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8 ]5 Q* F8 R: KJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
) d! [; [4 ~4 CPHILANTHROPIST.
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B. ' {$ I& Z2 R* R5 k' m) a
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Reprinted from
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2 o- ?' I+ }3 Z, A$ V( t- Q. B4 ?Publications of the ; _. J! b% v2 \3 [7 ]
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American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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1 A4 |3 Y# F, ZNo. 13, 1905. # k8 R+ e; ?( `
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" M1 u( g! Y3 |: D8 ?JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND 7 [% c& t2 K. i2 ]1 o/ f% _" z3 `/ r. [
PHILANTHROPIST.
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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; e. {5 X2 q% C9 d7 vIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
; `, T; S( ~ _8 ?; j1 tTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
* K4 `8 \# J' e! ^1 Fnor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the $ K# S+ Q u5 C! H8 O5 I' H4 ~5 j
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating 0 u! U- j+ X9 }: j5 _- p. W" I$ _! v
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
2 V% y" _+ H f! R ]mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
% ^9 u d% H+ ~consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
; q/ F `0 I" U4 y: bHistory of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring 5 j! u8 o0 j# q5 d, P1 e
the very name of one who would probably by common consent
) J! f8 R& ^& d* p5 \4 \ Dbe singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the . [& ~% a) j6 v5 _9 M% ^- F4 a
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
+ M* x# _) @$ a3 orelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
% @ \) M B) v9 I/ Y& x; k1 _1 pties and more general historical writings, can readily account ! Z7 _% Y0 F( v1 U9 ^
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
2 v1 p8 P! H$ gignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
# @, G& O0 h' z6 Q3 q* W3 M( jspecialized investigations as our own, that the general his- 2 d" B1 S0 M( c1 G
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
9 @& ^- j, S: }9 `7 O% J& y5 ]vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
4 B+ c0 Z. I' j2 Y0 s8 {! Q6 zquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
0 P: ~. N1 I. @; w) ~& u$ L3 ktary history of his . - d6 Y" I3 x$ t! [3 z; E- | a! |4 p
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A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
0 }& J0 {1 q/ f" X y; W/ [3 E+ Iwithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by : i! e& e* ^) `- ^( x. c
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- 5 r# ` @, S+ s* d
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
7 x; n$ }2 V6 ^$ F9 w! fhigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
. L/ k4 [, z) rWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
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! o- x6 N/ }" c, U5 A' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- % X+ y8 D! T v" s5 b7 ^9 Q
chants," published in 1856.
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reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
3 A( Q& B) u* nlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
. C% ^7 R* C, A3 cleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; 9 c: t# [% X" K" d
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be ' h+ L5 V0 u! c8 Q. |& Z$ S5 [
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- 4 x1 c6 C' g: z6 j9 w0 [: T
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
( ?( I5 X" s' K E" F) c6 xsketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
, O9 h2 y- F+ H: Z) C) q( Qreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago * `3 C" ^7 E# A7 ^
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
; d; w( f2 ~ z g. n7 u s$ i' o6 eJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
2 g1 i: f4 u$ x! sin his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
2 G6 c, Y, z1 b0 {2 wand early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his " ~! Z- U0 s6 M5 u9 y+ Y# Q: a; [' P
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
: C1 v0 H" P# T2 o1 s2 ?guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and : y7 j1 j0 g, k3 H& V7 e$ n/ ^
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect 9 K; h# w: t" O! S* v
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
! r: j8 |$ [* ]9 H* Z4 Iname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh : ^- D! a2 j9 `/ J( H
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
& b9 C2 |. p: zgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
7 M3 w0 |# E$ m" r. x8 tmunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
/ o5 v0 d6 q" i6 bimpossible, in view of the small and humble means at their - |1 ~4 [3 N, E {, w& {1 S
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
7 W* I! a' }7 N0 z1 ?foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
+ T( r1 Z- S% f4 @since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June ' t2 @3 o2 T) Z! u, k: I/ i
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
' L: v- \) q' Qstance that his individual career thus began with that of his
9 T; s- C! D; pbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
9 ?( z" v1 L8 E/ k# L" gister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption 3 \9 z0 h( U$ b2 S, R/ B
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by 0 _; k, T# W2 L' n
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- 1 ]& K. C% f3 }/ j/ h" z
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
; F- {! H1 _" A( J7 t9 G$ h' Xcareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
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( J$ |# t1 R* j3 d" v) q1 X5 N' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
@5 J: q1 _/ \, ^& b3 B' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- 1 C; ^ W& f' @- y3 f' Y1 n& m
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
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Judah Touro — Koliler. 95
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/ U- ^/ A% |8 K" B' z. n3 JTouro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
" O8 \$ d" C1 _2 a/ Min 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
8 s$ E& K1 E( i; l8 T, u# W, LEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
* y9 q; n W }; Kdied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
9 f2 V# A. i b! w. h) N2 @bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city & O4 C" h; p5 ~$ r+ l
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- 1 x0 O8 F% V* t. ?
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December 8 N6 \) p3 G. q4 P' v2 s# O: J
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
. r7 J6 `7 u$ Q5 Yand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
; q1 ^- d. Y0 v6 t& i9 z+ ^brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
. c8 G7 ?) J; ^ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- 6 x. L6 G. B8 v; _8 w
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
0 E( h" A; ?& {2 z/ eAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
4 V2 j \+ k5 nthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
4 p* B# }5 B( a( S' A$ F, Sthem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
: e2 H6 \6 t; B0 E. d/ b( e9 G3 }. Palso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- l, D, w$ f5 T
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
3 X3 l4 f8 H2 m3 hof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- " a8 b& e5 Q3 P
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
( |- P# S) d9 F* c! Nwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the : e" i8 l1 {% N! C
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and 7 ?3 w8 t+ o: u% U
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the 3 ]2 @) ^+ G% X
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, % a7 L" n8 }# G- S
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
7 q" l& M G$ Oist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
j3 i+ u n) Zearly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
: a5 _1 F5 ]# g6 m3 C4 [9 winduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase 6 l4 [+ Y; R4 x! R, h1 e8 l
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
! U2 p+ s# `8 ~0 F pJudah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and S2 d O' Z2 M( s* c5 ^- @
2 b1 j% m4 v+ n8 {
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
% z5 r$ W: i y J6 B6 B3 p" `! l1 `No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. 3 X" l6 h S F8 p/ b4 b8 q
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
% U0 s- ~- O/ Q6 ?) e; M% Q- }7 [4 ~and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
6 d5 h9 i) S& u4 U7 _1 Aof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ( y- }0 y' j8 i3 g4 T* m. [
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
) \) u5 A' T, V# m* y5 o: \7 @5 I9 y# ?( g- sRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." - |) f6 w3 @1 q; y
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. " K4 H# B' I6 b+ a
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in ' Q* N4 J8 e; c( c& {
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
7 }. J8 ~; f, H" z* ca valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
& v% V, l1 P. N0 _ oThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their ! h) y G3 H/ n/ A, x
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
$ B; {6 ~/ l3 G! G5 W5 W: @( amercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
\- @8 W# ?" X6 y& Pvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a ( v ]! c4 f) }$ d' W2 q. X0 `1 T
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after & d$ U: ~9 F1 j2 z
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends / j% p' P; ^7 g q% y
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
. V: D3 ~' N1 \* o9 zment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
8 k, y/ \ m5 d1 U$ J3 H% Xmade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
( h. z% i# f" z' |7 sNew Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- 6 k9 p2 J8 y$ f. C3 l: v2 a }' r
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- ' z/ [3 b4 J1 Y2 F" X
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
" q# h7 ~8 q8 F+ z/ R' Yinto six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library $ C7 v( q& z! W
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George ! x% m) f# `0 q/ B
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 1 R* }% ~ _- m1 a/ G* c
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
+ J( R4 F# `0 ` ~plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
% g. v+ P6 N) glight on the scope of his business dealings.
