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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND % k- _) B0 M3 X. t5 K: ]2 c4 h
PHILANTHROPIST.
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# ^& N+ C0 g0 D! ~, ?By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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# n, u& s* f6 Z3 m3 \1 ?8 S& k7 hReprinted from . u D$ m, j# ^- f0 g |
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Publications of the 8 \* `) i$ u' r
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American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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No. 13, 1905. - N1 ~& K3 [1 @$ J4 x
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. z! n/ e/ D/ YJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
& c. s \; u, ^, G! f7 |PHILANTHROPIST.
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B.
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It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
3 [) }0 S4 L1 _: B2 o' G; _Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
! O! W1 J( Z# ^nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
. h# _" s3 J5 x5 tname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating " |% P# C% V7 L7 h% J% N
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
, ^* f {8 K, H: kmation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
& U% l* ?" f8 h- i! A. xconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's 7 F, b% y+ T! c4 V
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
; t3 j0 W, e% othe very name of one who would probably by common consent " y# E" q3 G% G5 i( K x6 V
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
2 i6 X; j5 |8 l4 Bfirst half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
3 k6 H' f5 D: g, brelations between the investigations of local historical socie- , V$ m$ ~9 @2 e3 E7 [8 @: T: ^; @7 F
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account 1 a! I5 C4 T" P4 Y
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
- Z9 }7 p; v9 Uignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such 4 O" O* o) v1 U- i( V3 b& ~
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
9 j; Z3 E' p- q8 F Q9 R8 r% \torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- " C1 S. g# `# b2 i, A
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
2 j6 p" p* e4 ^+ g) gquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
8 k& J9 D& F: E) Ktary history of his . $ R4 e' e3 h$ K+ E6 s/ v) M
3 P( V3 U5 O+ V& l# D% N8 XA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written + z! n) J1 ?1 D
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by 0 _3 u6 ^+ [9 U$ C T, G( }% x
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
( M8 ? r+ C" H ]' E+ H/ kfactory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
' O5 m+ K# T4 @* B2 K9 ?; I# Chigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
" z [1 @3 Z/ J0 D) A' G2 _Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
8 k$ Y v) |5 c& u; D* b
* [: E/ f8 C! ^" V2 r) f' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- 0 ^$ n; s, s7 N" p: B8 m5 K* _
chants," published in 1856. # z0 c# D" V! P; X+ h$ v
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94 American Jewish Historical Society.
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reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- , c2 D9 t( R8 F, B; X; u
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
+ B; N4 I' [9 `, Ileans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; . Q G* m, i6 Y. L, ^: k* s2 K5 l# s/ o
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be , X8 k# ?! N5 i% R
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- ( T7 }5 h; c( e
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
1 X/ o$ [& M; l0 o# i6 e9 Zsketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
+ _- Z: d; y) l) k, Zreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago 6 d' D, Y! U! l6 Z# F ?3 E
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant. " k0 @5 {8 v$ y9 d! V, T. E2 F
Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
0 V* }! M3 [5 L/ b5 }: X: [in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy 1 V% _6 G! V: ~. R( _
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
, r# e9 ^3 U& E4 Y9 s nmaturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
+ O- ?5 N* T) `0 u6 f( ?0 _guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and ^! w" j! W% ]; Y% d; e& g
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect - n) b) w* k/ T7 i
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish 5 l2 `0 b* _8 E7 e
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
' m3 w# r$ ~; x- Junprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic ; J$ W) M- M" `1 T m5 F
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
: y# x1 }7 [0 }' j2 w/ x( Vmunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore " S9 v5 d0 D8 y4 ?4 q) h
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
: b% p6 S+ H! }disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
. `. P* _# V5 }foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
0 {- E! r% N' X) L! Dsince been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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+ S& V6 [+ X# k5 R' @$ PJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
; F" t& _+ A$ g$ X/ p16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- * R9 @) A, [* u" u- A' y
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
/ P( Q- y& D/ N/ w5 Sbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
" u& |8 A# E: k2 `( uister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
" B7 G0 i, W, C# p/ `! ^of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by + o/ N8 [0 I* `: M
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
! ]1 v( T0 N6 d: x& @& g C3 R9 w/ otery being more than a century older, and concerning whose & S% B7 e9 x/ q( {0 s5 M
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac 1 p* d5 `. p0 }4 B6 Y6 }2 K8 P
1 [6 j. m! N: E5 L! M# Q0 j
' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
7 ~+ F! C7 [# ?# W& y1 Y' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- ! h2 ?5 v4 w8 S
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- / z7 A4 }( m9 J% a! C. W8 ^3 v
9 {9 k/ [) h4 l" V: c7 I' t$ Y7 Y; E9 L9 @3 b$ c" n5 h% ?
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Gift
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(Person^
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! |5 m# r, s1 h H$ H8 e, lJudah Touro — Koliler. 95
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
# ? l) d7 p$ [in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
! ^4 H; X: h8 \- t* ?$ SEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and 8 O3 J4 l, u$ ~* G [* u
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- 8 t' L6 c+ W; B. ^
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
4 X: H& Y6 J( K7 \6 }during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- 7 L0 Z s l0 ?
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December + T( Z0 U$ p' ]8 m
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
! b$ z1 j5 D& ^+ v) fand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, " [4 S4 g7 j0 v8 M. l$ E
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- 9 r& f8 K/ n0 @& B' `/ v1 I
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- / t& P8 j: |& ]
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
# E2 J9 U, S" t3 H% X. `+ d2 qAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
0 m' \3 r) C8 M* Y C3 X, m. n) E- Gthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood $ F! @, Q6 J9 c& h0 o: c+ R
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were % q6 ?' w$ j# l6 S
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- , o; s7 R+ { i, X0 F
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views $ D4 ^+ j4 ]; p# O, N
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
& R' n- W+ R% acompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays 5 F3 q- D8 T) ?; Y0 `
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the 7 p& i( M. r" l% q( E. f( G% [
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
4 M% A" R" l' w' F& B- cMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
# l' S1 _7 [+ L& h; bfirst American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
9 p2 w4 I5 e; P( a( j9 }/ D: x+ Mwhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
0 J8 G- x# Y9 {) y' }ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these ; S$ g- q, O# @! `8 Q3 |/ R t
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
& m* @- o5 A2 R3 G" linduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase 0 O& C6 C! D x$ o
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and 0 [" a: N3 I0 _! C+ U7 g
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and 1 z) m5 e; r; t
' h2 I1 ^. ?2 ^ z- r utrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., , {. e% }1 j2 J
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
3 b1 \- \9 _3 N% {# z8 @; U \7 B+ U8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
5 D$ W# \9 Y0 ]and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
, y! v, r0 ?# h5 c+ B6 ? gof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- . F" G. k3 G' C. T( Q: K; \
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; 9 @* W* p* i' p. E
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." 6 R$ G5 C& o3 d9 F$ Y/ u8 R
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1 @- e0 h0 R9 q+ F2 A e5 P96 American Jewish Historical Society.
