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4 C! E* Q& n2 E6 I" p. h4 Z0 RJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND + Q3 N& {$ j S9 g
PHILANTHROPIST.
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+ J. b0 |$ t0 u/ C( d0 c0 u9 v2 Y3 k2 P( ]
+ a8 |) l1 R) V- u# b kBy max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
* p. O+ @2 K g% h5 ^ u* U9 w- o7 f
, }# L! w y' ^3 T+ Z: y5 t, w' ~7 F- e5 g& u9 ^
2 X0 v. q$ F* y, M0 [Reprinted from
& u5 o0 y& `2 b I* L$ u& Q
& A1 p4 e% S5 pPublications of the
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) S# ^( m) R* S9 O! BAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt, 7 l; {: N' s! f& ^
9 c/ `+ [, }5 G/ W8 X2 ~
No. 13, 1905.
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+ W/ V; A' Z$ U3 l8 s9 _1-377 , n9 J( G* n; v" L, P+ j
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4 b! y; ?; u' N- sJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
- s5 F- N8 D4 x! L0 lPHILANTHROPIST.
+ R: S2 B$ K; c! I% t
6 y9 k$ d2 h3 U/ y, [By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. 5 N/ ^, M& K, f
7 L0 e/ K) _$ p* j2 @: D# bIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
) z; D4 b. T6 g; OTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
% Z8 H9 K A: r6 F" P* y0 cnor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the * O) R& s* w- O
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating $ B# r! _: y1 _/ P5 F9 j% p+ F
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
5 s9 w ?; m- ?( a; Jmation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in , n" w5 a) h4 \7 S* h6 T
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's % x A7 e4 r; d, o' p
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
4 j& ~ |. b2 u: Q7 v! Ythe very name of one who would probably by common consent ' J0 f- T& C: K4 z1 m% M
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the ) `6 {5 }1 w, f' U6 L$ B1 k
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
; r8 x0 ^3 F: P8 d2 z: f: H1 Rrelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
; w" ]8 o y1 j; j2 N! o/ Gties and more general historical writings, can readily account
8 f& R! c7 S$ W9 |/ hfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, 9 a/ i: Y n4 {- \( u6 M5 [
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
& c; c) {# W( E6 u4 y5 S" \# xspecialized investigations as our own, that the general his- . Z* Q$ c* H' v% ?. t
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
4 O7 c4 \- X% r& ^6 \" uvidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
. t" b& [5 J: y1 [7 K; oquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
2 [) L6 v9 P- i9 H4 otary history of his . 6 P- i7 X. O5 A7 u" ^ c4 y
) w3 h7 x8 @1 ~
A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written * {1 k$ D. `7 ~5 l
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
) J' y6 o2 |0 o; U$ Enon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
" I3 u' R3 E% I3 pfactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
- b3 ~6 n( R/ v. N/ H- Dhigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
# o, ^; E. e5 UWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal : b1 F2 `/ D5 _. U& F n
1 M W$ e F4 j; } q
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
% [) W( @0 i. X k( E1 J8 Rchants," published in 1856.
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94 American Jewish Historical Society. + P3 `1 ]% _7 D E
; {* P& ]( L& Y8 }. i; m: L
reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
5 o1 j! p, x% W4 U5 ]lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- * o- |4 s k1 K; s+ S8 `; B
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; % p: D0 s5 c1 `- o8 c
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
* r1 W7 s/ Z, {likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- ( e$ k7 R8 q* c2 l
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary 5 k2 C' D l7 M C5 I6 F
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
?/ @3 B0 J9 d5 jreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago ; g0 d, c* j ?7 r
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant. - K- U: O: M% i/ M G4 i
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
8 a; m7 a. F$ ~3 bin his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy 3 B1 x4 A7 J3 A( V( N" [
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
$ O5 b4 f3 r9 \1 `: wmaturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no 2 N! t( S) D$ }
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
' M$ T; S# X7 s; e! t1 zmore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
3 f/ r( h( u8 h# I* F0 wand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
6 L1 d% i9 @& Y( _6 e0 n5 l5 @name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh ; ^ G1 P2 @- Y
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
. w% s9 p: ^% A) l( mgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
5 R* W+ Y) a, umunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore ! n- U1 B$ l' D V
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
; w! C& M5 Z' B" l( O* pdisposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
7 g: K- o, K- K' m" P$ Lfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
7 S. i+ j9 L: j$ osince been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. 6 A( U J: o; F5 [
) T2 b N# c. X$ L' [2 ~: U
Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
6 I- j7 p0 |% `; w, C& f16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- 5 Z+ B, `4 @$ C. q3 H
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
8 \* i7 O3 K! ^1 E0 Ubeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
4 o* K5 N- @3 k' Iister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption 1 J1 X$ W" Y$ m! L$ Q8 o
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by 5 Q7 \ y2 r3 P$ C. [6 a; ~- ?
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
+ y6 [) Y' C& I7 V9 Otery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
% o! Z9 b, N: m6 o+ y8 a+ k7 vcareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac 0 `* A( s1 M+ l) X( R! {8 U
5 I4 y8 H7 J6 f H) v9 E2 Z' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. & J) S4 l2 y! j, B/ d
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
4 j* Z# K0 J7 q. L( cish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
; S& m( K5 u) z: q, n" o! k3 f
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. W" d- m( m& h9 w" `Gift & P; Z+ P4 R) f9 a8 A
Authc:
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$ \( T: E5 t' U8 V* j7 \' |Judah Touro — Koliler. 95 9 l' R" s8 k, F: m5 b. j5 ?
