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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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+ P$ |9 F3 m" k& N6 ?JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
6 v% H9 ~$ j- j$ \* |1 E' Y1 w5 QPHILANTHROPIST. % x* p4 e* Q& G! U# g$ ]$ q; h) y
5 @6 y8 a7 y" z" i: e E0 h: p$ x0 i$ t! W5 B* c3 h
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B. 8 r; Q. x6 B4 _3 p% M" V
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6 u% w# y1 j3 c1 X1 OReprinted from
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Publications of the $ z6 v5 p0 o2 b1 i- a$ W. m
, V n, @ n# V2 }* j& \4 E( }American Jewish Historical Socibtt, 1 d1 s4 w2 |8 s! A# J; o8 @: ~( ~
1 t; p$ w6 z9 h @* B/ u/ V
No. 13, 1905.
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$ j) S6 Z$ h/ ^$ ]/ N6 Y. Y) \JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND ( ]5 f% ^) ~( {2 o3 e0 L5 y
PHILANTHROPIST. 4 r/ _% H" f2 d* `, D2 |7 `
, f& B2 F2 J8 @0 h$ T _( u; n5 Q6 \( rBy Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. # g( a& ]5 X7 e, {9 m, a
9 w6 y2 b6 D1 _' j" E3 _It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
" H( h0 o$ k$ GTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings,
. p: y& x& N0 j& Y1 i% l8 q3 m$ ]nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
' Z2 L, g: I3 L- T L) Zname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating 6 P- |6 p% \8 y2 a/ f7 A2 w
from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- 1 l3 C( |& a0 e1 W( }
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
9 ]8 b p9 {, J; Iconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's 5 `6 ^3 a, k+ z; u
History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
. l- o4 b$ D* f0 W- y! o5 K% ^7 C. xthe very name of one who would probably by common consent 6 |" x, o6 v- X/ i- B5 B7 h' K
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the * t# H& E5 u b! w
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
5 a# B* }5 b) B! h. u Jrelations between the investigations of local historical socie-
3 M2 p, e A) _# tties and more general historical writings, can readily account ) W4 Y5 P7 v# Y
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, 0 j; H6 h0 ~; }/ F. y" Q( I
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such ) B4 U5 i- L; A8 y
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his- , L% A% C, A# ]
torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
& o4 i$ ]+ W( w+ U) avidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in " }+ [. U( r+ O
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
. P' s. [ n5 s, Ttary history of his . " a1 I7 Y m6 ^1 G6 [3 @
- Y% V' B, k2 G" AA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
, c% Y5 K7 a0 l) _9 z0 x% `; mwithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by 6 F0 j2 {. J4 u3 e6 s
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- / b `4 u2 ^- [0 G4 R: c7 H
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what
- U J8 {# k' o( ]high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
# A) b! y. O% ~% f" w. b0 GWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal 8 Q0 c1 c k' p
! k. W3 y: @3 d5 K
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- " M5 B1 H! `2 c. X
chants," published in 1856.
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94 American Jewish Historical Society. . [7 G4 m$ m4 D( M) H3 G
$ ^, h- D! G8 ?reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- ' _, p2 k1 {- `% m; ]) Y& y
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- ; K- B. Y- G1 Y _+ u$ P
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
9 v! B/ B+ r9 ?- }& J# N/ j. wthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be : u5 b- E c3 f; j6 }8 w
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- & b" h0 {' i; x/ q& }9 e1 i
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary ; O4 c' Q* S N! B6 ]3 b- V
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
4 M, T% k: t @; treminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago 7 o% T6 d! c$ v- R8 x% d
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
1 K" }0 Z6 v7 i; w: S$ yJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known 4 \0 }- b) |, Z
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy 3 q; H2 b& I5 K% y* W
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his ! F2 `% ~( s; f) u1 R# a: ^8 \
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
' p& y2 N7 |- Gguile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
: M0 @ V/ \$ s) P* fmore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
- l! \4 Y. n/ u2 @0 s/ V- g5 Eand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish |( ~2 T2 x4 U- D
name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
; Q: T2 b4 ^0 i- Yunprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
2 y' J% e+ u0 L: fgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
1 o/ u1 K' @5 k8 T& umunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore % X2 [/ E5 T% t0 U
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
+ Y8 R$ ~% b6 u: ?& R7 sdisposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
4 P$ a/ b z: a6 h3 |; i5 Pfoundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever % Q) b' [" t& X+ z) e0 C. y
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. % i; r# N; z% y* ?7 X" W2 u, i
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June
" O8 ?; _2 p% e: E! E4 {$ N16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
5 a+ y8 M$ i- Xstance that his individual career thus began with that of his
. t& m, x/ z% Z3 }! Y# sbeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- " {& j' d( S7 k4 o
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption
5 f( ]/ V8 L; O! \; lof activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by . e9 i D. \* m1 F0 k) l, _
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- % M& u& o" b# P, F
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
4 w% I/ l& x" } L" C2 y R# |career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
( e% j& V+ G ]* s
Q, f; V3 n* W# h. h3 n2 G' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. 6 a1 ^" e( U, C1 v: R3 X+ C- N/ p
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew-
& P+ m7 l2 X. q/ A$ a f% Yish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
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Gift 7 P# K) h. |! i) `% j$ m
Authc:
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4 e$ N1 K! l2 U4 C3 R: P- @Judah Touro — Koliler. 95
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' \, o; T7 E& |% J' XTouro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays, , Z! n2 g- k9 C
in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
7 R- k* p- Q. Z* F+ H8 O2 C c, {Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
9 S3 @( b& p' c( k9 P; Zdied in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
$ q8 o; M/ g9 e& I1 M7 k+ Hbers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
9 q# ?% ]3 J7 e0 Uduring the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- + ^& N5 }! z0 E7 P6 D, w9 N* V/ f
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
! S+ t( G H! @( J9 ]2 p8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, 5 x1 h. A6 O6 G% s$ V" H
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
6 j3 r, \, |7 ? Wbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
: v2 ~# d; ?. s% qing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
+ h7 A( h$ L! [0 J _ }0 cber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
9 C' m {1 \& x5 I0 Z- dAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely b0 g& m! R" }# G
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
" B+ ^* h( `# v S5 _5 Z3 z9 Jthem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were 4 J `6 V) o/ Q4 ~' {
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- : o8 m0 c) c% m4 n- ^, \; }
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
; p! l8 \. s/ A! Z+ Oof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- ' ~& t. D( T2 L) |' S V9 q
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays " w3 p( w+ W+ A
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the 7 ?' A5 ~. @) p4 A
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
) b) @- A! ~5 gMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the - |/ u" i8 y8 C+ n# p9 m
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