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
( V( ^7 N9 R8 L+ U0 y1 q) a1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. 6 d9 Q; b" U4 {% {# @
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
$ s- B( {+ ~% F( L7 Q* J$ oThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
, y/ y2 Z0 E. M& [& m8 t) @- d5 z ]vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
% _) X2 V D3 ^3 v% cmercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
7 S" n. m9 }+ b8 T$ dvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a 0 M+ F3 v- |; b7 c: w
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after 2 O7 W9 R8 e# w# N" o T% f4 v
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
, a# C' o9 I0 o" Mknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
: a) t9 t! f! \, [* _( ]% |9 Yment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 4 [1 P+ X- l1 s& ?& F
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
* h6 V6 d5 v+ h6 M+ M! NNew Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- ; g' M# ^0 S5 Z4 r, I* Q
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- ?# |/ W7 t* m$ L4 Z
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
% I% S2 U9 O- D8 w& H9 C9 F6 x1 o/ |into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
; f3 y z( T) |) J. N8 Nfrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George
N) [- [0 Y H5 ABancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
4 y X! Q) s0 X2 F4 tTouro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- ' k1 ` e. E6 M/ f. y5 F
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws 5 i' B9 I& J8 p
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
# }: {; E' a& d M1 x/ Bhis cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their ' _1 ?0 `: b/ M
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- # r. B1 I2 M' v# o
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
" C/ Y, X8 U9 w$ K% A5 Rand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, 0 Y4 }: b3 H1 g" J9 x
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very 1 j8 B: t( e1 B+ D: e% [
month in ignorance of her death.
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4 G! [% K# Z7 @! W) OAbraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- 2 Y0 \- a* N& `/ T4 v
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an 7 J' j/ m) Z/ m
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his ' H$ ?( m+ F) t9 o! ?
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
" Q/ d [/ w; l5 |, V! j7 ?9 L3 ~port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
" r) _" d8 {+ z, `8 rscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
+ \; C6 N. x6 Ua substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
" {% A8 b, y2 E5 z7 cwhich he made further provision by his will, which contained
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3 @ Y8 J! k+ J2 Z& AJudah Touro — K older . 97
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3 }3 z: |5 Z5 Ca number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston 2 {( }3 x5 A& g" U* _; A8 p
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
- t3 e" V( L; E; zNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
* s) p$ a' I; {1 x" i" ~: ?: o) Uto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
3 P. |+ d2 i' k7 q8 t$ e$ cnizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. * H: ` c8 ^6 { \) b" ^. A
$ ]0 B3 @, u- U+ z! t2 WEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
1 U* u/ u, a4 M4 n6 |4 sically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
8 x& E$ u, y7 ~% U m5 X1 F$ vthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
# p4 d) Q/ ^7 r9 @2 N7 d$ k$ O1 Kin order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- 0 a; R2 m/ `" W5 g1 d) o6 R
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- 8 ]6 P( {+ t1 I8 m
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
+ `: J9 l" m3 u! v" }, cthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 3 m2 U% Z+ Y: J3 \/ {
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- - j; d% w' X. f0 P0 c
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
. _4 t# o, t: E1 W+ u; mhe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. {! r2 r, y; G# w
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
$ X- G( {$ z0 F5 [: Hhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
- t( u4 \' K# Fwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later 2 W; j1 A1 v( p( ~
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
& W2 [+ d' h! y& sShepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- 4 x% P0 A- ]( u% B
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
$ C& n' k- C4 |* p m1 y# X6 B5 \6 Uherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large 1 }( N7 }7 Q: z7 V3 C4 S" q
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
9 Y( {- o4 N6 Y7 Uso that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
" z' F% X8 F# Z" `- E$ x3 R" wscribed in the will itself. ' r4 X4 ?2 D* @
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
L5 r$ z( o4 f |to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
) ?& K0 z1 P( ^* R0 ~a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other ' B$ @) z* y& o
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his - D) H C7 C3 \, C: ^ j
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- $ O6 Z& K/ g+ x; I! a; u, b4 Z
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
* H5 R1 Z. {/ n1 z* Avessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
3 }' _5 `* B- r1 _2 l! v" q3 C6 Y& emany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
8 M7 d$ R( l! l3 W% [cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his $ t/ X7 Y* w% h: F: o R5 t9 z
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in 0 A2 l$ d! d3 d5 l2 G
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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98 American Jewish Historical Society. / i* J9 T3 D4 Q; V8 q- o
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
; }& U3 n6 V+ u" j9 X! \stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- , j- v* Z4 y; ~: F9 s3 A
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- $ b+ R4 b# m# F% E- t
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
0 O4 u H$ [! E D7 P% j0 Z; mthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
2 c8 G' w2 Q. \$ U+ Y8 c3 C2 Sof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
7 |* y6 I2 w8 w. r/ s- c% h4 zHis neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
& C& R8 r9 p; @0 ^5 nby his movements. In his business he rarely employed more 6 Y$ N" _$ T! q4 ]8 k* Q6 M" ]
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
& e% B$ U8 o7 d! @1 y# Ntom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset. . k m2 J8 ]. `( m
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well 1 r6 u. r. }! R
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder-
5 v% ]: [/ m& Z8 F: k, f/ B0 y2 {1 Mstanding. # k, `4 D; d) K
: }& Y! r5 K: _It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was : |+ I0 `% e* m8 D2 X# K
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of 1 V1 H: U- u \' W3 n$ L
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to ; h" d8 |( u% n4 I6 o
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made ; z, i/ W2 t( ?5 \
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
6 b/ p! C' @4 S+ Upists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- , ^! C' i0 d# T: c) S& H+ P
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, 6 h& u* C- ]2 d! N; J( e7 g4 F
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- ) w( |# X, O+ [
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
3 {* R H4 [* G" {+ \# khis whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- ( K3 _9 o$ F7 N0 j. X0 l
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
6 Y% s5 \) q. m: ]' }" uOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- 9 k" `# o6 q$ \9 Q( F( N
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
0 c! F2 }) g# ]) Nhad won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than & U |. P+ J2 p, }7 p
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring
, a+ E. _- ~% q6 d9 Z1 P' F! Mwarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
% S/ W% c" m1 M' Y! ^, ehim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
& `' d7 ~) s2 F9 l3 }' j; ~" L/ itions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little 8 g- X7 F" Y+ @" }0 D. D4 q
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble 6 f, x; Y: V2 J/ G- ~! Q2 Y
