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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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+ X/ @& }2 p5 U! y& t3 Y; OJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
: D7 {# N+ T. kPHILANTHROPIST. + k& S* E+ B" ^' P
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9 L9 @) ~- }; x. @By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B. + E* x* `2 R0 e% f4 f7 _. a& g( `
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Reprinted from
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Publications of the / W8 v1 U7 |3 Y ?1 ~$ a3 x4 T
$ v! }# Y& i0 \/ [American Jewish Historical Socibtt, - Q0 q/ A G6 N6 X1 I
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No. 13, 1905.
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+ ^3 O! W$ v& RJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND " ]% J. A- p N
PHILANTHROPIST.
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. 9 V- U. O z# l$ V( ^) L* K
/ p$ w* K; G; }9 pIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak 3 s% f4 O3 v6 l$ X3 T
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, ! f9 H/ x k l6 X' B% ^" f4 o
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
, d6 Z* X$ p" K: ~name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
; k$ Z, U0 B; Y( nfrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- 9 h& l' T C, t" w/ }
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
8 A" v$ c2 M' x5 cconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
9 }) M9 W4 T5 m1 {5 X' vHistory of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring
% A. N( ?; P" Kthe very name of one who would probably by common consent
. {+ a5 l5 o# i5 m& @9 f' Nbe singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
! v- B, ~% b& ]' efirst half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the " n& J4 f9 t p
relations between the investigations of local historical socie-
) q7 {7 Y2 h# kties and more general historical writings, can readily account
% t+ u) z- Y0 ~9 e2 \' kfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career, 1 n# r& I, H9 }* g+ l5 Z
ignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
$ _* U7 i6 b1 H7 S$ T7 l1 Dspecialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
( X+ g$ P0 R. u/ Wtorian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- 5 M. H1 {/ G; H8 n& f
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
f% |. g/ N+ C8 E9 s Zquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili- % b6 v4 h$ T' u
tary history of his . 4 C: o, B# s) z. ]
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A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
9 G* u' k% I9 G2 X- j2 f* twithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by 3 d3 E+ ^+ @! W# g! A0 q
non-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis-
7 T, ?; j T$ T- ?- u) _. U& [factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what 0 M% C( t5 X0 \6 C$ }- y; w
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander ' z- l$ M8 W( y7 c. x
Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
2 B% N7 n# a+ O) F9 K/ E9 H: v" O
) L! Y2 a9 @% @+ _; M' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer- # x9 |# c5 g7 w2 j
chants," published in 1856. & F$ |) q; k( v; J" j6 A
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94 American Jewish Historical Society. 7 z1 q& W" `" [ J
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reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
O4 o: S ]& J' \6 t" nlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- : ?& |- U8 i+ ?! x+ G6 S
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
$ y$ a7 D6 r& Q- J1 B- p5 f; h0 sthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be 1 A& E- q& ?; e/ f9 n( _! {
likely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
7 b8 ]+ {! [( b1 X( kraphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary x, \; G/ M/ i4 c( a: c
sketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
% O' I- C e4 ^8 J) B4 b: X" P- hreminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
5 B) k3 V4 v+ ~6 g! Qare for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
1 p- e! {! y* j. t2 n: mJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known
& ]! a6 }4 b: t. i- W: i) G" uin his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy / h, U/ J. E' O9 l
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his 0 D. A& ?/ [" w( P6 q. S# H% t
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
, l P5 X8 C7 bguile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and % W3 V: g% C' L8 X' Q# J
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
6 b- h# {& R2 W) P3 Cand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
/ f+ i# F( k" p2 r0 J) J1 \name in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh j! G% _5 i* v7 z! u
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic 3 [' \9 A `" E h* s# H: s) ~
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
: e' T$ P+ W, Q: \' Nmunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore ' r4 d) V- |; t, ]
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their " t: ]$ O: f( Z* [' Q `( p
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the
: _+ }3 D$ ^5 I+ _foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever ; [) s) ?; J+ f( G
since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry.
