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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
PHILANTHROPIST.
By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
Reprinted from
Publications of the
American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
No. 13, 1905.
1-377
JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
PHILANTHROPIST.
By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
the very name of one who would probably by common consent
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
relations between the investigations of local historical socie-
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
tary history of his  .
A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
chants," published in 1856.
93
94 American Jewish Historical Society.
reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
reminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
Gift
Authc:
(Person^
19 JI'OP
Judah Touro — Koliler. 95
Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi-
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New-
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
96 American Jewish Historical Society.
commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
light on the scope of his business dealings.
Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
month in ignorance of her death.
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
especial  he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
which he made further provision by his will, which contained
Judah Touro — K older . 97
a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi-
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
scribed in the will itself.
Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
98 American Jewish Historical Society.
career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em-
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder-
standing.
It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
liberal and benevolent deeds."
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
100 American Jewish Historical Society.
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
lines, since become famous :
Amos and Judah — venerated names!
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
Each aids the work by giving it a check.
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq.
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans;
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
hilation."
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
102 American Jewish Historical Society.
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
quests, as follows :
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per-
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
benevolence, to  spirits which, without this, would droop
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
tection  the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
omitted no deserving Jewish community.
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
subjected.
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
temptation.
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
philanthropy.
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
lowing appropriate inscription :
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
thropy
To be remembered forever.
9
104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
United States of America,
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
before 10 o'clock a. m..
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn,
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
presence of said witnesses:
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
my decease.
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
Andre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
my estate, movable and immovable.
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
to them.
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
the same shall have expired.
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
directed by this my last will or testament.
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
strictions.
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
106 American Jewish Historical Society.
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
lars.
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
sand dollars.
16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
dollars.
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
five thousand dollars.
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
after my executors shall have legally organized and established
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
thereof.
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
as a public park or promenade ground.
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
ten thousand dollars.
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
my last will.
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer,
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
inherit in the premises according to my wishes.
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
dollars.
33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
the sum of three thousand dollars.
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
lars.
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
dollars.
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont-
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
Ohio, five thousand dollars.
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts,
five thousand dollars.
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
five thousand dollars.
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
sand dollars.
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
equally divided between them.
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
remembrance.
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
my esteem and kind remembrance.
60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
token of my regard.
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
wife, to be equally divided between them.
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
my remembrance.
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
regard.
64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
made previously to these presents.
Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
ing aside to other acts.
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill
all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
names. (Signed.)
J. TOUEO,
J. Montgomery,
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
Geo. W. Lee,
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
014 495 461 |
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