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
, o8 a+ y/ {* Nglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
3 j: f- b9 ?$ Z! phands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his : B9 `4 D+ @' T& O5 E& R$ p0 q
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 9 ~' `+ o' i4 D0 x
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Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99
0 K M3 a% R% j$ ?+ J4 j
, ^' Y3 Q$ ] @# ?9 Bpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
5 u1 k4 S5 g6 M$ Z% Fa man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- 1 l% T- V# F6 s$ |. z3 b
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
3 R6 u. S; V6 fwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
q7 q& \ V0 ~' i, Vaside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
8 f. y6 k7 e- I) L Nbewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a 0 t0 c0 a+ r' { [9 [
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
5 U8 h$ _) a" F$ z' F& y; R- Jof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
+ z, ]4 D" z+ u2 u9 X, Zdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large 4 _9 ]! g! a: Y8 h
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the M7 q, }5 e+ [ A' O1 y8 }
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
8 p) y# [8 `: P" m: Ucence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 1 A {" ~1 ?4 ]% m% l5 p
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise 3 z$ r$ {5 S; V& A
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall - L2 e$ } N* B) A3 ~! [' E' s
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, % C, ~$ k+ h) t' Q
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
) g9 m/ S7 @( \ `deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
6 x0 m0 E! w! @/ U% ^gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
, o- m: x E8 U$ w# W2 G1 |passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was
; D. L8 c ^0 c/ S9 E) ~a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
8 ~. i; R- U# W* P! M! ufrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
- L0 M! m$ `, O# \! J1 lstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
) }: N" y9 Q- V. G5 }( r* uand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
7 r+ D+ J$ O# _& {tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
! d3 m1 P( z, l4 w7 e* Dliberal and benevolent deeds."
+ _ q4 ?+ L: b1 c8 N
% i: ?8 B+ x* K. L% ?9 K. z9 ?Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess " L; @% j7 z m* Y# [) f
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the ( o0 g5 r# @3 u7 t2 w' _9 R
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
5 A8 m; F: W0 J' @& |% ltions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they 4 G- X& t- T$ u2 ~$ y) P: ~. r+ O( q
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when
* V6 q% x- k. B r$ ~3 U- a' wlarge gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as 3 x6 b3 A1 i3 V Z9 u
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards 3 M) ^& V' _1 l- o' g: h
the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- 4 P2 T) L. S1 V% D' D2 }& B6 x3 Z
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up # A3 o) x8 @& r U, _
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid + [3 m- M! I. \5 A: c3 ?
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
' C& n4 d1 B* o5 U9 \* k1 G6 B! k% Y- I8 N; b9 z
$ Z& R. X/ `7 Q7 K2 B% T# z6 K
5 o& U: Y: X0 e100 American Jewish Historical Society.
- } L; L/ |7 t; R9 [
- H) s& n! ?3 F; B6 A8 ?/ rAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material % i$ W9 R' ?5 E% A* l1 A4 H$ X
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward 1 p$ x$ J9 h6 b& s* e
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
( E }) ~* l: D( yoffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
3 [. u$ J( G2 s" s$ x a. wAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
: S7 ~5 V6 b& _ hsary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
, G# r$ d# z( i# B6 u$ Y, Kdignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his $ c3 O' v- ^- q
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he 9 G; U# x3 f3 I/ {7 Z
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- / A. t0 ]/ f. D8 z% |
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
$ L# n, M& S1 r7 L) E* k9 fish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 6 t5 |: {2 a/ h2 [7 z/ v
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
) A, X, R' O9 hand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication - m2 n7 F* r* W4 v" C' j. a
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of % i3 x7 _5 H' Q9 q& C, I
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
% r5 n c6 N& Vwas commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
6 G7 K/ V/ X; F7 F9 D! E$ n# Dlines, since become famous :
- a, Z* p7 l7 p! o+ v/ M
) j6 U. ^/ A. D# gAmos and Judah — venerated names! 2 s4 W8 `# ~0 O2 T' _- Z
/ D* L1 Q: l; ^' g8 LPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
% [4 } k }1 C$ i* I) m" w5 [0 W8 J5 W$ c: a
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
) Z* b H' {+ ^2 ^0 w
5 |3 C1 V, ^+ H, \( `0 F- IEach aids the work by giving it a check.
+ X3 d0 x* A" b, K' `4 J8 x' A& z8 x( Q5 t: ~2 S5 g# }% V% D
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan — ( O. ^; f! E: u- F4 g
; P# J5 A- M4 m: a+ [1 n1 HFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 1 k8 y9 L& V# k4 ]
: p) g! A5 b; |0 P Z# _) o- `
Judah Touro's private benefactions were munificent 1 I/ F/ ]# [5 `4 W1 `5 z
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often 7 r% S% W. A! Y* l7 s
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
1 p$ x% r; k% [: }8 Cin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
% S5 u5 w% z$ C" t `tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
+ V8 R) ~, o( w0 d" q0 {ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
3 d) p2 e* T- u; U+ U0 B# O+ h000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
7 X4 a) ]8 ]+ m& q8 z4 sby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
& M) s! K& ~4 Ting itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
" c5 B) X; D. j/ V* hoccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
- E6 R1 G8 W7 {4 Q# dmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- % \* i$ S7 g4 U
0 E' ]0 i" x, C+ {. t+ L: K
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. + L1 k/ K& J4 o) w0 }3 j
, g9 c# p6 {) p6 T( }) `# J
& [* G# ? ^$ G3 j; q" r3 ]+ ]2 d' X0 W: W6 C }
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
4 ], V, M( `2 D+ J! |
' \. y+ q5 Q. o; H2 N5 R; S/ Ztribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested # F1 B, B Q8 k# g$ X/ {( Z
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
# |+ m$ e. n1 m+ Hhe promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
# M+ _; N8 d" g$ ]( Z& mam a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
' ]# F+ Y+ w: z0 `- @& _2 Fto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from * y+ P- {7 I9 R# V0 j U
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
2 A( B9 @1 N ]9 [! w# ydied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
' p3 ?4 l/ t2 ~: [8 J) V. b9 i$ vdeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
& T; z. Z, A Ldistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
6 D' ]4 f+ {9 Q" xat New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- 0 F$ P, g2 S& Q; W l- X5 s: S
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
& h8 p6 M, O% k' \/ t! S' Lof jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's - F% I: }* y/ V+ X
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
. r$ N; g! k/ j' I% P1 a: L( \( ysition of the site by that municipality. For many years he # q5 \0 y: @0 l3 l7 X
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans;
) X( s9 j& C' u L! L ], Usubsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected ( N' Z# T( K7 L @6 O
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- : R k8 W1 j/ M$ S t$ `. J+ A
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- 4 p1 ~ r; t- p4 s" L! Y
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed + x$ C' h2 P0 I" e) [* t# ]
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
6 A9 ]% R5 h% Q8 ]8 K) Atributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable / C6 n, \) T- N0 L$ }! o. j+ \& X! [
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
. |0 B7 ?2 N* ?% |, X0 EClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have & y! {9 n0 ^( M+ q( ?