( o9 U7 U* h' t! v/ X' [: m# awhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition-
- P* M& ^! ^( O- p- list leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
2 C1 t; }& ]$ ]' qearly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
2 P* f0 E" F: V: U1 ~5 [# {$ v* minduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase
5 @: e9 y% o2 k* ~5 Dslaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
$ P9 e. N% O# n/ }Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and ( O0 U8 c8 @. M# B1 \
4 v9 D. D' _2 Q' s& H/ o
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., & M: f# y( l+ \# M; U' i' t( H
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. % I! c8 f7 {2 _* B
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 0 F5 {! V0 _6 o, n: C& b: X
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences
* z# ], g1 p5 iof Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ; O( Z1 t7 {4 X" b( q# ?+ x7 I$ t
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; 7 k1 Q; v- }7 ^& H
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." 1 |: o1 \7 r& p8 O, S
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. 4 s0 }- G- e& v$ l/ D6 I! L0 B% G; {
6 y4 o: \! x8 ^7 C- N; i3 E% hcommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
; n" E0 O& S; y4 E3 _# F1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
( [; t2 ?3 }. F4 W+ za valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
3 c. h, ? `) r5 U8 b* O8 JThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their 7 c" z" o% K2 ?+ `: u6 \
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
9 u v) e. L. e% Kmercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- % X" \' m; X( ?% r
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
. X$ z+ B5 Z8 Q0 U8 w# sFrench possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
' p4 S! W% R6 k6 q8 N; V4 c/ na voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends + f1 ^& t6 Z' C @
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
3 K" Z1 D9 {8 @% ]) D1 ?ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
# H3 L! y5 _. amade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
8 C# B3 S$ t+ jNew Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer- 5 h0 k3 N y" @+ o7 k
chant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
+ t3 p" ~' {: E3 kport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts * `3 H9 f/ x* W/ N2 b) D5 C) O7 c
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library
3 N& b: Z. \2 V9 B# n7 L9 lfrom the collections of the distinguished historian, George ' H# o: \& x8 `: j
Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 9 N1 K% |, m% ?0 m+ u% y& j9 d
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
8 |3 H2 f4 P" W, U4 r8 C$ lplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws " X/ g$ M- X8 R, ^! K
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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5 |$ ?9 y7 O2 q3 G8 A# m- g5 z8 _Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for ( R5 S- m1 B9 u1 o9 t8 t& Q; c
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their `. P7 l# {& a% F4 t
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re-
6 ?0 I! R/ a) O1 E: S* q+ u; w) V( ymained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
7 E% y" u% ~0 L/ M% Mand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, ( }/ @- C: A, J! S1 }" ` V4 N% c" G# w
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very 2 B6 V. G. R% G4 u0 _0 r# q
month in ignorance of her death. - L3 k4 c6 ~0 M. V( K* S
! `, t* H& O5 A+ j3 Q1 QAbraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos- 0 ]* m+ [% u, s; ]
ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
$ ^2 m: v! e0 z y- Y& K) maccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his * q% q5 S6 b- ], K& A. J
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- / L/ @- l0 M+ V D" `9 w
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been : E& D) h& m1 K8 p! u& v+ d3 P
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused % l" }8 w! q. _. L. L
a substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for % J! D- `( c+ s! {
which he made further provision by his will, which contained # H* f) ?+ k5 f: h7 ]$ W4 `
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$ |9 D: q+ u2 Z9 H( GJudah Touro — K older . 97 2 U7 |. {, k5 N: g. D+ _
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a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston # {1 K: X: u+ |
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
1 a; _* N$ |4 S8 u" yNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
% N+ S' M, p3 b. a. Q, l' J& wto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- 0 @- |% `' `7 u) X
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
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d' F2 M( n$ ~Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- 5 c, f3 N3 K; \" h+ h+ U
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during ) q# R0 X% B o. y$ l1 B
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, ! J7 e8 j) V5 |4 ?/ q
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
% e3 Z, g% W9 }. `3 K0 W2 E( _ jleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
0 Y x$ A0 a% D' A3 _+ Qteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
6 H: T3 [) C1 Q2 dthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while + L- P+ Q6 ~5 [. z/ i( P
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve-
6 O( _' C# P# U/ Upound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that ! u5 u% I9 {3 x$ z# Q
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. . U; Z/ o1 z4 g* Q/ s
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians * X1 K' W* z4 L8 z- ^8 n1 R
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death 3 n, R( k2 Q8 m& S/ P2 A
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
% ]/ }7 ]* o" r4 m' l2 }- W* OJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of + r; K' D. j# f7 ~' H7 K" P& k
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- $ B) }' t! i6 Q
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- N) z7 S: O _, A9 J+ x* `0 T
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large 2 z$ U5 \( k; o+ g* b: G! l9 E6 B
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, 2 @/ D/ s9 m& ?* W/ s! Z
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de- 3 e: r: _% _6 D
scribed in the will itself.
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* e$ X6 R' z8 S' M2 ~5 aJudge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
, Y9 u+ m0 F( k/ ~+ ito, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
8 R( T* \. Q. `$ p) Y! X$ t+ va brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other * t* t) s! p- g% w8 P7 Z. N
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
3 z. L! B: L5 J( m1 Y; Qfriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
3 T( l* _4 ^/ kagement soon secured him a large New England trade, every / k' B3 c1 |3 O* s+ }* E7 B
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
$ H( E! @, l6 [$ qmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain / g; {, L% R' I, M
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his ; O1 U/ D- n6 o3 t' U0 E
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in 1 J9 }: H% C. s
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His M/ t. ]% X. ~5 n4 [, ^' j
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5 Y9 h5 w- w3 p& r98 American Jewish Historical Society.
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and , ], Y% E2 I6 ?! m3 }: U8 V @
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em-
: e6 j. o9 K7 A* Y: L+ I5 S4 ebarking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- 8 E$ _: Y$ ?6 t4 R8 v, ^ Z
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
3 @& }8 ]- t% E5 ^. ]2 P1 T3 fthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
5 B, w$ }9 S- F" y7 X0 oof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock. 1 Q* H9 W* X! z9 w) Z# m
His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
7 t2 b3 @" O4 v \- @by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
5 ]; c2 j# R. v4 C# |than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
8 a" T; y4 b# M+ g9 z" J9 j/ F6 vtom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset. ' H4 O) p0 V, }+ m( W
He attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
8 g( L [% s7 k! `- t* V: H E: iarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- 5 A9 s( y% X) w2 x o
standing.
