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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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; S. s" \& [3 dJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
, V7 K7 U Y/ b9 T, n% A" |0 nPHILANTHROPIST.
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: Q' Y; ~( R" e3 k' qBy max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B. 5 U5 c, Z h+ F& s& _
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, m2 Q$ {, m. C3 F, vReprinted from
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Publications of the
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6 v, @2 ^. j% o8 EAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt, / w3 r* }* ?; N+ L4 l
0 f8 H' v7 \8 Q1 n
No. 13, 1905.
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
o: Q& T6 p- v2 C- s; V. BPHILANTHROPIST.
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5 I: y& P+ x2 z) ~* T- RBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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3 H/ Y( V( Q _It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak - @' W% L2 j7 {0 B6 `+ B8 {1 J
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, 0 h5 b7 b4 y0 I; A8 E% N
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
# ]% `1 l& p; r& m/ `7 ~- uname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating u# j/ e0 W; O* d7 s6 T5 r
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
8 K' C( Q/ j; \* a. i7 cmation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in , b0 W" [. Q. V0 f/ M; B
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's ' ~3 Q1 Z0 C$ P- c- E" i% p \
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring # \7 N4 m1 b v3 u/ [& T& q" s
the very name of one who would probably by common consent # R* b9 K! A2 Y" N+ k" _5 g/ W
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the - y6 G ^) x* E$ j& }
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the ' @6 x3 o* {$ a& W
relations between the investigations of local historical socie- 9 J" M5 J9 S1 t" i! ^
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account
% }: k2 @9 P# v+ F* T# yfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
, R" x+ j7 f) i- ^' M' zignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such % W, I, ]! l; p4 w$ ]
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
8 ~- D* {" ?( r; xtorian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- * h# m% K' w: S4 e" o
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in 2 x; \5 J( h5 u3 J9 W+ W H
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
! y9 l1 ~: y4 x ]: {+ etary history of his .
{- U ]4 F; s" r8 i5 l+ \( j4 n/ c% }8 ]% A& C
A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
1 A9 ~. p3 g) D! }' r) r1 b% E& `within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
5 t7 a) V3 r: Jnon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- / ?7 A% V Y4 g' b
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what 3 n! n u; L: Y; E
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander 9 |3 q. q- p' G4 O
Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
; D+ C9 X8 {; x8 N' j5 e
) T5 t" [) T/ f8 ^+ r' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
( e; @# \& M; N# r: r3 W; K$ Achants," published in 1856.
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' J; ^+ r9 _. {94 American Jewish Historical Society.
9 ]8 p( A; A- y. P% X$ z% @/ \+ W+ f; M5 C+ ~6 M, _
reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
& V" A2 i1 `, ?3 Y" T1 P5 ^, O3 flections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
6 A) e6 q& f$ }) ]( o; ]+ Bleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
. r& o o( u7 Rthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be % X' T3 e3 S9 A5 ?
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- 7 b- W! |! J( _: E4 B) u* U
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary 2 P9 P1 x4 `: P0 s: ?5 S
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal + I* r$ A% r0 W$ v/ u: u6 [9 J
reminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago 9 l: B9 T% D7 _& f0 ~2 ~! h9 G% i% B
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
& Z( ? v+ g% DJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
4 T/ C7 P0 ]; n: Min his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy / l4 D. u" v- r$ D3 D
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his / |9 ~* }2 V, s
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
) |6 u' N1 W2 B$ `) P9 [guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and 0 J h. b. x, w4 i4 g$ }; M
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect ; M) u& w% Y+ o. {; m
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish 6 I5 y x9 i2 g9 R
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh / Z7 V% f8 ^9 _6 A- ^$ A; \
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
) F% S* ?" C' C" S5 Zgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
3 ~7 a( ]8 ?! D8 ]munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore * q) U0 n2 S4 m( n
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their & ~1 Z6 S% K8 [) q
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
, s5 k- B/ a7 Q7 Pfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever : m9 O- u& x2 V$ u- b( L6 O) I: \
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
, ~8 `$ }# `2 G4 f, e16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- # K O$ d( F. R Z* s
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
: a5 ]9 i; n6 ?. S6 a5 J$ `6 S* D3 obeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- " Q2 J6 E/ q9 c& u4 [
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
* P% }4 x& T4 q3 d Tof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
% x$ M+ d0 E3 z4 t/ E3 p# Ithe dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
, u* V T+ z4 ?( A, ?+ _tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
: X7 H; k( {4 e3 r" g. I) dcareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
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' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
9 u! L, Q. ]2 M1 ^- U' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
/ T/ \$ X) M7 p# X4 K: qish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- , d+ w3 O4 R0 q* _- U# t, y
4 K& F# Y4 ]4 R% A, X7 q4 y; y+ Z: M, q/ g. ?, N1 [' K
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Authc: : l3 H9 o2 [+ ]
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(Person^ / T! l) e, K0 b' O( S2 O5 \
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+ z6 E8 r% q* J* n- _: lJudah Touro — Koliler. 95
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5 q8 K: S3 C5 C: N0 d. ^, @# STouro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
5 [" v$ J6 ~/ m! iin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and 8 z) G$ t4 n& {4 R- @
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and / m) ^5 I' p3 k5 T4 ]
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
5 j) L( L2 a# J }6 ?+ p3 Obers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
s+ k$ B4 u& a! p7 Z$ M8 \during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- / G3 a+ W& y4 h$ p4 x
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December * W$ Q5 I' H* Z/ X2 D
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
4 N( Q% H9 ~9 c) W, ?: N4 Wand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
( |/ h8 ]/ H# ~( q9 I9 l9 Ubrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- : |6 w U7 O1 [5 ~
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
3 z( ~+ H6 P! }5 Fber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
* o E f$ [6 a L8 cAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely 4 O {" l3 ^9 s/ M: V: F