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
- g( F/ b& q9 ican be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
2 x8 z! D, A& ?! C( K+ y8 x Hhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
6 |% L) G1 i7 T7 r/ non other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
$ }2 }7 K3 m( w, j x' e' g: \% mgers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he $ @; t5 \) e! E Y) N1 E
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
# L6 O2 }+ z/ x7 YHe knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
s2 _1 a, v5 d$ |the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
9 p5 i3 j) u, r( v, l5 X1 Khilation." 8 v k, B5 o5 }# \
/ T" \5 V3 L1 g% ^5 MOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- 5 M7 ~6 \: X' J- l
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
; H, [3 g( l! q) m% chim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
: f9 \: n" w) |- Zties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their J3 C: ^3 t9 L# @3 q
1 a8 B/ V$ v% e0 r, @9 l# O
* m$ \1 |( h7 V- y
( c, [& I: P: E @9 L
102 American Jewish Historical Society. 7 @" t4 j( x2 {& \) }# M% b9 a, n
8 Y( k4 x4 }5 O' z) U
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued 6 P6 s g& y1 _" Y }, g" N$ l& d+ ^
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his ( d+ p8 L9 L {9 q6 n0 t( h) H
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- O3 l" Q Z2 Z1 p
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have 6 V0 K, K5 R9 t
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
9 U. `' s9 y4 w7 n; v$ r/ I4 e6 Mnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably % B+ r* [; e* C6 |, T- x
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
/ ~6 ` [, c, I6 s5 I% p( tquests, as follows : 0 h- d& ?7 R; w0 R; n
! x( [! r# _0 A# SHe thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where 5 r/ c7 \2 E8 M$ P
he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to # h5 w2 s* ]* N7 ~# [
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are 5 ^8 H$ n. r9 ]4 v
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
+ T1 _/ T3 `( P& g4 Z& K& y% _ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in - q& @, u6 t% d. a) U1 ^- Q
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in 3 ~2 N, u v2 l; y
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- + E9 H$ `) s4 S
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied $ t- w4 t0 K+ D% l. _. F
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of # U. r w+ r% g: A# S
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
% P4 `+ I n7 O/ p- X6 q: Ithem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the ; ~$ O; Q& g9 N' {( ]
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He ' [) A1 O/ s* l- V( O" I+ M( [; T, N
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
. k7 T- Y0 u2 ~" l/ }. Ychildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those ! O5 S$ b Q* y$ e3 l
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish 5 ]0 v# X1 g( P8 D Y& S" a# S) G
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- ) i! y( K0 Z- `
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to a3 t/ r. p" S |, B
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
O* M* o/ U2 Z; y$ Q, L; Obenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
+ y0 e) Q9 M8 V! Einto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of 8 x3 ^$ |% f- [5 e8 b" p. b, _- T
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
& C4 `: @& Y4 f% @& D1 T$ V7 Dtection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far 8 ~8 A' `& ^, B! S3 W0 R
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 5 G: d- H% N7 r( i7 h, A
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
& {# q0 Y4 }- QHim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
8 }3 t% [; i( P0 W8 Z. A
% p; A$ }% n' M2 `5 G& |7 r4 x° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because 8 [2 Q# y% W# T7 J! s( Y( K. [$ r1 [
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of ; d( U5 F9 i8 s' Z; b
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their
7 t6 \! H+ w+ O) N6 G; h6 d6 binstitutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information : @7 G3 `: L6 b5 O' ~' c6 b6 E
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- A( K' n, _7 {1 L8 Q5 W( Q
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
' |! @2 X; \! D% a* t$ x9 |omitted no deserving Jewish community.
9 M z2 M- Y# V' E3 |7 i3 U6 I4 r( _. H4 @) d; s
' V5 j/ D% f0 H# i# X1 g4 ]' S& c' h- ~5 [ @: F6 ~
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103
# X; C( h4 S* h2 t% r6 g/ K) Z& A9 V9 @$ @' E
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
% x9 H/ |! {) ~- x; _2 V: Jhistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
: K. b3 q+ o+ ^subjected. 9 {' _2 Z- K- ]$ ]4 J$ h
; I+ n$ ^% h: W* ]7 z
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he + e+ M$ n; }7 [) i5 }
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
* R3 ^8 m0 l2 V: z0 S+ D) BSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
# R4 L0 z+ J. e$ c' e# @ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish # J" ]: A( b8 n! y$ e2 N
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- 5 r) ~2 [! x' Q1 R$ p# Y2 @6 T5 K: ]
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious * w) v6 @6 e& F8 t
temptation. B8 [; g+ w6 W: T: E9 ] O3 N: B
* n$ n! j' U$ c" b; D; j0 kAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 3 f1 t$ h5 d) N- A. l) g$ j) V
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, 0 R* s2 Z4 x. k% }
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport,
3 R0 t9 P- K1 S3 C3 J' D1 pEhode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were 8 Q" Z" Y4 O" A1 ?5 e4 S$ w
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he * t: M3 i% J' C# o; P* T
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the ; d# m3 X! e2 W) S, R* E6 }- g2 @
land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
: ?9 _* i2 S4 D, F* l$ `Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, ; T w3 w* y# e9 t
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
0 C' T& X2 T8 z: d1 dthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells % c( I6 U1 X( s
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
0 |% U* Q/ v0 b! J6 A3 D, ?were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
! o8 b% d/ _4 a) Q) ~Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
" I" q% M! u" I8 Q" q2 R; Pphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
% O: T9 @0 }" W' b" d; H/ I7 WYork. A project to erect a monument to his memory was ( S2 @% O( Z! \1 r) m- M
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of
8 F* W# s8 |2 r9 u- I& N) SJewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans 7 @" ~/ X6 L; Q+ ?
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
* b+ s/ n! f. I3 y0 cphilanthropy.