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! i0 b- q- q$ \+ v3 m3 k+ b2 k1 ]Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June 7 p/ @: K4 E6 }/ ?. N# l
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- " A, e8 n8 c& P
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his
! I2 ?. Y+ y- M" ^# z7 `beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- ' X _9 [: u R/ w
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption % k( c! W/ b+ R) f/ i
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by & }" t# W" m' h! s/ U- p/ T
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme- & M1 g, C l+ ^' B7 t
tery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
" Z3 `' t" S0 ucareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac
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( D/ E, y0 I* L) O' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
7 n# @# A& Q9 g& ^9 V/ p' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- . w; r5 W4 C6 Q7 Y3 B7 i5 P
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas-
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$ k$ N$ U0 z5 H4 r4 PJudah Touro — Koliler. 95 $ g- h- A' r( e1 l
# _; Y8 Z! n$ {! ], ]Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays, , t5 s0 e7 j( e r* P3 r5 }
in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
/ k" P* a. }" m, vEebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and 4 b7 F1 {% C1 V+ i% y B
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
& t$ y- ?& f# J7 m2 i$ [. a1 Xbers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city ! ~& U2 }; Y7 Q6 r( C0 q
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de-
% u( @% z, _( }2 ^; f. ?' X% }parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
. d/ C; C/ V4 {0 p) R! s7 W8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
" M! h% n1 Z" [# Z* Sand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
( G7 R& ]+ ?; f2 B/ Kbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead-
; K- _; t0 z0 ~' x5 y& Aing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
. P1 I3 }) y5 |ber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
2 V1 E" N" g6 A# [7 BAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely ' G: j4 ?. b% v: r+ |
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood 1 y" L! X8 O: J7 o
them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were - Q1 W, o* H" W# k" T1 \
also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi-
/ Z( u! [! @5 F0 Y8 onent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views 1 g" n1 @+ J8 v w
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- - \0 ^( ^/ p' A5 W' j) U
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays ) v. X& u9 s e+ W- m# _
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
) o4 u+ P/ E& i" p: Kpatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and
3 ? Y* z& ~: k4 S* c: MMayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the
* ~+ X# z8 j8 F3 w. l' V5 z1 @first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, ! Q/ H$ O3 t2 H6 x1 U& j
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- 8 d! O! Q" Z' g
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
4 R4 ?, N$ V0 d& Q! w2 I) ?early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
( R+ x0 r: F7 O# H0 Z* v ]induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase 3 v) s' H6 r+ r9 D6 q0 @/ r* g
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and
0 I4 E' F: ]' ^5 e- r9 ^Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and
3 |; @: Y9 |% y2 `# g
9 V. V2 w6 _& u& Strow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid., . t, t! y. ?$ h+ u) f! f
No. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. / r5 F1 c# m) Y' T, Z, k
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 8 t1 F3 Q- I9 A* C7 }& E) ?4 K3 r
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences ; J. @& U' q6 k6 M$ |, E
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New- ! k( K+ H$ `* G* j4 m9 t
port," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; 4 ~, e6 y6 ?4 @
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews."
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96 American Jewish Historical Society.
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2 Y7 y" O0 w5 o. f. e! fcommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
- x3 V. \" i: h) N1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
1 \/ o, e1 M8 S% O- h va valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean.
6 r9 p% m5 ~- H8 @ E L. z: YThe voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
) h0 {1 }3 W. B" R3 ]0 M! A* x$ U+ pvessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
7 \3 n7 _5 J: r% z; omercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
: x, ~, ^, u7 O! v7 J& h1 Q1 o" Hvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
: O. e5 Q# Z; ]3 d- H0 zFrench possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after ; I5 }# f+ \4 y% b( |9 @) k+ ^
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
; O3 J4 _7 O( x# v0 [; M# b$ Hknew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
5 e: f3 u, B7 T( E" gment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they
7 w' K( |3 e: Ymade to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 5 ]8 z. ]+ i+ U8 L# U) U0 R# U* n6 h' U
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
% w3 s! u- Z/ W/ e/ b% Pchant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
: D/ R, c$ E4 p" F& tport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts ! s$ ~, c7 D- y8 A6 q
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library , W6 J4 l& ?0 T H! y k1 m
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
' R! r. Y+ S4 v/ ABancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
7 o' i% {. K8 m; c, ]Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
+ s i/ Y& u* o" E; }plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws ( m# V- ~& o( W; J0 n. K+ F
light on the scope of his business dealings. / u) q8 V- ^' E+ @" N1 n- Y
; N+ Q' u! |8 iTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for / z. i# m" k7 C6 O
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
* [% s+ d) c! _9 K5 D0 G5 znear relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- ! x3 k2 Z1 T1 O
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va.,
* A9 y% b% V) d/ yand died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, & v( i0 K* D2 e$ z3 x1 [/ @/ q
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
* t* @2 d: I3 }9 z1 M# Amonth in ignorance of her death. # {9 h3 e& u* o9 k N0 Q( o
l5 t) @4 W, a W" h
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
9 P, j( Y3 N9 j0 ~ton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an & ?' v, o/ J9 h4 b/ o
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
, X& q7 w0 `/ V' y- E$ w i4 eespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- / k4 }; b \; c5 i7 C9 e6 |
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been & e8 F; d. A" y; v; \ M$ ]
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
* O, B, S6 Y8 I" W) ?7 G( ka substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for 7 h: ?, `# P9 e6 s- [! j# D: {7 |& B
which he made further provision by his will, which contained ! n+ X7 B- g+ I2 T* e
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Judah Touro — K older . 97 $ G$ \2 u# m5 L( v O
- P% s- y% q0 c; F. E _' {$ I0 ea number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston 9 `4 M( K) [8 l6 h* M
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and ! `3 S* T5 R2 h
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
7 Q7 Z0 s6 M% M: o+ C, r0 jto the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
" i8 d# w0 n8 T- @7 Unizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. . {& Y' l7 ]7 _$ ]5 d/ m
9 g9 ^3 A) M& JEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- # V+ K( ?5 i9 N* B4 }
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during
/ H0 f0 F/ f5 m6 R5 n3 ythe War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
# ?' _ j) q5 K/ E) Pin order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- # I' c2 S5 |1 k% { m
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- . k/ U/ k+ k$ H4 @( x$ X& g