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood 8 z: H6 I1 n3 B8 T) _
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
; |# J5 K7 g8 I, G e! yalso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- & `- }; t+ k( C$ q) g
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
5 n! ^- M3 u8 S b+ zof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- 0 n) V) O7 J5 k5 e' V- e
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
+ K3 E7 p G+ z3 I& Y9 vwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
* X1 d* ?$ O* l9 I7 U5 b" p" ~5 Gpatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
3 q- a( W7 d. ~9 v- y8 oMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the 9 G$ ~: p" ?3 W
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, / {4 z& ]8 F8 }# d+ j9 j
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
( ]2 `" p2 t* v3 Y1 c3 mist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
3 w+ u" b( ?& d3 |3 n& K4 |. ^early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
& q+ w' G8 h) ]/ l U# \6 E# u; I5 Tinduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase 0 _. q( C# P- |) [( b8 g* {3 ~& t
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and " V4 U8 G8 ~9 \9 u* P% E
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
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trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., 0 p" x5 W0 t- I% f" k
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. 5 n: v" @% x9 J0 u) x3 ^
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport / @. V) L3 X6 s0 v& O. a
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences 1 g! w! e/ v# m7 H0 e
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- % R& G C7 u' K) b" C
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
6 d- c% y" A+ HRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. / k1 K0 Y3 l3 W, D) L' I
" e% E9 D$ r1 `: R* l2 L+ M0 jcommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
( K, H$ v% R6 y1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. / C ?. Z+ k* L* C/ y
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
& |. |: S/ J" K: H7 p, U& bThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
- Q- j# L" w4 O, ?vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- . Z) p% |! d( t9 b* b
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
) Y. \" p7 M( H0 jvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a - Y6 R) R4 f' G8 e% R* D
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after 3 P) A1 i3 Y$ s1 O7 _. e
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends * D' R4 M4 J8 t0 v7 \8 e
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg- - D1 G9 G4 N0 V8 k- \ t i9 d
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
3 c3 w: `( k7 l& Qmade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in $ C# M- Y" F. B; H6 H/ U$ l' X
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- - \' \1 c7 T- r: [, ]8 c+ k+ E
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- & i) P% t7 W* H
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts 6 ]" M+ R6 o0 ~8 h7 }
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library ' ?$ j* q4 c v
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
. }; i' ]4 z+ f- K7 ]+ eBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 3 T& |0 x+ e) X
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- # @3 o2 W- G$ d! A
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws 4 H" M% m) z q, w. _! V
light on the scope of his business dealings. 3 N6 j! W ]) V
4 q7 ?6 m# [; F {/ i: TTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for 3 d& r$ D+ C' i, q# }" _
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
" v T: C, K. h N; x; O9 Y+ jnear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
% A2 K$ b% A- m4 W! bmained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
h( N- {/ ]. Iand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, % x, ^2 m6 _6 p0 m' _
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very $ l" @& s$ r' y& J% l% l1 g
month in ignorance of her death.
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# B4 o* @8 ?( }. Y5 HAbraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
* x% s! L, x% d5 b* `0 g# Rton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
' L* p9 t2 ^2 E. o7 Iaccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his 1 j7 P$ S3 x& {) ` `; G* r, c
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- ! \+ K2 @$ m& G! I& z4 O
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
3 Z+ `4 Y5 D* B% h1 m* P0 ?& Oscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused ; k. D8 U) a9 _( B4 ]- A
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
/ ?; D9 z. \( h1 Lwhich he made further provision by his will, which contained - b3 B$ x5 W7 p3 x3 T1 L2 J
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' O1 T/ @) d' c- }* p0 h+ [Judah Touro — K older . 97 9 a2 }" Q k2 j+ L A9 W/ p& h. W
- O: V( f: |! \( ~a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
+ w( b: L7 ~5 o2 {institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and 6 F9 T5 ]: I- p7 r' P# Z
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly 2 t" F- s9 l- U9 V+ {& |% M
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
0 `2 ^$ q; G: `7 Z$ h' O3 T; inizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. ; c- ~$ M8 y# s; }
3 p( p8 S; ^4 EEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- 1 }$ U+ \. \- ]% A
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
4 v& P* y+ O6 c/ |8 q. sthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
- O1 M& J) U+ w9 X# q! ~in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
2 N, r1 K" j# i# r! Fleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- ; L1 t! }' \+ s- V
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of , N4 C) T0 J! Q$ }
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while + E% \" K; N. V; ?( ~% A9 g
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
$ g1 A. p& s' N Z$ W" x2 L( Q Tpound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
w8 W2 t& V# l( {he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. , R& r+ v M" }; j
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
5 _# a: P: E1 ~' lhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
3 g1 W! A9 g1 [) }; J5 e( Gwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later + E5 D/ o+ @6 g+ s1 D+ f
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of 4 f6 p+ }# G+ G, `) _* h. ~8 l
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
% J0 p+ \9 H4 n* Wdence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
+ l1 a7 e* i, c4 pherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large ( @ m0 [! k6 J8 S' {% w6 o. Y
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
' U; C3 w4 H& r0 Fso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
+ O" Q3 ^" @/ N/ F% i& O8 |3 oscribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
/ J' S: f$ J1 Ito, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began ( g. q6 a. y: W3 W! v m
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other ( V9 N: _+ d9 |2 L
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his & I: Y# J* x9 ~6 W9 F& @2 \
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- 6 G- ~8 V l$ v2 K
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every ) e' D+ e" d0 f( k n
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and 6 K: K3 A. g7 `, e% I( Z
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain % T* q8 `: r5 K- F- n. b" }
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
- \& R+ B6 _5 {# a( @8 H) \funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
. b3 Z& D, r0 L$ q! x, l. }: Uships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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+ D- [0 H$ G9 t- g