& i' P( t {" _0 w6 M& B4 ]/ j$ f3 X F2 t! s
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- 9 H+ `; W( `) q" l
lowing appropriate inscription : $ ^. ?7 y7 u% {5 R( h9 j( Z
; J$ f; s) I1 k1 b3 l. kBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; ) ~& O6 H% j A3 O
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
# \/ a. Q* x( zThe last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
7 o/ t1 v- ]8 E2 e5 C+ Sthropy
$ b! E3 i0 j. T7 g; a2 T$ h9 QTo be remembered forever.
) j& k6 h/ x4 f. q% s% w9 ' k+ \- w3 ] d& p& p
. }' y4 C* k! |, Q& c/ V: a: q8 U! Q
& a# y8 l' w8 a5 w0 j7 O' E0 n2 t4 |" C. Y+ P% ~) E7 R5 @9 p
104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
0 F3 K$ b# j( a _5 i) Q
( J, a$ F0 B3 i+ O5 C5 DWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. . [5 ]* t' J$ e
3 U, Y4 ]& I/ T B4 SUnited States of America, + W$ ~2 f$ r$ Q: _$ s; S
8 w1 N' u a" c
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
8 ~+ p$ f( g7 a! i3 B
; q+ T8 r: f: KBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of * o# F1 x) {2 b* R
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
@( C6 Z/ ~0 }2 o: bof the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
" X+ P* |1 {' obefore 10 o'clock a. m.. + r P- |# a& q- A3 _+ E
( F3 u* n9 W$ l, \; M' }
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the % y% ^) X6 s8 Z% o& S
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 5 Q2 n( Z7 X% o, \2 i9 B, T
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 6 M; l' ]- p" i, D$ P
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
* |( z) c# u; A' ^siding in said city, and hereto expressly required — 0 }. F7 O+ M. T! }% S' w2 g6 N1 M
0 J; [& i, ]& S! q: {' E) W+ m1 n/ K
Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, ' q- \5 i+ o7 R3 v x
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
) ~: R' l" {; v3 jroom, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
' e: A& b( B" W' m$ x* qsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the 2 ~ k6 k! @" y+ l7 b2 D. I! N" l
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah ) l* E5 k% T" V, X, K
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- 1 f$ [" P4 _& ?
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
4 L; ^* }( m- [presence of said witnesses: . t9 g* A7 c# @+ W- K3 V) C$ S
r' W6 n3 L+ B' t) I, l1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
; l2 k" S: F. _% s1 S
, `4 @+ F* \' z0 w( ?% f2 q$ a9 x' j( }2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish # ]( Y O; J9 J7 K; u, y
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
_5 e9 u0 Y/ o8 [2 l& K4 lmy decease.
- b9 }+ n- u4 }2 c) |8 q4 h5 A) d) H9 s% K7 G. ?
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
8 I% X/ m/ E% S7 B! ZRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of ) {$ Q+ c# Z8 [8 @' D3 y0 p, i
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
, X$ D. F9 Q- W& i* W0 gAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- % H7 t$ @- D) o$ i3 \
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
7 R1 U3 h2 A+ J' t( jing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
6 ^1 F1 A# p# \* I H, S8 E" QAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre 1 O6 s6 k6 i& I( X" Y9 V$ m
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
: P* m* L0 c$ |$ w! C+ ksum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 9 h# Z# t' V: i$ P& g3 B
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
( h$ b& N6 A% I- d* u0 \. {$ Dalso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto,
9 L" b4 ~/ y" p' Crendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would 9 X) s: y$ _6 A Z8 i2 n( i1 e
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
7 X9 t( F. H' F, G) Was aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say * m8 `% D5 q* H" E
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
8 c5 ~7 j3 {- q- d& L& R9 i, X2 M) ~under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva- ; |; q. g* D B( F7 @' A
tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, ; r* \- \" y% I7 R1 ?6 q! I
" N$ A) H8 E0 E
( L# g9 b8 ]' O6 G
# l. c- K6 s& x i1 }- Y; D& xJudah Touro — Eohler. 105
! w; s& L# K" A8 v* p0 g0 r& @1 r$ s+ J, R+ O! O9 y7 E$ K- T4 k6 k# U
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
) x1 P8 S6 x; f) f j4 b0 Uherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts . Y% r2 p$ h6 v' I, @( u! l0 x5 {5 u
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
* ]2 [' `, z4 [0 p8 z2 K. [& y' hmy estate, movable and immovable.
9 z; K K* j0 g+ P! J& C- R. q8 Z3 F) ^; [
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more 5 @9 ]* |5 U/ a
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
8 L. m: h4 L" o* X" K- c- Xor Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last % W7 E& ^7 v+ y; J, w& H; K+ R. A5 c
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more - ^* c/ d, O. U8 x; q' p7 G2 q
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that 6 {& L! |7 {2 V: N1 j
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of 0 u9 D$ }% o3 V4 `0 E, C. O* F
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in- . K6 d4 x7 g3 \6 Q( s, L
herit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
5 l, P" h5 \% Yto them. # W* k+ m( ?0 U( W( e$ Z
. E& s; y; k# S4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in 4 R8 R2 j2 l9 d- G: `