( V0 N: D& Q2 o( n+ v+ a9 yTouro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
& T, \3 t( _- B2 ?- T. A" Vin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and * p2 d/ D* s6 G1 N
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and + }4 T; W6 B! ~$ C$ S& _. T. m
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
' J) @% g" m2 H( W8 b6 Q8 K1 a2 D. }bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
3 Y) \9 t# n9 o; b! Iduring the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- $ j: O( j. F% @9 k8 d1 i
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
% ]+ I3 ]! {$ v- i' \* S8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, ) f% ~- `* v u* N, k* d: k
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
6 @- [9 A# {, C9 Sbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- 3 h( | A* Y( e; T$ M7 a
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- 9 [5 Y/ ^( { c. U; P
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, , g' r! v, l4 U* Q* [! b6 @
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely # _6 S3 I$ X z. z" d7 ]$ g% P- M
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood & _# @8 a- H d/ S. C& U
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
+ X1 {2 i: R, _; l, V' malso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi-
6 c) ?& W$ V, A. ~$ `; `nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views ( u) f' E |6 v( y4 v: a9 e
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
. r3 `. e4 a% J' y, b. u0 Ycompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
" z$ ~) {% q1 `2 dwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the 5 o% J- N& \' F" ] p
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and / ]: K" T; f9 h' i, f! w
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the 3 f( {0 `: x! O! \( n; {
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
1 e# n8 c6 u0 p. z5 @while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- # ~2 _. }& Q$ W
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
! g1 W0 B1 {- S3 E) o! M2 P( q9 `early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which ( G" C! ~7 q* t' z# v- y6 _" k2 v
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
- ^" b( Z4 I2 yslaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and 3 V4 E; E& X/ V. M; O5 U/ y9 x: S9 l
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and : E7 N3 d6 F9 Q1 l: j
+ O$ s" \& q! S( U+ b* {& y! T
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
& d0 T# ?) M) U% ^* iNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
3 U2 x; g( \4 y. Z4 p8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 8 X! X, C" i& v9 A
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
5 p& ?+ K3 h. D$ m: uof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- 6 \- l2 l1 v* d3 T
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
" j# B7 b w: B7 J7 lRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." 8 H, ^6 r, O; J$ B, A2 `' t h
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96 American Jewish Historical Society.
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/ Y; C9 \# h# b" a7 M/ Y, Rcommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in 9 R5 e2 |6 x/ P4 D c
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
. R$ c# h* P; \9 la valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
, a/ {9 M. U/ L+ fThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
# i _+ C; i# n8 x4 evessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- 7 N0 t- R/ m' d& D/ X6 |: P
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- 2 R* O0 P# E3 j7 \( s1 W7 {2 ]1 H
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a n6 t" |! L2 r7 D6 n6 p
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
9 }; L* A6 ]* j; W8 N0 J3 ha voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
; A( d/ T8 k. V$ e9 j, Nknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
2 D! F7 _) ^) C+ Dment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 7 ?# {/ \+ N1 b4 @6 U" o2 J
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
9 x7 ?( R1 @4 r: aNew Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- . h2 i9 R3 e* X5 j# Q9 B
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- # H& a. }; b2 X0 {# a1 r
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
) G4 l6 N K; M3 f7 Hinto six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
; u+ w1 {* K, W Y/ [* Efrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George
& L* n* L3 S" ^/ v, c5 D$ dBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
. Q5 `& z& r% h8 G4 KTouro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
S. G l2 k0 R$ Pplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
7 y: E/ n$ V, V4 z+ h# d S( Llight on the scope of his business dealings. " D8 [2 L3 J5 z4 k* K
+ K! d( Y) K- u i0 fTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for 5 S; a; O, W. w2 l* {7 C5 P! G* {
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their & ]$ \9 I% x- D5 o' \
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
1 m" o3 g% m8 xmained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., $ D9 g+ [, W/ s' H" ?
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
6 h5 L/ P) n# M1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
( u/ r& d0 S0 i% h/ K* S; vmonth in ignorance of her death. ' f6 S3 I" R* K
4 ~/ h& @ K X* p' r
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- . g2 T: I) i, g# C% I+ Y" B
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an 3 R; t) G q( {5 Q* y
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
1 l' Q+ _: n& L+ T/ b- Sespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- " T0 E p L5 Q9 I8 z4 c7 s
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
- b: R& ?" @7 b) Nscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused $ _( d4 p; x/ F( |2 D# |( H3 k
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for 3 K1 h2 A3 {9 R4 t2 ]/ G" o; h
which he made further provision by his will, which contained
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: R) M! ]1 r$ E+ p& B sJudah Touro — K older . 97
9 B8 ]8 G3 k4 d G2 N* I. v$ I' S) T
a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
" U3 I9 o) H& L$ Z" h, Jinstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
9 m% K" d4 {1 N5 ^9 ?( JNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
3 ~% W/ c8 Y6 j5 T- Rto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
4 d/ H3 |) t: y) Snizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. 5 F2 K' C" ^( |( a6 g. {
k# c9 ~& Y7 K- dEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
* T2 h% P k U0 l N1 x, wically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
N [: `- ?% O5 }- R, A6 Wthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
* h3 z1 O A) c5 iin order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- 1 ~2 n8 ]% D8 v" S; _2 o: J+ u2 L( \
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
9 \# W' D% U& J1 f9 xteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
- z. H- j' q3 ?! G# f' j- v7 cthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 6 `6 E: F# a$ O- e
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
0 P# `+ A7 s5 s Spound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that 8 i7 y2 |9 j: O" I
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
/ d z) i- d9 [0 [Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
/ j" h5 v+ G u3 nhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death % X' Z# [1 H; ^1 y4 \
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later 0 D& k9 ~1 d- ?/ i) r! g
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of 9 |# \) J) H2 T8 V3 [
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- . p; o- D" v9 a9 i! t
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
3 v0 p9 J: v9 |8 Q! N8 @( W. [herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large / q8 g6 s- }3 v' j, w
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, + k8 h/ ~' O& g& I$ d: W
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- 3 T" h" O0 a1 b* a" n
scribed in the will itself. ) Y h2 i+ b8 b$ p" O! }
3 @+ K% J2 j _
Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
4 b7 u& q$ p$ W: ~ g; W2 `! ato, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
2 G v, T1 `# U. A7 f/ L4 I* @a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other " X) F2 V) i; \+ Y0 Q3 @( C
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
0 `. i: D% `+ R: Q+ Ffriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- * _7 q3 W- v- H7 j
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every : ^' i, i2 C. G2 o% w& x% B8 ~
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
; \7 M% s1 {/ V/ {many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
3 X5 z% U; E; ?- u- i! K. ~' B" M& ~cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his - I& ]+ V0 T2 F n8 [* a
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
7 x3 A! ^3 r$ H( ^8 yships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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* f1 R! R1 Q' U) w8 E) p5 ^' ?4 Z! S0 W
98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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$ U/ s; I4 R' k- l) Ocareer as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
4 _7 `2 n8 g. N! W1 |stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- 1 D* f! E2 F) I n# t
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
( t+ {1 Q0 C3 C" Wing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
2 n6 J4 c5 Z5 Othe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents 2 k, F3 `0 G- k6 S4 f
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. 7 S" ~; l$ T6 j: ]$ J
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day , X0 d8 [( Z) T! N/ {
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
$ C* \1 h3 K* Y0 y# ?& L& B2 cthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus- 6 L x4 {) J# m8 M
tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset. 0 M' t9 E, Q9 U v. e# W
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well 9 F, g9 j, }4 S3 v% b" \9 m
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ' w' r" o2 e8 H ^: I/ ^# T: m
standing.