0 v) I1 s5 q# b/ O Z3 `3 D6 G98 American Jewish Historical Society. + D. F) o/ B- z2 d" f
* i8 i2 ]5 ~& \9 y: F/ r: D Dcareer as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
0 h# H/ D l( U5 A8 q- pstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- - e' |# K' u; H4 ]! r
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
: \, u: o" f1 y# ?ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to ; O. \( W( V* g. q. c5 c! Q1 Y4 j
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents . ^. [& A" E& O$ N1 n
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. 9 b* i* x/ M- F w
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day 2 o/ O1 M! z5 X! \) A% s' l: f
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
2 ~0 S3 y7 V0 v6 u5 e9 m: Xthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
9 F. E4 {2 S1 r$ Q+ f4 k) f% T4 ztom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
v5 X1 ^8 x9 ?$ {He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
! l" n( y; u# w0 Sarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ) f- g5 V3 D9 g4 t) @- s
standing. , Z+ b! x9 T/ ^9 C. _
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was 2 I8 z g0 W3 g! N; T. ]
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
8 W w( Y. E* Kage, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
% e \# j1 d# a5 G0 \# G& ~work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made : |% I r) }8 l! L3 H% Q
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
4 l/ M1 e( ~1 |; x% npists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
G; `/ M, T @" dtunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
D: L' a' q }7 { g& Lyet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- 0 h3 K9 R- m4 L
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that ! @* c7 a/ x g/ j P
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
4 @2 a) `: x/ E5 Bthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
. ?: H8 R6 z/ |! L0 a8 GOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
6 T& T+ j3 c0 e7 r/ y; d, n, ~viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who 5 s/ t! ?" M# H2 c3 b( ^
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
4 N; U0 U4 M+ V; D- s nthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring
) p; j6 U) A! ~0 bwarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 9 x! [ r& q0 Y! c
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- * ~, X& Z4 Z q8 q. @
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little - w( s' Q, V+ ?# p, V
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
# M5 [! h; u# W$ b0 Raspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to ' A3 x: ~4 d J' A# D# R9 Z% u+ @
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 7 _0 M0 ] t9 q5 M5 _" m
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
* Q/ Q# e) [7 S. E) ohomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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# u# `1 M, o; s9 N" j/ e3 fJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 0 ^5 l, Q( g4 ?# O+ L$ Z
" b, P H$ b8 @1 O3 z- wpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
$ X; ^9 [0 d1 Y1 @- @a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
9 B6 K' X2 l% {9 D9 t/ bties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a ! D1 F! ~0 J& \
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn ' X S4 F v o; Y c; T
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
/ e! |" Y ]- Ibewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a 9 o, P6 Z7 B3 u% C; m. p
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
" z& c, e z0 Y6 T$ {4 b( C" Sof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who t2 L3 l6 X/ k! W Y& C1 K" w+ R
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large K0 B& k( \6 K6 ~/ p
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
0 Q1 y4 l* j7 D9 [reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
7 R& E, X' ^' K q z \; \4 lcence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 4 K1 N8 Q3 t! C; B; t
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ; G" e5 U1 m4 l# k) T
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall 3 \, J' q1 S) `7 F3 z. r: I2 |
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, 8 F( ~8 {& ^2 P
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He + a H8 {2 K* K J W
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and " J- @3 q" C$ a
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single 3 }4 _1 F1 [2 a+ P5 v/ Q6 V
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
* d2 E: v4 g, i9 ?. Ua miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
4 \ b! d, q1 i, P+ ffrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
$ J0 M S% s2 tstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
$ t, \, H/ y& X- F4 Mand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
" R$ g5 V! D: gtion and display which are too often the main incentive to
8 x% C/ T0 x, pliberal and benevolent deeds."
8 _- d; @0 ` L4 m/ ?% r3 @4 P; y2 G) R- {( b( d- F, t) k5 C
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
, d0 k+ W" W1 p1 K, t, L Ethat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
$ p7 W U( L) M7 mpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
# ~9 J6 t! o7 U4 T8 ntions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
7 V) k- I) ]3 Z9 R4 uare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when 2 U4 F% i8 f9 X- c7 S& h6 l
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as . K2 M9 `4 R4 T% r( l
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
% L5 S" p* Q7 O9 D. ?the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
* x' t% g) Y# q& @: T2 e3 D0 iterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up ; U8 T, R; F+ l' c) \
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
/ J- l9 i8 T$ q5 _already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. ; ^: m2 c% D3 l0 c1 f6 N7 ]
8 p6 ~2 p+ j/ m& @6 _( e+ X7 k2 M
0 n: f0 t; u/ _8 f4 d0 C/ Y- a
8 c( W# n8 }" {& f100 American Jewish Historical Society.
4 B3 o. F$ s0 I5 u: Y4 t+ o, N
( p/ _* v! K+ ^% f5 Y8 |) XAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material % l `8 i9 M! z- N6 b, j
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
- x0 E7 o, g$ j; U& vEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
9 d" U# V: Q1 Q9 b+ U- v3 toffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
7 z& d+ c+ H' R% [; q! h4 U, B: gAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- , W( E" [! F" B f3 ~+ b' e
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
: H# Z3 j9 v( Tdignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
( C2 Q5 S4 i$ Hinjunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he - _( U; u+ M& }1 v* v( Y
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 2 W+ X9 t2 z: k/ i, W- D( [/ Y& j5 @/ F
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
1 S/ A1 {, b1 ]7 P8 ^* E. ]ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 3 l; U8 t9 F9 x/ z+ ]% E5 g
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
* h( w5 k, V! v7 I6 ^and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
# K$ T/ Z8 B& J1 U3 [5 Sof the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of ; u, N/ J/ o0 W* p
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
3 P0 L4 Z8 A7 b3 bwas commemorated by the presiding officer who read these \& L( Y1 J% p( m# ?4 B
lines, since become famous : # {; J: D, `7 V# u0 G
& l/ M8 h; I& M% iAmos and Judah — venerated names! , b+ S- h# t: Q8 }
: O+ f3 i8 J: s1 ~
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, ; o2 a% b; c( ?7 Q5 i# r
% q7 c% m# t4 s! S" b3 X9 _
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
) s: J9 S9 g7 O% u% v" ~9 _+ `) ~0 r
Each aids the work by giving it a check.