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1 L- p) y) y0 \5 |/ U* jIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was 3 E6 Z3 Z7 L* ]! j) q% s
devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of 4 l4 K, ^- t) W N1 o' i
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to ( V2 w& V6 Q+ m. R2 Z5 a& E `
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made 6 @- O7 p/ g$ x& q+ |4 y y* Z/ z
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro-
# Z7 E8 i: O! W" [pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- 3 r/ J! |7 k: y7 f* x
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, ( J% ]: S$ V( g) U3 p( r
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
3 `, L5 y8 N9 u5 J9 X9 nwithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that
4 O6 l2 X( q! `! nhis whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan-
+ ^! E! O' V7 g8 Uthropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New 1 n$ X! O. U5 v+ S! ]8 |7 P8 z
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
* p/ Y. P0 x J, C, |viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
- h4 t# F- ~* A4 V; shad won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
+ p1 L; F* d. m9 ^1 xthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring ' S! M; B+ {) S* O
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw 7 u6 q l8 C7 {7 f
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
, q# ~6 c* r# p- o, J6 m9 ?' ltions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
3 Q: N/ @, T4 U( oof the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble " }. Q, k! h% f0 h c
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to ( j8 O* G; E+ U6 H' M; [
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his 9 C/ w! T& e' A* T* Q4 z
hands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
% ^8 Y v1 T g0 y, z$ xhomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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' S, E9 y& \2 J7 r2 q1 }
Judah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 / w1 R( K, U9 A1 r: t
5 i9 g; n& L) \# J" q! tpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
' e+ n4 O* i5 m; e5 Ha man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- 3 ]2 q, a- G1 U" r) v( G, }0 r! B( C
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a # }; U: g f' l# W0 O* s! ~
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn
( _: ~1 n4 \* o/ @. o4 { I5 p" Gaside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 4 F3 s {% E1 }: ^1 S" ^3 ^6 f4 A
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a % D# k9 c; B5 ~( ]4 f
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
$ {% T- M) o' L9 Sof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
3 ~$ [. |4 m" O( q9 cdoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
- i+ ~8 C# R3 Y6 vwealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the ) A1 R0 f3 B6 \; a) z
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
' X$ G6 n# U- d* f+ scence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a . A; Z, X) n9 R3 }& b3 L. ?
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
0 R/ t* K! M ^" V6 `: g" M' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall
5 V2 c& v1 n; F4 m$ breturn to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, - W/ ]1 T5 n' p; }% s( r" N. G
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He
# p; ?$ l& K7 n# l S0 fdeprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and 2 U: z8 p+ ?' M2 @0 `8 W7 i$ q0 j$ E
gratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
9 ?* U4 H0 U5 T# k$ |passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was ' o$ P. I* b* A: s
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, . V6 R/ [" R5 L0 L
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
/ w* a) y+ z* D( zstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions, & p0 }, R6 l+ X/ O7 e+ F
and his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
5 q6 G0 p0 j, o0 J O |/ @tion and display which are too often the main incentive to + h3 N' o' w/ ?1 Z' v: s. Y
liberal and benevolent deeds." 7 i5 Q7 i0 X! G7 Y$ K5 c
% x- G1 v# {- h$ Q* _, g' g! y
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
9 F, M- P# ^; Z/ r& X- q& uthat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the + e, g. G* @& |
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
; ?! @2 T j! A& M: r6 rtions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they , R/ `* c5 }! v9 N' H( _
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when 8 l# w- c( |# \
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
, w6 x5 l( N0 n6 R9 n6 lcommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
7 f5 s' S# e4 v' }the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
/ n& c0 ]- e2 t4 u: m$ h& L& Yterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
. o3 J; j( Q8 d" ?' D! N8 u$ vtheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid
; h. o$ H m; G _4 T6 T0 galready in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
6 T$ H2 a! ~1 ^* `3 H8 u, }8 U' j3 n/ I$ I, \* h) c* n
' z; m$ A+ B( j$ _& x: z9 G: l3 w3 ~- V# i/ t+ W
100 American Jewish Historical Society.
% [1 B; k7 d$ m$ S% B: @6 n2 {" f3 D5 |8 V
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material : k# Y6 I0 i) @3 H: F1 K
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
% q8 ]7 k: `; pEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately N6 E9 P1 f6 Z+ e, `
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
T8 b* T; G( h' Y" E& ]Amos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
% ?0 W- Y0 Q2 }" b) k9 psary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- / Y+ d$ C. m) z& ^- U) {/ V
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his , R% ?2 a: U, U- S: I+ i0 }3 B
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
8 d: b7 X7 v0 \+ vseriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob-
- L4 n- n9 l6 }% \( e3 {ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
3 h: s8 x8 w1 n% \ }; Qish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other $ C! A; r: z' z0 g1 X
single gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
/ t9 n. C. m1 _" t' E Y# nand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
) T+ Z) n( @9 L4 d, f7 qof the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of 4 f5 L/ I+ I7 S; H \, M. S7 F
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity ( w/ Q' Q) v: g3 y9 J
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these & F. m9 a9 a5 Y7 n! z4 V1 Z2 A
lines, since become famous : 3 f( N) g. H( t( w' n3 ]3 b$ Q0 `
$ u3 Y j8 u( x h; h ]. X
Amos and Judah — venerated names!
3 N, [" q' ?) r+ T" u& W2 o
. t* _& |/ ^& qPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims, ) m, w& c1 \8 K, P( H( [9 e. I; ]9 @
1 V" b, ]! _* M$ B2 o$ s5 j
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
* X7 N) a+ U, ^
5 ]" H! Q2 h" n K; @" D: q% qEach aids the work by giving it a check. 1 Z0 S, e' L3 U7 C! v, N) ~" @
* r y4 R4 s) l6 M, kChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan — 3 m9 a/ I) X( W
5 l1 o! [4 }0 b8 u% C% t( gFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man. / J, a: u4 R# q5 }+ }& o4 L
; d. @4 m8 x) `9 Q# xJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
# X3 V# T+ D) G6 |throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often ) v& s9 }: f1 I' R# V6 @
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration 7 K T7 Z5 h/ Z/ z- ~4 s! ~
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- 6 Y$ l8 U) c, x9 N) _
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
6 _' R4 r. C7 nister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
1 f2 ]6 B E. k6 V2 _+ ?. l9 R000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
( h. d0 E' w) E" F9 ?. Bby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
, O2 C2 ~" f5 z, n2 Bing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
' S+ B9 \ q' ?occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
$ B& V- N) d5 F0 F3 gmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- 0 N9 v5 s' z+ k! ?# |
1 R7 S6 S1 J2 {2 W/ }
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq.