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
3 R0 f6 O, {4 U1 ythe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while @+ H4 @8 | b7 A
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- % ]" P+ c" W4 ^* y& F
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that
. ]+ X2 r" ]- B0 jhe was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. : ?$ ~+ K% Y3 t: q
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians / ^" @$ o. ]& Y/ [
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death
' S0 \! F- a4 P2 i( J2 F0 Twas great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later 8 |! n6 J6 g& L, v, ^7 B
Judah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of : s* o7 U4 ]( S8 p
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- 9 ~$ n. k( ?, y; q
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- 7 A) P7 p- G' ^0 @/ M
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large $ }* |- z9 X; F) E3 w
bequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, 6 i I: e S: E0 [ K
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
. @, S* I; p) h$ G; ` Z7 rscribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred , p' C! i# \! b5 l8 m
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
" c% I3 p+ `" k! p; x A/ _a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
" x* w1 e7 R9 Z G- I2 A( n$ {( x8 texports of New England, making prompt returns to his 2 ]) G$ k( E* j2 k
friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man-
+ O4 z0 ~& N1 R1 Z- tagement soon secured him a large New England trade, every
" _1 w% r: e" S. ?: A3 ^2 U5 B9 nvessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and 3 k+ Y' e% L: l# C
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
1 h' t" c- ^7 j3 Pcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his 2 n/ Y' O0 ?6 E0 `1 ]
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
6 L& O* N: c% p: e0 Zships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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98 American Jewish Historical Society. ) l9 @# ^: K' j" ]/ n
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career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and 6 u2 D- e5 S" T! J
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- * I4 h/ j$ L8 M8 A' V1 y
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- $ V9 _; l5 Q- g+ K- J
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
* S0 H4 a k- I4 Q, h) v+ `the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
6 K* B0 C- W8 {. j. i4 e6 ~ U, Jof interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
* F4 Y W9 V9 }& I X* kHis neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day 8 X: ? _- o) v& Z0 l+ I
by his movements. In his business he rarely employed more
! h, c2 X) I7 a! qthan one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
9 G" H6 G2 k1 U+ b$ Rtom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
+ X+ T! o6 b5 aHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
% L$ I# \. m6 T0 i9 a4 varranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- " a. ?5 l* s9 }) t3 C8 T) N
standing. : a% a( ~' o# X) u. c
2 @# R3 ^( |% T% `4 |: m( C& DIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
# V, U, ^" N' z$ c$ ldevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of % i* J9 B0 q' W0 [9 P2 {- k
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to " ~( H: S6 V* I$ V. P' i. f2 C
work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made " I) Q1 x8 H" N5 V7 q' ^( X
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- ) E! ?# A% U9 q7 Z O( h
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
9 C' y# ?8 |6 ?- Q/ K) Jtunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills,
0 O8 K1 V. J3 v5 ?2 [; wyet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- 4 Q0 N" o; `: ^! P' S1 q1 y
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that 1 N+ L+ h0 v! I6 [8 P C) q
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- ) v/ ]# C$ o; K
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New . B; L# d* D; A* L! v; x& G
Orleans at the time of his death and for many years pre-
& H2 V% O: g% A/ m: e# Iviously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who 9 h" s0 C% g# @1 D3 J! E+ H& ~
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than 6 w+ N" X% u8 H6 M% m( Q
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring
; \. l3 J% { ]5 iwarrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw ! f1 z2 @2 v0 _
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra- % Y7 Q7 {6 E2 I" b; D& c
tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little
& g/ J+ m0 V8 {of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble 2 E' J! ]( ^% f0 _& w& Z
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to ) t% M! M: m5 x ]/ t
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
8 N! X9 c5 g# q4 W; j$ l8 Ehands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
4 q2 m; a( i# l i0 V, hhomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
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3 }7 M+ c2 }2 G5 ^, HJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 4 u" k% Z8 D" N) q
5 y$ |% b/ e6 bpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too,
5 [8 E& @ G2 G1 q6 h' }) _7 ]" Ra man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- . E2 v' F3 X4 C* H! n$ G: I
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
( h) N. Z; l5 N) d! \' C7 ^# Kwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn 6 i4 `% W. V. O- E# \
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to 7 }5 k+ m( L8 ]2 M+ ?/ {# ^$ s
bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a 3 F2 j' z) k/ F$ V" w
millionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death
2 Z1 A, h4 N9 f0 A) Y0 @# Z8 kof the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who
, Z& P0 K6 O+ _1 E6 idoes his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
' O. A) D/ U$ s) N5 @wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the 1 s0 o0 y; ]7 s0 F
reward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi- 9 I1 B% E7 B9 q- Y c3 Z" ^
cence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a
4 t8 l7 q5 w } Isplendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise ! Y( T# t$ @/ D; X0 Y
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall 0 j* ~6 _6 r5 [5 g7 D
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake, , e' y( w" C' w. s5 R
were as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He 4 U+ y" E2 B% s. i6 p5 y
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
4 C- R4 S; i. ?) _7 a6 y5 C, bgratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single + Y8 ~" N2 `, p: w: C
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was * b; e* }) p3 a0 a* v
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence,
5 T$ h, {" w, zfrom which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
* N3 i, N" n( l4 p. [* [! h" Fstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
$ L" l4 g/ Z4 |2 P Q5 `- s# rand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
; Q% z/ J. r' F) `* _tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
" ]* Q9 x0 T5 n1 `3 dliberal and benevolent deeds." 7 t2 X1 o/ P) U8 m( e
; d- s! q/ y3 \6 q V8 X
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess : u7 c6 x, f# v
that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
* v6 h. ]! m5 Y' fpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
% g# C7 m ]7 T* S" v% R7 ktions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
B e8 \- {8 j s! N" n tare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when # q w7 z8 o8 [+ X% x
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
8 [: j* {0 E- Y( [2 M) ucommon as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
- t+ ^4 O- t2 }0 A/ ]3 u- Jthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- 6 f8 d4 z1 U6 F$ X2 T7 o
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
5 z7 I( c! `4 C* W( @) p) qtheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid ! J& ^, K( e& f' ^
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. ) b) M" ]7 k3 O+ `2 ?
