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Copy 1 % p, n. R! S$ C0 }6 [
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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+ x' v9 N+ m) Q# o$ {! v, {Reprinted from
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% A3 A& A1 z0 j. a5 g# {6 v% e$ O) VPublications of the + A, B1 k9 I- m, p; s1 S5 l
e) n: X- g1 g7 [, g. QAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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3 Z' u4 {* @/ m% dNo. 13, 1905. : A, h4 f E, [+ d
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND * s4 d9 T4 w6 Q+ \+ q7 \
PHILANTHROPIST.
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; ?2 u/ \: c; t+ ], j3 C* h9 YBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. ' S' \0 c$ ?7 Z o6 R/ M
( p6 C8 r0 x2 MIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
% p4 {! d% K" I. ~$ lTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
! v5 ?1 g9 r" y0 u3 l7 Mnor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
8 U9 ~! [ b" |! `) Vname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating & |+ t+ X5 ?1 X+ ^- c; e) u
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
8 ]: o5 _9 M* B* s @1 @mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in 2 m1 W6 E. q; K: p" v A! n/ ~
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
: i; c$ p x- s Q S: ~History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
0 x: D* Q, W0 Q: ?! ^3 Wthe very name of one who would probably by common consent : n" A* N/ I8 i4 J& U% y0 H! B* K
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the Z8 T$ j% P$ F1 c7 N0 ]
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the 1 R, {2 ?7 v5 G( D2 J
relations between the investigations of local historical socie-
* r4 f1 w# H4 y! x& j; W2 `ties and more general historical writings, can readily account
r- B5 q+ O: R- {! [for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
0 r1 c9 e0 z1 X. I* ^8 bignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
. ]- U4 V4 T( f2 a o- F' x4 ispecialized investigations as our own, that the general his- ) M* i( J6 A/ ?& e- F0 q
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- % u+ ^2 \% y- Z
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
; O8 W+ M* [/ E: f, |' O, @& s9 Kquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
! l% {& J* q+ f* A. l* xtary history of his . $ K+ N1 c; x m8 P' x! O
E: r1 A4 U2 q4 K8 B, o. ~) u4 WA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written " s, n2 `8 p3 @' t6 X3 e* K( n
within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
9 n1 Y' m* M1 Q9 K" Z7 ]- |non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- - N( z+ k3 g% X! G( G
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
) k; P7 Q; [5 ahigh regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander v- c% \9 t- g" {4 w* {8 I
Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal 5 w2 q! v6 _& r+ G
/ C/ O) T6 m1 S4 ]* }6 L' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
! {9 {! ?0 b; h/ ~* _chants," published in 1856. 0 d" f! I5 |3 m2 V* R) ?
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94 American Jewish Historical Society.
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, f7 I* g( `, r1 Hreminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- $ m0 Z+ J$ j. g& o4 R' t
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
; U/ d f9 C( x" U4 yleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information; / R U9 f7 z% S
though few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
% d. V8 T4 d% X- G& c/ q. ilikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- 2 N& {8 u- b+ B" }' M9 _7 H
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
- r5 p L) ]; } Ysketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
: T# J( v8 T; X; Areminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
& ~9 `% G, c% x* ^* \/ _7 T, Uare for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
1 I% _8 p+ V! f7 H ~Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
; C! p" w; J$ C2 Din his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
& k( M% M/ W- Uand early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his
# }) |/ w! R8 Y/ _+ S4 {% ~4 V6 Omaturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no $ _0 e" u- l# ]" ^6 {
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and # T' Q, W; A% M8 _" M
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect ! _4 e1 B5 q {; d- C
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
3 ~* c' P. @4 G+ o* pname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
2 j7 Q, w+ G- o; g1 ?1 z! C, qunprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
* O8 U9 N5 K3 a; o8 {5 bgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
) p$ d. d) o/ F4 Q7 `munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
! j4 G! i1 d* O8 Y) {& X ?impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their * _$ T& z9 m2 G( l4 r' u6 S$ k" H
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the 7 w4 `7 z+ z4 q) @( @ `
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever 5 ?0 q* x- o6 {
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
8 ^- S0 T7 S+ M
, G( R: B4 R' QJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June ' G, ~4 ?+ [: M/ a
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
5 p5 C9 Z8 B3 z! _ ^stance that his individual career thus began with that of his , M( \& B: e+ W& P! ]# L- ^
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- 1 _ }& x& T& ?
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption $ e( o* K- h% ?' U7 ^
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
4 x `) S4 D6 X) @! O2 F* f- Ythe dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
+ x* H# x2 D; F5 }- X9 h( y0 ntery being more than a century older, and concerning whose : \$ _9 K% z7 {9 v4 D
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
6 ?- p/ {0 u0 |. O+ L# P, J* s4 M) W% k* v
' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
& F$ }/ b0 o- B3 S! `' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- * {2 V' c% e) }& F2 b# {
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
% S" h* V4 j% U! _3 M0 T4 x5 D3 |2 z) c s) `- O
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2 B4 v( c, J; L8 x/ }& k1 Y( q$ S; {Gift
- }7 r0 L; r% p9 q' ]Authc:
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* y$ w9 O$ A6 j) hJudah Touro — Koliler. 95 % \7 M" q* C5 v0 K: h8 b/ I0 F# Z5 H
7 E5 i! m: \9 W2 M1 y5 ^Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
0 [( W5 D- {0 ~: Nin 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
. Q0 w% c9 y8 ]# V# n& uEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and ' {1 k( C( N2 X- y
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
7 p# C1 }9 W8 H( @6 @5 Ubers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city 1 T0 ]# d: j" o2 u; U, ^& |8 M( U. s
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- 7 d5 L+ r2 |2 e
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
8 n( E- O5 N: l0 S" E9 u! B- u& Y4 t8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, $ a; M; _4 h" n! U
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, * l0 R' i/ o8 k% q) F: Q [
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- 8 M6 d- b6 T% u% S
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem- 9 F* ?8 x( p& F3 f
ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, ; t% j" g4 S" I* ]# a2 Q0 Q& F* s
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
! o* `" l/ V3 r+ M/ ?: ?$ M. bthose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood ! |7 [' N( X8 N+ T( G& c8 F5 ]; o
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were 7 H; K. y Z( x3 n7 T9 g, d
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi-
" Y/ C- y! E6 `7 g# ~nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
* a4 x& P/ A) ]: B; {/ u2 F! H' Rof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
1 J2 L+ k3 q8 j* Ocompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
( x1 B& H# ?: [- t; ~was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the : ^2 F+ T% j( o/ G' E- c" J
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and . C8 O7 p5 T9 j& u6 H% H
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the 2 H# |2 I$ n0 k7 ?* E2 l5 C; }1 [
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
$ i# v- T* {( U, g. i: g; {while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- , q) T/ r0 t# l8 |* @
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
( z; P+ c% v2 c8 I- searly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which ) L' m8 |) u- I0 n. q
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
$ y$ I. Z* f" L- c5 ?+ A: M' Islaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and 3 n# i2 @1 L! \/ |, i) r1 b
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and . L7 A$ D2 w: T: P: R
: n9 ^6 L# N- U$ x
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
" G5 p6 l4 I0 U! W# W8 aNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No.