, o! v( @, q- j
- U# n) b& ~/ E/ [4 lIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was ' F0 \! W% X8 j/ d" G: n& O
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of 1 D3 U8 W6 Y& N
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
, E. U0 f, W: ]; X" L. Qwork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made
9 w3 B+ l! j. R9 E+ B8 I. Ohis name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- 7 {- l! u. S3 t2 U6 W) k
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
/ L+ }7 \; t! {. Etunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
. b& w; q: E; L- p: dyet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- - U( n7 r, }9 [/ i! c( m
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
x* H/ R$ Q. ?) Q4 _his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- + C6 e' o2 R2 h$ |0 b6 y8 d4 o
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New % ? j5 I+ {# `- D- l1 u% b
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
* f, { [ n7 ], o* Y4 Uviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who % A r! T N/ E0 F% o6 S0 F
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
: x. W/ Z7 g/ Kthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring
! R) d# C. \% W# D+ h+ Rwarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 1 y* _7 i; I" s5 r1 M5 C$ }/ d
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- - P3 s, I- h9 l$ U
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little # r9 \# }& I$ b5 h: C
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
) m( d$ P7 K, \. R! I4 G2 a- @% laspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
( u* Q# e' ?$ G& k F+ y" @glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
4 H$ w4 w& Y/ a2 |. A4 |' C6 Yhands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his ) K7 A) ]# F" ^ N
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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0 ^( |6 U+ N. YJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99
9 r9 A! U% s9 e! s! B, J0 Y4 e. l
8 H! h- l, ~ n* _pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, 2 z8 }8 S/ S- |' P& L$ Z; p
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
" O4 r0 K+ Q) o" n3 Sties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
) y2 e5 @" R0 J! Y, [whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn ' |" Z5 Y( c; T5 M) J% x0 c
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 9 E, ^: }( k2 a7 F
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
$ S$ [ r |8 pmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death $ B2 n% E+ o7 D7 p7 D% h5 H t+ _
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
3 c8 G; h) R, Y( [; r0 zdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
& a8 O N6 v5 p) w" _/ g$ Kwealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the 3 Z% n4 |6 {2 E6 f
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
9 \6 y) S4 Q! ?0 Q5 Xcence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 0 V8 ~- ~7 ~! z1 F( l. I/ E# e
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
4 h$ e* C9 e0 s2 X. e' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall 7 T7 _/ m, I5 T# P' A1 R S
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
0 E7 j# r( W8 u( r* A# n. Twere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He D5 M8 `$ s2 ?+ O6 \+ B/ Q
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and 3 V" k$ I6 V. ]: J
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single * p7 F& S. a9 k# c3 I
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
* v7 [# q- h u" _: u' D, @7 wa miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, % J7 N h5 K9 P: S* H2 p$ m" d3 ~
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
% e! \ ~* m; N3 Wstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
& _0 ~: P' k! N0 J- Pand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
. j% Z% |6 z$ a6 ^tion and display which are too often the main incentive to v5 r8 i3 E; }! q
liberal and benevolent deeds." & \$ ]0 f, Z8 I+ r
0 G2 m+ P7 \. M. mTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
9 _: d; u, a u# G. Y1 Hthat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
9 x0 D( o( [& r9 n6 }& jpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- : x M1 V$ q# G* i( v) {
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
: {+ f0 w: S; \' L% V+ e O/ |are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when & L8 \4 ]+ [% C
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
O1 ]1 c( G/ q ccommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards # _8 X9 i G$ G' d u+ n# Y3 V
the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
7 O8 l7 p. p" A$ yterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up ( R/ ?* S; g5 z1 A7 X w8 M3 w
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
' c0 p6 @4 \; p* i/ x5 ealready in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
4 B5 R3 i* [- a2 B" f; C4 c: n
8 V/ a/ @+ q. A5 ], t o4 |; Y4 v% |7 l$ W
% o$ M3 F: h6 H' O! g100 American Jewish Historical Society.
1 y! X. _9 e( E0 d) Y( R B1 i0 T$ z% l+ b; \) m" w) ~
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
6 f5 h, D$ b7 L9 _! W9 ]+ Sresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward & F4 o9 d9 c1 p/ y% S
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
4 t( r( D! J: k/ @( ~! ~4 V* [5 zoffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
0 b' O( K; B) v0 s! B. AAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- ! a3 e3 F5 `" a+ S" i; z# {' b
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- 9 l1 Y2 C# L( U+ O9 P
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his 8 L" ^" a o0 S" U# `4 A& g! A
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
) s- g& i; ^- _3 cseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
: [! z5 `) U8 o+ Bably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
7 {) b- }7 z F' b! I/ d1 _3 Nish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other ; A M/ M7 p R
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
: [, b9 {9 H* D, H( j: oand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication / a% c% V& N( f/ R7 Z" u. P9 y
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of , m: T! C [/ R7 |8 d1 b0 l/ p3 U+ D
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
# {% S- o, `9 U+ Rwas commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
/ t3 m! n( T' y3 ]lines, since become famous : # Q+ _- u. u( Z+ V) e
% Q6 Z: {! o/ X& }Amos and Judah — venerated names!
7 [" m* I) x4 z3 Y' b( H+ {& G2 h) i+ G/ c6 L% o! X
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
4 l' b1 k/ t% _) ~; t/ X% m* |% T* a- Z4 k; ~ h
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
4 P# f1 _4 f. J' d4 @
$ |) K% n* y. i3 C! Y( S2 VEach aids the work by giving it a check.