2 z4 u5 h9 }3 ^, e- N/ ]2 a! H& O4 t+ f
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
/ {% Y7 o1 w3 _, J+ R- ]. h8 K7 g# f3 b6 b. f" ]/ E
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 7 `7 t* a3 k3 e( R
8 C1 b7 _1 ~) G/ ^4 T |
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
, x$ X$ w( o7 F4 ^5 {4 L, _1 |# nthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
. S* G# H( P8 ?+ y' u# M/ |3 }astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
# o2 Z; |7 R3 x; ein point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- 1 U. I8 F' o5 |0 V" X4 t4 ^. L
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- ' @ \' Z+ i4 S" x1 @! O+ p/ [) g
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
: a( R' C' V* A" K; Q, A( t000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised # |0 g2 S$ _# t& _+ l/ c, K
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
7 G! M7 k/ j: E, w6 B* Ling itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to $ x( O+ q1 O6 t9 z* r
occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
- e, h$ i# T; C* {0 Dmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
+ l6 J6 b' s5 w) ~5 w1 V% g, _4 |5 L& m/ y) s( o/ h: v% Z$ w; t0 d) z- k
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. ) p+ m( Q( l1 P
8 Q* ^) \" B4 d- u5 L) I6 t& p
7 }( I6 G z/ ]& u, S- a( y
! o1 F% b0 F- V# h6 E9 AJudah Touro — Kohler. 101 9 s. M, u! }5 i/ x8 x6 a
l% N( A; W0 ctribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested N, ]; g; I9 k5 _
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
G$ w: M6 @! N0 [- B8 O; Y9 R1 c* @he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I - H( X3 y# a; Q. Z. Q
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church : E; L# C9 m. s$ O1 Z- q
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from 6 v. I8 e' |3 W. z3 }7 Q# Q
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister 9 z8 H$ ~* p+ R, e/ _
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
, _5 Q* {( G( i( f* T4 C, S7 Tdeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
9 i1 W5 E1 `) b8 g: F# L3 idistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary 3 C3 X# P H- p+ e% [; S* n
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- 7 X5 y# X( _& Y- p" C
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " ) ]# ]1 J1 p* D6 M0 B
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's & Y) J; Y$ ~% _# l, ^+ S
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
! H6 T: R5 S( n2 o% A w- }sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
. H, L# }5 @# H4 J+ Q: T% i E8 Awas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 1 N: P' b7 s$ w# V9 _3 }
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
5 l( W0 s; k$ _2 e& X8 B% I. w* ma synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- $ ?, c" { b) d! S+ U# r) }
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- ( ^! H% ~# Z) ?" F- p+ m4 \
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed 4 h- F5 Z9 S, F& c
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
9 h- O, V! z9 P( M: O9 n0 mtributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
9 t/ w8 F3 q( W. I! V1 k. Rpurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
" Q% P! w- ] G! JClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have ' l/ ~* M8 J+ r
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
7 E& E& s) D) E6 C- w) R/ ]can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
, k7 j' ?) h7 Y2 W6 J/ w) Shis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
1 y* B; S( I, U5 r0 {0 lon other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
3 m! n( O% o- W" ]7 P- Ogers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he " E: M' J) }$ f
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
) s* x! G) [! y' ?- yHe knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated 1 Q: V3 k* o0 F+ f F
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
4 X% E* i* E* v3 ghilation." $ J/ `9 j4 C0 d9 e1 d1 D
4 Y0 y2 L5 H& ?/ _$ N( l3 o
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
3 `0 L& i% P* U% x' @prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by . t- T. c7 s& Z. V/ u5 e" @
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi- ! z$ s+ e j5 L. N6 ^
ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
- s/ y- j Q0 _. O9 T) m: ^
/ [& }% S0 b- ?4 G& o7 J: E; d6 U2 T0 E6 b' F. C
?* m" e; B, f9 N, V. _102 American Jewish Historical Society. + G" Z6 h5 d7 t( l+ N& D
$ L5 ~4 g; m, ~5 i4 G. \
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued 6 }( G8 p' r) B+ r! l: c% o$ D" U+ }
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his $ ^+ A4 b4 O% W4 A* U
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
8 P6 O3 I6 g) G8 S; ftions in most distant sections of the country, would have . C" L `- K( X P8 I3 o O0 \# N
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of 7 g9 C) q& S3 S1 _% e
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably ; d" O( q9 D5 N, E6 Z6 {
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be- : ~- f% i& c2 B; |3 c- g( U( J
quests, as follows :
+ f$ n7 d; `( A) z+ @* Y* f0 A% g& a% B7 C2 {
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
" O2 j" t) Q/ G. ohe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to : M1 o! V/ K4 X+ @& D, D8 L8 s
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are $ S$ s: v3 |' u6 Z8 { ?+ B
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
5 t5 Q' R: }/ S( ~ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in + K3 C3 F. ]7 p9 t% W
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in % z: } V8 o+ Y5 |3 D. S' m7 ?
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per-
' o' G/ Z8 h8 ~suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied
. Z6 i5 I2 W: q& Z$ athe means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
8 C5 m+ c' l2 R9 p) Y, Ethe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded & Q" ?6 x2 U! L* J# g
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the ' z5 y; h+ m, r+ o& c
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
1 u% u( J. y8 ]: j' qthought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the # i, \$ O. V- `4 W" _
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
% O! ?& m; B8 L F/ m: m# C* Binstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish 0 S I' a! Y1 @8 R) Y
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
, O. u1 D; U! k qHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
F) n* G& B" p, N9 W2 K, }2 mglide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of 8 q8 V; t% S! ]
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop , n7 X( @4 }8 [0 H/ K
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
( a& n6 R% f; E# `! O `Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
' _" z& r. _' L! Y8 H. o, t1 ptection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
* x2 r2 Q/ T- x& f8 W2 W# G/ UWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost ^8 p+ J! D# R+ Q' [7 z
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
! k/ J1 p$ M& N7 q0 i5 tHim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- P6 l" [4 W0 B+ c5 x Q/ W& z
6 E5 r1 a3 H. ^# \
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
& p! y' D8 \7 y- j; N% }+ j5 ~/ qit is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of 7 i7 [" ?9 i1 k: g4 ~) \
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their $ v& a" T& q5 b: l N! m0 C; F
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information 9 u4 ~# Q6 o8 D# @8 J/ k7 Y
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- 9 J, }( [: A9 H2 j8 o
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have + O# X7 W+ Z3 k, e+ o c+ l$ |* f
omitted no deserving Jewish community. / a" i5 C# u% L* o* f5 q e; K
% M+ M4 r) W g9 W$ u3 W8 l3 P3 v6 l. d5 G: f2 {. X
- `8 _# \9 M: ~! r: f5 h
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
" b1 R; C5 N1 a p
, J( r# w5 H8 r! |crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early % x$ o( F( i4 p
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are ; W8 Q4 G/ c' t* m+ H/ L
subjected.
: E4 C: j+ N* T$ |4 N4 Z3 m: k5 G2 `! [4 `0 W, H
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
5 f( N2 w% d6 t* G( Eshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
/ R0 {0 W, N8 V# {9 lSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
9 T0 O; C8 X# |" A/ W4 A2 h, F7 oing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
& y4 {6 m7 k1 x* P3 f" V% Ybrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- 5 }9 _: b* W: \- T8 L" f
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
5 v5 {& ~7 j2 J+ L' F) v; x, I7 l9 Dtemptation. $ j0 m. z4 b# O6 s% Q. g5 l" f! l. t
& u. t2 s$ D2 \* ^% IAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 9 J& ~, k1 w4 N# J' k A; T" F- A
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
" v5 ?- E/ Z) Y$ mand these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
/ h4 X& J9 h9 eEhode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were 7 R$ M4 _* z# J& H
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he 3 E4 u! A& F7 k$ p; L; a
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
7 z2 v1 C( T( S% O+ F2 qland. By official resolution of the public authorities of - H. {, g9 z5 e- X
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
6 x$ S% v2 a) R9 fhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of 5 u! S% f" |& V" U- Y2 Q1 {' q' h
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells ; I8 I6 E- _% d
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
. d3 Q, Y1 @$ V2 W6 }were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were 8 T$ D% @$ F9 E( j# Z
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
) @& \( T! h% Wphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
9 ?9 N) _# W" e9 p1 _. J! H0 vYork. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
' _/ D+ {. Z& P; [3 }bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
7 T; [8 E. i1 U! J, K& MJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
& Y( W4 m7 @3 z! lwere named after him in order to commemorate his generous
t0 l+ h. C' c5 B: Q* ]5 t- Ephilanthropy.