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for ' z( Z. \# }5 i7 V3 _4 Q
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
4 I9 ]# C5 L: G( j# |2 I+ {near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- - i6 K" K! z5 \1 G) A( L
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
8 g" | z9 k+ w5 A( w. i) ~- band died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
8 I( g" p' ]; S0 t, V1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
, k9 n2 N! k* \8 a3 V7 Dmonth in ignorance of her death.
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Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
1 X+ a% U# d4 m8 ~0 Cton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an 5 o& y* K: I" V, |4 [0 @
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
9 v" \; _" _& B# i+ s. \# cespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- % W$ J2 ~; ]$ ~2 ]
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
& I& `. w# v* g" g! ?scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
* r% H8 S$ m. j8 ]9 R5 Y' Ia substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for 5 m& S; k/ M2 {! }+ i8 t
which he made further provision by his will, which contained $ O5 H* g) G1 U/ X; C7 f3 a
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5 D! m ]% c' t; WJudah Touro — K older . 97 8 R" t# D& K5 i/ y! ^
; G" S- n3 E* R! {& H- Ea number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
% k( J! @& I& W5 |% @institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and ' X6 h2 L: ~6 y h; R3 E& V
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
& _1 v& n) S4 \( \5 f, S& w6 `$ vto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
1 [$ k0 U$ H( X$ U/ dnizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. 0 _1 k' J5 `/ C* Q/ t
5 y. v, o5 D! V* T3 CEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- & U7 M/ Q+ F, c" p# G
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
2 V8 I/ L; O6 Q: `the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, : I2 c* ~+ h: f) k g
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
R; B6 }$ C* kleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
6 B0 L" d6 l6 T% C: c. Fteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
( s$ S: R+ [/ w8 @* c w7 W& Kthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 0 S( a; I; C* D6 Q$ w& T7 w
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
! b- U f9 J) t, p4 cpound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that . X% U" H, C/ ~* t
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
3 g2 x; K6 b( v! ~* [! BShepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians : t* Z0 a* o# O% a3 f3 {
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
; H) U) ]" \2 O2 e5 W* j- E( Zwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later 1 Y- R! R5 z z2 n, V; Z; u4 n
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
( r: `+ _) B6 q" o* ~# I- C% s( o& ]Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- ; c" h3 H# j p5 o! P) U) i, W8 x
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
# L- `- c) b, Eherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large 0 q. V$ g6 v: z
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
$ I8 n9 U1 V+ ^8 J; xso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
) p& o# I2 K$ d3 W: W5 ^# Yscribed in the will itself.
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3 ^" m2 T5 t; f4 X9 |/ ]8 z/ rJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
0 i% M! F+ O! I+ E u* }, m( wto, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
( W! i4 f- J! X6 ea brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other " F( J# S |) `7 b4 ^& g
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his ! \7 F z, g" D9 X/ \$ T$ n8 l- E* U
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- , k! H" }* S' y6 A- z0 J) C' {
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every , j! z* Q! X* Y' o$ i' Y* ]& }
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
* u+ X& f' o% Hmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain 0 d4 o" d* Q7 r- [
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his ) F, i, X: B5 P' l. u' m2 M
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in _/ h. l. \) n
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His . W9 d8 W( f' j/ O( O H( k% I
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# H* I3 p5 ~1 g. C& J, `98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
, g7 N3 U" v' |, hstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em-
' f0 u* G5 T' h- |2 Gbarking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
/ {2 w) @# ]- z, n: x, [3 c O6 Ping aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to ! l) F2 d4 d$ J( Z
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents $ h. N! [6 X. p: G; ?3 |. e
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. % Y, m* M8 i% d6 Q9 R4 r
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
( W" O8 s# Y, m. w* c3 @+ `2 ~( Yby his movements. In his business he rarely employed more . q6 o$ j6 j( j
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus- 4 ~: T4 t2 H1 w: h) A; p/ L# u$ ^
tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset. 2 e8 r! E# q4 g- v" }3 e8 S
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
8 P' d5 |* {1 }. s8 Narranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- - c3 O5 E# g' h7 M: ]
standing.