* `3 I8 K7 j" p( P6 g5 n
: A% ]; F! w2 N) ?! U
4 k0 X% N+ h7 F: D' y& j5 l
( N; b: w* J; j0 B o5 T0 T) PJudah Touro — Kohler. 101 2 J* f' t; a7 l/ ]
: q% v/ L, G( n# Ctribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested 0 M+ h' e! c7 u3 o6 f C5 w
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, 4 d+ b1 @; j0 ?2 U
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I 2 C& y: ^. r3 p* q5 D7 _5 f5 f5 F) e9 c+ e
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church # V4 s3 Y% m) b! f' v! g! @. b
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from 4 I8 w! C: X& f
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
% N/ G' C. z% T! Idied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he 1 N @0 K: i7 w) P( ~) ]
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
9 c/ k8 @3 H/ } ?. k, L# A8 Edistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
" X. v% m V2 @. fat New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- # K4 L6 G7 J9 u/ D
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
3 l# N. `6 G- ^( p! {of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's + j4 P' a0 h6 ]" R7 c
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui- j; E7 }; N5 [
sition of the site by that municipality. For many years he
' }& {* b. v" }! c( ? U+ s5 X8 gwas practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; 1 R: c6 n. u4 m
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected 2 x% ?; g4 c/ ?$ K+ L
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
6 I9 w6 [# l% E/ K! ] |pense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
: O- H9 Z7 u# p2 A0 Q: L2 Ular and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed ) V; b+ G4 A: H4 @% x! ^/ N
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- / k- K+ M! P5 D! K9 o/ P
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable ! p& p0 R! O+ e+ Z( {8 s- a4 a& l0 S
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr. - u! g7 D0 E5 S' K# h
Clapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have . e6 u3 }6 m# e" I. G6 w H" S' D Y
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
8 C: M, r" R0 M2 n( rcan be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of 5 @) L! ~( A( A$ k P. _( \8 p. X
his benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing " l- k/ B6 u5 K
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- $ `+ o/ D7 |2 u' z
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he & |2 s* U. c2 N1 m# N9 k3 q; C$ d
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
: f; N* V) K% u2 W7 _( zHe knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated 9 F5 @; ~. P& I+ ]
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
" ~9 a3 q* V! Z/ ahilation."
) e0 U# q! R2 s" ~! Y) G M* X
4 B7 O+ t) Z4 t8 s0 {4 f% Z+ {One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur- $ y' ?8 I9 ^/ u& w6 r3 d
prised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
( s# J1 F& G x( Xhim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
1 f9 |* M2 z0 Eties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their v4 W, r3 j9 c& t+ `2 R3 H
d a& ~+ j% g$ m
8 F/ {8 w5 Q- \$ A3 L$ p
' G/ I6 r7 U; O) m: `( ^) x( W102 American Jewish Historical Society.
! B- V- K' @+ p/ U. t5 a: @! U, \; w8 ~" @
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
& d+ ]& |4 e0 s: ?- k( eexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his $ Q4 c4 U% q4 \( X% @0 ]/ H* y
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu- , C1 s2 b$ @( s$ g+ L& h6 g4 y$ C
tions in most distant sections of the country, would have
2 G# y+ d! _7 @7 ^. Hfound their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of 0 x; P: Y0 [) O9 ^ |! }7 T z- Z
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably ( [" I3 S1 q* _3 a7 `6 Y8 Q3 I' ]
summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
# Z* R# c1 x$ D# |6 Dquests, as follows : * u! {* C: e+ K Z9 G
' O5 @$ Q( d) ?7 s C/ a" O, CHe thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
/ W( ?; y8 F8 |4 S' {3 fhe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
! B) b( \+ z3 x$ P; ?their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
1 }" N' P2 e; h/ j) Fnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will ) c7 s% O' U) ]$ Z ?: p* x" I
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
1 X9 ]4 _2 d1 Ihis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in ' I* o# M8 U- k5 V9 [
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- / E) V/ ^ ]% l w2 f- S+ U
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied $ d" s! r1 q- f0 _4 b
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of # R$ r( t# a3 V( {* M
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
9 L$ |, R+ ?$ x8 w; Dthem the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the / A7 z& _% F# u, N/ Z5 _
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
3 Q" U+ J& ?% X' g. }5 r, K" wthought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
4 Q+ O6 X; m+ X0 {! M8 r0 Z5 ichildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
# f8 K# m8 z0 `/ F6 R' `6 ]2 jinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish 7 x# w7 t O3 r' t/ c q0 q/ }
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
( ~7 C( O' n7 F' g! j* YHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to ; o+ T* R" [7 }" \/ m6 A
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of
8 R6 v5 p5 ~" l; H( s' Y0 r, f* wbenevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop ' O7 u' f/ E% b1 Z9 Z& Q% l' A
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
1 X# f2 a7 n* @( H! O: c! b2 jIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- ; l2 G' v' a W! `
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
$ F: q" N& O$ y0 K: c4 U+ d( ~West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost : {4 j1 ^ \- a2 [/ |7 \, S% q0 ~/ d
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged 1 P3 Y$ i. p) ^, D
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- : F. [# k, e/ [ e
+ ]3 m. U1 E# @7 f4 X7 M
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because 3 \. \6 R0 P* ]5 H
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of - j& r4 s) T( F) b/ {4 A
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their 9 Y: m. a$ D' Z2 i; B; t& l. ~
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
. J" ^; }) \. R' u* jobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- 3 q4 h. \6 p; c- P/ p9 k, _/ T# W
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
# F& j) R9 P8 romitted no deserving Jewish community.
! T0 q$ ^1 C ]: j3 ?' a" |' q1 A3 ?2 h/ b* u' H: ~3 w1 [) u
5 g# k! t8 H1 z2 ^- B `' Z9 |7 ^/ s- L
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 : J5 |: n$ B3 ^2 h$ _( J
5 ~: J7 _% I5 x# S1 I
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
3 b' ]* R2 J, F4 m3 b. R7 @- phistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are % Z/ P2 P' X) ]- w* E
subjected. ! q! `0 p1 @% X5 Y1 W) Z* p
0 ?% Z7 ~9 b/ L( Y: aOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he & H; N7 ^9 x- L8 L+ O
should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with - P& Z: c* n# c+ k
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
+ }: h" R! S4 w5 y; q2 Fing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish & M' g b0 ]/ V4 L
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- ) L. W0 j+ g" ?# S5 T# ^1 b- X% t
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
; }& ?. T0 a* K e% I- E& Ltemptation. # ~& u1 p2 H* p5 \( }: i7 T2 X3 g
+ e. A2 O7 f! j' W; l3 H6 SAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
7 O. N# g5 C4 W2 L# rvied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, 9 e2 z! y6 Y6 m5 g3 F7 G
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, + l8 c* D6 a8 X, ? V6 U) A% p6 {
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
# ~. N8 }, f+ \9 qattended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
4 ?' ]1 l W: u: K+ o+ i' \had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
2 L7 Z0 E* C7 L8 `land. By official resolution of the public authorities of
5 G, f8 b, ?8 T6 ^8 `Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, ) w) ^- `2 R1 U
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of " I) z A! `0 V( H4 `0 N
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells
5 h, [/ e9 m/ _7 p0 ? _of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business $ F/ [0 n$ z3 V3 V/ l1 t
were closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were % d% I5 {( s, c$ d1 E3 l. H' g
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- + w6 P, f3 {! u$ g0 ?, |# b, C' B
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew 6 q6 e4 U& o8 T0 }- L- \
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
% g7 E) k0 g% r7 {) \4 Xbitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of & i* b* I- u7 v
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans + ?) [, ~0 L E2 u- ^; `9 I; J1 w. [