; r2 F* \, S- w0 {* @
" W3 ^: L8 w6 }His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- 6 l5 D! M3 R' H1 I3 H% j8 C
lowing appropriate inscription :
0 d! @7 k! {: r: t' n5 H
' n( w' L8 a# t% p' i1 }$ Z) o% KBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; . Y- E- H$ N. L! F
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
! f- D% z7 ]5 h$ _7 LThe last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
( X8 r/ ~& T. E3 I0 d+ j* u8 jthropy
- @+ m5 v4 O h& r( `To be remembered forever.
) s1 P1 S9 F. ]& f0 K* N! r9 : W$ p2 c/ s* A/ [* o9 N' G
, }: {' m) z/ t
! x- e, v: A' [$ H
+ Z& k& x0 T8 l6 d0 b1 e104 American Jeujish Historical Society. # s l1 M2 T3 c' g: W
! P( F% R6 h, z: hWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. $ d( }* U0 t4 M* u/ }
$ z" j) Y+ U, [' G# C, m1 Z4 g0 uUnited States of America,
& E w! V. u* w* d+ s! {7 `" l1 Y j* F7 T" G# {
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. / G$ t9 e( Q5 Y" Q
: x# ?5 |2 ]/ n: ?% L" [
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
+ w/ u# x% }: F b3 v* h) Kour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence / L; S8 `% D* N" _5 @3 ?
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter : p8 b* o7 T2 u5 C Z( b7 [
before 10 o'clock a. m..
( Q, P2 g, K( O( ^0 l
3 s) {' {& ` d( W+ y8 V: CBefore me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the , B' x' t) F8 r u% Q- x& ]1 m' w R
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, ( s; p! x* ]: g! c
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
7 P: f/ [) g( j: r |# t" _herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
" Q! x0 B! n/ d: Q7 s' D4 osiding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
- t( z' ?# d9 N/ X [
# Z/ U2 P6 n4 D- @- VPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
2 B" z1 z9 Y* Q3 ~3 Y$ o, cwhom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
# s5 z+ c9 d0 r. i& ^% troom, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but I* V! k$ g0 ] n/ |
sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
; D1 Z1 g4 g$ G$ l) l& ^said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
, h9 v6 B( p( r5 rTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- , x# j: }+ d* }$ \& |
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in ) c% W* z5 Q, v% B R) Q, e
presence of said witnesses:
% m5 f1 N: z, ?" V+ o5 L( W* j. X$ L8 q5 w f
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
6 u0 e+ R) l% y8 X" E5 g j7 a' ?+ l# l; k6 ?6 V2 ?1 e
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 4 z% k* t! {8 S. w
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after ' T, b8 [6 q7 V$ o& g/ l# i
my decease. 0 Q" |# t8 h- {
7 C4 F" {5 m% t9 e3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends " f0 Z; U* W! T
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 2 h5 i8 b! u- `* E
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre 9 [6 J+ ~2 V5 I9 [' [! w
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
0 u& t* h1 v8 }# A: c: ptors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- $ F) c. c' \# f+ y
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said ( }7 @, e2 }9 V' p0 S& T+ i
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
# z6 s8 b; m0 N) l5 C1 E4 t4 q/ m( xDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the 5 ~7 c7 k4 o/ @, ^+ G
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, ) B) c( c7 M7 _2 P! i
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
+ |5 s5 {: p& q3 Oalso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, ( |! e. t) B2 Q4 L& f
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
" r" l; j/ N) r4 I# c. Ibe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
* I* C, x; d. d/ l5 x8 s( T( tas aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say + ~1 I" q, V" z p
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
! E% v! S8 P2 A( ]4 eunder Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
- W7 f) C$ G' F, c ^6 ation of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
! m7 a1 ?! k, {9 v
( F3 ` [8 x& e) v+ L' D+ s: Y$ d- `5 h' d9 y
L4 M6 U' C) ^4 R! Y
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
: u, R' ] ~3 `
. e/ @2 ]3 ~" O* gI hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep- * q) n6 q6 X, `7 s8 D" k
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
+ z0 B. R' `4 \/ B' kof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 5 P* U2 K. c4 m+ ~
my estate, movable and immovable. 4 d* W1 E' Z( f6 U+ S
$ K: k$ O8 l7 C+ r9 fIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
' D9 f8 G: G2 i$ R0 t2 O- bof my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor , f3 L9 _: M7 f7 n, a2 Y
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last
/ s8 K" v# Y% P; D$ y( f) |will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
$ Q1 t. [ p# H% }7 v8 ^of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that 1 V, y/ i |. }6 g
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
$ g. k. Z3 q% X% sthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- 7 z' f, @! k2 ^, G' n: M1 f" Y; L
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
, {1 K3 w7 \$ A) P3 K1 p0 K* i: Uto them. & ^/ T% K/ W. P/ d* C! {9 D5 P
0 c" W; F/ Z4 a6 v. f9 t4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in ) V8 I0 d7 g# `
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
4 d; t2 r# ^: c$ tthe same shall have expired.