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
+ k& S5 Z( d* Q3 Q, x) g# c! Ddevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
5 N8 K4 Y/ m& h8 Z* Page, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to 0 a/ J6 q4 H9 n6 L
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made - O' G# v, q+ L6 K' V' Y5 [0 g
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- % X \# e8 w# K; f" F) S/ _5 O
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- 7 J6 y* [4 {9 c5 s% l* U8 @, r4 Q
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, - b; J$ C& o$ p6 ~
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
3 y# t- B' x- @; Jwithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that * k1 z5 \1 O5 h( |* b- u
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
3 C2 E+ Z' c3 B% S! Qthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
6 E R: B) |; M) }* d3 ~7 d- E: POrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
% ~+ ^$ r4 S+ p% _ t+ U# j& Gviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who ! P; N3 e# B- x/ }1 T" r. U, Z9 E
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
( O+ y/ r& f9 Y# _that which the most successful merchant, the most daring
. r! `3 u* q" r) P2 W( x# O: ]warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
( V8 B) f1 _- d# j) s/ J- j9 ^) \him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
; b- S) h9 ^4 A7 wtions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
( s4 F9 \: p3 fof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble / l7 N! l. f8 a! [
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
% B8 g4 S7 d$ x! tglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his ( e- y z! I" H: L" H+ L
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his % |" W! q- T5 |& F1 b( M0 G6 _( \
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 3 F9 ` S4 j" M, R
- p# Q. S( J5 y; L6 n. k& q" {& A
9 M. f; M( J+ q" W+ B7 b5 `( _* g4 f( M, K; u% c: v) B
Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 * R$ }' v7 `. q- J: m- Q
- z& B0 H- K3 A+ L8 i# Qpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
9 x8 \) l' j$ {0 V; {0 t) J) Z2 `. ga man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- 0 U5 z+ q9 w2 O: {1 Z. h
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
0 M& r% v) }/ P+ Q; v- s# N/ Ywhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn ! M+ ?; Z$ \% ]' u R
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 3 M- }8 n) y( }! D0 T g/ H# o
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
3 R7 n6 z/ a1 V7 T8 r Zmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
5 b5 d# e* \ S( R5 f8 B Z* Uof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
% O5 D) Y" ^# r/ {( `. A) Qdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
& H, G4 P! A$ U, c8 X3 _wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the 8 [- |' r& g+ y8 G, ~2 v8 z- W7 E4 H
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
+ s# D4 r- r) Q/ U5 h: `cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a ; h9 m& Q3 D5 J/ z
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ( Z4 {* o w3 _/ H I% ?3 G
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall # X* x, H j n7 z0 n
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
# s5 v4 V7 e: \$ Z# Q( s0 P! Twere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He 5 z6 b0 M* O5 |7 f
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and ) f6 v- \6 i0 `. Z6 W$ H; b
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single - V$ j! J ~5 O2 Y! s# Y( x8 o
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
* L Q$ U( y' X: H7 |! ~8 t* z! oa miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, & V/ y" n; q$ S- y4 ~
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and ! z, o' o5 z6 L. D1 M2 k& j
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
' w5 F& x, [+ ^+ x* @/ ], q0 qand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- 8 f* W( ~" T% N# c' A7 x Q: M
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to O) m/ i4 L5 {9 O0 ^3 q) y1 Q
liberal and benevolent deeds." ' U6 M; T7 s1 u( Y
2 c+ L* L: [; V- w: e( VTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess $ W8 B3 C |! ?7 o1 M6 v3 n
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the # Y* ~- [# B( w& E- |
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
, p1 M. `* ]/ L- S6 Ations, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they 2 t$ G. I1 N' b' Y
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when 6 l- m7 B7 R3 z! S' V0 ^7 D4 g
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
# V0 J* V0 r2 O" b) B) [3 ccommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
9 [; }9 y8 G% l4 G5 \+ U/ Y% Tthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
& i7 g f( }* |* i$ X2 gterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up 1 J6 W& d$ Z7 j
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid ! p1 v% _$ X% N! d$ N
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
- _+ a4 u8 @9 h* b* M* L' G1 g7 a$ b( \2 y
- V/ ?' |! Y( b- F
. F" ^4 ]) j5 H2 p100 American Jewish Historical Society. 4 L( U, C+ \( g- |6 K7 d
3 R# b9 `# Z/ U+ i5 n
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
( o. Y4 t4 T6 }1 {& Rresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
" T9 ], D# U; f) D5 VEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately ' I; C0 |& f7 _: R- {
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of % T2 G5 H- J! |. Y
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
; N/ q4 R. N K& ysary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- ; i, E6 I+ A6 z2 N" B
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
3 |/ R& u- W& p# G& rinjunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he * h# `7 t! [6 l: c
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- $ k. R0 w% K1 E& R0 \" A
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
2 k2 Y: x$ k7 w( X0 nish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other & h3 Q( U, K; S9 J; ^* ?& \0 f$ {2 o
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, + c* v$ s0 X8 Z" y: u. ~: ^) J0 J
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
* G' A8 W- h3 Rof the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
; K& A& ~( f2 q0 m- c; M, v( B- \the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity 2 E+ z; _+ d8 A1 D) V* X9 T1 l" }
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
' I! U( @0 U4 n1 X) w7 X6 ]lines, since become famous :
8 L2 X: w( C% q" N- a
7 \4 n8 e3 }0 c( [- a d; v7 dAmos and Judah — venerated names!
/ m/ Z$ L. z. K* P# f5 v/ \$ B9 Y" c& L
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, ! ~) o2 G9 d! C1 y* o" c
8 ~% j7 M$ G/ C" O0 M/ }1 `
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
& W f0 p7 [6 G: D* K
% O c3 v: Y" pEach aids the work by giving it a check. 9 [9 U1 d3 {+ E) N; G. _3 U" n
# f) k* R' A1 W8 L# \, s1 a1 TChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
/ F. q% {+ g9 N. o/ r {% Z: _0 h+ D2 j' |
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
3 }$ Y2 D. \7 b4 W: Z6 F2 R) N) m( m, C5 J
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent # @8 \9 n, W P$ Z* a+ S$ {
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often + l3 p3 B3 H$ |1 r% L# V- }, B) a
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
" ^7 G* c' n5 S1 Q! O1 m+ [" s1 Hin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
4 E& s+ Q/ \5 T. |" \3 ~tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- ; C+ }. i+ M5 H4 ~8 j' \
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
! h3 K2 Q v& C% a2 }- F/ z000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised . o, w- A, y$ w; f3 u8 M- f% w" L
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
7 c i- m k5 S2 hing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
- a4 c) P0 r o, ooccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after 7 t: r' U! s+ j1 k d/ u# |* P9 {$ I7 G
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- ' | P: W9 ?8 j9 i
% ^6 [# T5 _" ]4 S6 ?* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq.