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
1 J# i2 `+ x3 v5 o4 Jphilanthropy.
) V. {( \: Z! T0 N, B1 K* u
! l3 M* ]& X2 y4 l2 FHis tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
, F |% n W% slowing appropriate inscription :
& W9 v2 l% R& h' |0 s' z- [* ~: g9 T( T
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
- V" G$ t& x8 k4 W; g7 ^In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
7 |& h8 h8 u( W3 j- U. x# |The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
1 U+ [ B8 \+ P# [ x k I# b. |thropy
3 p( i4 ~ H- E/ T b0 ^* XTo be remembered forever.
% N V* R, v* u$ \9 $ Q7 O' g2 P" Q+ U- H, \
7 W5 D* @, @! ]
6 R' ~8 O9 t4 C# [$ y
O: L6 r. x& Z/ @. l* T! g4 a104 American Jeujish Historical Society. 9 O' w4 C0 z/ y" ]5 \1 [# D
: w; B$ m. j4 n0 B
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. ; M" [ K4 X4 E- x2 n& ?
- t. `1 u4 C! F$ i% f+ f' t7 f
United States of America, # n/ e/ e! o" ^- ]' |
' p% ~: @" z; N( W+ c2 |State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
, j1 j! S6 g2 h5 M9 `2 a3 q
' e9 a7 y. i( K! O$ PBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
% s( p: U) ^+ @! T, k1 L* O% Gour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 8 w: C/ o8 J7 F; {& w! N. G
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
5 I0 F2 d6 W' P/ tbefore 10 o'clock a. m..
. c0 {3 C3 ~9 [4 i% p3 t: D) }' k, e! f- D
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the
" ~5 b: e, H2 n) `' Y% m) _5 B3 Lcity of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn,
2 `- ~# m( O# d8 D% fand in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 3 R1 b, X$ R3 q4 t% \5 u
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- % o& b& i6 X3 `/ L) h
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
5 x% J/ Z) U2 O
. U1 x7 J6 M* w, W' \2 e' j. W: G& K( ^Personally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, - ~7 m2 @( p: {( D( [0 o2 B
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a 9 }' g' N0 e" z; R
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
v9 n) [- o& N/ |% O1 }) Qsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
$ K9 Y. R5 C; ^& esaid Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
/ }7 R: o/ {( S% r5 t% RTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- 9 x2 ~4 U- c: Y' b; T* o- \! a; O1 m2 z
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
7 o% e% D# C+ Q* n! n5 o7 ?; `presence of said witnesses: - ^1 e1 s9 v9 i! p
- F5 x. i4 _: d7 w' C
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
6 O6 c. Y" H% m
3 x9 y: j- |# \& e2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish ' Z# l2 C2 t8 T- Q1 h# i
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
; Q T$ r3 |5 c# V* Q1 E5 x" _my decease.
) [& ?3 y- B) L1 y1 T/ a8 ]$ i9 K4 r( `9 N/ s" h( {/ V
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
, U8 W: U! J! u2 ^Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 8 ^2 ~6 q3 ?3 H
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
& t8 I2 f* W. dAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- " w7 o0 K- F2 B7 {7 P
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
! F: J+ Y: ~# t0 w% ]5 \4 l3 Iing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
" X8 g, V2 X3 Y$ VAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre $ ?: U! l+ L. z' e5 q( Q! Q
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the / O8 Z6 C. `& @ K- X) t
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 4 W) \1 c9 {, f E5 T) z0 @2 r
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but D5 I$ \0 N7 o' \
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, / n5 n. V4 j& {& [: k6 w
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
% Y0 ?, L6 S ube entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors $ ?5 r+ {/ q6 }3 ^6 B/ V5 ?) f: ^
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
! F6 H. y( E7 l/ Y7 O8 Qmy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, & L3 `8 y' f6 n U+ Y. F8 _( T
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
6 M/ o+ U5 f0 e( z( J' t) b; Ltion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815,
9 K, C9 t- @# m* [" q* q: \% t$ Z( D4 T0 k- R! v
' d/ K" O& r. H0 |8 g4 s
& h: F3 |6 p* F
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
- H) S1 ~; Z1 T# A( }$ e+ v/ U9 M7 Z+ u, `
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
5 {( I( g* w( {) sherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
0 m' q6 e' |" X' Wof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 7 d3 f W( h# `" ^
my estate, movable and immovable.
( C" l3 M' P' `9 e5 h% Z @: D* ?% \$ g" o! s9 A6 s0 @) n
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more & Q, G6 o, O6 m" f4 @
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor 8 r) U( K6 E# e% Q1 O6 Y
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last
1 w3 ? ^4 O3 dwill; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
. W |' g0 R. Bof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that ! G! [7 e- Z9 c# }7 K! p" r b# Q8 t
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
/ @8 f+ L+ z7 i& ^those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
7 n/ K0 K+ o7 Iherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
4 v: |6 C0 p0 m. d3 q/ K6 oto them.
5 Y# [$ B7 R: c: q( \& z/ l' l8 t8 B1 u3 C
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
- n6 ~8 W3 A- Q0 A+ Mforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until 7 q/ o6 `% S' J1 e- c0 ]9 [
the same shall have expired.