3 F+ \# y0 z" o. I1 A6 D/ |' J
% w6 `+ l$ A$ ^1 E. _/ k, |5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
$ R% X7 o- w% A- qwhich I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
# ?8 G& B& e3 A& |directed by this my last will or testament.
% r h+ r$ y) q0 M$ S( p/ n4 W1 Z( {. T' s1 N2 Q
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
K( K1 q9 w& W i1 bpersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
/ k) J Z1 q' l' V- m3 k- [4 ?property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
5 M! n1 ^4 H# q9 c2 ?. DSynagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
. Z2 ^* k f9 x6 y4 |the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
$ h- z$ ?3 q& e. _/ sthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation, 8 e' Q9 _: ~" z1 {- n6 w
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
: U) Y3 X. W. O! T8 g8 X+ F+ ]Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
6 y; k9 F" m0 C3 }, b. k" wing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- # S8 X5 Z& K- Z5 ~# p8 F
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their . L/ ]2 Q3 y/ H( Z
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
/ {4 O2 K6 _8 ?% ]- j( b% z0 b0 Qmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
7 h- G& o4 V# Wstrictions. 7 ~3 W" Y8 n8 a& z8 F+ F2 K+ y+ _0 B
6 p' g" W* t, k7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 4 a- c, B# P0 q7 W
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
) `" l* H+ w& l! }sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
. N r [6 T v0 {now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- ; ~0 ]* f: z+ ]8 b+ c1 N+ R# O
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- & b0 u7 j& o0 g
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
" V, F! h0 ]7 O3 K+ secutors and such other persons as they may associate with them 6 j4 E# I, N" @3 d5 U# {! u
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
2 J1 |6 B, d& B6 u! t- e7 l! r- e# u* M* t) s" w# R
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
% w* C( ~5 U+ H/ ]New Orleans five thousand dollars. 3 Z& B- y4 p# E2 g; ^" ] A
0 t, I7 v0 u4 A* @; [9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- P$ {! r& I& P
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. * y: j5 a, K8 f# X
0 k( l7 q' |$ A; Q) x3 `" a- V! r
, E0 q x$ ~+ ?7 I! \/ G0 H7 X9 b& ` U: | W: f, `
106 American Jewish Historical Society. & ?6 a6 z( L5 ^6 i' r* Q! D
+ o' _- n- r) Y9 x$ a6 A
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
7 J; p3 W1 |2 d" k+ ]! s0 ONew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
; I: m1 R5 {: J% ~5 \; w9 q
' i. n, D: ]* E; S# ?11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society 5 t. ?/ `1 a' m+ i' D) r9 e
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. ) h- x5 z1 P, a7 K: L
3 I# Z: K7 d S* y# J z" ?
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New 3 i T1 C6 l$ O4 v" F' e! H w
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. # e# e2 U7 J: w" w: ?! ^" b* |! q
! o# `; K# |1 w9 U13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- 5 |- p0 L3 S m6 q5 y
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
9 c" I3 T+ {, r6 B( i
( b8 W- F7 X& G! E0 \14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
+ [2 j- L) Q! q. n: `; f3 e; e% Iof destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
1 e% M! d/ D k* o( C; Glars. - Z4 H) a h G" T$ W
5 T/ u. u, h/ D# |0 a7 u$ C7 ]
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
) n0 H- L6 g/ w' p/ R+ S( W# fAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- % M w2 F+ R/ }, j5 M7 {
sand dollars. . D; `: n; k+ }
h# A2 K5 H& S, G8 {16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
6 e4 b8 `; E8 p& K8 A0 dlum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
. z4 a7 E8 B. c3 G$ _) ^chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
' h) `' J; C2 L0 E- xdollars.
5 }# S @9 M! Z9 H) ]3 f8 B2 e" h! P7 d! [! n6 o
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, * k+ ~: V- `6 x+ ?
five thousand dollars.
# ?5 t: N# a- g9 S* g) h9 K
; B L5 _% j; O18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
+ N; B7 n& i& btion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 9 H) p* H- n: P% @6 ^7 w
; t2 f8 h/ K6 K& g: j
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First ; J2 j9 q7 k/ s, K" B
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
! L* A& g* M* N3 L9 ]/ Q$ Q
% ]7 a4 D5 i) h( e20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an 4 ~3 @! F( v. [! v( G
" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of ! s* U3 P; X+ E- U2 `3 I; k" R
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
9 M% X9 k3 s& E8 F$ O, H, S9 kin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) 9 Z% H1 b4 t3 g2 x0 |6 b
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be ; R n r7 k8 s$ d5 w- [& x3 P
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
0 g2 M5 V1 I' l( v" O7 Nafter my executors shall have legally organized and established $ ?' |+ {+ U% p& K6 G, R& j P
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to & p o9 D' c+ h+ g" D/ x2 I) K
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 5 [6 d: W' ?8 k; ~' y. f
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
0 V9 K5 E, M0 K# z! v2 kjointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
+ x4 p, P5 d4 Z. X" m$ N' ]0 Gcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control , c9 k5 p! t7 h% q
thereof. ?9 M1 M! j* a8 l+ r3 k
2 a3 q& J6 k" w
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of . V6 u- U$ f) i
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that ' j/ l+ h% R* k# g
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 3 u+ @ _; R! L
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept ! f8 i9 F. O! i5 M
as a public park or promenade ground.