6 J% J8 v5 R0 M) s6 h
( f2 ?" r: Y k9 b
I8 @+ p+ O5 g# s100 American Jewish Historical Society. + y. D) Y/ e _2 h) }9 @2 w9 ]
' w/ h) r( J+ E
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material
* r2 u& q5 w% m; g1 Tresponse, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward 5 u' m. m3 r. u' S
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately ' i/ D0 @5 T0 l
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
+ Y* i+ ^' ^4 h" l& c" O( yAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
# T* Q% l! Y0 n isary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in- % \: g* M, p$ O J' S' z6 {3 @/ b
dignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
+ ^* e, ^/ F, A: q7 ^injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he
3 q7 [. ]* @+ r$ M/ J. ?seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 0 @ ~1 [# S$ p4 Y# r/ @
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
& F% B4 ]6 U" V; M/ Z7 K0 a- C: Jish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
+ v/ \" M/ h4 p: G9 b+ d3 M4 ysingle gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, 6 i0 [' T+ T, F$ ` R
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication
% c8 D# x0 ^9 R- Q# L4 B5 Uof the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of
" L& N0 D( B P5 W! Ythe United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity
9 z: h9 m, E4 s- w6 _was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these $ A- L( D% [/ S. K* B" _
lines, since become famous :
$ W: I. G- I2 e# ]+ K; ^" u- L: P4 z: \% B T
Amos and Judah — venerated names! + `; S4 Z( L$ e w
( Q1 s/ w: h( ^$ \9 J
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims, 8 h' c7 x5 q8 @; @; l
4 I; l, o! v8 bLike generous coursers, running neck and neck. ; Z+ |2 p+ _+ n% J9 U9 I5 ]
( w# O+ |! E* \% Q& S; K1 F
Each aids the work by giving it a check. / x7 I2 {% W9 v$ C4 D5 M( x
; {" p9 F: v" a- H. p* p
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
4 W* v" l/ S* s+ \: Z( v+ y, {
For though of different faith, each is in heart a man.
) Q$ F8 C8 ~6 @- M7 {% A
E5 G3 S9 A* N g& yJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent
/ @0 z9 T( {2 O. w+ @4 zthroughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
% Z8 o( ?- S; Y" ?; p# Tastonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration
* m3 Z5 b7 B3 b; ]. yin point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- - S. R5 y$ a) ^7 [# x
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
* x# {3 V5 a: m# I+ ^. Qister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
" z: D' d8 p7 i1 }0 L: R4 k" A000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
; M. X3 y5 g, M; b; v4 Jby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build-
\: d% |6 B% [& _5 Y0 Ying itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to
; Q1 ^3 G+ R5 T6 W& n/ G7 soccupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
3 ~) O1 z5 L" Z9 A, r5 @many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
6 j% U# B, x3 d; h( v ^5 z' v; G
+ \% H3 _! k4 V! I* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq.
' O2 X$ |$ ^5 N4 z4 u$ ?" X# h/ h+ |/ ^; P- ~0 I$ r, b
) i- h6 f3 y# Y+ j6 ] @2 E0 b- T) U* o! O
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101
7 y2 _ J' J6 P8 R, t/ B
7 ^2 H g- v G) i3 ?tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
. L D7 ^* [& _' athat he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, 4 o( N6 W `$ `
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I : y) B7 z" I. {; J2 ~/ {! U; e
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church
- x( a& b6 N! J( q( x. t: \" ito increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
: a& R* G3 h& j; K7 I- H8 ihim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
5 J' Z2 @% _1 [! e2 p! z1 P$ Xdied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he / K: f* T2 U: P7 N" c) e
declined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
! a! G* Q$ N( E( Z3 ]) R, Y# }3 Pdistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary 2 Z" ? r' N: u' x/ R+ J
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be-
' z3 k* K O n2 {/ w% ]7 pcame interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
) x5 v0 H7 b, V, @7 {of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
% Q% g1 z% _- b0 [settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
, T$ K* F2 M C7 @# c h4 z |0 Psition of the site by that municipality. For many years he & r# X5 e: \3 B. m) t
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; - J3 x ]( y* j* e5 G0 c9 V
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
, i4 a$ D! N% X" E7 p9 {3 Ca synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
! K2 X: H, _5 P' p E3 L9 @% m8 ppense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu- + i. j" f3 d& K
lar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed 7 t; C/ ]' l6 L/ g
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis-
6 i l; G, L5 `1 O: c8 Ltributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
; X. e- z% j2 m/ cpurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
6 }: s9 ]( n* ]" BClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have # m' b3 R) h: g( k" ^; [2 P
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
' a9 e5 N' H: J. ~$ R' {can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
( a7 O. k2 e8 qhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing 0 e& w! D9 j3 }. r# J H- m
on other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
* G/ T: V; j3 V; B& L2 h8 fgers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
; @- l# b- E3 \" z+ \ P: Z/ dscattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity.