, k! S- [* @: V( p6 ~/ C( h5 _+ m8 m( l7 O8 k; f N& A
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of ! ^1 `: L8 u" w1 g& V; ]
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner ( f5 E ~4 D( r
directed by this my last will or testament. ; C3 B7 @" o0 j+ n; ?5 o) O
6 {4 K4 k" t7 R% P/ u
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
- c9 X& y4 r: u+ x& V; ipersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain + y: N- S" m) y6 F
property situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their
2 b* k0 G6 z2 Q# A. C0 m5 k8 B/ jSynagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
" O# w9 }/ H- ]2 o! T& m0 c5 Jthe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from 8 o5 k0 f3 f/ [) S8 K# d
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation, " ]- B( G5 m1 x' N! H! e
the two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David 4 @. A. z, G/ I+ ^8 _9 F1 f
Urquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
% t/ Q% \' V; y+ u: @( Xing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
6 C9 o3 {' N- y% y- I* jgregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their % U8 \' N; ^" I. E/ ]
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
! f# p6 l9 B) p5 ]5 F) x. T+ ]+ Y8 rmy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- ) i: K( i, H0 y# D
strictions.
4 T% O A5 i2 b
+ F6 P8 a8 [0 I- P7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
9 h; }) W9 q( AOrleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
" i, b2 G2 I, h+ Usale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building ! O% D9 @) ^3 y2 g; q
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con- . q5 g* ]/ W: @# c$ Q
templated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char-
! d! _0 o1 s9 s. U2 K& C, zitable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
- K" c+ C' t- |$ d: decutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
6 t- S6 f% y1 Z5 wconformably with the laws of Louisiana.
2 v0 C& [* a9 J. e ^9 Y" h; F' y
2 h6 o {. X l6 V6 G* k8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of
' {, {: n r- |& qNew Orleans five thousand dollars.
$ B& S7 v; k- X4 Y2 T/ M
* e5 K0 j* L4 N9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- / j5 G0 s& T+ s- d% p) Q* d" s
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
* B/ P" g; d4 Z! i5 i% w8 S, T3 w5 A0 Y" ]- W
: w7 e1 n3 \( M. A
# v# J' V. e( S. V
106 American Jewish Historical Society. & J+ P9 }$ D5 t1 o1 H. g5 Y
- }% Q2 Z ?' T7 F' v ?3 Q
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of " f: m6 I, U5 h! u. W6 M6 P* k9 ^
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
0 V" S t( X6 z7 `1 z& D1 x$ [" T- [+ J( T% k. W
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society % G. }* c# m6 o; M
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
' f/ Q2 W- d+ J( ^0 P" d0 E% p3 e* V4 j9 |
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
# t8 O/ @) r$ s& }" u: [. O* j. QOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
) e6 t$ N) t/ Y/ H) [: r, S9 H
9 f' {% ^! q' f; n13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
* h! P+ r) p, [" d- \& J; vtute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. 1 R( D$ G L% {9 e5 {2 x
* w* }0 ?6 h$ H9 n) R: ~14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief 6 q d6 V/ F8 @5 F" a
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
3 F- [/ ~& t; m/ J) plars. 6 S: d' D% o. c# g% m A
: z' J+ f# ~' _4 p* g8 f4 u2 @
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
+ J9 b9 |% J+ N4 iAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- ( ~! M$ p, v/ o7 U
sand dollars. % B$ F; i; J% Z5 T+ d+ T0 B) S( I' c) c
1 T9 H4 d! t& l- X; O
16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- ( O9 v! |7 u+ b+ f; s( I! F4 ?
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
2 ]1 W9 R' Z0 G9 Ychairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
$ f0 y/ R4 O8 ~. [2 R- P! Ydollars. ; p, k1 Q) l& y0 E
, {0 C) u/ ?. M4 E" J, ?17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
( [! e5 T2 `% s3 }( e0 Ofive thousand dollars.
. t- Y* p/ W* G
}/ w0 g$ A" C7 G C( p1 L18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa- / g# h: }& Z; c& G B- F; \/ r$ p
tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
7 I, U" ?- W, {- s+ q5 }8 B/ T2 k, A7 v
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
" @9 a" x% V+ H5 ]$ m9 D3 Y$ M1 r% iDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. # x. ]+ y6 O# \5 x; |" \
3 p$ k+ u2 J" e
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
2 b9 T6 j* |& }$ d0 }" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
; X* f; b; e+ @1 [$ ~contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity " x1 a8 h! A& w4 k& m
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
" d3 C d2 a8 {6 S5 X! Hand I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
9 Q, T$ n& Z& L# Borganized according to law; and further, it is my desire that ( D0 l. e1 N2 j0 I4 @3 n( a- B
after my executors shall have legally organized and established ; \: N. t( J# h4 Q( d5 H
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to 8 h C7 q3 m9 A4 J; Y
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per-
1 h4 O6 z7 A _) n+ n, qsons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
. v: y% V5 z0 I! yjointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- + S m" t3 ~- V. h0 U
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
: B9 I/ u6 M0 Athereof. 4 i# v/ {5 w& ~3 q# n
% p9 A) X: f- m- @8 a5 Q" ]
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of + R4 y9 H$ H p. [0 G
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
* W) F& [# s( T- T' F- m& I: Lthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the 7 [! m5 {1 D) ^ w
property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
: A/ {& q$ R6 O8 h. R$ V } Qas a public park or promenade ground.
3 z" W$ _/ E9 Z, J% N+ h* ?1 E* \5 T( i! v& k$ ?
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
: F& x( q" X. q8 P- `# ?3 R4 iaforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. $ W3 C. u; [( _ L5 q0 Y7 _
* O, |$ z! n2 j9 \ F0 ~& ]& s5 K Z
) W' x2 ]7 ]: g, [/ A
* u3 N) l& X; TJudah Touro — Kohler. 107 5 f1 ^9 K. E; d4 s0 J4 S5 k& I
. p$ G p. P7 g. N7 ]
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay
3 E0 l3 a* o3 ?( `Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
3 K0 M1 ]; ^' ^& C, R) _. g$ K
" n: C3 a+ ^% C; ]4 L24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
2 d% s7 f7 u2 E1 Y. Q% Dford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
0 D" \" x2 G# @
+ i* z3 i7 H. ~! O25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New 5 G( M7 M7 H$ o! x9 W+ B9 a
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. : m/ {3 J: D7 Q# \, l8 @( T
. B4 W0 k( q1 c: U9 _
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
7 e, }# V3 }% j( i8 c; n& g$ gfor the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and 7 i0 i5 ?3 G- _( Y
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent), ' D2 Q( B, x/ @. P0 G* u I# k
ten thousand dollars.