" L% X3 P5 t1 m# P$ {8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport
. j! E" k, e1 g. aand New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
" q8 R7 r3 m! \3 a- q' K0 e, j. F) |: j4 sof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- . j! T, K" f1 L" V! `: P+ M" r3 O
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
; w& a4 O6 ?5 w# Q1 d! x) jRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. 4 X- k) n8 p6 r8 B* B0 x
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commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
* U @' B6 ]9 v1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. c/ |# |' T; b% c5 T' `
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
( V! v% Z$ F$ f& G" N3 fThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their ( ^% o; L! y8 h; C4 i- C# F
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- $ a; Y4 [* l: a( s+ v. K
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
* n& j/ @* R2 Q) d; b) Cvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a & x* f# X8 m- t; {# t! O
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
& o% F; l( Q; K! I, ba voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends 9 `' `! S; T2 G" k) _8 E4 o( b
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
# J& Q9 b% h3 n1 a8 s1 Z8 s6 Ement to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
{% S. F+ ?; t3 e8 l# ^. ~made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in v! m2 ?, a# y: {9 ?
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
: Z' u [$ c8 D$ n# |9 ]chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New- * P+ e5 w5 N! a9 }' a8 _
port," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts % q N! [, Z8 H0 Y# R
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
4 b0 f# M% d: k& Z9 I N4 x. Gfrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George $ M c# U6 _1 _# Y! q3 D/ p
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
" {, K( _9 G: f! L& v3 v& L- sTouro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
' `% X" _. X1 B2 z) n5 i8 {plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws
7 N/ ]/ ^1 u1 X+ J0 wlight on the scope of his business dealings.
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) ?6 t1 D( h4 s0 V, aTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for ' s$ c' ?, b N0 c' s2 ~8 G
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
5 M! ^; O, c& t! a6 i# d$ Gnear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- 1 x1 X+ u4 M- h% \* w3 J
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., + f) i! L6 f3 ]
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January,
. D& \' w* X* I8 o1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
- ~6 N* J0 T7 e$ Gmonth in ignorance of her death.
9 m5 h! L* S. Y2 }- q# v5 ~8 X( F7 Q8 }+ L6 S! j( U$ f
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- 8 g) s' B& z' R
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an 3 o: V, {! {2 ~& Z9 y6 D
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his ^, G# w, c( z2 i+ ]
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- 9 e* x( ~+ [, C, s0 t% F* Z3 x
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
6 [; L; D3 z- j) K9 f" i) bscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused 7 i' K/ T4 M* J/ F
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for ( r# X& W4 T6 \( R! R/ U& k7 R/ C" o
which he made further provision by his will, which contained
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; Z$ i8 E" \% N- Q, fJudah Touro — K older . 97 # S ?/ q( [5 }8 Y& ]2 w4 u
) u' C- l* R+ V6 X7 i( U6 la number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
, `1 \* Z) M9 z8 ginstitutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and & k1 P5 C L/ ?& J# s0 I. e
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
& U1 [' @1 s" m8 X- Fto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- $ \4 j4 |* g: R& a; m2 H8 o" O e
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. I4 Y; s! W; ?+ @) L1 \
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Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- + I5 f2 s7 }- w. `& S! W4 I
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
" n: o) \7 M6 O4 Dthe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, 5 k" a7 t) Y9 U
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
: r% L8 g8 ]9 l" Eleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- 4 s# }% y& G# i3 Q* A( I
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of 5 t4 Q0 {( l6 N* f. P% O
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while ( }( q0 w, [9 V4 M! o) M% P
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- 7 M2 e- t1 @( \/ U2 ]) i/ s
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that ' h& a9 d$ R2 F0 w- L* r
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D.
% R2 V8 e! ~+ c9 |# [( dShepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
+ M) |9 O) s6 u) h; A. Yhad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
! k1 H- P1 V1 {: Uwas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
5 Z- t% I8 s7 G/ i7 OJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of 0 |1 R; X7 M$ ]% w
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- : Y2 L& F& F+ J0 w+ \8 d- e6 b) a" J
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep-
0 t9 F! o6 ]% @+ y- T; Cherd had independent means of his own, he treated this large F+ @9 t3 L0 y7 ^5 P
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes,
" A9 W8 ?) x# ~* C* ?so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- ) u0 ]$ Q( b U6 C( `! X
scribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred W" [. _' o/ x. |5 p; _1 J
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began - j9 J+ n4 J4 ]
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other 3 u- W3 x. t$ D* @; v) J1 p, O
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
6 O( o: U$ }. ^% P- u# `& Rfriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- & x- s f( @" n& P! ^3 m
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every 4 i* _# L0 y6 b" v4 K9 @; R% B% d
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and ' x7 Q' P7 y- z
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
% [( S% T) q' h9 n) I% w+ }9 qcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
8 W, }. c; _8 a: X5 B" Pfunds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in f1 i: D+ j9 I
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His 3 C# A, W2 E- ]. I' V
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6 L# k p( @4 U6 x7 n3 H) u98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
3 w V! R0 ~$ `5 @7 Q" l- `stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- : i/ w5 x' h! W8 ?; ~0 R: G, c
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- , v' J3 B/ c( c8 g( y' }4 M
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to 9 J# _* e8 W2 m5 o, r: C
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents 3 F+ C& @, ` l8 p4 }& p' Y1 i
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. ; m3 [& d7 p) x% W: p