2 G/ @$ L0 }* a
$ k) A% D9 o4 a; x3 r- `22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport 7 R/ l. y5 B- e: w/ R
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
: R0 ?( }4 R8 u4 w, L6 W9 B
7 @9 W; S% @+ _7 b! S- `$ K C& i! u) r/ v+ ~3 B- T6 a9 [* O6 W' D- ~
1 l) K. ^( L3 S5 Q4 wJudah Touro — Kohler. 107 % `4 \5 V. n2 t! w+ ]. U
' ?; t& q ~1 W L
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay / W0 @8 C9 X- F" L# ]
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
& _& V% M1 W* P7 E
5 M, ]0 I/ ]8 v/ I8 ?0 S' f24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
) u2 s/ ^; A7 K, b4 i Tford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 8 u4 T- b8 |5 A2 @ j- G% Y
n* _+ r) Z/ m: {9 V25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
, h; \$ t+ Q; Z: RHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. . @8 R: y I' U% T
0 @1 _. Y# D% u; u) [2 x& `) ^26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
& |, y, v6 F, n/ h. Rfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and : v3 e. }6 ?: i
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
0 S5 u/ j1 {' Q# [8 cten thousand dollars. 6 P% B) x1 c5 Y' y
3 h6 p; i& I1 M5 x
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir 9 p" g, s- G1 i. L) |
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to ! ~6 s: z7 R, b0 n7 b4 `) r/ G
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
; }6 z( l# O* ?4 \# ?6 [the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of 4 |% s' ^3 B3 |- X6 e2 e5 J
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without # Q+ Z/ w2 D! G: d( q. e
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
" M# I2 [; s0 D; S% P3 n. a4 isand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through / I9 A7 ?1 h1 ]/ j
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
+ E0 @" _* @' A, B5 |& J; Nas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
; _9 K* t/ _& _/ z5 eany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- ; D b: V V$ d1 }# C7 c Q |
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and 0 A! D- E# r; V! ?9 ~
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars : t) \9 k- g8 t* ^. R2 {
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the 3 T1 y6 J, w) s
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
" K4 k! j5 F) }, R2 lcan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
9 ?: J1 S, P& Yof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
) E* i2 S8 ?+ q, ~4 Lmy last will. ( | ?$ G- J1 ]$ ]: R
4 w4 F7 `. a& D$ f1 @
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
7 T. A2 {1 b0 ~& q# t) [$ i! b6 qhave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
) N* h3 k$ }# ^; L+ L$ x0 hwhich in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, 6 S2 O. c G* M0 S
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them % a9 M4 i% E% u7 G+ L
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
+ k: e2 S- E/ L' _" [- y8 t3 \thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
6 m3 X$ g. U% V8 M7 W& Y. xdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my k% ?% e, l& w2 `" U- _1 L$ Z
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
8 v! J; W s. z# R+ E8 \cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to 1 Z* ~1 D u# R- O6 f* ]
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. 9 \( @* p. ?! q# ` M
* x& e2 }# W2 p: d# e
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
* V3 r, ]+ s; j" a, @4 DCity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. ) u0 l: _# u* M( }- z" A
% W& b1 x/ {5 {30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
- Q4 y) l$ Q4 F. S7 m: R0 b! j" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
' B, j: g" P/ d0 i
# ]# K" g( Q Q4 H31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society 3 J Z. d4 w) M$ H+ z% Y! F
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars. * m) _7 @5 V! a: F
4 \& n& n0 B% t3 ?& X9 I* [7 D3 C+ T& g& C E# [+ T1 O- [
" G% c0 c( G- n, F108 American Jewish Historical Society. + a& S7 t6 g8 \2 Y/ i l
: o- P+ `( ?/ w% {% f32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
! c+ {, q b# A7 Battached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
- {: r X$ d6 g9 e" l/ l8 t) M6 lCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand # I5 K- m0 R$ Q- w% g5 ~
dollars. 4 f- M c7 @7 {& G, W! u
# w/ @# R9 Z0 f7 G$ V33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- % i9 j* m+ S9 w/ x8 A
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
$ W J m2 t7 Jthe sum of three thousand dollars.
& ]4 h* e. {: `& c1 s
# }1 @" m" h" i z0 w# T3 ?34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- $ p' R9 Z% ^" ?% Q
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. h% J$ S: d( d7 V7 Y* x% a* P
* P- a2 v1 }* T3 r# S, i) Q! u
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 1 J( j3 x) P1 q7 C4 n5 o
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
( _8 n1 d& N8 q; ia directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
( u6 C& l. F) G& d* l; h6 @. [Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. ' \4 |& g) ]4 t; u, w! w
& c1 l6 j: |/ @0 s" `
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
7 V. Z+ D1 t) E! P8 X/ Mciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- 8 O' z5 W+ e, n$ H% |
lars. # i8 b, J' @, \5 C& r7 \# b
: {# v7 g; {5 k: c/ o37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of ! w2 P0 u$ }: _( k- t' [/ u
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
" j) v( I4 W0 p- d5 `7 r
1 F& }. B6 i, m38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- ; P( s7 ~& }2 B5 K4 |: j7 g
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. ( \% l/ z1 D; ]" J* p) T N
9 e/ v0 L* R9 H2 d9 y7 c, o
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
9 V% t$ g) `: O4 ~! v( b# xIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. 1 L* X! F/ j2 t
8 N% [ k+ R+ P
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
# B4 j: d0 ~* \4 }8 _6 t* rShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
& g6 Y, f$ }5 h5 I% I) y4 T
& y! G9 Y5 U6 W' L7 T0 D41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith 4 l0 V0 _4 o+ n) g
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
+ J0 Q+ `2 @, O. K* @$ `dollars.
0 L; T! C6 h5 l0 P4 }* V2 i5 O$ z
, C: S9 H, _' B- c6 ]' w- b/ S42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- : ~# j( {$ m1 `2 l1 g5 m
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
. v, r* v. X3 T* P
: j* _: t* A+ I$ Z6 [43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve % h9 I6 J# C0 _! w
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
d. Y, @, h$ I; f: d3 v r# @/ n! p& E/ \* F0 t" V
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- 4 h" _* o T5 b6 n! h1 X
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 5 o2 B1 x9 I: j8 ?1 d8 H
8 b3 {( l. J3 o- p+ ]( h45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- 9 [8 x0 \5 Q$ x, I9 F# w
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars. 2 }+ m. U9 r Q( Z5 u4 R% g1 W
- w% U' z7 O- _& T; f2 u
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas 4 s/ |& h- i6 @( O3 I V
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. + B4 D( }1 V1 D; j( q
+ f% {- @* M# I8 O! p! O% ?- o
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
1 e1 I1 x! e; b5 F6 }rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
2 F% A; k# N8 }/ b1 l. F# R* M! |" H! b/ y
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- ) N8 X! O) D! q$ ~1 Z1 j8 |
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
: \% T; e# e2 r* c4 u: o2 T% ^/ N- q2 c% c
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
$ A. y0 j5 W; Y$ \5 D8 U0 Q6 _Ohio, five thousand dollars.
, r3 y; Q+ ?1 j% `- k; M* M N) u% d7 v" T, @- q6 b) L7 }
* j2 ^2 J& j8 H5 p; }% P
, X" Y( ^+ g5 {3 aJudah Touro — Kohler. 109 " b2 r% M" | _4 C d& l
0 G; i ^( k( d F z
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth ; B) u/ `: y; s# @" [
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. ; B+ N; p9 ]3 ]/ M6 e
* a, ]; N: N; R/ `/ S51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai ' u& |5 F" ~" |0 h8 h& l
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars. 4 ?5 w+ U8 G/ U" s. A
# E# @! |+ C7 I
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," 2 ]# e( X* G, Y
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. , ?; |, r1 i: ]% E( q# R
2 f4 T$ E+ b5 e$ Q# A* Y$ A53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth ) b9 } l" X5 e
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. . N$ R5 O- P: w& o; d! E9 E# F9 e7 h. \
' P3 F/ j+ P$ A1 W; [54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
5 E* ^' p3 Q. J! R# L3 d# \& {8 ynamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- 8 C/ v8 c7 F: [3 {0 z! p
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
6 t6 [$ ^# E5 r; E1 w
2 ?- A( k5 c. N9 I. D* l+ RFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, % q+ p4 x0 E" x) Y6 E6 ?% j
five thousand dollars. 4 H5 D+ c0 h% e
& O- z: M7 Q( ^1 `! t5 I
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
, g5 ^) Z3 Z; e. G8 yfive thousand dollars.