) w* P+ }$ U# S% J- [0 l g) V. W/ g& y% R) c3 E& ~( J
3 e; L, \8 b! {! ?! q5 q$ H
' g/ E( @* Z9 J. E5 oJudah Touro — Kohler. 101 + p/ }" f' y# W$ Y
) M0 m8 D7 E5 i, a
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
/ J& L) y& ~' N& l+ Gthat he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
1 v$ W9 w! ?6 {he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
2 t: ?3 K# J( ^% O7 `+ M# O5 m* j. cam a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
# d# v0 W9 y2 \0 a ^3 S. Wto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
- K$ M }: h, x( }7 [9 I2 ohim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
# P" B+ ~/ v& `6 C# ?+ Z6 Wdied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he 2 @ w( s- Y+ ?" ?$ F! ^. a R
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
) u5 u4 ^) P8 ~: N+ p5 \1 gdistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary ' y. l1 z4 N: ~
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- $ @3 p1 Y* |5 F3 F) d
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " 6 P, G3 v( W! e
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's , n/ z; w: N9 x2 G" p5 D
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
8 e; ]% n2 r/ v; p# T \8 k! Nsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
/ z. N' k3 l4 {0 o1 p. n$ I5 Fwas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 9 l) E$ i5 ?& D% W) _
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
5 @' c* e i" ja synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
2 b8 i( K v C! K9 vpense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- , n! t; ]" P: E
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
7 @+ u: P a5 A) ^. v9 r* e/ LJanuary 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
# R9 Z- `0 m) E/ {tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 4 Y0 a3 D4 I7 T4 w' h i
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. K2 u ?/ w* Q1 b- K( K# N7 }
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
1 ~( f$ k: ~" ?/ I( L% znever heard of but one religionist in the United States who
" d: p6 L- ^9 a, Scan be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of ! X+ B; k- a2 K: K8 m5 u
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
" B# _, J+ W5 Zon other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- ! m t" I4 |$ D1 s( C& P& l, s
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
# r5 h6 O* m5 G) i+ V) dscattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. L' s% X B) n0 x9 }% B4 M
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
2 {' I; ^5 y4 A% e4 othe Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
! k/ n9 n1 `. r$ A2 xhilation." . B$ X+ E1 f- W' M" p
k- o" P5 h5 b9 u; s! vOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- % t0 q0 u% W: [5 j0 X0 L6 `
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by ' T ]2 _7 b& J
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
% ?8 R I. N' V4 H* b0 I2 Qties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
, ]) C& C" F/ c& Q3 M$ W
9 F, _" N# F9 r, t F& n/ L: o7 z, e+ V2 G2 L$ G6 a: R8 ?
, _+ ?8 ] k @7 W$ p102 American Jewish Historical Society. 4 o) }! U0 M" p+ ^0 X
) M8 m, q! D0 N! K: ~2 Q) W) _) jcharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued 0 [' [' Q# G$ c2 P8 P2 b
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his : a) v4 p J" ]: w) ]
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- 7 D! f0 e Z8 K( c+ L; P1 n
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have
, u& v+ \. S4 S6 ~9 {" o& ?2 [; s; {found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
, O" @7 D# r4 Z+ N% M) gnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably # [! G1 S* X# q- N1 j
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
0 i9 c" X% Q) }. ]& c# r+ {, ]) @quests, as follows :
$ x, T. |# H8 V" I/ R6 s0 W4 c9 X5 y; ~) C: ^* |- K- \
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
0 F, Z( x* q8 ?5 ?0 k) w9 G* U9 Rhe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to . j. N v4 ^, U5 d5 ^
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are + O D- ^# j% C/ w2 i3 R. _( y
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will 4 Y$ ^2 B9 V$ n
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in / f8 ]" i; [: m3 C3 b7 \4 d8 Q
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
! a- q8 ^" c+ v% Q9 q! t% Zthe day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- $ u, G" Y. m( r1 G* O
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied
' D0 Q- q4 k! u$ v4 K. L# p# athe means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
/ [! \: O" E3 W( V# b8 k; H0 Hthe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded 4 |) K% m8 I$ N8 U; \- W
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
1 _* u6 G% K) z% W: J$ q2 iblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He 5 Y& {+ s2 g7 p; \4 N# ?' ]/ k
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 8 J( `( n3 `& W, u8 ^# D4 \- [% U% }
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those + q' w6 a6 r9 a& E/ t
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish 5 V8 N1 b4 Z6 U2 N* O
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 6 j9 ]3 j2 T8 Q2 ^. J' e6 J
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to # F. Q. R1 }" @
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of $ i4 Q4 V8 l! r* r$ G7 q2 f
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
2 o$ u3 s1 \/ K1 e8 l; k, {! m+ J$ ninto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of : \# w" G% i$ c2 `, k+ }+ M7 V
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- 2 L4 w+ @4 R, ~# {
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
" p; x7 @. a# U: g. d0 PWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 0 }+ C4 a3 J, h
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
7 i' I2 t% c% U& G. x1 K: }0 L8 iHim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
( ^8 q( [0 O# b( |1 H8 d
& n) N9 O/ W% G0 Y$ x° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
1 V/ E/ L7 r6 w: rit is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
/ c- [6 j3 ?: r4 o- u# F9 v7 Mthe various Jewish communities of the United States and their
' j( J9 l T: [; xinstitutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
% x' ?, b! U& h- vobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
8 @' i) b3 i( \9 i% gtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
G# \2 g1 e D" xomitted no deserving Jewish community. ! j. N, p- D6 J( h3 ^
" Y5 g& V, g) Q) J/ F- {) D8 k
' v5 d. q8 g" X9 j: D2 N1 e; N
3 B# [1 j4 k; L2 wJudah Touro — Kohler. 103
, M+ a; }* u1 c! A0 b5 u- ~+ t" d5 G6 v+ `$ K, _' C P
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early 8 R( q- P0 E4 o" s4 d9 Y$ q5 c
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are - d7 c" a b- g
subjected. ( L) @% _; k$ F0 v$ K
' t+ g) U& [8 {* b- K/ gOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
# U+ ?! p3 ?0 E9 d1 `- E7 nshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
- _! z+ \: M2 xSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
- p6 r& {( B" [; ]2 Ying to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish + S1 ~4 n- F7 r3 m
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
. T& E# e# ^* D. S N5 G: O" K: Lish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious * ^) J* N/ r# w: g# J5 X, N
temptation. % `2 [) y) Z& y; M# f
6 D1 U/ g5 Z. s$ Z. k
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
% D0 I& C4 X: n% M( l7 u, svied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
P- _$ v# @& D: T/ Uand these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, + S; x/ O- j; i6 W: n T7 ~8 J4 i& \, H
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were 3 e/ \: U5 m4 ~7 ?1 Y5 P
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he . F. ?9 k6 @8 y) J
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
* a# e# L) T2 l0 E( Wland. By official resolution of the public authorities of 9 E7 w0 \$ R$ V# m! ?+ b5 w0 L
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, " }2 |5 o6 r4 \( P& Q9 ~1 l
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
! f5 S. s6 {9 |9 M4 k8 vthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
8 j- F: A: y" R" [ }% fof the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
# u/ ]. C" Z; g! L* f2 wwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were 5 r( }% o" g# A3 O! O0 \7 z2 {
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- : }5 b. _; `; L. F4 g( g
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
; a( i" L6 O3 o! [$ NYork. A project to erect a monument to his memory was ' ~8 ^- @# {5 o) b# f* g: d
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of & ^) q: T- k8 K# h& d
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
; _" ]1 m" U' \. u) A7 i1 rwere named after him in order to commemorate his generous
/ f: n2 z; j# S8 x# wphilanthropy.