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
2 K3 F3 x Q0 A% j. p0 O/ r! v" @the same shall have expired.
; H h Z! F" i
9 I5 p/ c' ~" n/ h( Y5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of & z! Q& H; w! t$ T/ m
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
- G; l( z# d& ?7 J5 D: N$ p% fdirected by this my last will or testament. 7 Z2 s7 ]& r% u) Q
+ N" T: A% F5 O( B9 j0 w
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
+ I3 l N* ?1 n6 ?persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain * N9 a- }3 \5 u( q
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
0 G6 E1 b5 C# S5 ASynagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of . J4 `( \3 x2 Z7 O
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
( q3 A# Y- Q; [$ {the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
- c& n8 I4 `% G. [9 B8 Gthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David ! S0 h$ Z) W+ Y
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
6 [% l( H2 |9 E2 g* ]9 uing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
! M0 g( C" h" S' ~ _gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
5 {1 M, S) K( ]9 X" f9 SReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by # y) x% o! r. M: M; `
my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
- l: y/ Q9 E: Q; I& L+ R( wstrictions. 2 O9 o$ M2 Z& ]6 \$ U
1 a: J( B. a/ Y$ Q4 P. o; M7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 9 a( T3 j% q+ U2 _* \6 b6 ]4 _
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
0 T3 Y6 `7 G4 @8 G1 u( }sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
. v6 e5 }7 l( O- s- Wnow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- E5 a# q' v% G9 f) U- H# o
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- $ f$ V. q$ d* { _1 J. U
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
- U7 W/ ^) ]1 hecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them " X9 N4 J) }$ m! w* q0 D- d# e
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
/ r" U* Q4 C& i' a/ p& g
, \- O# D/ x7 K% G: |8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
P0 p' F2 y( V" J3 {( ~New Orleans five thousand dollars. + l* w! c A( t" H
# `& z9 p# d; y# n3 [! v
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
+ y! x6 _8 J1 t& A$ a% [3 |4 ngarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. 0 O h" d+ C: ^
D k; w' J7 E1 C
0 ~0 f, @( p. x1 r/ }9 O
& K1 l" S8 F3 w* }% }0 L6 y) o3 Q# P- M2 y106 American Jewish Historical Society.
$ p F3 g4 k) L3 F+ X; b) m1 x2 b- k8 D4 a1 M4 z
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of , a" q @! l7 y P* d1 z
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
2 r0 W9 |, s& m$ v, p. [
$ C" S1 m4 R' [. q3 o; j$ y11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
9 ?4 r& c$ x- B( Y. iof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
* T* n. r0 Z/ {; ?6 l! Y& A* G) s1 x
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
: w, m5 [) T4 g( F8 o* \Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
( G ]$ d- J+ c0 W% w6 s4 {) t( \% V% h$ \5 z0 n# }2 ~- f& ~: l
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- 2 r( q3 Z4 c; q% Z, p8 M# W
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
- A. ?6 I6 M2 r. e H7 ?/ Z ~4 q
6 @) a* @% g, C7 N5 Q8 c6 B6 H14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
1 C3 W) L- l( r0 m1 Eof destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- . C( j/ ?3 s6 x
lars. ) j* A4 R) Y! b% a! L- B, j
+ e: a/ H6 Y! M+ a- p! S' A
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
7 r0 X" O, r, ], t; ~, JAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
- a: o' _$ A" h( u* Zsand dollars. " i! t* q6 Q+ Q
1 a- e/ P& z( v: A16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- . f6 T5 I: q5 a" s% w
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is & \3 m' S. u8 ]- w5 \" \8 K. x
chairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
* o, r7 Q1 R/ \! ydollars. 5 J, n: M2 @. Z% V/ ?
, X3 ?+ w+ F2 [( \( p17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
1 k6 O- o4 C& lfive thousand dollars. 7 }5 U5 j: T" p3 b, Q' X) i& H; i' l
9 [) I3 Q. O0 r8 G( P; a18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- ) E- T+ c! s* y9 V/ q+ y$ C( f
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 5 J2 B, p3 j9 y2 Q' {
; M+ r" J1 N+ K. f
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First ( u5 Q; \+ L2 K$ g
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
6 X2 B- B5 @$ Z
4 Y/ Z) r- | ]$ }+ O3 M% T3 R$ p20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
. M5 \) Z2 ]. q" z7 m) }+ k" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of 9 y6 D/ W/ F6 e- U5 u
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
2 s* ^0 F" k: J8 w9 l$ U- Tin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
# [9 V5 \: j0 d8 H+ V9 cand I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be k( y& y6 H, x1 X$ h
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
& {+ K# G$ c. P6 m$ Z5 ^/ Z2 Lafter my executors shall have legally organized and established 9 R+ a3 Z: w/ g3 g
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
- p4 I/ `' h) Y. ^8 Q; Zadminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- - M" K$ h: @* y
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con- ' R; E5 `, }' G1 F# Q; P
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
" m. i. ]( |1 G+ {0 hcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control G1 {6 R6 t* T2 @3 \/ D3 x( s
thereof.
# O0 n# [( T& @6 h5 b) g: Y' A+ k' ?: t' G" l1 i0 J% i- s
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of & p' M& a4 h& L2 H; X
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that . K g' b& }" b- u
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 8 x% W" T3 d3 O* v2 P
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
6 i7 z* ?8 B5 C# e: t% {9 D; has a public park or promenade ground. ! d/ S0 _) _+ n: ?8 t3 S: G
' K+ } f) d& Z( g22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
0 b0 z: _1 O6 ~6 Baforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
6 \" p8 B; u1 e2 t2 U! u: h2 E& h& w# { R- M
3 U J6 c- M, O
2 I9 [- z) ]; a1 ?% EJudah Touro — Kohler. 107
" W1 v6 w6 ~2 s) M2 Z9 _1 ]1 F6 D2 @0 }
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
# l6 \3 \5 m' K+ z2 l) D. dShalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. & g* @1 P+ ^5 F' `5 M: j# |
4 Q% m" P# \; S8 {
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
: V9 o+ d) K3 @" u* R; Aford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
- {, t' T; }2 Y1 ~, M+ L O e; B2 X* {! r) b" W
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New 7 t! e; F( C/ _; e3 S: d3 d. |' {
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
/ n8 W0 K5 t9 v. [. I, _" `9 l3 G6 Z' M2 ~. j! [6 v% f
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
6 h+ H* u" R/ B. J/ h7 dfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and - c9 e: I; F. `7 l2 J3 M
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), 5 N3 V l& Y) ] n
ten thousand dollars.