" X( k. G m0 `3 x7 E6 w% C7 n4 s
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
8 T' X0 j: m1 U$ _2 @+ Fsand dollars. + j& s b! _) j4 s: \, O
! I3 N; g" A! R0 ]1 c55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
7 C( j! j3 j) f* A( g. B2 e4 Mpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
1 ]& f0 I% [8 p2 g- Sish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
& X$ p8 c7 A1 y Zistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the 0 S, Q. F7 n! c. I
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be - ]4 }5 O- O. B4 E5 d
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner 9 \4 r2 ?4 S( ~& ]% o7 j4 M
as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation 3 W' W; p. [+ `7 g8 u
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, : ~3 o9 C9 a1 x7 a! T- B# t
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
8 V3 W* D" b* b% Afriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
! ~! R. x# X v; gcontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
+ [1 v: I" a0 V2 W* x4 ]the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
8 w+ @2 s* n; @$ Jof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the ' x9 s7 y* q: m- u
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
# Z& o1 [# x+ _4 v$ [the said David and said Nathan H. Gould. . A, H. d$ }! `; q: ?7 z, |/ ^# L
+ `9 s: e# e% z( b
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
- B' J @: ~# ]1 y2 d) j% K( wHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
H' v! p( W2 o6 }2 Qremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. , D& _) c3 z7 f1 [
& ~1 T# D& K& z+ C' d8 a- y$ I
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
& `! W \+ w# H. D, f. tJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
. S5 f- ^' ], h fRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be 7 [. Q+ D9 U6 G, N* j5 c
equally divided between them.
% D# E& D; P) B" T% P! J
( D' ^& N' [. H3 s" [# H5 v58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to l, k' k) u0 j( Z6 @
the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
. L& Y' s. B, H9 h5 a, J' s, U" YVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my : K, i7 i2 l' U( C, x
remembrance.
( e/ y8 y+ G7 p9 X# T; j$ Y3 @# ^# N' l0 `$ r( j# G
' h/ L4 P, O5 w7 W/ `
1 ^' c' Z( Y0 _" Z! {# N$ [110 American Jewish Historical Society.
, S: t7 E Q2 k
* a2 S3 s. T- p/ D% B2 J G59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, # y) E* @: ^' R2 X5 k; w4 R
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of 6 I* Q' W5 [9 d8 m3 u' E
my esteem and kind remembrance.
^1 c! ^. o; S! l% c/ P* X& J
) h* F# G0 _3 K( n5 @60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to ) t b& S$ U9 A, z' T& m
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a % s- _9 T1 @4 \5 n1 T% {# n
token of my regard.
8 j% D/ B* X7 e1 `7 H; S/ l: z* Y2 l5 O0 d
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to # O2 F; k) W# L' @) t' q
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
% P; [/ e& q! ^. m( \2 A+ U5 L9 rwife, to be equally divided between them.
, c9 V7 g& P6 m: q
@2 G, [2 Y. ]' t% f62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
9 Y7 \) Y( ~! H5 |, q6 g$ Imy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of ! E$ e- \9 F9 Z$ H8 y# l
my remembrance. 6 [7 J. K# l6 P; k- m
/ j' {. D) t! Y3 H, _$ l, f9 w
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
8 K; i' t e2 Z$ l G7 w) {of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
/ y/ X8 Y" q: i8 N3 U0 Cecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
( W/ ]& l1 H4 U: _) g4 zlars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
8 Z/ L1 r6 H) f) Vof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind , C& M7 F& l; _" D0 y
regard.
; ^( s' _. h" f2 I/ i
- x% h" e* J9 M! U8 B64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, ' M- J$ L$ h* X, H g& z+ A( U$ Q
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable * C6 _, V7 J, c; l9 F8 [6 Q. z1 a
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
) t( f0 f# V: u4 }& A* ~) `$ Wwife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
0 U$ K/ T6 {4 ~+ \to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable ( D5 b2 Y# {2 Q4 K. I- o6 l
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of 3 \7 d |$ W* S, M7 P, k! [8 v
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans. 7 g; y! L+ h, X
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
/ U( {& y/ h- ]" c# z7 q: B+ |made previously to these presents.
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Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
# `0 l. F+ Q2 Z: ^me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses 3 w% i( }% ?% C5 R" k* y) ^0 G
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
6 m" g9 X: n! N2 V n1 o/ l8 Qsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
1 O- {4 b- X' M" C6 N, d! B& tproper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
$ e/ @6 d9 Y" k; ]testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- N" M: m9 B$ j* L
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same 5 b3 C1 @8 q' C5 H% w! ~- Y
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. 4 ]) o* L* |1 h( F3 Y, \
' P1 j4 d4 B8 U( p" z" \: |- _ [0 Y
All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- ( k( j9 P1 x M0 Z
ing aside to other acts. / j' r7 y! L$ }- p& f$ _
6 \' ?' N6 m' L: }6 M) nThus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
; G5 v8 a& M. U5 o+ N9 L' Osaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
, b4 V" ~4 q1 fyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
9 `. i6 _1 D3 `7 T, v, lMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
% u2 m# v" K# q; x; t8 }
6 ~# k1 D1 `" N5 H' ?& }) V# p0 J* ]4 }; E
- M' q: D7 L5 R4 }Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill / r# O8 s {2 W8 j9 l C
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said ; b4 ]* ~& l. Q' \* \/ B- H' S& d
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their ' Z: n; ?. c0 ^( R7 k0 x
names. (Signed.)
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J. TOUEO,
- P4 M O2 C5 f# p$ {
1 L0 T! U6 E; e# {# [( z/ mJ. Montgomery,
* O( O$ b: P; D9 Z2 n6 Q
2 C# v+ H- }3 C1 t' o1 X$ RH. Shepherd, Jr.,
# L5 P2 H% {0 z4 G7 ]& x# y: o' u% a7 C N* \' l
Geo. W. Lee,
( q, m+ v8 ^8 l" k: A# l+ V& s+ }8 |( V
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. 5 V0 L) ]& r4 {) s4 D3 M) X
& u6 L. r( B, Q2 E7 P8 t, O# T+ M& y0 y5 w
# q+ B0 Z/ y3 @. f
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 7 p3 K' M' a# k3 ]9 u& w- g4 Q
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014 495 461 |
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