( V: v \. F, H- j i! C& eHe knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated 4 B* i# n$ B6 L% l" k
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
. d0 @6 O4 K; ~! c4 {: e# b& Y% E; ihilation." % } x1 g8 L- G9 }8 \. ^
0 h1 C$ j" ]* mOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
) J6 n- y# l _7 P8 J$ o( i# C+ Bprised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by 0 O; K; L8 W: v x
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
2 f7 f* Y& k5 t( ?: o/ B9 x, V! oties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their 8 {$ @# S) o' l% R6 x
( Y5 b1 h4 q3 u8 S! l/ S$ s9 ^ ^1 x. R, c% q7 N0 x
/ q* _5 `" I3 m, b, h' k102 American Jewish Historical Society. . m- ~7 |5 K1 Y# q' x
2 f5 V% I+ i7 ?" z7 c
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued : E! \: B- G7 u" m3 [
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his " @6 H8 E; E0 F3 [4 ?1 q
wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
- X4 p. H" S; G7 k$ r" htions in most distant sections of the country, would have
% n' E* w/ A$ D, ^/ }0 {found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
: I8 T% Y5 A. v W( w; n* B: fnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
; q. }4 g3 I5 F! J9 bsummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be- 0 z* b& L/ o& O8 z- u+ J; O
quests, as follows :
/ P8 o% ^& ]) T% Z4 W" A6 |+ J, m7 G, `5 g" c5 ]
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
! G* m6 w5 K/ n8 F; bhe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
, I9 z# }, i0 G, ptheir relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are ( w5 X, l) m1 d. a, K1 [
not of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will - s' p. {, Z8 b0 [
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
) \* ?- }2 `# P. b; |4 G2 F, s; this own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
6 E, K; W4 R6 ], Qthe day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- $ B% s9 W( o8 X1 c3 j1 L, A/ c r
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 6 \" F" d, k0 y, i4 X
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of * {9 T% D+ u* `. e0 V5 M. S5 E
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded 6 h5 S6 ^# _% j
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
- W. R$ S/ k2 [' x* y3 Xblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He
( y" C+ a7 j# y0 U8 A# g) g, Bthought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 9 F: T; F' c( z9 _0 {
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those 1 b# e; A" w) k
institutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish ; p# R; }, u* ^: D1 u
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number- 1 {2 q1 \. _% L8 M# T6 \: s6 T. M
He thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to 9 h; N. _. Z7 d4 H4 S; m' [, |8 y
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of & Y5 v3 `- {6 V5 v! |
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop
% S/ \* t% S" F* minto despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
k1 e9 |- K$ R& Z1 c1 p* FIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
6 O# d1 ]' p. ?tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far 7 z3 s7 o) U0 l3 t
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
! y" a* U$ j' i; Z$ [a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged
7 { a! U' _ e! W: \7 THim not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse-
- O A8 w, ]% _. k. }% i7 ], h5 I4 v5 U
° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
; u6 C& N3 ^0 }: Qit is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
/ L$ Q) k. w5 g8 l2 g: h& o3 @the various Jewish communities of the United States and their
1 q0 z9 X0 a. h4 ^% o& rinstitutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information ; Z% A) f# r. f4 T2 ^* L9 w
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun- - K% o: j3 l+ D; b* R
try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
2 L' i( @. c) P3 d; g$ Komitted no deserving Jewish community. 8 h" h2 A1 ]( ~% l. b; Y. V+ z
( F# _; q+ ]$ ]" e9 N" X1 `
9 a8 K% J1 ]* T3 E0 o0 J7 F, \. y. D0 C, n1 A/ D" q
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 1 P4 ^* x$ m, m# o4 V5 P: H
. |& i+ v) ^6 a* v5 X- G
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
N) X) y9 N6 W5 r' R! ^8 a/ Uhistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are ' M: I% }+ P& [& i( D
subjected.
0 d: n- ~ U7 e
: a$ M5 l0 C% B: UOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
' j. {0 e/ G E# R1 u5 }should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with $ l/ a" L6 l9 _' ~, P+ e
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor- ; [6 N3 R, }) _9 i7 s) g3 y, u; B( ^
ing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
' _* ]$ x, N/ L9 \; bbrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- % \8 f& ]3 j6 q8 |1 T7 x, }* T0 I
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
1 _6 y. n' m& l3 atemptation.
4 c7 |3 O7 A U6 A: ?* v6 v; \+ _# }: P6 @ k
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile
/ Q1 _" i- M S" U* e. t( jvied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
( g% _: F( f5 ^4 f9 j2 ?and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, . d# v+ l$ f. p$ A6 E
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were , Y X: K: ^ \8 Z
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he \6 G/ h: b" n* e, w
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
1 }; a1 h# X! A/ J0 [* r- Q4 Lland. By official resolution of the public authorities of
& |' ~9 @5 w$ p) X. {9 }Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, 3 U% M2 y* O- \ q
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
2 q" j d% ^2 e( }) Pthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells 8 k# \( R# i A9 y) t# i- R4 l1 o
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
; I8 p: C( U2 iwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were ! s, [2 R5 m- Y8 D$ S8 `
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- 4 |& b" ?/ V( \6 r
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew
; O0 Q$ ?' [8 d |3 @( W3 \York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was 9 Z0 I8 B! N [; Y8 H9 x
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of 0 f- o5 ~1 I6 `; W( s
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans ' w; |+ S! m' }- f0 Q
were named after him in order to commemorate his generous
& F! I" y/ r" m: lphilanthropy. ; h% c& f* a: E2 U8 ^+ V" F
! [# x# ?$ Z) p, c+ G' W a
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
+ ?( s3 L: l; g( I3 ?3 ^6 Jlowing appropriate inscription :
# g! j* ]1 {0 A( x1 q, d6 J2 K0 q3 m. S& Y# d, p
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth; , f5 p: v. x2 m* ~$ @
In charity and for salvation he dispensed it.