6 d, O5 X. Y$ _- N/ m9 G7 r$ u' @+ H$ V/ \4 \" t
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
8 }! T; U. B4 {7 l; m$ c. j, cMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to ' U2 s& ?2 |" ~
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in $ d; K g! o9 j* ?3 S" d
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
1 X" x7 j& Q$ L$ _2 ^4 oworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
d& v2 z2 d. Zmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
( J, l$ K1 M+ h! d; x$ [sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
7 _$ g. l, l7 U- l0 I) g1 rthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
! X8 d0 m8 d( Vas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
8 l# t! W9 }& ]: f9 V3 Gany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
& |$ A4 a1 }$ U) E3 Bing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and : C# O" U! y4 W* w2 F
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
6 U6 `( H4 q$ H4 Wbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
. p3 D" w8 |9 ?, aCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
6 \2 t, S b/ |; l( x+ Wcan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
8 F# k, ` C) p4 ?, M! ?of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
# F2 u# [0 w' N8 Fmy last will. g/ m, o' ?0 _ S7 e
5 K; W' T. |$ V" V2 ]% K( a28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
; s" g: D. D$ X1 }% b. xhave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to + B( q1 l' l& ?, n# K
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, 2 E/ f& T. Y4 K8 U z- [; |
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
% N+ p* x3 p% J# `- jrespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and ' m; l7 I/ w5 U( \6 G) q
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I $ [: U3 x+ |% \- Q& h* e$ h0 R9 X
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
& p/ v5 H1 z R, r; V, m- [executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
. c/ |; F( m0 ]( ^* F9 Gcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to a7 @1 {* |$ X3 M M" x
inherit in the premises according to my wishes.
7 ]; C& f b3 R0 y1 E
# I1 W9 M+ g. `) x/ r9 Z29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
8 F; W; }! h" Q, a ^+ w+ CCity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. ) K0 ]* k' c7 t$ a& [( i; G
: I% o: r/ C$ p' D$ }# T1 u30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society $ I8 a% u! d. P2 w
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
% [) k9 i- v, T# ]1 e& }& Q
' V& n8 J y, g# Z# q* G6 C31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
/ R3 Q/ p) x% P: y% o k" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
; o& @& \: W' M; v9 ~) \
4 h# _7 S+ I. Y0 F; e" l5 L+ q( u, J7 w: N! b6 m( U
, H% z7 Y2 Q' Q7 Z6 M- |# N
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
1 z" y0 B. o& }" t- O+ {; v, l" O: K/ Y9 r( Z& O& F& {
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund % ?' M% A9 C0 S% N6 T$ x& \. \' i
attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
: K, i4 p0 d1 R/ j+ q; W$ ~+ wCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
9 Y! M# G! ~4 W" T7 l4 Adollars.
- x) c, B; l' _
. ~7 \' U1 n: u0 T7 r j6 J# H" |/ K33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- 4 \) ~: l7 j: B" T/ a
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
! L# k# N, [+ tthe sum of three thousand dollars. $ g9 B& K$ k d7 ^
a9 ^' Z, w4 w
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
E" Z8 p( N3 u% y" m- u; i+ w' ~5 xgarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. . R! B( [" s Z
. X$ ^7 p' k }" ]; D35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
, F2 b2 h* F& Zthe City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
( J) {! A0 W7 u7 I) G' j, @, Ja directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. 8 W6 v8 C0 J& n5 b- G* g$ E# I! ^
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. 2 f# ]7 [) Z: [8 [9 O
! d- w( I- A" s2 u3 h' b6 F
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
* a1 h+ t, T( h9 s) Iciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
; ?) }) G( d6 t; X( O3 jlars. 8 `( ~3 ~& M0 j. J1 U8 y2 k& o: g" Z
) V3 W, T9 d$ w
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of $ w* A* H* |8 h* K
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars. + L) T n: ]0 n4 W8 `. R; N& I
7 @+ B% v/ J! m38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- I- u) c0 \, {3 a" c
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. * k+ j0 M2 A4 g. f
9 F7 z) E/ }- V1 z6 H
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
! v! [; |8 K' D0 F5 q% n0 z& ~Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
1 _8 x% G, J8 X d5 k( ?
2 @; D9 W9 c1 X4 B; a8 q$ f40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth . w# Z$ Y4 }/ y0 g+ T
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. ; {2 s9 s$ d" R/ H
# ? M+ t/ E* L8 P) ]
41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
% U) t! Q8 n3 v' L5 {) n* |Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand ( d( F% d: `- ?$ l* [
dollars. ! j' L8 j/ n+ S
4 f* f1 Y* [ \/ u8 b$ q2 ^
42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- ! a( d/ r, t: o/ Y; B! ~
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
2 C3 }! h' S0 N/ d9 U$ Q" r6 B+ k$ S, k
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
7 L. [3 H) _2 }8 {; G5 E4 S# sIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
4 z4 o# p5 j& i) J# S" c; q( O7 E3 Q# x" x$ F
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- 3 |1 ~) F+ r/ Q
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 6 }, k& `2 O. F) E: ^' ^
& e6 m7 M6 |! n; s0 J" X1 W0 x45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
1 L f/ Y% M( y# mphis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars. ( X8 o3 \! d& n- V) B3 L* G
. G$ C. v" o! h8 d i+ h
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
8 c9 X& D- V7 d! c& x$ i3 Y, tIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. A1 f0 i4 Q4 f4 B. D8 g- A
0 ]8 ~8 m# u2 H' [( Z47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
: `0 @5 ~9 _! X! q% h' Krael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. / y" E9 c) M' k/ a/ ?" X, j" A
) W! `3 k5 F3 F: o: W* o8 { `& s
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- 0 K3 K' A5 ~/ r# v
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
3 L# I( B5 H g, }/ {3 P( e% `
1 q+ E; {$ s: E0 z8 G4 B49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, , L% ~1 K, r. ^+ Q \: d
Ohio, five thousand dollars. - K( Z% [ [8 _
$ A& I e2 D3 ?: D9 T0 T+ ^, M) z; L% ? Y
v G& ]: H+ `- t% n- l
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 6 D# h$ h6 I; S& N w4 C
8 b& T; n$ c. E6 t9 M+ U; q50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth 0 H. e' n- G$ |" e! v: |3 I
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
9 d5 @# q A, g+ [4 ^
& J6 V8 u; p, Q/ H51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai 9 P+ m9 U; K/ I: {
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
* p, U$ B7 }4 H& g( l) a% j
j) c; ]. `: I* m+ S+ d52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
* W6 b7 l* f7 y# [of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
* Q- m( @# u+ f8 P
$ p# S. u! |8 `$ h8 W' M- ^8 I; T53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
6 z* \0 i$ r; k1 h: D+ B( U2 pEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
6 f0 O3 L, q* o
. M& L2 V' @# H- O" p+ q54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, R% w8 \. x) k# o- q$ ~
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
+ e& V& Y! v* o3 s- d3 Tham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: 2 [$ u$ v; O. g c
. U4 ?/ h' m/ K" D7 {5 NFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, / j- ]* F2 s+ g, F! k
five thousand dollars. & J* p9 ]5 G% F/ B7 E/ @8 M( p9 x( J
- {# u$ `7 S0 t- w/ c1 ^9 Z
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
) y A. t% N J7 _9 e6 P8 ]five thousand dollars. 0 u. J3 T/ E/ g. B, ?