$ Y2 d" @: }! K, E9 F
. l& K' M/ ]0 B" `2 F! ^His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
5 ]$ e# x+ f: W. |$ Q+ alowing appropriate inscription : 2 d# J) W$ z0 |" ^
3 n$ n* S5 j. v5 z- C$ XBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
& d, E8 `+ }5 D# jIn charity and for salvation he dispensed it. - ? t- x: p+ G, O7 y: }# J
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
, `6 z3 r2 d$ Y# n& ^thropy
2 E% N8 }% A8 s* ^; G/ NTo be remembered forever. 7 [" @/ Z, X; N! ? C
9
9 C2 V3 a+ G* Z' U0 ^% o' H7 j! a$ M! @3 k' {
; N1 b* T4 K5 @2 j7 s# p- Q
4 ]9 R# V: c4 m5 L9 k& ~' {8 f104 American Jeujish Historical Society. ; m1 l7 O* G: e. d9 m
; V, q! v4 q" N) F
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
$ z1 {8 [! G- o. \! i- q! k8 y" O6 G. `1 ~6 b+ U5 k
United States of America, 0 F# \# j9 e6 V+ q
) W! {9 s7 W2 n
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
h$ q, r4 \! x3 m$ I# [) k0 n% y7 L& r$ c2 Y2 y y k, _/ s: E' V
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of - E! r7 P: w7 U/ ?9 y, v8 y+ Y1 Q! q5 }
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence $ U+ T4 q5 y5 K$ s
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
8 d" ]. _0 z7 ?, A% ]* g: fbefore 10 o'clock a. m.. $ c* t% t, l5 G+ E3 [0 @+ T6 E
7 N- ?5 y7 M/ Y" P) MBefore me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the 3 ~* ?3 B! Z& j7 O; y4 D
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 8 S5 a- ?* O! p, B9 P
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
v3 X9 _! B ~% Dherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- " x$ F# |5 E# J- P( Q7 X
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
! L6 T, E% }7 r2 T, b4 u0 o
8 e% t* U G, G2 G' h7 L& ]( F, ?0 OPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
; V$ ?, W5 Z+ K8 c* }whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a 7 t6 l/ h/ q. R3 N1 M
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
7 W! y4 R; q* ?5 y( I0 X4 J! n; W+ ?8 wsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
1 }( l6 b+ z' {, vsaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
( U4 ?' c6 Y) k" z# {Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
8 e# u) v% o9 ~! nment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in ' z/ N$ a* u" B, k
presence of said witnesses: / o& H$ m+ ^$ H0 f9 G3 `
6 n* K. W6 ^; f9 K$ ~1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
4 s T9 p- k; K! N3 M
6 j1 P9 S3 I0 w" \8 f2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish + Q7 q. Q/ D# N0 M/ A7 |
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after 9 f& M3 [1 w! k5 V. ~+ M9 @
my decease. 0 T+ w& I" }9 R; x* I
$ {& g9 Z4 T% M1 R3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends 8 I5 \5 P/ u+ Q' o/ W
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 9 n5 r% M" }6 m* L% X( a! I1 \" k
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
* v* P. f( ^' [; TAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
4 |4 x v, P0 ^- K' f T& wtors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- " l2 y1 J$ \# a7 X3 L# H2 p" n9 ]
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
4 k! `, u2 R; v: bAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
; y- }: l; A+ h5 ^( T7 j2 z$ W# QDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
. H4 t) c2 _/ ^* Xsum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
" m. Z4 B& f2 `3 V: G9 l6 i$ inot only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
3 [) ]: x3 M8 _# ?; @9 Ialso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, 9 F, o2 K9 o& j1 P, T
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
, [4 O# A; u z, d4 }: bbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors ) B% g$ q* D" P
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
/ P$ b% _" i {- }# Mmy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
; `, L* _3 n5 k0 R2 r vunder Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
, e7 ^; n& q' P$ T: P( V; I' x7 N$ Ction of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
6 t5 j& C9 }! F1 O7 g0 h" l( A/ h' r# N* l0 U
4 A+ e5 r. t |% |/ l, D# [* S1 [/ {5 R3 _
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
8 R7 u- P/ W+ o3 w {/ O
, r& ~3 @! ?4 C5 d: \. aI hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
) c/ L# R$ _( `9 `herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts 3 D- c, R- D0 n; {" L7 q
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
e" E0 v7 `$ Q$ w. \' `& lmy estate, movable and immovable.
, P' P; `) Q& M6 r- m9 c
1 @( x+ B* q* @6 r3 dIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more 8 ^7 |! M$ L1 c
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor % k* u2 e, z' w( m; k, b
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last ; o. y- g6 F1 T7 U3 v; p' ^
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more % n/ \( r2 I, ^& q9 Y: k$ k8 s
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that 4 m1 D" D2 Q( l v& D0 d; M
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of * b6 D W; T8 F; H* l% ]5 s
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- ) @# [5 X0 h% _
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made 9 l9 |' g# J; n7 g- e
to them. 4 D4 W; O: _' O( c# l' m
8 Y2 `' n6 e6 L) h3 R t4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
3 y& U+ r4 u* ]4 P' sforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
. X- P! d+ s% y' n* Cthe same shall have expired.
+ d9 ~" |# v* \( o; l7 s
: W6 m/ d7 F% _ E. F& y5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of 8 ~ x) d$ i) i+ p
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner 5 W' \; j. f6 s0 X
directed by this my last will or testament. 2 `8 H. u- h' E3 Z" r2 G
2 w1 B9 m7 c8 s& A4 b
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis- . k% _% H1 R. p5 f. g6 L
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain 7 ]1 ?5 N0 d; f2 q+ c3 J8 G$ Z3 f% h
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
8 f' Q3 N7 v$ [% a9 V0 QSynagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of K! q7 p! W$ {+ _- s
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
% Y' x9 j: Q4 T+ ]. |& dthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
* z7 M0 M8 r) O+ v0 P7 Wthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
) G9 F" w6 |, D5 E S1 C& V rUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
6 R9 ^2 p; x4 K5 Ring and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- f: R" ?' v' z& H% F- m, T
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their 3 F! o" ]! `4 {4 i" ^) n. w g
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
8 l+ s8 X2 v7 c5 S7 y7 Hmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
% J1 v1 D' z: u+ w- z, zstrictions.