2 ^6 L* B% u. J# X
$ W$ `4 Z, _8 V- {. m/ oChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
0 s5 J) i; P% U4 R$ T. |! v4 u$ u2 h) k
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. % U" R9 t' {" k7 T8 z1 _
3 r1 M( b+ o- g: [1 C" u: EJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
8 `5 m9 i+ j0 l$ p1 ~9 \throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often / _/ ]* U: p' b
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
D4 M: h& z& o, rin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
{7 N9 ]# r5 i5 M. o4 @* g4 [% Etian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- ( h d7 g5 S0 b: ]7 t9 _
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- 7 ]* h U/ Z3 V/ u1 } _
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
/ N _" s+ c V4 h7 \by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
! v- i1 u9 r6 J! `ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
. E* J% z5 _3 d! `3 I, Hoccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
; Q* I* a8 _. [- u: C0 Tmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
; A& ^/ X" R: S+ p0 R% S7 Q. K, @. I+ I5 `! Z0 _ `, n) E
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq.
y4 i; G1 f+ d1 |+ t5 O) }7 o, D8 Z1 ~& s0 r
& K' d3 Z7 B. \8 a/ e9 g# y
$ N, b( x4 i/ y1 m/ c8 s3 n9 e
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
: a# {6 \$ \0 m& {% x
% ]# X8 S/ d( c+ D g/ B/ A* C ztribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
$ M2 G4 H0 A2 I6 Vthat he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
& c6 x, G* I& C2 v4 h' E" m4 f9 che promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I 9 {# }$ i$ M( ? Q- |
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church % g9 A# p, ~7 p/ v9 c
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from % O* f" \+ ^* c3 H* H
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister - C$ U1 P" [* P9 |4 X
died, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he $ w) a3 p) Q: q# L9 x& l3 t5 X
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
* I1 h2 b( z2 @6 O* y4 e, T5 rdistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
4 X. C p% Q5 p8 \at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
4 } R9 Y) B0 c+ G4 a1 Hcame interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " 9 _ R; h- ~/ G6 M7 v. G& [# P
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's & G- `/ j9 o4 E; g8 m# T0 J
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui- ) U( Y) n& @3 ^! e: |" W' C
sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he 5 i6 b4 E% R" |- C. r3 G
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 9 `) C9 b3 D! l# U
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
0 ^' O: H3 T* ja synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- & {7 \3 |2 w3 S1 g' z3 @( u7 @
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
4 l9 I2 }2 N* Ylar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed / y" Q3 P7 d' j1 l
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- : ~2 w6 L. z1 g
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
( q* @, n, t. K2 J6 ?' xpurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
3 H! d# }4 [# V" I2 O6 ]Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
( L' x8 o$ m' ]/ [' D0 vnever heard of but one religionist in the United States who 7 j$ Z7 A' w0 g$ i, v* {! e. z3 [
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
1 a* o+ O/ S, {' n, C, ihis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing % d# L8 }4 S$ N( z' b3 z" D* k. _
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- " D( L+ B1 d9 n3 h, `# ]
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
9 L+ i5 j! f1 |+ {scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. . l( n/ t! n5 H, L
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
) b" G5 ~% `$ R$ g1 s* Jthe Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni- 1 D/ X& b" H$ f8 [" x: J& {" ]
hilation."
: W* r/ n) A+ k6 Y' F, ?: k' m: m( t2 y- f* o/ I: d
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- 5 ]0 M$ T+ }" Z
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by ( c) S. t, ^7 \4 f
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
0 F3 t& C% h+ j$ `, Y8 pties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
3 \" O& c5 i: Q$ ^1 d; Z' ~* y8 _3 z" {5 `3 j! G$ x
' l _) W# {5 T
! ^ c5 t' x' d0 W102 American Jewish Historical Society. ! n2 _: w9 w1 t/ u) V
* M$ U% C6 W" \+ v' S! X
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued " [+ f D) E: Z* V; r# K
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his $ F1 |+ \3 ]0 A# G+ s* b
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- " g6 @/ f$ @: e$ g
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have . p) u0 G# F+ w0 o$ l- {
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of % V: }9 ?: [4 `% U; H U
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably , U e; n/ @2 L8 N- B, ~0 E
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
9 z- f6 z+ s: t" r5 A- k% vquests, as follows : & ?) P5 b2 N: A$ l! X5 m
3 [3 W- T& A, WHe thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
. @/ ?9 Z; M2 U- }5 s6 T& {. @ lhe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
& B$ x8 `/ p* P1 v9 ytheir relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
" [ g3 H2 l) q' C4 gnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will , J- {2 n% b& W$ K
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
/ Z2 s7 \: ]* s* i( w9 z4 H# `2 d' shis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in 3 O3 m; M' y7 E3 H7 W
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- 6 v3 L7 \6 j1 R/ H2 U6 |% q
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 2 ]' s7 \0 }5 U$ M
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of * g# T& T7 x1 ~4 d! v7 W$ N p* Z
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
, K, C' @; {) O2 b5 ~them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
/ R/ v6 A: f( m. {0 m0 v' iblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He * ^3 x/ ~; e- ?6 y
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 3 w7 A4 y' T# h: |' D- D& K% N, R
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
5 C+ q) e3 T' e' @institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish
/ ~% ~% m8 @1 a1 k6 T' s+ D0 ^religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 0 L R) B" m. l9 N
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
- _! }* _. U7 v% }/ u4 Lglide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of $ K8 Y" b$ |! X# W$ `4 @
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
0 n& U' Q6 M$ ginto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
& v# ]8 O4 Z$ Y9 C: S. zIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
- V( W9 S P& Atection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far 2 ^) U( S( @6 e* H
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost % Y- Z9 q$ l1 G6 D# m
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged * b0 j% p4 Z, D; u! v
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
6 e. Y# x7 k; ^/ |+ o) S6 D
& U( v0 J# H+ T° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because . V! V/ H2 j n* t$ a# g) w
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of / b2 C8 Y$ P; y( B, T% G; b
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their 2 T3 l" P1 x: @# K- _
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information 6 G$ }8 t$ h s7 R
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
4 ^2 w; K( _9 d4 o% J+ jtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
# m& \* s; B" y' Z9 @( B7 d* Zomitted no deserving Jewish community.
) u D/ m% p$ C! {3 q: y! K4 j
! h; c6 }* b/ B \; F# d
* y* j; ]: R) q* j) Q. b4 W! b7 C9 H5 f' J8 T3 l$ c
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 ! t" O1 i% t8 S. Q; ?8 `
! G* J) s7 U* u# E8 R% G8 w! ecrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early 9 e! N6 h9 B; e) L" P
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are 4 r9 N8 m, l3 f& ?% X
subjected.
6 y* L- e8 T5 Q6 C% H
/ y0 E0 M% I8 |# F$ bOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he % G) Y8 [: ~2 J& i# P- D7 `
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
5 |- p% g0 t% l; SSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
+ n6 K/ x. m i3 T Ling to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
2 O8 k5 `# e# [brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
% ?- V B% M; C* [9 Yish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
' K0 S. |6 \! i! `' Ztemptation.