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day 2 }# \, J/ B6 R4 P. I
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more F- M3 M7 Y% x! Y3 ]! h! h5 ~; B
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
- C+ ]- j7 h7 ~0 N$ W* [tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
( p! H# s- @2 {& YHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well ! S/ M9 O5 Z7 p$ S8 D
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- 7 b! E4 K4 s9 G+ {
standing. ; |: K: b. Q( b# U; U
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was ; C3 _% x0 }/ T% v% D/ V
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of
" o- q( h1 u2 d( j' ~% h J5 Oage, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to " P1 K1 M, _, p5 G! r* z
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made : O8 a \9 X5 G3 a: U4 X
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
* c# ^. m8 @3 n. y/ A4 V9 k, Cpists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
2 @# o0 P$ ^) s# X- P4 Itunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, + G0 }8 N" Z! k
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- 1 Y' L+ k0 S8 J4 ?9 P
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that 1 W7 j- h! C6 x4 g& d( G
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- , M5 o0 k' J% Q0 {6 p/ v G1 A
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New / ~8 T; _/ f/ n" w% E$ D2 n) R
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- 3 t, U3 |2 [2 f
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who - {: S7 F" C% X
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
" R( a$ X3 H2 W" Tthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring
1 F+ m1 g! c3 Y1 n9 x/ `warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
3 r/ L$ g3 k7 \5 j N5 Lhim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- " ~2 L0 D9 a1 g6 o
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
7 e0 K9 }' O: A3 Nof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
9 @" M9 x, a, _* W# e; {aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
1 Q! ?9 i& [: e7 O0 n, i2 x$ rglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 6 p4 X& |3 G) O
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
& |/ z& d/ }4 C# ihomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- ; ]. s# l, H) w _
( @9 C8 c' x+ n7 K$ w$ c
$ T8 v# y/ o4 ]
9 Q* n. o: C3 x% a# tJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99
/ t0 N5 I' F3 v4 F+ c/ N! Q
) ^: ^/ J- D, L- y8 B npression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
& H1 c3 u( }; m* Y" x |a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- : r, R+ P. q+ ~* F- }: _
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a + Q4 p( Z7 Y A4 |
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
7 z* a% h7 Y" k7 E1 Laside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to ( p6 G* l$ a O
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a 7 E2 v+ m4 B9 B% @
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
: x- u" S% k: i' F2 q @of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who 6 a V. g- g- l- L' B
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large ! Z! R# R' s7 V
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the ! |( {9 J9 y4 Q4 ]4 i* _" _& A6 l q
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi- 9 S8 `/ U1 c7 W) F
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
# v O, ?7 v* q% j: Tsplendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ! f$ j0 h6 S! E n
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall & ]1 o. R+ ^- V8 ^9 S2 Y, z
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
, _4 U6 X3 J5 |% Rwere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
% J0 P t5 K0 |5 H, K& v1 _deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
4 B( a' c( e7 X1 R+ h+ igratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single 8 Q+ G; G2 I, W: v* O; ~
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was 4 U, |) M4 t8 A+ ~
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, + b; K& l, z& g
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and ' W& y o* g- E* G' w
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions, 3 ]) Z% e: y# J( e
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- \; r/ q- b3 J! ]6 K' o5 y
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to 4 ?# B: C" Q/ ^
liberal and benevolent deeds."
; q% Y8 w* L+ n7 H( E4 [
% x7 e, R8 E& hTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess 0 g3 R K4 v, z5 H0 U" e; s
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the + U: i s% j _$ |
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
) D, _+ |$ H1 O# S9 }* [tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they 3 J: y) t' H4 @+ F% A$ W) t7 t
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when * k$ x- Z$ U. L8 E, ~
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as % G; l% H: K$ X& F' R
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
" a" Q- e0 x9 A! Ithe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
6 `" |0 m0 B5 c4 j+ oterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up 8 y+ @* V* X2 G$ W# ^. W
their project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid % T7 n( F: G W' A
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
. y( R/ B9 `! H6 S) ?. j
2 D- }6 [- r I7 `
$ t6 o# \* @2 s! n7 n g0 |; \. K/ s0 Y
100 American Jewish Historical Society.
( C% B0 s, j6 U
1 y! w4 @9 ?3 `3 E2 Z* gAmos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material 3 @ D# }* `% a/ Z: n, r
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward & Z$ ]: C0 n/ P: _2 {/ i
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
0 @4 g3 B4 F/ A9 l/ P1 U0 [7 M; Qoffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
0 i' B% G/ T: |* aAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- 1 K- |2 G( f5 c5 D0 N
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- - L) c/ `& W+ Z6 J0 v
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his ; \" a% R1 X8 q4 r
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he 0 u4 y7 t7 h# ]; \. ^ A
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
9 }( N$ B: e% c9 Dably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
* A' y& Y( _; kish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other 4 ]5 Y1 F6 ~+ }# A! \3 d
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
7 T/ v$ y$ u- ]3 w7 j; g% wand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication 7 D% |- p8 x( @9 I- z! }4 i; s B0 Z
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
# Y/ v4 Q+ s" X3 @( j+ g- dthe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
3 b: |8 h9 `1 a. O: ~was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
: S5 }. B3 S9 i' j/ j6 [" V1 m/ `lines, since become famous :
+ y0 [6 W8 ^* j, E3 w% m0 `1 H
Amos and Judah — venerated names! 8 y; i* u5 c5 n- h! a6 L" t# {& k8 `
; k/ u0 Y; R5 _Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, : c( e+ h( \% n4 P7 Q2 Y' O) X2 n
, @1 }7 ]; |" B& n0 L0 k2 dLike generous coursers, running neck and neck.