3 Q$ N3 n5 d+ U1 t8 J2 m& P- V/ aThe last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- + U) }/ m6 f) H* y l
thropy & A- j1 r s5 E9 v) B
To be remembered forever. T: R2 {+ \- o& u
9 * Z0 \" u& t$ Y) `9 c
6 b _) l) ^. D! {8 ?/ U/ P# I: K' Y0 d
) m! T2 i" n o0 p* w104 American Jeujish Historical Society. ; g; r. e. @2 D
) Q7 T, B& v: e9 l9 IWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. 7 ~/ D% u0 x0 U
) k" @% r) f5 O/ ~United States of America,
: p. V/ f$ R$ z/ d$ U7 `, G) o) `: J E7 S
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
* c' e! T/ y, J3 b6 q1 h( B+ t5 D* L5 ~
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of ( X. c; _' Z G" a7 ~7 `: f
our Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence 9 T. R8 _$ P! f7 F! q
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
* C- K/ Z" `) q5 q" r8 j1 c. G; obefore 10 o'clock a. m..
2 V0 U- d1 j+ |& L+ ]7 |5 ~4 P) i( T+ b9 y; f- v
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the @3 X8 ?2 u3 d6 M
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, ; l$ ^" m! l! }. I1 Z) l. w
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 9 p! Z; t! R, r/ M
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
4 @8 |& t, N) W% H3 \$ Lsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required — / e' H. T8 ?" }9 \
5 j: B3 f1 A6 ~; C7 S6 R6 JPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
7 E" C/ b5 b* p* iwhom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a % B x* r* w: h, S+ ?
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but # X9 ~, |3 p+ b/ ]/ ]
sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the 9 [" ^8 ` ?$ a7 Y. M; P/ _$ n1 C
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah ( ^( u% Y. V. A) I
Touro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
( U5 b I7 U0 n6 j2 ]8 Nment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
9 _8 _; X/ O6 m7 \6 M7 W- M0 dpresence of said witnesses:
& E- U0 w' u+ w- _0 q8 l7 |0 E+ l/ ^9 I$ |4 z& I! T
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs. : c+ c! o0 q. ~4 N! h% M9 R
5 O* R1 Y& E& B- V2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 1 ?' X7 k% s- R2 g
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
5 \5 ~" y. L3 |8 Imy decease.
1 j, r' W Z9 A6 ]
/ V+ a9 D4 \, G3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends & e/ n4 `2 }$ `5 ?$ T
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 6 [: j. |2 S7 L5 t
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
' O: G7 f {5 ^1 F2 ?2 dAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu- ) _7 U5 @+ V! Y: r# _+ o. ]
tors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow-
1 ?. X9 I6 O7 x0 {: ~ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
, n [& v0 d0 ~0 tAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
& g) w5 p r0 y& q9 D4 u) FDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the
P2 \2 K+ V# S' Gsum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, 6 _7 D! [, W2 _% C/ C; m
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but + q2 m; z. Q3 }: p# R% s7 C
also as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, 5 T/ {3 ?0 I$ ?+ }+ E! H- G
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would O! b" ]6 ?4 X @+ s5 Q
be entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
( [7 k" m2 [ C1 T0 V1 o8 jas aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say ! n" F! Z$ z5 F; N$ X; U5 X8 z
my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, 2 Y a! b3 o* D( M3 v, Q+ X- P
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
; \7 s" s( y& B' T7 N& }4 x0 ]tion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, : n. i6 s* D1 K! |& l4 r
8 a! U0 p/ b! _! z$ g" c$ Z3 s
9 s# X! \+ [, q5 Y3 W# Y7 y$ i2 f& j; H" u/ e) Y. X
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105 $ j% C! w0 h3 ]- i1 [; V
; M5 E1 M- w; ^2 t
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep- 5 C, {( W, b& X
herd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
/ y; |; l6 V1 uof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of % M1 w; c/ V3 r* F0 ~
my estate, movable and immovable.
4 K& X+ q# A; \+ E* b7 L- u9 L
0 r, ?$ {6 o, p4 {" A4 t3 pIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more * G9 T" E& k- t) v- N( m
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor
- h z" C# C5 T7 uor Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last 9 \2 J/ R3 J7 P1 l
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
: E3 M* k4 a& U# z: W lof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that
& ]6 X! N8 }" Ocase, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
6 i: S* n! v" H9 {. r# V1 x$ i" wthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
% b6 i+ v, r x! Kherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
q0 N3 f+ W: y+ Z. u' W2 Uto them.
6 }8 A! Z$ b2 ^( r# G- P+ u
' h$ W2 W0 d3 P+ n! n. |4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
( Y, i8 ~/ G+ T; vforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until ^ J/ ^5 @( R: g, N9 |
the same shall have expired.