" a: D% Z; @5 j P3 n' k
5 b% x% T% E) }& MAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
. n( V; C( i" J z& ]+ J0 |vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, # d- E! I' k) Q0 [# b, g4 W! }
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, 5 L. h5 n) ^3 B8 B& L7 A
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
. Y R7 S1 c8 n7 d' L, q/ ~7 fattended by delegations from the numerous organizations he - n# @6 U, i- |1 c8 k+ I
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the . ]5 y8 D2 {# q }( l8 M
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of 0 Y) H# Z( P- J1 g9 a
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
" e4 s% W4 u' O6 Q& E: D- k- ^his executors and all these delegations became the guests of & K8 B! r. S1 W1 k* D& W
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
& p3 E6 {' T5 l Q) `$ ]of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business . i" ^, Q* {% n2 W- U' f
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were : ]) C6 y4 F8 t' S9 c G v5 c* W
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
" m$ y3 n# m. O4 o" k0 _- ]3 Rphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew # q% H( u/ Q8 [+ h5 }) r. p
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
1 G' B$ B# \2 R+ jbitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of ( C" P# o( m/ A" ~3 D& } D
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans & S; ~. ~ \' D9 _- k P
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous / B# }" i* b# [5 V" e
philanthropy.
7 @: [8 Z4 m) ^/ v" d. s
6 H5 |: j1 Z8 u& E3 h0 K, d& w( o2 ]His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
9 H, ?/ b5 m2 N) |+ S& m8 llowing appropriate inscription : 6 Z) Z) O7 ]! c' ]( }
0 f4 \0 \+ p% K# o+ b% Q
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; 2 s; o- `% Z; ^! a
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it. 4 U3 `2 D+ D6 d1 s7 o" }- ]5 X
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
8 d$ r) Y1 m, B: ]/ { ?+ {3 uthropy # G0 N5 W0 ?- \5 y { q% t- {
To be remembered forever.
- k& b7 j" R/ Y" e* P# v* u9 " R* |' P2 P' t4 b% D. [% _
- e( j. L, f; K9 f: x
5 V) o2 ]: a' ^
# q: ]: T0 j2 k( c' W$ {104 American Jeujish Historical Society. " r' b2 {+ Q0 a* H
1 U1 E% o$ w& O" A0 |" \WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO.
; Z4 y7 b( `5 A
2 Y. _ i" d, U' fUnited States of America, - [2 a; O( l* ~& F
0 B) e1 l9 p" [ C# z* L
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. . s' Z- ^# G0 D, H& |
. ]: V( V" z* j; iBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
( d3 Z- @3 z# ]# ?our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence $ l$ X! b" z a a$ D4 P. p$ o' j
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter % Q( }7 S$ ?1 I0 r! g
before 10 o'clock a. m.. 4 O9 `' U. E, @6 {5 M
0 d2 t% p( }+ s- m+ j+ yBefore me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
+ a9 d5 H+ W8 C5 J! T8 i. [city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn,
" C; r" ^5 t( ^" Qand in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
. M Y; H! `2 y# `+ M, i6 Hherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
( B3 O C8 A8 I1 Dsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
, P6 Y5 d8 G) M3 x7 {5 v( u! _9 r
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, # u2 I) q! m2 y1 U5 x% x
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a / q3 T9 y1 p8 S* {% z! [& B: u
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
% F, m7 C5 M4 R- p# rsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the & `" R. r5 I) C3 t( ~( _' u& z
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah . s4 p9 a9 g( p7 T
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
/ r1 E/ P5 B( ~ ?+ p4 ]2 ?ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
! b' u! z* h/ V6 p; R3 }( wpresence of said witnesses:
* }6 }- r) n, j7 }" M( m) V
, J9 I5 O* D" c' M, A% x {/ y1. I declare that I have no forced heirs. 3 L- u/ D- o, i: R
- j( g9 Q( m9 |1 ~- x; z
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish ! d; X# h5 ^, Z ~0 Z- k
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after , m8 a$ s- `$ q, h
my decease.
3 f5 B! C7 Z g1 p
- ^0 i$ Y" s& n3 ~- p# Q, d, P3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
: f. z5 S' g h, \6 @5 r9 QRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
/ Y) Y P( b5 W! U6 z: cNew Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
* s# D4 Z( T* ]: K M. O, ?/ z+ FAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
! J" C7 d3 H+ Q# F- Z! {, ?" t/ c8 Xtors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
5 y C4 {" C+ R( ]ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said * S, d; ~' _% i1 J7 q/ M
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre ' |+ Y9 d: k' o w
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the + D7 {* Y2 s6 [+ m
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 1 D: R8 K( k: F8 ^! x5 z
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
' Q2 y5 t0 H0 ~7 ^1 q5 [; Malso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, & Z0 o* }% ?5 H D5 {
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would 3 I. L4 ?' B4 e5 B1 b
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors 4 |+ K4 E5 F, @2 j. t9 r) L, r( `
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say 3 c1 w8 G; O @2 u* m/ g6 P7 h5 z
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
0 T- O* g- h) Y8 Z$ N8 f6 Uunder Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
& N5 K0 {8 d' t @& r1 {tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
0 w$ U( G9 p/ @% |# `6 z) m
6 u/ Q. g- K* N6 J, G; e; l4 \1 K( R- ]0 X! O* C
: e h0 }$ f+ X1 w& N' JJudah Touro — Eohler. 105
5 q8 B7 M* }0 p9 Y
) n- F i4 e+ ? X, h/ ^I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep- 3 V0 C# v9 g7 W/ j; A7 B, ?