. L- A& y: T) W5 ]3 |6 ]4 e
; r" M3 ^7 M) O7 [6 ~$ b3 sEach aids the work by giving it a check. : l5 v2 c" W- H) s' \' N3 M. Q
/ i' Z M% l# V2 W* B) R7 ZChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
1 c+ \3 \; Z. g6 b s y' J# V! p0 ]% u
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 0 V: F/ K p7 Q8 B- a& G# O
' a- c5 h( p: UJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
9 b+ w* i0 q$ rthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
+ X$ G0 D( p- t3 ?5 Z) ]" xastonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration 6 K! W* x9 V, ?" G) K2 ^6 B
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris-
+ [8 n9 z# O9 [tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
8 j# C) s) w5 p+ l' W# f r' rister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- ) Y( I( j8 G3 J4 x, ^
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised 7 j& V! C$ Z6 R9 b& A
by private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- / R' Z0 v; @6 e" f+ y0 T
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
: d0 S) @) m( {$ q- L" j- s/ soccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after 9 m$ E& p$ O$ x* J
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- * d" ^# ~5 i8 i# ?, t; w2 x7 O4 T
3 ~. }, p! D! G% n9 D& F5 [0 D4 Z* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. ' p+ d. y# b! g& F
2 ], r' }4 D% u- S: q' g& f5 ^
/ O( y( A; I6 ]6 t; {- ]0 j3 i: ]
8 S" O/ J# {# t* Z. m$ @
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 % y0 h4 l. B$ X
t, U5 f- T: O0 }tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested & C) E% a1 f6 ]# V, A
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site,
5 @5 A4 ?- Z$ x8 Mhe promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I
1 K3 n# Y# B' N: m, tam a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
1 ^4 o" Y+ F! M( N# B. |6 Jto increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from 2 I; R! t) T$ Z- l$ Q/ K
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
& L4 q1 v& z! o) g7 ` Idied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
% K( w- i4 U9 {: U1 Y% N! n& Ydeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
* v1 o/ r5 X8 I0 o$ i" o6 f9 ldistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary 6 {" V* b4 t( l+ _* U
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
# I9 m7 u4 G7 X/ r. Qcame interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill " + O4 W: T2 y# t2 ?' Z5 O
of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
& w: J7 I& j) |# h1 K4 Nsettlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui- 1 _0 Y& z- k& N* ~
sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he ) O! I, ]. E: Z2 ]
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans;
- h" T3 _( }! @9 ysubsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected / T) l% q4 k4 R& ]2 `$ v7 I
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex- * g0 Z- h. a: V- a3 t* d. a. c- M
pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- ; l3 t$ H2 n3 h( \& @# o( b
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
3 Z3 i# N2 O; @# r& S& B3 l9 WJanuary 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
: j. o" p- d1 F+ _+ ntributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
; R2 X& U; i2 g4 w$ npurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. 8 N2 {& L# u& ^& d/ L5 k( M
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have ; h! j/ V- A9 u( F- y. X
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who 3 W% t# k) a r- F
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
+ d2 R! F* q, S9 S' l: D- _/ Nhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing - w# V- A$ V5 b0 S( d
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
2 @% W y. i2 A& ~' I Pgers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
7 P! R0 a1 L. pscattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
9 i6 v( j2 ~" F; _8 SHe knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated ) R. d8 |2 N: P# p$ s0 _
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni- 7 m" O; P" ~ G
hilation." 7 e7 _% y, S% k7 w' ^1 z7 I( Y
7 p- |) @% r! A- d. T' O9 {/ Z3 h; x& H
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- ) T, x4 n' i( P) c9 [6 V# G" y
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by 8 P9 k4 O6 s* A) C* p) S+ I
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
+ V2 I# H( T: k$ G% ^6 R- i3 |ties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their 0 ?* c6 [* d7 b* o$ ^& m
3 C& X' M( \$ `" Q$ I! v
1 z, h) n" A2 G9 e
2 y) j( s2 ^' J% h5 X6 \+ q, g102 American Jewish Historical Society.
5 r/ L" i, G: @
; N! @' X! s. U) |$ J- d0 |: V! r$ `charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
' }2 e/ M% e" z: rexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
7 U( ?/ b9 `7 L( W: rwise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- # m9 N( N/ [# s6 S1 U) z, g0 p
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have 7 X7 r2 v3 U: g& x/ r. A. q
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of . {" G, a8 `8 m
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
! |* T3 j* F4 ], b# m! D+ vsummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
% s* L% _$ \ g {& Yquests, as follows :
a V/ Y& U5 r4 N6 S+ n: r5 p4 ?
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
/ v, R$ P. L( X8 g/ z. `$ H, j, w0 Qhe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
2 R/ I6 z$ A8 W1 O2 S/ \4 }their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
4 b: r3 r* ~/ w5 b6 K3 B) R- Ynot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will
" d" B! a) ? P# ?ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in ' T1 v" C" R: ?
his own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in * Z; w- L# S6 U- \
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- 4 p+ R. n( a" K& Y5 E2 r3 r
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied . t( @ r, s' O* a$ Z( l, V5 Z( ~
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
3 {' |) F3 V5 q. i% d7 Uthe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
$ D9 q; _* H8 a+ ^1 othem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
5 ]! ?: m% j! jblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
8 u9 l3 K# W& g9 K8 Vthought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 8 b& W: L9 L- h
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those ! [4 `/ C! @9 f$ x! u9 q' B
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish m4 n; r2 M# e" k, H
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- ; }5 `: r9 V" G9 n3 e2 w) |" p
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to 0 q$ U6 W7 [4 z, z! B
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
3 X4 `1 {' y# P3 o0 u9 Abenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
" Y3 p( d* y5 Pinto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of ) A/ |# k( m4 g F
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
7 E; b& J5 t! a9 E' G* vtection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far & M/ N, Z+ J) S+ a0 M( ~
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 9 g' c, h% {2 t Z9 |
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged # ?& `( ^; W: r K' G' b! p5 v- d6 L! w
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
' r# I8 w$ \& H: F
! Y0 @/ P+ t, F$ i, ^° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because ; z T( _; T9 T2 G$ z5 A5 U) M
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of 9 x9 o+ X) ]3 D4 L: U7 W: t! z8 l9 C
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their + _ u" V8 c2 m0 x1 {* `9 q
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
' `0 V F% x9 I$ uobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- 3 y" q& s4 [1 L) Z5 W
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have 5 F3 l7 I' i8 A5 F9 J. {
omitted no deserving Jewish community. 1 ^6 I- T$ N" ^! }
, p0 _4 R' U1 k: h3 L; G& o
' k8 z& ^( g1 e6 z+ K
' \9 I; { t& [/ N& x# I, D- JJudah Touro — Kohler. 103
9 n. v6 j' x/ C* {
/ x# }7 A) W ncrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early / d; M' v$ w" n4 P7 _3 U2 y
history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
* j5 V1 w" ?8 Y+ S* j: @% Lsubjected. - D; Y+ a3 D; \6 h
w0 g9 a' S' v$ p8 F# m9 UOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he + X* y2 v, v5 F$ {# l& F
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with ) p9 y5 Q( M1 ?5 {. w4 h1 n: j0 |
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
$ Q, }7 s1 q8 A0 Aing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish - `4 a. \1 x* @* x2 U
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew-
. c" s; Y! U2 k1 \" }) Oish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious , |( y) ~7 X, v4 h% C7 Q W
temptation.
j' e6 ]; @$ J/ s k
* c- T; A* P6 X6 B' W1 g, B8 OAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile , B# B- z2 u& O4 P4 B
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, ) |! }* k8 ?1 }- a
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, 7 _5 B* X, }( m; _; d: y
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
' L' G9 J& e7 F4 l9 l' }( \8 pattended by delegations from the numerous organizations he ( K5 F( Y5 m" ]# \, \) k/ N
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
% W& m' J+ c$ U' b+ t5 D' X3 Bland. By official resolution of the public authorities of
: u: l: `/ f: j$ q" i0 q1 VNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, : [! u0 G6 z. B8 |
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of h1 m- W6 h: y( [
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
% ^9 `' {6 X9 i( yof the various churches were tolled, and all places of business # V9 i9 P" }' _+ I6 g. H6 m3 a3 U
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were
+ `$ S% P; j/ p& D5 `Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- . ?6 ?! v7 J6 L; H( b! h; u
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew 4 p1 w2 J1 o0 K5 `/ N
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was 9 Q( @0 \0 ~/ l1 H& V6 G
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of - o2 I$ ~0 e$ u3 I9 j- D
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans / u& W8 [/ h% l4 J3 k) {5 T
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous 9 [2 W9 z; p; Y" K
philanthropy.