6 D4 X4 n9 v% Q7 i4 u+ L0 l! `+ R* {+ z( u6 d) q% U" N3 P5 K: L
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
! A: u+ u# Y% {3 `: XOrleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
$ U! g1 D3 ?/ C/ Z. hsale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
% J/ Z6 M' v; L+ G3 W2 @$ V1 pnow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- 6 w, m# r$ ?& Z& z3 t( ^
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
2 I o& |7 F. i: k0 @itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- , j/ A# K6 y# P! H3 ?/ C, M
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them , b Z, P8 A5 D# i
conformably with the laws of Louisiana. 6 x9 j ?4 f1 o& C# g
- _& Q* W0 ]7 W- I
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of - U) O: b5 ]+ Y y. o
New Orleans five thousand dollars. + `, S* M% B4 k4 X- ?
5 n9 p i Y; s9 W, o
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- + {5 y3 z2 X( s% X/ Q/ g
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. ) t J5 M K5 x' v* N
e! f& l8 m" j& V# S& K
0 n9 ?6 P k2 C/ N! n& c9 H* d3 l9 P/ [6 }! S( N4 V! e( c
106 American Jewish Historical Society. - e" ?3 _6 S1 J% w: s+ k0 D2 G
( D; c: L/ d/ a; Q
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of ; j6 |+ I6 O8 k" Z' _# `
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. . S. g9 C$ K. B- j
8 |9 n2 T% q- J; W& y4 B% s! S11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society & C0 ?0 q; \ U0 x
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. & \- c* x, ?- i5 W* G' M3 H
, f2 [: u1 L4 W
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
2 W6 v% A/ O" ~/ {; x7 P4 wOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
6 X, ~/ f) z. T7 _) B+ {6 u2 @8 K4 d
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
* [! ?2 f1 H* S+ @7 x7 K" etute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. * [7 t' m0 ^& k0 n t; U9 t
1 G: h1 ]% h& f7 Q) G14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief 9 e" H4 V( [( j0 z
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- ) \1 w% j& R/ f2 x. ?: L
lars.
$ ~' h9 |* O {- p
1 n0 ^ _2 p. B. d) K/ Q+ M" }15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
9 {. \ x* Z. D w1 E+ y. WAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- 7 ?4 i4 v/ s8 E8 K
sand dollars.
: b- `% o) |' u9 ]0 @ o
# s; w6 R# T# H0 x16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- 2 i! {# J# a; W' O k
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
3 a/ `; Q- U; H. g. f8 u; L" W5 Z+ {chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand 5 [1 O7 y2 D7 O2 `/ b" K8 @: S
dollars. 3 A2 ~* g9 ?* g) h* C6 q7 o
* J0 V4 A0 J2 [/ L; E17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
* L q3 m* s* Yfive thousand dollars. 7 o0 k% V4 ?5 C5 I
4 W' N) A1 Q) r. O f. y2 @18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- - B9 w6 I/ Q/ ?2 Q! ]
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
. V( e* m. Y5 `- r
& C4 L2 `9 f8 |* h19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
/ [1 o* ?$ x6 QDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
7 H1 Q+ l+ V ?3 }8 v8 N7 q' [. G& ?$ V6 p V& ~1 _$ k$ w( E3 f
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
3 l0 K! u% p8 L% R, V" L# M( @" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of 0 T. f! ]+ o" x Z5 J* G" ?8 m! G! W
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
9 U6 n1 W. G3 T, Z- J9 F, Lin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) % C1 g. D. O2 T9 B. ^& P
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
2 ~( ?$ D9 b4 \ I, C+ T' oorganized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
5 z# x. Z: b# Z5 B+ U7 hafter my executors shall have legally organized and established + H7 E3 V4 O1 b5 n2 u* N0 U/ k/ w }
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to % T+ g) z0 H8 s* S' l# [
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
: \. b/ U! ^5 V% {$ g7 ssons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con- 9 H* i( I, \+ _+ c; b7 \
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- + E9 A2 M$ w% u6 D
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control # ?2 W7 z# w" d4 t% N( W
thereof. 7 n8 P( j2 F/ ^" @
h7 m9 O5 ?( f, X: ^* h/ Z" x% k21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of " d& N. L( N' b" L2 @% v
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that 9 K. r4 S g* V7 i9 _) ]1 Q
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 6 ^' S6 `, V$ g* Y
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept 4 `4 h( N( V- }5 y4 ~- u
as a public park or promenade ground.
1 O3 z' d' s Q
- | {. O) Z; S& o22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport - L/ q, {- T) ~0 v5 |
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
- B8 x4 r1 s5 I) E6 }* C
! z; q1 G* u5 X1 c2 G6 L
2 x' |) z7 z# f* `5 Z
$ p i6 @7 Z3 k0 U' [5 I5 Q T8 PJudah Touro — Kohler. 107 3 A" M, H- g) ]5 z
" _) p8 J2 K% r& R0 T0 J' n2 m+ H23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
9 @: n$ U5 A$ t4 `6 yShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. + [- |4 F- j# E
+ |# _6 S0 K5 \5 Y* p8 F1 C24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
) f( H, o+ U( N+ q& }ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
, K; o- D8 @8 l$ R5 t- H, @+ m2 M
. B- U% B3 e# B% [9 t1 }" K25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
0 S' g( Z& ~1 v; z4 ]; kHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. " b. G4 Y) |0 h5 a$ L7 Z
7 v+ K7 k) i$ q s26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
9 o; d4 n! T# G* y) q8 rfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and ) `8 X9 p# b( l! S/ O9 ~: u' `
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
% E( n1 t; o1 m6 Qten thousand dollars.