1 d' s0 }5 J. V: E3 \( D- \
; a- P. W# R8 Y2 L2 E4 a/ f5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of
# @# ?' c9 J% N, K0 @$ d/ dwhich I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner / V V& N, `& d' V
directed by this my last will or testament. : b: G0 u X) w2 g- ]
; J$ V9 e1 H S1 g' t6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
- o" l, K( L+ @, @1 A, ?5 jpersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
7 m! k" r9 E3 Q1 Qproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their * r7 R- l8 ~7 s/ y$ V
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of ; G# V; E' ]9 k7 n2 i
the said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
! I9 P4 y" o2 f) `the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
1 d0 o) m0 s* x+ _; Z! i6 y; k" ithe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
0 j Z* t! b5 t q- e1 m" [+ U$ V& t! UUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- 6 i5 O7 C% G9 a: K
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con-
, Y1 s" a# r% W9 Ngregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their 3 W7 _ v5 k: A$ j% |8 o
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by 0 L. n7 P1 `7 q: v. Y
my said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- 5 l1 X. o* q- {2 z2 ^- q3 t
strictions.
1 \# ?8 ~& b& ]1 a% H- T% r8 b! a7 g* [' K+ `# v9 J4 U+ T( X
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
; S- J8 o' e+ f. v5 |Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
5 a( B/ ~+ _- E; b0 G+ msale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
- H6 {$ K( r4 X: z8 {6 t$ Z! m! Jnow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
* ^4 {4 L" l8 F) X# Gtemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- . T7 _% C: f7 I& ^
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
; U3 [5 `4 M- m7 L! pecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them
. {! Q7 t* ~5 C7 oconformably with the laws of Louisiana.
0 x' f' F9 S0 u; i8 w# _+ L2 D9 T. l1 ?* j) F3 v
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of \. ~9 Q8 b3 s4 P; K) I
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
2 p7 b- @ J1 h2 @+ t
2 {2 _# X8 H r$ O$ Z$ g9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
4 g$ T v3 ]1 G; g0 i0 |/ X2 vgarai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. 2 O; `" ^: d. B2 J& }8 \) q0 \( R
5 U: c7 T: e0 }2 @6 `" N
7 L3 e( X8 g3 Q; U. J2 u3 ]4 `3 |! Y, G; O
106 American Jewish Historical Society. & d( _! d7 |3 z) s) P0 J
: t6 z5 s) q* D- D0 [5 h
10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of
+ R6 C5 J0 P* k/ C% T ENew Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
4 O4 }( R6 C! u) b; a. B# Y8 ~% x" U: B: [5 s# u r2 ^
11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
! ]. `+ U5 v0 y) wof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
3 ?5 i W' Q8 {; }" l
9 D8 Q& k5 Z/ a+ D5 F12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
. K+ U0 U S2 t% q" vOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. ! V$ `8 R: f2 h+ {9 l7 r
; z5 B% S( d4 N' q3 F6 v% ]13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti- 0 ?* x* U! b0 c4 k8 Y" e
tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
# D0 m! M" g+ p* J! h7 F" Q! o1 @$ W7 `9 D
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
3 \/ a1 D8 K6 y$ L2 @1 Kof destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
/ c7 ~! X9 c( b6 Qlars.
4 h' j, u. A' t# C N9 F3 H8 ?' |. h9 W) \& I
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
9 j8 [4 I9 F4 Z6 }! U- YAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
$ U5 r- ~+ l1 vsand dollars. + p- I, h5 q/ A% w8 o
0 m2 m* l& W% S/ Y, v0 L3 \! d16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
$ ~% L& b9 C5 t3 O$ ^* Xlum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
# L) u z8 E% Echairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand + V7 D [1 R$ J% Y& m
dollars. " X: g# ?: [4 t9 V$ ]# u7 ^2 w' p
/ }9 e8 t0 N9 O! Z' Z$ @' S$ n: `17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
6 L' M# B4 s! o( O4 `% \five thousand dollars.
! A; A! G4 T" I) {
. N$ C0 b- V! A- Q6 c18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
; `7 c! a0 j/ d# ?tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
4 y# y. l$ q/ d2 `( T/ x$ \/ k8 u- V+ M. F
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
! g+ X P; y7 ?( w0 {3 hDistrict of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
. K. @6 @* I) Z1 n: B f' |1 P/ D+ x& j* N' H1 y
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
3 c& J; w! e l$ ?& [" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of 5 ]3 I( c& @5 v$ l- J, f
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity % O$ k' }' p( @; {& }
in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) / B5 f) a3 y9 o- N8 a
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
9 f- f* k6 Y0 X; P4 p( S# c9 p9 sorganized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
' O5 \$ s8 a2 o# q- e/ q$ E8 Lafter my executors shall have legally organized and established ; v5 q( h% c% o
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
o& R, d7 t4 }+ vadminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 3 e4 N5 t, O$ ?, D
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
3 E; t3 R+ F/ a% Tjointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
! u- N$ N7 u$ x9 y' q1 a) |cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
3 ~+ P5 D, q( ~# f1 g6 }9 Bthereof.
