]" m" s
+ d8 z+ t. a: y h% h
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
; O0 X9 s0 s- u O4 H5 cof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
9 v y' M" g0 m& Dmy esteem and kind remembrance.
/ p# |. j0 D X1 {3 c2 S
+ v7 \% H+ I* {% ~. {60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
4 q2 y" X+ S* `. C+ c. B5 Lmy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a 8 q+ m, }3 g6 j- t# [5 X8 P Z
token of my regard. . {9 S% p. Y& h8 n- P+ ]
( ^* `( @0 _3 F0 K- g+ w1 Z! v& v61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
: M9 Q% H6 j: i0 A6 p2 j; l, \my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his 9 v6 Z% j) z. j4 S6 J- R0 q
wife, to be equally divided between them.
m' `! @0 D' R: d: x) [$ U: L
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 8 E+ e% S1 F6 I6 |- n: r
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
( }5 B7 S6 \4 S1 kmy remembrance.
- N0 c K' e# y. B+ I
$ n6 o% `' V. }3 e, E. s( d7 P7 ~63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, , a# `6 x( L+ A& o% o$ G$ S
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- # V* P8 v7 F% k- y- q) {% q
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
8 G, w" p8 K2 `0 |lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
" w. S. x) g# M- rof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
' O/ T# U9 B3 v: b: H( d$ `6 Xregard.
4 m q# I/ w9 `* u) ?$ i; C v% `0 T9 p; j$ Y* X! d3 P+ C4 E
64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
1 h* m' P* E0 [to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
7 _. M0 Y h M3 b1 z) T" y: J1 L4 u/ Amemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, 5 W% X* D1 f+ k
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. : t2 {; h9 p. T
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65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars $ X$ S! U6 r$ y) B9 q5 {0 k
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable , T2 K1 l" [: `6 C$ I
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
8 J5 M7 b+ b- T$ p- _# PMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
+ a, \4 p2 U! T( d$ Q' j
& y7 _8 c9 B4 p& v* w$ {66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
/ z2 H1 ]3 } Q Y. D+ rmade previously to these presents. 8 `7 r6 A8 {9 S( L2 [& O% C
& X- h" l4 @" O* wThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to ( `" m) h2 o4 c% H' M1 H( ]
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses ! o; q3 {8 P/ x
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the ; m( N2 I6 s4 @
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own ' o) p8 D6 T. a( M, l! H, U/ i8 e
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this ' O$ {; W4 D0 q2 P `
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
1 A" Y8 B/ w, y; Z) ?ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same ) S& x3 ^, h0 F: J+ |% Q# S, N
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. 2 l! v' x& E# Q; a: p6 g" [, y1 U+ X; d
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
/ J& C/ H2 P( m2 T0 m2 O8 iing aside to other acts.
3 R4 \7 m' T( k9 f
7 @2 g5 |/ z; O* x( yThus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
# a, X* ~! v' q6 b+ `% J% x' c4 Lsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and & k% p+ g7 B3 ^/ [5 j0 E
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan % k. g0 Y5 w2 O3 O
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, r3 A0 G5 \3 k$ x% _
+ u: V! l7 I7 C; w6 A! n, u
# y: c9 T: ~* K2 G/ R6 G- v9 F
% q6 [, F3 x0 v. o; GJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill 0 s" J3 x' y2 }7 w3 S( z
. i. G- d+ c5 W5 {2 e" H& O
all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
2 n5 U* o" g" t% Ntestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
9 s( {, V' y% fnames. (Signed.)
* u; T# t. W: F# |$ l, B" ^1 ?% A2 |. ?1 K5 u
J. TOUEO, 4 f. q$ y) N/ y4 t, P8 I
% f; ]4 Q) m/ h+ e: ~3 \6 Y8 sJ. Montgomery, ) S" K, s% q% q' \' M0 |" N" X
: z( O/ c' K" A
H. Shepherd, Jr., " H9 Q" d. x0 Y" w1 Y9 g
# {1 l- X* j( f. rGeo. W. Lee,
* a+ I9 [/ g6 l* X& U- f+ o( O( W5 R5 H% T& w( d, B7 \
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. 2 N2 P, P- B# f5 q: z
; r, W2 {0 ?7 M5 s' w7 ^3 i5 y0 x: Q; Y9 G; Z' x
h4 ?+ L) j" U. ]+ c2 ?9 C
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS - x F$ C5 N; V; c+ N
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014 495 461 |
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