, _* e& c$ V3 z1 t2 W* Q7 ]( k) M: @5 s
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol- $ K6 ~) T9 N# d$ ?3 f
lowing appropriate inscription : / B% n) E/ i% Y% J
# R, v) u. G& `5 _1 V- B$ U
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
+ @4 n4 \9 C# Z; y4 oIn charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
/ F+ S9 _# K8 V" B' t7 \. @2 ?; G1 HThe last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- - F1 u* c% X- T8 i
thropy
; t- L) g0 R0 P( LTo be remembered forever. # ]% p" B% M) K
9
+ h# B6 h" ~$ Y" J+ i9 G# G) U7 j B! V3 {6 Y' M: C1 `0 I2 g
: _# b& a8 |6 V& B- a! R# L* p( y
. n; o9 _, p! u104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
6 s0 z X# ?% L" g- C
) H' T A+ k: E# r- @) ]& g* z- Q6 GWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. 8 J& T: |, [- T' L
( C7 N6 l1 T+ c4 E. V. K2 {United States of America,
! |% h+ Z! z5 g {/ m7 @9 c# [* u, G: \2 t( T. T
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. , c' T( }2 C$ a" u8 `8 t
8 z% o. P$ r* \) t8 f" q/ s; s. ~1 BBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of + }- G" r2 i; f! }2 U, m& v
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 6 h8 P8 C ?2 J% o
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter % d& a' A- |+ J" a
before 10 o'clock a. m..
$ a. I7 S6 o3 O; ?1 V- @% n& J2 i6 n
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the $ P1 K8 |9 b$ q, y
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, / l; _# K" D' Q0 ?6 U
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- - j( K% n# t# A* D
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- ' b9 {! D/ }3 E' w2 Y; t' J. D
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
2 @+ e- N( ]% r6 L3 S1 Z0 c8 A
/ I, z5 Z& N2 v( ?: jPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
2 U+ @3 H# o! p( gwhom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a % Q) f& x" F; l# e
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
0 r( E& [7 m J5 zsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the & a: V' G, [" O& H, b% d
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
) N0 s0 T6 [" q3 c' zTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
1 q1 d4 I# ?" W) P4 H; hment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in : t: G) o; V. o9 G: Q* {6 k
presence of said witnesses:
9 s! ?- L0 I' _1 e& z
6 L+ A$ |( K+ B# n* ]% g1 H6 |; C( M1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
7 V H, {- L+ N& g- `& y( ~/ F4 v
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
E# j$ F, s5 ~; P$ QCemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
" ?. t3 C* s" v- _my decease.
" C: i. A8 R" _. n* ?3 }1 u. M6 ?* ~2 @
' Z! v) T7 @7 \' l+ U/ {" I9 \) {3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
& m( N( o2 F; F1 c; uRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of
+ f' J) n! f- ~4 b- L. oNew Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
+ z8 _* L2 ]* P# AAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
+ T% ?* U) c( z! L+ Q- ktors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- % E( `, {9 {& {' A; v7 M! k! r
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
& B6 t5 N$ v0 Y( H/ LAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre # P3 J6 |1 u9 ? P& y
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
! t. d4 x7 \6 y& x+ ?/ Usum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
0 \* q, ]( P8 E$ |$ mnot only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
6 _! Y5 ]- m$ L( n: t3 Palso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, ( w5 `3 x+ R/ p4 y, P7 S
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
d2 c. x7 E) g2 {; f8 d* ~be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors 0 c, {6 J3 I. U5 X* d) @
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
9 c8 N3 F5 p, jmy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom,
+ w" X' v" K: B0 u& r2 u& ]under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
8 y% z$ L d& b. N! o; r3 ~tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
2 Z+ V3 z" `' h; J4 w/ n
! f, d( L$ T# U6 G- [- ^6 l+ u4 s% m8 k) n0 }
* ~3 D4 d3 U9 h w. q0 z) gJudah Touro — Eohler. 105 . Z+ C# q! [8 g1 i5 Z
1 x* e) m( z1 B* m; j7 |I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
5 c; ]! t/ ^$ X3 `$ T% e7 Cherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts . w3 q. S$ d" y& k' P& M. |/ a
of my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of - m* ^4 \! `# }( q0 ]0 P7 o0 _
my estate, movable and immovable. # }) b& W, R# k5 _6 T
7 Z/ T, o# K2 Y
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more $ s9 F) `3 k- }* M& x
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor + V. l+ n9 I: i0 j d' T+ t
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last 9 h+ D! T5 N8 O
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
; F. e/ ]2 F- T' g: ?5 C" jof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that 4 o) k0 U6 X7 U1 C
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of 9 }/ S4 C2 S a$ @5 D
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
+ E$ J) }+ I a: \5 Z# Wherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made ( J. S! l; F& H5 ^9 ^2 T, j) |
to them.
. b3 U- Y% p( ]" f
4 f; ^) O7 J+ `9 v0 W/ \4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
3 c/ @$ A5 s% _force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
4 B R/ t; H' h& d6 X8 k6 N( ethe same shall have expired. & t1 Q: |9 Y& U' q6 L
- O8 ]6 R) s4 g$ t5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
' J1 ^: L. Q/ ~4 f7 h$ w& fwhich I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
+ {& Q* P, ~" y! xdirected by this my last will or testament.
' s$ w7 r* q$ g
5 s( d2 r! O. F `9 J- @6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
! v" w: k+ t" C# c. {9 E% ipersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
@, J7 K6 N& a! B4 I! Gproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their . ^' n9 i9 o+ D
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
9 A* \ y* A* F/ M; w/ K% x- W' athe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
1 P3 h' Q* f. @3 d, M% v: xthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
3 E( x* B# \/ v! \# X$ _the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David ; _. G) l, G9 P2 Q
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- # e( m6 N/ b" \
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
7 o7 E3 Z* h9 y& q: K$ ?gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
) `- [; O& j) {7 W& L) jReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
( E9 `; E( e2 G) k2 R. o& n0 jmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- : E' G: m3 k H/ }3 b
strictions.