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
! o1 S2 t! T3 b5 F; aof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 3 ^3 X6 l; h) B
my estate, movable and immovable. 2 r5 g! F8 G; ]! l
- {; T, n5 B) L5 A. bIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more 5 K" V* @+ {1 L
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor 0 Y# G& b% k1 T/ e |7 `# [
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last , \# ~( V: J' Z1 y0 C! K/ ~' g1 N
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
\- l3 r- Q$ K6 v. i+ kof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that + V. G- e8 z) f6 W* L# r
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of * u( L+ h* @& B j
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- & Y9 r/ O# A1 { |
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made 7 W% `4 q1 J: [3 X% L
to them. ; p& m! p2 i+ h1 [/ ?7 A. u
9 C" d* x$ t/ |6 n# b4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
# O6 A' r0 L. K: J5 P; uforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until ( O1 j' R: D8 O; @
the same shall have expired. * i! B: v9 t5 ^% M* }4 H
9 |2 H5 d& y& O6 T7 [ S& @
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of 9 |8 v6 p2 F6 o Q* {* D
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner f7 I2 f+ I! q% n; F
directed by this my last will or testament. - U% G! ? D1 X V8 `( |# k& v5 r6 }* @' v
; d s( N* Y2 h: Z) M* I6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
. }! s: L, @) f* l- R$ W: L, epersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain ! C* a5 A A* R
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their ( G5 ]5 _& {( x
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of ; C, j) N0 ~" p6 X6 u. q
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
+ s, O4 Y9 |5 ]# p d' ^# r; A4 xthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
a Y; N: Q V5 G. d5 Zthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David & Q" S n' ^& N7 Z) k
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- ) w' K2 m- V- e
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- . f7 R# X$ c* H/ s0 p
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their 1 {; A' G s3 }- E5 J2 t7 y
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by / H/ O# N8 X, N( p6 Z. [
my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- ; Y. a2 v5 r! J' l2 y. ]
strictions. : E0 Y4 E1 M9 `. A$ v3 n
7 w) n, J4 G: k
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New + y" R, n3 H0 d6 v" Z! A- g3 d _
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
+ ?( t# Y5 w/ ]% l0 xsale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
# m6 W7 K ^. ~; L( W/ qnow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
0 n y: g5 a& A4 \' @, l! U \0 }templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
& a' |$ @3 y, m/ R7 ~itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
* z, I2 v7 b& P- }ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them 5 W9 z/ R, a& \$ Z+ B- W
conformably with the laws of Louisiana. + [3 u% Y% X4 d7 a0 N2 ]
% A: M5 K8 h2 y& J5 S" ~2 N8 }8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
8 }2 e7 n) b8 p3 y( YNew Orleans five thousand dollars. & t# ^# Y+ Y( b d, i1 |, G
9 L+ d, P& E* K- T9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
; s) z* P% |- K1 s; z& ]garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
: s6 v y& e7 Z5 `# S. c) m) f# U+ N" {9 Q# n: k
1 {* ~) q, W# M6 B1 ]1 h3 ~% l$ O
( e$ b: V, p* l106 American Jewish Historical Society.
; Q2 E. K% l( ^
- W- h6 M$ [7 F) M! s1 t9 Z9 m10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
- {: x" N+ b) Y# N) _7 G& pNew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
4 Z V, W' K9 h5 @/ {1 I
' c( \7 y; K3 s: S11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
/ U. b( _- Z7 Kof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
+ m& b9 G" Q. [6 X3 M6 E; q
" N2 S) @/ D' `; m! e12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
8 }9 J% H; F9 v+ Z& K" ?Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. 9 t$ `8 x- V! `' E2 P+ `
$ w- G# d0 Y6 X" _4 W
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
" t, f+ P5 S3 ?2 {% Otute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
. u3 e1 U8 }7 K1 i+ U+ q" w
+ l# X4 E$ E6 |% j$ Z14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief 4 {1 i y3 ]5 {6 V/ J- C8 b
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
" u1 P+ K5 {8 N+ P+ m$ rlars. 6 X' y& r: M: U' k: \4 E: b
2 ^$ S: F/ Q; q @ ?
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
0 u" u8 o" a" g! w2 e1 zAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- + w! E" m' ?; H* }
sand dollars. . {& E0 G. @0 }
( w* ~+ J* h, u2 {& R Q. x16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- 0 h0 I j! n5 t, H, R
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is 2 J" n' S6 U, t1 r% J( Y
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
7 i7 K/ _- w7 M. \$ w/ { W0 E! `dollars.
3 L" q# u8 p: n+ }. F/ z7 A; C; [4 U. q1 H9 q1 w9 c- Q5 d8 n
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
$ U' p9 J Q9 z( l7 k6 qfive thousand dollars.
1 X/ C' c. E8 V% s1 d& S a, `" h) b: u
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- & ]; j& \( U% Y; u v" g* Y
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
+ Y+ \: O3 s3 b( T3 k. F# _! i1 }3 M3 P
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
% o& e, i r9 [; w6 a- ~District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 0 l9 I' c! c0 J; c
7 ^3 [) t# u0 W x20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an 9 U9 b, |" Q/ W' L( Z
" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of # M( Z1 p% n$ L0 I. ?) i) E8 U
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity ' y3 | u5 a% R* I3 z
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) . q1 ^) ?% P* W2 ?
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be 8 k) {( [% S8 q& ?5 \7 C \
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
, O9 p4 ?2 y7 v- z [after my executors shall have legally organized and established
' e! d$ w" I" k$ O0 W0 F. Xsaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to ; i3 K2 W$ s( Q: e% P
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- & p: k8 B; e( I1 r# y4 C
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
0 O8 h; y4 U9 w/ Y% K5 y1 \jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
8 }: ~& C$ U7 L8 d1 w% v% Acessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control # }1 V) l' M, p Q( l, n
thereof. 3 L$ C" [( c- i' L- N
7 s2 i/ S- s* P6 B21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
( j) F, G$ ~' Q! M3 _2 [# n$ O$ XRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that & R O& N5 B6 G) J& X
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
6 W& u1 ]7 U. _( i3 h7 x5 Hproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept X! w0 e4 e9 _7 _( t; K. \" X
as a public park or promenade ground.
; v/ V) _5 A/ r; E1 x7 G% ^, ^4 `$ ?% @
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
; D6 }. t$ [% [2 Paforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. ( n3 Y9 @! E( k+ S3 s. [$ m
6 T: D( R3 P9 t9 Z0 x
( ~& ^ c% h( F5 I% c- C: o2 h3 p
Z9 `% n$ p. T% \+ c0 KJudah Touro — Kohler. 107
4 m3 w3 j9 \8 V. Y7 U2 ^7 J5 d) D. x* }/ O- E) r" W
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay # Z% _) J! Z4 w8 V- w
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. $ `4 f7 {5 X& Z5 Q& D% g! I7 r
$ S" z# S, d1 ]
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
; o" C) [ X, q+ T. F* Xford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. ! g; s: \ G. h( l) [
& I: c% N) a8 X- h25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New 2 \: w: H- p7 Z, X4 q$ A% c/ k
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
- }9 S: j+ E/ }5 A& H% |) _
4 N7 p# ~5 E" M+ F" b26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, 7 _# |- m7 M! n) Q! B
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and , F0 K4 Y9 M7 O# S2 Q
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), 4 A+ s! y, e) L8 N
ten thousand dollars.