6 Q' l1 ?' G6 f& ?8 [/ N+ j1 _( g0 @+ S+ m
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
4 F- z( c u; kMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
. j' {& t D# o5 z, c9 P' m! Pameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in 0 C% ]6 @( K5 I0 j) y- z5 z
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
' `, B& u: r, qworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
- @. T" s; j0 o8 E2 K" c3 u1 kmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- * K: h! e' ~$ E. {
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
, f) V4 l& N/ z5 L+ u$ \- M, {the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, y* O+ v6 l+ m, f5 O
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of , K7 g0 h& v3 D( J3 ^& ]' c
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
9 P7 }0 f. `+ x2 ?3 ~4 {* fing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and + g d0 Q# p; Q, w$ D
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars 8 o3 y! Z* U$ }$ e
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
6 Y) l- p1 `! w2 ECity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
7 e1 \/ ]1 d- p: d( ~can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, 0 ]0 ` u7 C: O2 Y( {/ K" E
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 6 G; z$ T4 \9 _ x
my last will. % I7 G/ R5 y2 l4 Q( m5 u/ c0 w7 A' i1 x
/ a; @. T$ z w( p4 t/ M28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
7 `! A; l! J+ w' P! Z4 W, Nhave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to % T n" K3 j- W
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, 3 V0 G6 r0 R6 w, ^" [" U
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
' H4 K8 w3 e3 g+ P# qrespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
0 s& K5 V' j! F5 ythereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
8 f3 I" J" F3 y3 w4 H1 w* ^ A1 Ldesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my . O6 P; @4 G$ p6 H# u' V
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- ' i% e) X7 O& i2 @- n
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
; D5 s6 v; J8 @0 W) i3 Y8 Zinherit in the premises according to my wishes.
. P' M; y* {7 D/ o' c9 O, [- O8 U" p Z
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the ( v' ?; P" E6 o% T/ C) z
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. : {0 m7 R( h& P! D6 L
. l$ R5 F( E( w1 Y# n. `/ k
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
* h7 h/ z1 S; \/ a1 |- J" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
6 A: ?. u+ C' j* y7 {: {0 V6 u; c) N) a
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society " i$ v2 e; J: ^0 D
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars. 4 T& U8 T4 r. q& r$ I4 E
6 n4 M) I/ c- v5 \$ v3 z5 T8 r" v, \2 B$ ^( V, T
3 B- h. u3 b3 o- Z. b
108 American Jewish Historical Society. 1 B# a3 o- S$ Y) A8 Y1 G
, ^; l; u" i; E
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
/ l7 O0 f1 b' @' x0 Y" C/ hattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the . _" v; B0 j8 Q u2 o( D1 o
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
! h) h$ v! p( K b8 K* Sdollars.
4 _% F3 G- r4 r: K) D4 s. j4 i
7 g+ b" X4 c' \0 k- O33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- & r! C+ V3 |* \6 Z, v
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, / w; C6 E' U5 ], q
the sum of three thousand dollars.
7 A/ r7 ~ h: u
* m/ q! B/ K$ ]9 r5 G! Z6 o34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 1 E1 w" Z- l/ c; A; ^5 r
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. ! w6 W1 l: ~# T Y% j/ I: V) d
5 E; Y9 {9 s$ C: r, }. D+ P( B35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of ! I( s6 _* W4 x* |/ y
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was 4 p+ D' ~9 g" q/ |; e
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. ! V4 |- F; z$ J% I+ K: v
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
+ Q0 C! R" _. M) J \4 }, s7 f
5 o/ M* D) ^8 w2 j7 [36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- " l. q- L" j7 m
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- 9 L+ n4 T M7 g2 }
lars.
* A% U1 q3 C- q# }# B- a( j% _' h0 g B+ ~' Q3 a! W" C
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
1 @8 P) o% ?& H# e# IPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars. 1 q" C: u! Q# Q$ }2 T( i& M
7 S# w6 ^5 i9 t! r; W38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
6 t9 |. {3 `* |. v' h& L' X& F& sdelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. & ?* ^% f G+ E3 D6 Z% m) K X- p
( T* k8 y& }" A8 U$ k
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat / @' A$ ^& d! q) I F5 f
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
, ~) F+ M( {0 G, ]2 R6 g/ Q+ Q" c1 I$ g) P' ^
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
n" e% I* S& G# K# W. L/ pShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
( x; n! U& I6 d6 C
7 U. `2 T6 F$ S5 g! w( ?% w: m- t( ]41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
4 C% m: n; h7 k, E: NIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand ; L; S' j% U+ ~5 y! f3 e
dollars.
6 J5 b8 O) M- {. Q0 x) h' @8 D: g2 S0 j4 J5 Y
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
$ e+ u8 X' N& Z+ D: H' ggarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
) X2 }, u) {: g' Y2 D3 G) @
: q) }+ h- E8 P% |- |43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
`/ o/ X$ [7 q8 s+ m0 |; t0 f1 D; S' D3 ~Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars. 9 D9 l) b, J+ [# \( e5 o0 {
) P' \; b. j( z
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont-
) W/ H+ P& I: a4 R; Lgomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
7 M" t+ f' F+ E- |6 I
% ^5 c7 G! f" } a6 r45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- - R/ M& N' o8 b# |7 ?7 c
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
9 Q( \0 @' Q" G6 v5 D6 S6 Q! R1 X0 [7 J1 n/ F
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas ' N, a8 ^) x$ C- o" ~- {/ M3 y
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
4 C2 }# N& N+ n) a% ?5 U4 z. B) P& h y5 ?% U( n
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is- 6 x, H0 j6 X$ x. h
rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. . l7 T$ D" K! n" c0 S
g# J9 s+ h; G7 h: D$ ?8 B# ?48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
! C) e+ _& v; }2 c0 J( X; J, {dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
+ F8 w7 s! w, g; ^! l0 T6 `
' `3 [2 Q) }8 l+ }0 y8 L* t49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, ; ~4 F- [5 Q i4 c: M
Ohio, five thousand dollars. 8 p" T( e. l* w* |1 [& j& H) J
% Z- @8 n# W2 B% ]3 q$ h: x
/ u: ~! a: M% k$ O* Z
3 S7 g( O; y# c$ b) ?' ~Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 m0 }( @0 D- O; m$ c0 t. f% }
: n2 M3 n- N! l" D5 i% ~- A
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth ; B" Z( e. a: a) Q
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
2 T1 }; z7 E6 F2 y: Y* u7 [4 x# H/ J! j: `8 P4 Q! S
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai 4 g# f/ F1 b& F6 S$ ~! J+ v
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
. O. @# r1 p. t- R X
( a- r4 M" I# {) m1 t& z52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
Y, v1 s9 S6 U) v2 C7 ~: Iof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
1 k/ W3 T0 L! ] [4 F
, _$ n: l3 z0 h& g53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
" x# ^1 o3 j: E( |" \/ \1 W+ ], `El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. * k: Y/ n! g3 q. z4 |, `5 h7 z
) J4 c" L; Q# v54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, 7 ~) w( X: H$ G1 D
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
u) A7 B, R. Hham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
+ v# F8 C/ d( u! y: M6 v
Q- Q: \. h7 @2 v' m3 `First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, . G& ?! A: x, J
five thousand dollars.