1 w @* N1 [' h8 l# F, ]
8 E! @4 b; C2 p) v, r) s7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New ( Q% k* A4 l: o) c" S( ~
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession ' e! p( A! p9 v! t3 ]. r
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
. ~7 L: z8 o9 c- E9 G- j0 {# R5 V0 E; Enow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
' ~1 w2 q& N/ K' L8 j& L+ x- _ ^/ Ntemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
3 _, v {3 X+ U- l& Z" ritable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex- T( [# _. @5 X# }
ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them 7 J1 m0 t- O" @" N5 _0 ^3 q9 |
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
S3 I: R4 R+ f1 k6 O$ e4 A- z! j& b. a0 e# G
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of * j' l1 y' [8 ^5 l5 i
New Orleans five thousand dollars. ; p0 Y) Q( T" X8 c. y
3 j X7 S1 i4 w9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 3 T& |* a+ u# o' C! ?, `' w
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. P" H; |% o6 b
; r! i; P3 U) Y% X* y$ j! c* T; z
1 n+ u" E. x/ J9 C, ^$ @& g2 y# G6 n% ~) t$ l' H; D# ?# V
106 American Jewish Historical Society. " u- ]( ]; d5 h7 `: C
' R* |: `2 q, s6 e' f10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 8 D/ D1 q! V) X' w+ G6 H' i0 y
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
+ a1 N ] f1 n+ `, y9 n- E$ n/ ]5 J5 a" C) g* Q9 _3 y' I
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society - F# U; Y5 }1 j1 F/ T& ^! b
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
; K& k g g6 h6 z- ~9 D. H) o3 c+ G( F$ d
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New 9 n+ [8 i4 A4 [. J
Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
8 L+ P9 h- v' z9 ?3 n
( P' i4 t& Z u6 ~$ N. a13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
3 E4 C& I$ b" R, h' wtute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. ' @) q4 _# [1 _- n
5 B" [& \) I' l( B1 l14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
# s4 `$ s8 a8 `2 \" Vof destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
1 _3 L( @; h' \7 _" W# D; llars.
' s' G' @5 b' B! D% G# i/ h8 u1 w$ ^
( X* N$ c: B8 |8 U9 @1 ]8 C15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan 6 w1 X8 o' v9 Q/ |
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- , N8 S# ?* }0 s8 r! y/ G3 N9 @$ \
sand dollars. 2 U# s; Z- h! V# E$ x
- O7 i& d: V7 q! \16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- D1 G7 x0 Z% g [. v
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
. v+ ~8 G( L0 Q5 i2 ]3 z qchairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
' ~0 V6 S) r. Ddollars.
* O$ E* } S A: M- T# ?4 ?: m- Y9 r6 {) `' h
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
. U: i% |9 i; ~1 N$ q7 nfive thousand dollars. # l$ a# \- E9 Z( {" B
3 l( f) f4 C- L! b4 ]9 v
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
. j) d/ G6 `* F) s1 O' L( Rtion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. ' g; b$ H, l/ B& L9 y
" M0 F4 p# p# X3 r' L, H+ w( b& ~; r19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First : c3 l( [6 ~" s
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. . ~2 t. |1 y/ @6 Y" {+ a$ Z7 X4 [
. A! A" W8 o) w. _9 J( j/ M8 {20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
% V. C% e, U1 g1 Q6 |- B! _" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
: d+ K; J) R& @- o# U9 P8 D. `contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity ! Z& |0 f+ y5 O7 i3 K! a
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) $ `& w h# b; ` ] D& P1 _2 y+ o5 B/ E
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be $ _ m" {( M9 O3 L5 B
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
# R J/ e. m2 {: z+ Q! nafter my executors shall have legally organized and established
5 A2 `! @3 m$ {3 A3 {: i! tsaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
5 K1 Y9 {7 |8 _( ?) ?administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
8 X. Q6 z' P9 A9 Vsons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con- 7 F( p5 ~; h6 A. ?' A8 v# v, \
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
$ G! h/ q& Q" u8 W, ?2 `' V) ocessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control ' }& \/ \5 ^! @8 B. T3 n/ O0 x
thereof.
" O7 E, i& a$ Q2 n% Y2 Y4 `) h m/ E6 L& o
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of % k) k1 r* T5 y) N
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that & k; [( W: |+ B
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 4 L( c/ }. B; v5 V6 I1 w$ F/ X u/ p
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
& t' B; W: e; c2 Z" das a public park or promenade ground. 0 Y# K* x* T. v+ R# Q3 c( u
$ { {* o2 v7 y% Q. q) ]- h
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
3 E6 i. X- n* J/ g* Oaforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. * w4 M9 x# _* E! F: y2 w
) g+ F! I( L: P8 }, q/ v9 ~3 O# w# V% y7 t! ]5 y# J; q2 E' w6 W
0 Z1 g" r& U8 m; A& p* j/ ?' [
Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 5 _4 K, X" _7 e) f6 S6 G# _0 T* m% _
* S' }9 D6 J" x. S) m! u0 x
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay " e; y* X9 K7 t1 {& ?8 I- L
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars. & @+ x$ C, C! Y% {+ n
! l4 p" S3 g3 s24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
4 V# e4 @: x @ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. 7 v1 H1 [5 |$ \9 [1 i
% M* ^$ h5 |/ s) B9 ^: j
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
+ i7 J) b! E+ H8 E U% E( A4 OHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. # O! g G4 Z2 h R0 Y
, H B; N( {9 X) h
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
/ V l) z% {- q( _- v* }1 [for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
5 F# Q! O* \9 L! GState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), `: }) R+ \# H6 f0 |) p4 |
ten thousand dollars.
0 }1 q8 y" s! B" o, v
, E0 o# Y# \7 `0 S z+ P6 ]. l27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir + K1 V3 S* C( }" ]: F& L8 M
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
6 c# i# B+ o" e8 H0 M7 \9 aameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in 9 M6 K) Q+ t* f7 O
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
: ]4 ] { ]2 r7 e! Q1 A/ m$ I3 [) Oworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
! E+ b2 k' m& V3 wmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- 2 d+ F# C' z+ M! N& ]* V+ ]1 F
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
* v: D( P: `! t) {) g" Rthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
3 ^: _/ \: B" t" y2 P0 {as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
+ B3 E% Q' q1 B! g. q+ aany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
* X& Y2 D* J& o5 a& k0 Q2 H3 xing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and & @' B& x# C' h! K
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
Q7 D, {1 A# }" X* G/ Fbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
' w$ K$ f# ]5 pCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- 8 R+ I/ E- J+ @
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
7 M4 v9 K8 M F" ^# ?7 Nof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
- a2 V: N5 u9 w8 s- zmy last will.