' @$ ?; D6 Z" Y
6 |( V2 P g8 y- L27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir " p9 R; W h1 ^! A
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
' Q6 `, v& h, d* T- O+ t' d# c' D9 hameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
}" @% x/ x- |9 m# @, a6 R2 c8 qthe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
6 s# e4 R' p" q6 Sworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without 6 G$ ?/ E2 v7 N6 o
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- ! y" y) x& V! v
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
/ D: {9 ?! k3 D) uthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
$ G$ `/ J n! Y: _, uas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
0 o. M# G( D: q4 Qany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- ; H/ Y1 u4 T! |
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and / E4 \0 }- H/ z2 e* [" D! T
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars 5 |; E; h/ R" I! h* }
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the 7 d H9 ^$ r, Y" e' R
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
8 d+ U: ]8 \; m" o! Y" J7 Acan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
+ t. Q. S s) D/ X$ lof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 8 T0 Q0 n; G* m1 S7 w2 o: ]
my last will. 3 q9 f2 v' F( \+ e
: G2 Z1 l ]8 w: A6 e28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
X" Z7 U' A% F; Z3 Dhave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
& O% V* {2 F! }: i2 a! Cwhich in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, 1 ]- R( M( j9 O
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
" U( Q2 C( W8 Nrespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
4 s& h0 G! g; k7 Nthereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
! w% \1 Q9 Q i* F; [# idesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
# |; g1 G: m8 H' U, c, sexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- - L/ q$ y& D- r4 q! ?+ s8 L& q
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to , n8 h$ B' R+ v
inherit in the premises according to my wishes.
% {# }7 k0 i' I! h$ ?$ ?$ L3 m& K' d( S6 X# Z
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the & }7 J, X, Z9 K# V
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. 6 S) |/ M1 r3 g1 B0 Q5 I2 U$ a6 h
* |8 _ I% `& C1 M+ L4 k
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society ! G3 H, M" X& o
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. ! m& v9 q( i0 T( b! |+ q
7 s; k" d! B" R' `
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society ) h9 s3 [3 J) _- Y: |6 p7 u
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
5 m3 P/ r# y7 n1 p* U f1 y& k( n( y1 q+ G" {0 H! v3 `
3 ?4 j: O5 E% I/ x0 k# c' l/ c m$ P% I
108 American Jewish Historical Society. 9 l0 A. Y3 ^+ q6 n: i# j
- {/ i+ W, o, a+ U: \32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
2 X V3 C: F5 O0 k2 {9 a7 P4 Dattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
9 u, s3 X3 W3 qCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand : r6 }: T D) [7 k, M, N, _: _' E
dollars.
! o* D/ F, G, C% m0 E' l8 L9 _) y* l$ G7 o+ ?
33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- ' u$ x+ d6 @: w: u/ h
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, ' _5 l; }1 L+ Y B
the sum of three thousand dollars. - O4 c% F$ a; e. j P! ~
& R- D5 e4 N' H% E5 @; [9 ~34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
9 K) }2 ~* d, Z$ m- egarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. $ J0 y: w+ Y+ ~: F" c! A# G
5 C5 V! S& m. l
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
% @2 s4 V7 [. R5 P* Rthe City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
% [! _9 U) f8 S2 Y5 \* va directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
8 s& N: }3 ]: m( HKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. : o. W$ v' L1 B
2 m0 ?8 w m! x! Z- ?
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
( t, {/ ?* n3 q2 d# s1 D6 Yciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
! C: f/ S8 _0 u& {5 o' ~" R4 |8 Olars.
7 Q& v8 P# `+ s( T5 i$ O. N; g/ G( z! y+ y
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of 0 s1 X8 S! F! w2 R2 |' R# D
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
! g" t3 a4 z- B4 ^$ v0 D" W6 V( Z$ \+ r$ g9 \* S4 d0 x0 M
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
! q! _% m7 H0 h x. o1 u5 ~: rdelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. 8 c9 S7 W v: [( o! z6 j
$ T3 p/ y: H( m39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
, y; p2 T! p2 p( T' e$ |Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. & `% W% H) A0 t- Z7 R$ d
0 p% B; H; X, F: a3 M0 {
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth \# H3 v0 b( e+ `" V
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
- ?6 z3 r5 k! Y* A) e& Z% ?* t. ?8 A) S
41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith & S, ~1 C/ j3 `5 [/ N8 z
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
0 J" b: S1 I" W2 q) ~# Jdollars.
9 i+ p, C1 ]5 s/ ^, X9 L: q( g# s6 M2 j" A! Z
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 7 C9 @/ i! x- m9 T% _
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 6 t! b b' l% Y9 D
5 n2 g' A; J8 g! ?# p: n43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve ; {% A* n# a4 }
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars. , Z& f2 ^4 Q2 h
2 }) y6 Q6 K/ a0 [4 {
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- ( U2 J2 I/ {: E
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 5 b1 ^2 @2 z+ m" J1 k
. U! J* k9 d ~, B
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- * Z( N1 d9 d& g
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
/ o G* `7 T4 }" s5 C7 k. N2 `$ v4 @
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas & ?: ]5 b8 G6 \4 m. n
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. / ~+ G" ^ B7 @7 f1 H+ g/ J
0 D, S6 h( y5 ~$ A% }+ c5 G. r! h
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
6 ~0 `% v& J6 qrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
& R3 c3 A1 B) f& }' {2 _
1 V% A, m7 y8 Z% g; S) p48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
# ~# ~* d" I$ Pdim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. 0 N7 H# |; B- u8 h5 a
1 ^+ u7 b: L& D, I5 X7 M# v2 x49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, . @% w8 ^- K0 U
Ohio, five thousand dollars. : J3 u }+ }: L! ^$ }
( `/ y! R7 O+ h' F1 ?2 M3 f" p5 ?- h+ M# I- D
4 _# q4 n6 V6 W; W6 |, K% q
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
3 h7 V5 x$ _! d( ^# A
: [5 R9 z( N1 P4 x" i, c50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth . Q% N- ?4 K* d; }
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. & E, q7 S z# G) _: x; p
$ ^0 f" ?; t, A; C
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai 9 E* g5 U! _0 K6 H
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
+ p1 o2 `& x" c1 ]% S2 f* \8 V1 z7 X9 b0 S$ O; Z' i& S
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," $ L% n" W8 H/ ^# R R6 i
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
2 @ t& c+ ?7 J$ Q0 b" Z4 T3 _2 s4 u6 j, e7 _9 x4 F4 P7 E
53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth 1 A. r& B( H- _& g2 n
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. & p0 B: m) ]. B( ` W+ v5 d2 W
5 W% n+ Q3 l2 K
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, ) Y" f! t `8 M8 H" _. }" l" G
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- + a( R; \7 v6 e& ^
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: # |! h% b' W& D: e5 `$ K
; H' r7 J( r! o1 h0 E7 E( VFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, . W7 j) m, S9 z1 N) h! L3 [, g
five thousand dollars. * D, U0 k, p, J1 `/ N/ |' R
7 U3 I4 N% B4 j( A: lSecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
) V: S. O7 ~# Q' Efive thousand dollars.