" V# n( D% }" }
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- ; n& J+ e n0 [) E- _# ?
sand dollars. $ O% M5 [. h9 ~4 R* r" e
6 G$ L7 L& c( Q4 T' x. S
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
7 y2 b! `. \- Apaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
# U- ?4 f. s+ G" S3 Cish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
% T( p! A: ^% Distry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
4 H b H; ?- }$ a8 ]) DJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be # d b' Y' ]6 j* h; B
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
7 q+ a2 X* O2 |& d/ @2 Kas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
. k( f- Y9 U+ Kof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, . e9 B3 C. A- n% X
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
; R9 G/ [) Y1 W9 xfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
# C* I8 V* [. Z" Vcontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct 3 s8 W7 V7 w; q: ]+ j1 L" E# Z
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration ?7 J( x) P2 J, [6 X( m, h" w6 g! F
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the ; ?% ]% x7 r" B# e2 D) V! z
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, ! E0 U( j$ b. I$ r5 p0 l5 ]' ?
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould. + q, v. s4 J( \* Z6 X7 r
' y8 \4 v# D8 S0 F4 s4 a" l
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine 0 Y, g; z) l, i9 Y( ?
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
: W$ V9 }3 Z) x9 _- e7 }remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
2 h' b5 }3 }) b3 H3 t: ]/ K# J7 y6 ]1 M/ H" B% ~% F
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
/ i; X2 x8 @ T' SJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of " d) |7 A7 b8 K( M( S
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be . D. r( a/ f; Q2 K0 ^) q' c6 ]6 X
equally divided between them. . w7 J; i, D- A* x# {- \7 u3 K5 r
! e2 s0 i1 h+ z& u* t" c7 i
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
' n. ~+ e, {. w- D( T- V8 `0 s! rthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond,
2 C1 n0 ^+ K" R! \8 b; YVirginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my ( R8 R3 S4 @! Y5 F' w7 m" L# A7 @
remembrance. / Q" C2 _. ]# _; o, G3 ]
+ u" b: s" Y$ ]& k: L: u# g. U
" o: I" f! D' I6 a, s& [0 a7 o b/ m* S) j& [. b# [
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
! v4 ]* q* E$ ]; g1 X6 }1 q) \
7 K0 [, i1 r# j) d! W1 o59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, * T+ ^9 U7 b* ~' k) w8 Y
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
5 r4 t, I- t# Lmy esteem and kind remembrance.
) E: `+ Z7 e+ i w0 T) S
6 u; p8 @' n6 k% r60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
* l( O9 K0 N. Q# gmy respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a 5 X i7 k" `7 m1 E. x% D9 f0 ^, d
token of my regard. ?( Q+ P# q4 e8 j8 Y( P
3 Q2 d. X+ Y, ` y p
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 8 ]0 v5 }! Q, @/ t+ B
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
+ |6 J" Q u( w* ?wife, to be equally divided between them. - B: M' W1 S/ d' h
0 R4 Y8 {; U! r7 t7 t
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
- G$ P; Y G' [& ~5 O: Y3 h4 {4 M& Cmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
* ]' l$ ?; p& `% d+ z$ W4 c2 V) imy remembrance.
. n5 m5 s0 U2 d) X" p9 {. W7 Q4 E M
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
1 |$ B% Z2 ^3 v Kof Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- 2 ?) l# l9 l5 H. j2 U( t3 v+ }& s
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
, M- s9 j# G9 T/ ^, Klars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase * }- @& ^3 C2 S/ I
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind 4 ` B$ |* x) o3 E+ @& |1 |
regard. & \+ J C5 i) c. w- {6 ^' w
: Y8 \. `. u: Q+ p& U N w( x1 N64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
4 A- ]! a5 u* U& ?to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
! A; B0 D6 q7 W, w4 W) j2 v7 cmemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, 2 l; G; q% Y; L3 D4 | u0 H3 K
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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( u7 P. Y0 Y! T! t6 W2 g65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars 6 ^) @5 Q1 ~; i$ R
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable 9 @4 A7 L* O1 B5 @% {' f& d
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
3 i4 j* J, X! V* FMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
+ J6 `' N% h6 _# w6 D' }4 Nmade previously to these presents. # |! S) r4 F) o2 ~* D
3 O- e5 ^4 f0 K, Y5 R) pThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
; Z& ` c& E/ I% ^2 \; |me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses 4 ]* V0 Y, ^! h7 @4 h' ^" B* ^
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the # h; x6 H# W h; q
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own : f) W: k" ]9 i( f' I
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
7 D; L' K# x* ttestament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
, [. r# g9 ~& a% \ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same E N! {# {, _. ^6 B
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
9 k( V& r% r! S. ming aside to other acts. 8 k8 s: g1 ]! }; K+ ^
/ a, @4 n, F# R" n' J" O1 K9 FThus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the t7 Z M5 H$ B# c4 p( s
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and 9 S: b( |+ D" Q1 [1 l' E
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
- a9 w7 A* E6 O3 b2 J* Y* iMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, 8 z' M+ U/ a7 A5 ^& M% j
5 q4 p+ |! \7 N- u/ i( s
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9 U9 j4 d; L0 z; v- jJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill # K( q- j9 I$ Y4 D6 F
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said . G% m* s4 A+ v _. k+ E# `
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
2 a, J/ Z/ G" z* v6 \+ w6 {names. (Signed.)
M w7 x z( d ~1 ]7 x* j) g9 P8 ]. D, }" a
J. TOUEO, : n" x E P+ x7 A4 H3 ^. O
1 Z' }% j; `- o9 ]# l* oJ. Montgomery,
5 h; r' D9 F* ]! y) t# K% l
: A! W6 V7 b& e) PH. Shepherd, Jr.,
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3 g% L1 ^+ ]6 u" A. G J0 HGeo. W. Lee, / e; N8 n T+ A6 m
: P. E g% g# q" W8 F8 o2 G6 y4 QThos. Latton, Notary Puilic. 6 U: ]! Q) o7 k& s# L
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9 I3 u) \+ q& y0 [" ?
, U, W+ F, w8 y& v: R1 K9 xLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 7 X- ~* j0 v( @8 B0 Z: O
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014 495 461 |
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