& V0 m6 N6 e/ P, a ]: \4 D/ T5 a9 J* S# ?
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
3 V9 z5 F) f" [( }have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to
p& t% f1 J/ h- F2 e, Qwhich in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, 9 g* }7 G0 k1 ^% u' I$ I4 @0 I
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them & T4 U0 K% h- Y5 U; L6 B* q+ \
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and
/ ~& k Z' k6 Kthereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
9 r9 L7 a4 W* t0 W# Zdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my / I1 C$ \1 U, v- |- m: i4 C
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- 2 D# j0 n& n8 Q) o/ Q
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to ; w6 t D# w7 E: e
inherit in the premises according to my wishes.
0 q" \& @* F5 R/ O* r) L- z( ?, @' u( c- T
29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the & s" y6 t# g9 m: q; J x
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. ( _3 d( |: X3 e# E8 O% Z
- U5 t+ X R y6 M4 N
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
, A9 Q/ N; [% x; O) Z" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
2 T/ H* |/ u- y+ W
* d, t, u% M) F, S( d31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society ! q& T* c, N, X4 b4 o1 |
" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars. 8 C2 v- M* s! g- V$ }7 a$ u
( m# {1 t1 G* n3 ]. P3 H
, O7 t6 E$ J, f& l' b) m
5 H! {! Z) U$ Q: S, f9 Q3 }108 American Jewish Historical Society. 6 E6 k) R' L) u4 c# z1 G8 b0 [% c
8 b: @9 Y' |) e5 A
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
: s5 q% s: I/ }4 k9 Jattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the & u, @. ~8 ]6 i- V3 Y; x) ^
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand 8 w$ R+ S; d. D. X9 o- M
dollars.
3 ?6 ^$ Z! Z. J! w
' B0 O" M1 s& u" l% c% X$ \0 Q/ E33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
9 @( K6 j( h' N% x6 T2 obrew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, " w2 y. u0 B2 p9 {% L# e
the sum of three thousand dollars. ( l9 L$ q/ H+ z3 i& S5 E
2 u8 D% [. A X; e6 O
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- $ X; e. d+ d1 k1 j7 W
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars. - x0 ?9 O$ [4 g
4 P* f: H- }! O" i2 l# z
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
& }/ n* g. v9 f5 t: M/ wthe City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
. M' F% _. e/ Q8 y8 j3 E2 W3 V' La directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
( `. X) S3 Y( a) g" gKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. : X5 A' J" g% i& I+ ]
) E5 @4 T5 H) b7 d; Q& \* n" h36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 6 W$ i* W* J7 s8 b! t- X
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- ( t X4 v; m* _0 b3 d# j
lars. 3 E8 [& f4 k6 R1 _! f0 s5 {! K
0 d+ ]# v% ^: X) k; t$ t
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of ' c$ y' z/ }. f$ c2 N3 `
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
! Y; C) u; k. ]+ _/ f
2 M" ]5 |: p2 |# b) ~" V. ^38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
0 w9 e* N7 j0 A' d5 |5 f8 Jdelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars.
9 y; c' a- R! T8 H3 F+ T7 \8 o1 U6 \; ?& |! b( u! L4 ~/ M3 A# j
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
$ g6 g! Z- D5 s( R0 ^9 KIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. 1 u/ S* E! v' k0 s% E
. m# L' [2 z( y/ T40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
0 k) k* s' z9 R% D! P6 I6 nShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
" I9 j+ b/ S) Y2 P
/ V1 i7 o9 U# X( T }41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith % ^ a$ j' g4 ~' _+ i
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand ' K) P9 B1 m8 D1 d4 r
dollars. ' S# n2 {, r. n+ M) R( ?
% P, g1 ?, b0 R42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
7 D+ K, Y& i; R2 ]4 s& Y* ~; X+ X @' agarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 4 E9 J5 S \1 P
" Q9 P& i2 w2 \& U, F; Y/ I; {43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve 9 v6 R9 `# H: P5 {
Israel," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars. & @" [0 t/ J" O, C1 R# g
j: a. u4 c# A; |( c+ F
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont-
& P9 z. i9 a9 `& W* Wgomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
1 [& f. S- C/ t4 u
: b0 [' j) G8 Q. Z8 {9 \6 J45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- 3 I- B: x; Z& _) z3 k# s1 I
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
2 h' K" H: O: I; x6 r. D$ `' S5 P& s; t8 H: u4 i
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
7 z4 ^% I- i2 O3 n8 B# cIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. 6 c- l4 O! N4 I3 d/ m+ L" r. `) e
6 T/ X0 i2 q+ u47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is- $ f1 P8 @; ~ Z: b" Q
rael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
: J! ^9 |& ~* H! m# ~' t$ x3 e. w7 e- ^, ]
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo- + s" [* Y: o1 _% `2 }* r% L: \; P
dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
* O& w) J2 W- ?0 W: u5 D$ R2 `# s
49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
5 P, F( z9 o3 I, n8 IOhio, five thousand dollars.
; L7 a* m. g; f2 [# M5 `& L, m1 c Y+ W t y
L9 H& F5 `8 Z S! g2 U
2 Z- Y8 O- w9 a. L, R
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 9 n" ^; ] A1 V) }6 n( P' B
P) _- f: U, Q+ l50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
, j. o- B. t1 CIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
' f. \7 ]$ { t
3 N) Y9 v0 N4 w3 e% K/ K51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
+ N* f. V0 J7 |0 d8 lEl," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars. + [' r. b( @+ c2 _' B! a* |& z( x& X+ @
2 ]3 s1 S. L0 p
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
! |( L1 R- n M* |, x. `0 Iof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 6 n6 K6 L, q& P+ d3 ~( C$ q
; s2 S# T) B) N- Y1 i3 t0 r- N53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth 8 x' a; |! K+ ]2 ?4 f: A
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
0 U0 q# E% {9 r, t/ b2 j, z+ T7 c5 o- a/ @' h; d
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, # m z3 H" p! W+ o! j1 C1 d
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
5 R) `, W' V9 bham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums:
9 s' m* l- E" X) O" q; X% u
% ~4 `7 s+ W' x6 A7 w- M- I1 x: s! NFirst, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, ; j, K; r+ b. p# J* F7 r- `
five thousand dollars. 1 q0 f: E0 k( C# `; m
( O* G0 V, @5 X7 ySecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
^( i- L K8 z0 Z! Z% T" Q6 cfive thousand dollars.
# m2 A; A( C# h8 I, A. d1 o
/ N. r& W& v! J( d5 z% Y: a$ TThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
$ S# j) R4 C8 d# e2 T8 F1 asand dollars.