1 H0 S1 U( {) r' b! z" W- T9 y* k# A& i4 Q" z" {' ~0 [" l ^/ u9 K& M
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
+ Y6 h* \4 u; e4 I' s& Ysand dollars. + D$ P! { |, J. {! F5 T
( I9 N6 C4 ?! n1 |: W' q4 ]* [9 X
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
( k R3 s/ F b* ]4 {# Mpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
* M& X. D$ T+ L5 Z0 ?+ W$ Lish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
9 m/ }9 I! {" h$ \0 Iistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
$ ]+ x! V. R7 P7 U0 k! L5 UJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
$ e2 h5 i8 |& Z }% kappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner f% h/ k" J, I3 g* q6 f
as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
0 x/ {: ]5 Z [# [of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
" M8 q4 W( G; S7 ~that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
3 v' Z8 J9 {2 o8 j; N; o. Lfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
! |) Q! s+ t7 x { Qcontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
" N6 v7 G3 g6 y$ zthe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
) J, w, q; F/ d( n0 K) mof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the 4 J" _& c* W0 z3 m( F- c
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
`1 U( M. Y8 C" \# Vthe said David and said Nathan H. Gould. / e1 Z7 R, Q/ S) `! a: V9 [
/ _. n8 E% Q) U! y) g% W
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine 6 V% c; a- s* r6 J
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind ; v2 D% V- h) O
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
$ t7 |) a& S' J6 {' r( @
- }6 f$ O7 `' d57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and & e& K2 M$ t; B) i/ Z& s& J
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
) h3 w5 Y6 r3 c jRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be 4 Y, }/ C0 \ {( L' x) b
equally divided between them.
, J! }$ b; |8 M! }! }
5 } W' B% f9 z) t" p58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
4 p; D0 Z0 Y+ W# B8 Vthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
4 C& | R+ f dVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
7 C! h S& N# o# }5 n7 Dremembrance.
$ d$ P* ^( B! s4 X+ x h5 g# A: D( y; I. ?1 {- L! U
" y1 D5 }* e& F/ e3 ^) D( ^" B2 D$ k* ]- m
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
( K- R& o0 n! \: L' c. x3 f
* x! S4 O4 y( R, F59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
* L' F9 k3 X" x+ H/ kof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of + c0 C4 v. r b( e
my esteem and kind remembrance. * C( G9 x& \2 M) P8 m/ ~5 a! {
% F( G+ b. A6 x- U60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
* O3 I! u% v7 s6 j0 Cmy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
" c1 g& u& V. p* _2 htoken of my regard.
6 z/ \5 \3 D6 Q* V5 l: F
# p ~5 m( @3 X2 g: e. [: X, p61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
9 T1 G- _$ l0 Q8 u8 z, k0 gmy friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
; t& N/ s7 v/ O- g. E. f: Dwife, to be equally divided between them.
+ L- \- V, D% M' h4 i' M7 C6 f$ n! T' `, c2 [5 Z9 {6 I# |
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to # K% V8 G) c5 u# u3 R. {
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of 8 W8 k+ V- C& Y# l& ]+ S
my remembrance. & x+ c# N( I5 L0 D, @
( F' W- g( P. G1 T
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, , d% \1 t( U0 Y# ^0 ]4 [4 f& V
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
( y6 |: N3 \ R1 Hecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- B A3 O% L' m
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase ; I$ ^+ B2 W+ K' w, h0 \ Q
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
# L) N5 Z# O. H& d5 d9 p |% i7 Fregard.
2 i- j! S! F/ l# V
- @. D: M$ y5 c( B ?0 L64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
1 j; `$ X/ t( C2 gto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
& u! b7 O) ~. Z2 imemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, $ O" Z/ |0 c) f, I" J" J) K
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. 9 c" j0 w# f% L ^: P2 o
! a1 y$ \1 l. ]$ K8 P% g# Q) u0 r65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
4 B, E r# j2 B# z( q0 j' y: ]# O2 Mto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable ! s4 g1 _8 P4 e' `
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
/ U7 J4 R0 k6 w. DMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have ; [0 J5 j! r# O, i
made previously to these presents. : C7 d' `' O9 S2 H
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Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to 4 b6 j# c+ t. `8 p" Z& M K2 L: ]
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
& F# m; X6 R4 Q! H3 d5 ?/ [herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
9 f) c9 m, H& b$ Wsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own - u. D, R) H7 d8 U( i4 `8 K
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
# [0 J7 s4 m2 {2 u* `% X7 V# Ztestament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
3 Q [( a! Q) Bence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same 0 Y- L9 O: L+ K; e
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
# l5 }, ^5 B% V( u& Q1 P7 a& x- G
$ L7 W" ?& k. _1 G5 c. fAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
J' c/ i$ C1 ], ting aside to other acts. / M8 i. ?9 Z% v; N0 _ |5 r/ J6 d
~4 {$ l; Q; q' {5 C! j6 ?/ jThus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
6 J M4 e) y- a4 Usaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and & H& D$ g6 u& U9 z: i* d; ^" l: o
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
/ E) k% a; C- x# VMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, ! I- P! K' _( Y' _1 a: l6 ^0 D
6 E6 k, Z- @: E0 B* h
9 q8 Q1 |8 x# P& z" @8 }( F
& t5 f& K7 d/ F1 GJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
/ Y) u4 t" g& Y ]5 [, J+ t$ ~testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
, Y4 P. h1 Q3 {% `names. (Signed.) 9 h) \9 e( ^; C0 q4 I
, |2 F) D% P" y2 A+ IJ. TOUEO, ! B9 E- V" G# b8 L
0 W4 p7 Q! O& |$ K* I7 `$ A
J. Montgomery, + v' ^- b Z- d) @) z8 G& o; ~' I
5 _! i/ B/ h( A; O( ?H. Shepherd, Jr.,
1 |& D" y5 C" p/ r
- ~" s- b. i9 i$ sGeo. W. Lee, / N# I3 \+ W7 X, k& y* u) e
; u O0 ? j# }' l% o
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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$ `: L8 p1 U% y& s. f$ C/ L+ i5 G8 q7 P, p& F
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
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