( E' m# Y& w* p' m+ U
& t4 m# I) ~( p2 L( T1 U' w" \27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir 8 h: i( Y, T# P0 W
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to , C& T& F9 z9 G( w& S
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in ; A: ?" m) N9 [' M
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of 1 \& h# {4 Q6 d8 _3 D+ w- v( Q
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without 9 `. N+ {# a- p, z- x3 V6 [
molestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
% l! v( c& ]4 [; O# v7 Rsand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
8 A( y' F# ?# ]4 a1 b2 d5 {/ athe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, , H0 S; t! f: t* b* k
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of % S/ V& \/ l. k- |: _/ M% _" G
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- " n4 A0 p# a5 @& k5 R
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and 7 [$ u* n/ v5 J4 f/ `
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars ' ], O7 X. y" Y5 i( ~( A4 U8 L- r7 a' w
be invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the U4 v! }9 A0 D; G% S9 N6 [
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
( s8 k' V r3 U, A! Mcan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
/ ^6 L" C9 R) [7 y3 }! `. zof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
; ~ z6 }: _! ]5 ~% tmy last will. 2 I" o: [7 J8 Q& {0 J9 w
7 U3 q7 K+ ~- r- j28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I ' A4 Z b. T( X) S
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to / a: q! Y4 J, u( w5 t
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer,
9 ^. _9 ^; f: k; O1 M: E @/ I! Lshall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
0 {$ B: V- d" d( U% n- v/ _respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and , p* E9 q, V( B Y ?, g0 H$ T
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I 6 e. E, k( F, H3 k, C# s7 q9 `
desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my 2 s6 |7 G6 H& ^" _) Q" p
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
2 }3 {* ]6 O8 I' S; Bcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to ( {3 h- r, q/ t5 l$ y5 e
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. 6 E/ @( c$ ]( w3 e& {* ~/ r
3 e; y$ S3 _+ Q6 z) S29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the $ U7 u1 g5 a- e4 Q: k
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. + Y8 Z) n% U: d" K; s9 s8 `3 x# ]
. a5 z0 S3 E( ?& T, i' K
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society ; V4 Z8 Z7 q( D- S4 o
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. " {' _2 |# T' f4 p. }- f
% `& i5 X* K. H, h/ H- R$ J
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
$ S+ K, Z8 J1 F" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
1 ~# G% H% L% b1 f; B1 q! i
# g5 ~$ l3 G6 O; K3 b: j. G
! G' p+ v+ K# q6 _$ R* p% v3 e: p! H5 Y1 k4 G9 n: q) e) h3 r- M. k- f# ?% Y
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
+ E" ^. w* o) o! ^0 f( k7 L' f! Q3 c
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
( ^4 _. H- y* U% ?8 ]attached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the - y, K; G( V' O( S9 c& `% L* y6 t( x
City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand / M( x. k+ L- u* F/ ^
dollars.
" Z6 f" k: j5 A0 j; Y1 g# A% V( E9 T" P1 \- j: J- P9 k8 P9 i* `
33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- 5 s# L5 j0 ^" K7 _: \- `. P
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, - J" H- x" E3 z( F- j
the sum of three thousand dollars.
5 f" L* v! N' F; `" i, k: Q# j2 b7 N h
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
, S3 {% E& Q) P# A+ Mgarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
5 _, S) i8 c' U D
& F6 _- Y/ ~( o; g& @. V" q35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 1 {) I! s4 h3 N w) V+ H7 R# D
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was ) E7 B q+ `5 `. c7 b9 V( G
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. - M( N; c. B9 w' ]* n
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. ( I; Z3 g4 {, i3 F0 i# |( w4 a
* i& M4 ? B5 y; r1 E36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 2 c. I" S% Y, Z) b
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- ! j, k) m9 c+ B; C4 y
lars. 8 P1 Z1 H$ y @/ Z& c
& S5 R; r# h3 h37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
0 l$ j1 U5 r$ ~0 \+ ^% FPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars. 2 _+ a# D) z. U
- `1 A5 H6 }! x" q
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- + i2 i& n! L, l# \3 @
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. 2 p7 I$ C! R. W4 ~
7 ^- s6 H) M/ H. \+ i% C0 u39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
7 F9 Z6 j* |2 l$ s- I+ SIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. % ^* _# [: V) B0 ~
" k4 ^9 W' n/ @/ b3 Y7 j; z
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth % C0 q, }* e0 u) n) [; X
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars. ' _$ o; h; E, ~
1 s0 H0 R% M2 C! m, I8 U" ]41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
6 v2 s9 y$ V9 hIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand / D6 n" W2 d& h0 }# e; K7 T
dollars.
, H: W. [! ?" x% c
/ U( h9 @ s- ^0 j, |- l9 f42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
9 Z/ B) d) P* b/ igarai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
C$ y2 D' \- ^. \/ V" F0 _2 e: Y: ]( t4 M5 q: ]
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
- p! H( m, V1 S/ z* i' c1 dIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
, F0 p) a, K% Y9 f
# V# f* H/ ]5 c* G44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- # S1 Z! T f( f z, [- j, }
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. / F: H. |5 \' G& a! r
8 d/ i U/ [. J) B0 O& \2 H5 u
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
% P( |7 r6 z6 j# n% S' J0 e" zphis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars. ) q/ H& {* y3 p( `6 _: [
' T8 o. M0 y8 L; ]
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas 4 d x' {- ?& Y! h7 b9 \0 Q
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. # {; _5 `2 k+ l
( @8 x6 {8 Y' u7 H& {' I i% n v
47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
: z$ S& M1 }9 H9 B! arael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
9 c& ?: j9 i1 M6 U& k/ G( v' W& }& N t! E' G
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
+ W6 Z. z+ m; {$ J4 h6 n# Tdim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
' r7 H) s" T- Z0 L, w5 p
4 c$ I5 C+ d/ A( q7 E, c4 v+ b49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, / b- q4 w3 r7 }2 T1 _- x5 b; F
Ohio, five thousand dollars. & ^( I8 v9 J( \3 Z# X% L, v: i
; H# c, E A0 N- R: k) X
" J2 m$ X5 |4 j) c9 e: x4 t) @8 x- E# A9 R
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
8 C5 _1 {) X: U" C( b0 R8 [0 n
6 ^" S6 Q0 o" Q. D' t$ r/ w( h50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth
2 i$ e$ d* t! \. |% W3 @9 hIsrael," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. % d+ s- z, v' R- q& r6 p
+ j8 D/ j) [* T2 u
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai ! S8 c. p6 _1 ?8 K' t
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars. 3 h" x3 B- X+ r: I. o8 \7 O1 \
% w3 ~% ~4 k) y2 j+ V
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," / r: ^- |1 E3 d: x
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars.