1 Z/ @( d% D7 @! x# T7 Q" c0 y$ n/ ^9 [
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, * F! o" n: A% t) j" t
five thousand dollars.
/ d( d3 J- `. _+ x3 i; ~0 a
. a1 [/ V" d: p; i% fThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- ! @( o5 K0 O% V6 M$ I
sand dollars.
, ^7 u3 o; c$ _5 E- H: ~
' I6 Y6 T$ e& }: A' c$ D55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
7 S$ J, M1 _& V7 z$ s, H, G$ Zpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
& e* f) E D8 d x, oish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- 2 U$ T+ o8 r4 P; ]2 h9 H% Z
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
4 T9 U6 v' @' ^0 RJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be , x5 g: O1 V7 c' N0 K( }
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
3 C# h$ F2 t9 a' l* gas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation 1 S- Q% H$ r2 ]5 V: T9 e$ R) l
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, $ A) o% f/ Y) a0 _ n# `( E( J
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed 5 o% X9 H) a. g5 o, ^6 f* T. K
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
; D' r* L# B1 Z4 f& ~0 \continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct / G3 ?6 e" |2 c; v
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
( q" j1 ~% w. cof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
# n+ Y( _' A# ^! |sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
4 i: Y+ f5 ~' m' q1 othe said David and said Nathan H. Gould. 7 K5 g* N/ l4 N
2 j5 h4 W* X4 g56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
7 r: i. A \7 X) O4 VHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind ' V' D( e+ v% C7 n% {: O
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
8 T2 S ^- e5 u& j5 e! F! _: Z# h% H" @" o9 P6 {/ o
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
/ O' T( [/ n9 o1 H" c" F8 XJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
* @% ~( q, b+ }Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be 5 F/ m) f; [6 v% P+ C
equally divided between them.
, e c5 e0 R+ Y: s" L3 A* J' ?
* b7 v" }7 [7 o" V7 ^4 X9 F2 E58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
& n4 X0 v- h: S+ d2 e9 Lthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
: l& m$ C. V9 W3 s; O4 ZVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my ! J" ?. _7 d1 Z( k4 t; w8 l
remembrance.
* p0 n* T" w3 L7 t$ S5 z g/ u0 W% C) Q# K: T
, i! s: K5 ]0 R
, |' O4 }1 }4 e
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
$ I7 ^' N2 ]$ J0 P S5 k. F6 a* t5 X& B6 F8 h) W2 g" c) _9 O
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
* S+ M* {0 |" Eof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of ! o, U# n0 Y! N6 t, O3 ^2 g9 {. z0 i, o
my esteem and kind remembrance.
6 C. X( p% E" z
0 P: K8 S: w& D60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to - w/ V! Y# ?3 C5 b: i
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a . x8 q. _; h x2 U* n. {2 y& v
token of my regard. # k/ P7 _( Z. C9 v6 I7 C. U
4 Q7 E. i, ?% a# a$ P# [% M
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 3 U# Y. r8 O% Z5 s2 E0 Y7 V
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his - I0 S% d! z) G7 u
wife, to be equally divided between them.
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* X1 o% T# V# H2 d( m9 c+ N2 B62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
; P" F0 b1 M Z* v# P' D6 Fmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
: @, `. @8 c9 N; i% X( Y3 Vmy remembrance. 7 j; R' g/ _# M$ _1 r/ K# x9 C
2 h) ], P8 z9 j L1 _) w63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, 0 i* G3 ^& [! e m+ Y9 O' ?6 u* E
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- # T% `- s5 g2 j' K6 i! v9 ?
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- 7 E& I- ~1 m0 D4 s2 a
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
. V! j l1 N {) q2 p: mof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind - H6 i* l! }* o) X; G$ d d2 D( z2 q
regard.
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64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
- x; a6 G B6 H2 Oto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
6 w y: X$ d( L6 ~# j) Pmemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, . c6 d% R5 ^, Q# Y' f3 R6 A" A& c
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. 7 v+ I/ ]8 \* a+ q3 ?- K
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65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars & v3 Z: B2 c" U: X8 P2 v
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
8 j4 f7 |& _8 G' tmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of 6 ], U0 _/ E. a
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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\) P9 V8 c8 d; b' M66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
1 }1 G. u; e% {5 o8 {% x: I% Wmade previously to these presents.
+ u' q5 ^# j# l% \% s6 K- `
! R4 S- v/ c4 s5 Q8 f- K* V3 VThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to % A$ d' M# e' @$ O9 Q4 y
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
5 \; K$ R, \" K' H/ h7 l/ a$ kherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
% h/ X5 @; f! o$ E, R* z5 dsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
% [0 `# l0 T* c2 x: n- @proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this $ v$ o1 G. x* e4 x+ {
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- 9 U1 P2 l. O7 u6 a
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same ( ]$ Q3 [. Z1 x0 b
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. 7 e3 j/ z! x3 C6 V4 ^4 |7 W, y
5 j1 B& I4 }( O9 ? _( lAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- ! d: k! @4 H+ ~; u; j: f0 I
ing aside to other acts.
7 N+ Y4 E! Y7 J" [7 f7 n) K6 r3 J$ n4 M4 L9 K* D. e
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the 3 K/ s L8 L) b' T) X3 X
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and ?% G% b5 q9 x
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
) r6 D: E! {" O5 UMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, 5 r" [, F7 U3 ]- K0 j8 f
2 ~* D& C& k+ J$ ?. N. h3 v: s: W/ T3 i+ [
: m( m1 h' u2 f; \ G% K/ L5 s* f
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill - Y3 l" H0 \' [6 n: O
8 E+ I! y: I' ~* t& d# ?/ u
all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
~6 b- ~; h# X! jtestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their & U# W' L# g9 B9 `3 D# d9 ~
names. (Signed.) 7 T: L( y$ Y b# @0 e1 k
5 _ d8 t' |9 a" t/ k
J. TOUEO, , o- s% W5 U! a$ r
$ J1 e8 U) @+ M& S2 Z8 e2 N% \J. Montgomery, + _ A7 x0 E. c0 C0 I* Q+ q
6 n4 m/ M% C2 E& i1 ^, l4 S0 q
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
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t( g# \# K" G2 @& i1 [' mGeo. W. Lee,
7 M# P$ }/ g6 d4 y& c: S3 ~& }) m; l1 c4 o# G$ a4 N
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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4 T. t J8 ~6 K; S9 u# ^' T7 C& L
! _: _1 J. m3 z. R& k* CLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS ' F4 k, ]& m8 l$ h
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