. I8 I' ?& O c8 z L4 A5 M, D. a2 E4 [) U' t( R
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
) x, A$ P D4 |6 x# N# gpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
J9 |9 r: {" vish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
& F; U/ x; l" K+ ?+ h3 B0 }7 L- q( Eistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
V3 F- J1 i$ z# Y7 L% O1 ]9 JJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
( j+ J) e' w6 R+ B; _# d# Uappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
/ W$ o c, i9 Z/ T' N7 Ras my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
& j; J% k- n4 T5 {: l8 pof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
: ^' t, [5 B) M7 C' q/ jthat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
_2 ` \0 c. P2 e- t/ `$ k5 v0 tfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
" }* {+ } I9 b6 a! zcontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
" ^. Z3 X5 ]1 T( Dthe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration m) B- ?8 C5 O. u8 e1 U
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the + K% _) u/ K t# X( R+ W9 J, O
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, 2 a0 r4 M& k# y
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould. 0 f; ^- |) `4 i/ Y2 a
' J1 o! G3 ~0 Z, f& Q
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
5 m! H) X4 O1 }% D" L7 pHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind % r5 {; J( X$ Q) \9 p
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. 2 h5 ] g9 d) N0 g- D8 o1 U9 `
# m% T' F' C# b# R. t' x57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and ' w# S! R$ X" x/ r* N, U
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
) ~5 M# T: P9 ]Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be ' O, l p# Z! |6 {; m
equally divided between them. & p4 J# j3 o8 A& u
7 N( s, q" i; V8 `( M# ]! z
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
1 C. E$ I, t0 A- ^; Tthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, \2 y8 O! k- p! c5 K' ]$ B
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my 1 B8 N1 b- `) X8 i8 g
remembrance. 9 s' b% Z! f2 s- b( k
- z1 O0 V$ K( m$ V: H! m o
9 Z# M/ ^; I+ j" K3 B, ?; A
4 Y+ R1 R# G; T7 ?5 ^* b- ~5 ^# @110 American Jewish Historical Society.
2 j& S& i9 x' A/ H. a0 s3 F" Z; [
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
& m4 L: G ?: Eof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of ! J. g- J( M/ n% Y, Q
my esteem and kind remembrance. b& |; m! d/ T' ?
: L+ T" E G( k60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to , u+ c& G* w5 T" c# | |
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a ]! C9 R% i9 G5 c/ b+ v' }0 _
token of my regard. / Q/ R8 t2 [" Y/ [$ N; ]5 w6 q
; o/ M+ ~. R# A2 \. k61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
4 o4 v) K* q7 _! {4 G% Y5 X$ p2 N3 ymy friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
6 y: i8 G" D9 C0 |wife, to be equally divided between them.
# S' A n2 d' l+ Z
% O5 e$ L& h- E6 U- G62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
" I5 P+ u: L: A" kmy friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of
, P' A) c! a- tmy remembrance. / k! V; J! M: |4 b' |/ L$ R" p
9 r `$ l! Q9 H# S9 s63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
; b# W1 H& \8 D4 `* {% qof Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- - ~& f$ m- A8 I
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
; [2 E/ x* p8 h! \ i1 Ylars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
: Q7 t6 Y5 J( Z' g& m$ n2 [& sof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
0 H2 I- N8 {" y) zregard.
2 f5 Y4 d! Z7 p
* \ E5 v$ C F$ q' R$ \& R# {; Q64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
( r6 E& P& B; Q4 X% ]8 v2 Eto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable . v0 w2 U" \5 A9 j: \5 o0 e
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
" p- f7 V) o; t/ M- b6 y7 owife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. + d2 {* @) i7 f' @/ a4 w
8 S) L7 P H2 s" n. D0 P
65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
: c+ F; g- h; b$ @/ w7 W4 T, eto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
! s4 j9 J% ~* V0 c _memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
1 Z+ x; ?. n/ _8 vMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
% e" r$ B( t0 h* W5 ?
+ |9 U8 p" X) c66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
) E) Y4 a6 o1 P+ x) ^% r0 r$ n" kmade previously to these presents.
/ d5 O/ T, T" ^2 c& ]# j
# k3 g! [0 t: @; ]0 ?6 R. c, bThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to 8 N* M2 a# j4 d8 @% B/ J* A+ O( u
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
7 j9 {; L) q8 F9 B9 V, O% ]4 a: hherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
) M+ e4 G3 X' Hsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own 7 p5 Z( d. m! j! d3 S8 O4 q4 s
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this ' M) j" u# F) k. f
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres- 3 F" w. k7 u$ d" a- x' m
ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same r4 O2 |1 ~' s( K% w/ i
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
; C$ h$ M* d& Y5 c+ V' s
+ j4 z7 Z# ?4 \6 a5 r0 QAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
' N7 O. h0 B! C9 A& ]2 _( Z9 D) Wing aside to other acts. ' g4 g0 e B6 C7 |
0 R4 ]8 D+ g' [" k
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the / l3 M4 n% h3 M/ u% O1 |/ z) r
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and % T) `1 M& ]9 k; V2 m# z& b' n
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
: C4 r7 S8 W( H& Z4 rMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, 9 ~) k) u8 e% B7 a( v
: y1 P% N7 V: m5 ~5 J" }: G! E( f
) H4 m/ s1 k, m' T+ D) v( n
L; ~- w4 b7 `
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill . _' ?8 L+ B7 N9 e( j( f( c
" ~, e; y, d7 w2 M1 T" y5 }3 O) k8 f. Iall three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
3 \3 ?( r) `; Btestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
7 |# s! \6 f3 T9 I0 t8 ^names. (Signed.) - x2 Q7 x" l1 }. Z2 `3 s' ]! ]
& \3 N2 p. |) K
J. TOUEO,
1 l/ @1 h( f- C" ^3 E/ H) ]1 B
J. Montgomery,
: O7 \, e. _. o% [4 W' M+ N/ o7 L) {+ U( x2 S# ^" x4 C) g3 k
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
. n: r2 G2 a q9 I/ [; G/ X! G2 h5 d% N6 B
Geo. W. Lee, / T, d6 b0 Q/ `2 p' z) j; l
$ e2 |* P9 o( M3 V2 ^5 QThos. Latton, Notary Puilic. 9 v4 Q" @+ c9 A" G8 G
" ^' l+ {8 J0 U! R6 k% B3 h* l
$ ] U" T0 G# T( M4 {2 m. t
& V0 {- n& E9 F% V
LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS # h P3 B7 X# S( `
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! v9 o9 G; k, Q& r014 495 461 |
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