* v! ?0 F/ ]* N0 A+ W$ N6 N9 G
% O& S9 Q# B7 ~# N* z1 t; Z53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth 3 I& x6 L3 ~5 C- z0 x5 ?1 i
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
# o8 N/ L$ f* }
" v) }. I2 @! {2 G+ f. |54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
& I6 J# k& }3 k; ?( Snamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
3 h( N% g" W- t, x4 o8 Iham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: 9 Q: E( u* {" e; |' q1 N v5 M
j: Y" {7 Z# Z: F% D6 P
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, " B" @2 d7 ]2 L* P' Q
five thousand dollars. p8 O7 V+ M) z6 m
9 O' P' R8 H$ a9 D! V
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, 1 ~' M0 z; w& }9 Q0 [2 c
five thousand dollars.
- Y9 N# |% g4 @1 T" j" x
( W! l' C1 j9 J" e3 WThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou- 0 X( g: m, }) p! b
sand dollars. 5 f5 k: h) |+ J! m
. X; a3 r. J0 x c5 R$ d55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
& C3 g" l- h6 F4 A/ F' v& xpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- / G; |( o8 d4 A1 R
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- ' V6 x' j- J9 p" a
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
. L" _- N) d; M7 P& t) dJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
- s4 J6 L8 |& g% B; Q2 O: sappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
! W/ j# g' o$ \as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation & k8 @3 S3 X: v" \5 _- Z f
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
) [3 P9 d; k9 Z9 wthat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed 7 z8 h+ s# Y$ \6 [
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
3 d& K8 v4 g& G# xcontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
7 s( X2 Q' e0 i5 z% athe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration " i( G( N; g- z7 Y# [ v
of services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the : ]' J) J. m0 w" Q
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, # Q3 @5 Y. F5 ]6 I, d
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
& u" _" k6 p/ q' C$ c. {: X3 q: P
2 z: I7 a9 R* D( @+ y56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine $ r$ a3 K" |1 N' N' d
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind $ y! Z' A0 c: ?
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
7 @, }: ^7 d6 c' E2 Q( v' e0 Q; M" _
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and , _4 q# \2 n0 Q z4 j
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
8 \% s+ w) g& \% K- G0 LRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
; n9 Q: O4 |* }equally divided between them.
$ B! X$ j' ?8 m7 t
8 l+ m7 {5 J; r7 d+ O58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
. b4 C% [9 y' q Y6 Pthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, 8 _% R6 K' b( c. F. x! `* i; A
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my
& {" _( g: X/ e/ N+ Bremembrance. 6 N2 {2 L( b; d
4 U4 S, Q& o8 p9 p+ |$ m$ |9 O; G# |! [; L
T7 o) k |# a4 l$ u110 American Jewish Historical Society.
1 M" t4 \7 I1 I; T( u+ m" ~ \6 L( A
59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
- V( S5 m) ] K! L* y2 }3 Qof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
/ Y) G" z# G" \( _/ W1 X+ p2 zmy esteem and kind remembrance. 8 m0 C8 G; R8 I% d k* U& m
) [- a, D; |* U h. o" M60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 6 p" i9 D) S2 Q/ t
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
& W! y4 x# u& K$ o& R4 xtoken of my regard.
! \" V% H/ ^9 N: a! O4 ]
9 c: z2 d6 x& q1 R1 v g61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 2 M* F* `2 }- @8 F& s7 [- g
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
; o K* o4 j3 `wife, to be equally divided between them.
3 E9 `: o$ @7 z1 z: ]! y) G) v) _* p/ i/ m+ {
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 0 u- c8 S" c- _; [5 X+ [
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of ! Q# [8 b8 N! h7 @' d3 q
my remembrance. . d4 v/ N# W+ y
( S2 w x2 D2 \/ C$ K63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
3 _' o* X0 |+ b" fof Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- 9 g9 k+ P' x- P i" V
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
( I L% W) S5 F; dlars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
! L6 B2 q* h5 ^7 [+ ]of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
- g& F% u# z1 o+ p" pregard. ' R! x9 V2 k- g; b
7 R+ s# Y7 @' T, M. Z1 O, e64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
, ?/ r, A4 h# d# f. fto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable $ U8 i- N- S5 u: H/ R# B/ K3 _
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
4 ^3 J! k# f5 u& ?wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city. ! K i, j0 B, F
( E6 O1 w4 i1 O* v& X
65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
! R$ S Y G/ @/ v: d. [2 C! Nto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
: w( z+ Y6 o7 n' rmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of # L2 v# f6 b8 ]) f
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
' p$ [: S# G! z1 D2 q1 }
1 i4 X O; M4 _% P66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have 1 b0 }3 X4 H7 x' @4 K, d
made previously to these presents. ! s- U0 p/ S. [/ A" F, Q8 Q% B
I8 f A" `3 ~& F
Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to $ C1 }, H/ O+ [; v" q
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses & n+ V" j; t2 T' A6 w5 I
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the ! U4 G1 f; Q" h8 m3 `
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own / R% x8 M! ?0 o5 K
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this 0 {. I4 u) Z U H1 P) x
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
# H! S. [- s( Z0 l6 ]6 Yence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same . R- ]' Q7 G. K: [% B( T- _' @
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. 2 @. g: y% G) i5 j" D
1 Q, ?# K/ S# h' P. m" ^8 j, nAll of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
+ p3 a) L: \' Q% K2 z0 }0 iing aside to other acts. ; q( V& {& k5 K& c$ s7 H
0 f y( b% ^0 R4 g* i
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
# i6 f7 E0 t0 O3 ~/ ^ i: k# Lsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
8 q2 U/ p. w& W2 Q4 b4 Zyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan : q3 l( U- D, c d- k
Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
7 m( M3 s0 V1 F5 _4 P1 `2 l4 K( _/ }( p' I$ q- E
' n7 R, ~* [6 G- R! f+ s% g& a8 y! J- B, n6 t, N8 l0 {& z
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill
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4 ^3 h! `8 B5 Q) H3 Uall three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
5 ~! o4 V: }9 q4 q/ ` P+ t$ E) mtestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their " F3 H# N2 k3 p; U& L
names. (Signed.) : N3 u! p1 g6 l+ w& ?0 ]9 S7 n8 S
# L8 U/ r4 q1 E, O8 R: FJ. TOUEO,
3 M9 @8 K8 ^1 A7 }. l2 X
6 p( k. t% y Q) JJ. Montgomery,
5 D- D# K7 x; n W! k% M8 M9 }6 M
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
$ P7 _! V+ D2 @
6 l$ v: d' |& V/ SGeo. W. Lee, ' k0 _+ i7 I5 s
! [* q6 |& y6 j) g
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. " Y1 u3 e) o* r1 F1 z
* @, w* ?% o& R8 O
5 E4 Q& B3 |; W
. \$ |& y8 k; h7 c+ D( mLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS P( J0 [# {% ]2 |7 T1 f( ` \; O! @
( N+ z0 K# D! M
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7 a# p, a, t c; @/ Y( B, e014 495 461 |
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