( [7 s" G& G P: Z, i) `
; U4 A8 s- y, N$ }1 w21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of ( ]3 I; G: x& L0 n# \3 k+ k
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
# v. o& s* v2 F/ S2 ]/ h, h: H* vthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
4 y* Q" E( n9 `* F. X- n% t' f+ |property in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept $ l% `6 G! w' R3 ]# u9 e
as a public park or promenade ground.
" Y& n* P) I, {& B8 M* u! r5 x" Q+ J
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
$ Y! J y9 ^: n. R+ caforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. $ u i& p- e$ T% R$ }6 k& O
3 M* S" M" i0 E; k: v8 n
9 [; e' U) \+ k/ b) |+ x
+ F) } l) J8 c3 z8 |, ~4 ?; I& ]Judah Touro — Kohler. 107 $ g% E( D( N1 K- A
! A) M5 h R' v- d$ @8 t0 h23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay . X4 N8 F% _; z
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
: e1 f3 m5 n% B+ [9 G+ }" ~9 ^; n* P% x( q8 Y- W) ~
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart- 7 K+ f+ J$ W1 c& X8 Y, ]8 X
ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
1 i0 m4 C0 K8 |& j8 X4 ?! e; F3 n3 ~ b& X% @
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
8 d+ y1 B- W" tHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars. - |0 R/ l. Z+ x2 S9 t, K7 b9 W# p! m
- q, G0 W6 {4 F8 [6 t p
26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, ! Q, t" g) w8 g& K$ r; ]
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
0 e8 B$ p5 ?4 [5 k- G& tState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
& j- y* M5 Z) b7 W( G! uten thousand dollars.
+ W/ h1 ~/ n- |2 Z% S0 \( q5 q& s7 A. r1 A+ }# G# P% }
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir * i' B$ B2 \% s# ~( P; p' ]! @
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to & _# G2 N! S) G5 n; u
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in / k# k7 D; t' B; p U0 n! w$ h
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of 4 T5 c* g4 m& ` e& P: Z; ]
worshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
B5 L6 y; `) C# a4 N& Qmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
4 `! f, R& W8 ^sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through - w( h* w4 q5 J$ H( A, `. H% o$ R
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise, 8 b4 w0 o& ]' V, `
as best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
. F/ U8 x' t6 ^. H4 M( B$ ]8 fany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
1 ^& N$ U7 W; l3 m. Ying said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and
( Z; N/ n1 [ p5 ein that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
* C; Z. t8 K& `3 N2 Fbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the , Z8 i+ I: E7 p& v# G& y0 J2 k
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri- # i) K9 z8 ?% H) x0 `+ ]# d
can Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine,
1 K3 p$ d6 Z) X7 x2 U( A' Hof the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this ' a2 q. j9 t- P5 {! e
my last will. " v9 }: _. R3 N) J
2 h3 M6 e) I$ p' `! w/ r! O28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I ; ~+ |- A* R6 O1 J& v) M
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to 6 j$ U. w3 K4 d ^% M
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, & V: d$ U* D6 v- a
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them 3 T. \$ T2 a$ z4 v% g
respectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and 1 t2 f' T0 \$ E+ a
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
0 {( Z, \6 w. q: Q9 u0 Xdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my
9 l1 x% ]; V/ e1 ]; y4 N* S p8 dexecutors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
E. y( `! s, B0 h) v# |, hcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
) g2 A! c) e, rinherit in the premises according to my wishes. . T* v0 T, h7 D( N; M
; c3 V3 C7 V% I4 ^2 j# S; c29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the ; b+ X8 Z" V; O8 I3 c: p$ o
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. : |1 I" c, o( V% | d; I7 C" F; N+ X
$ p. ?# `4 W5 N9 D2 x30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society 8 s6 r1 y" Z7 c$ u' `; a
" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. % R, b: r' H) c7 t2 }1 E, J, _
* w$ _# X8 o3 H- H: m2 H
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
: y! v; z, T/ S$ E/ Z" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
* T5 e) \" ]5 }0 a! i T, ?$ u/ T
+ l; S' ~; l3 |4 S4 J% q) B$ P
4 e% K6 e5 \+ K' Y2 ?6 P# S108 American Jewish Historical Society.
+ _$ K: h( W ?0 E0 |, F5 c: }! E. h8 I* P+ h' @
32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
$ Q' O3 A8 W3 j) b6 lattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
" C7 ?2 |0 {# [' g# qCity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand 4 b$ R8 ?+ Q3 O
dollars.
" O" {* C' f0 e0 P
4 ?0 M3 _- ~. y3 A5 H- G# p33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He-
) W, |! _% ~1 l" g7 Z! pbrew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, ; Q$ M+ P& V( ]8 U* Z$ |
the sum of three thousand dollars. 0 \9 A9 }/ e: B3 w
0 o, a) f* C$ Y* R, v
34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- & N$ w& g$ w9 p& U
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
' N4 G5 y3 a5 H6 o9 Q# Y: h( W& j1 L' x% }' c) Y( u
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 9 [$ f, y- T e* `' ?! D
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was
) a/ C W" q1 p7 M; ~4 Da directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B.
6 Y# M* {+ L) \+ X3 {) ~" wKursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars.
9 p, _+ u( w0 i4 b; a
* E: l7 q/ h y/ [5 L36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So-
* t f' Z- A2 J& hciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- 4 d" g5 u. K. k& f6 c
lars. ; m, |: P+ ` v9 N& _! m, @6 x
9 z+ @& m; h9 M0 b37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of " g& F8 Q/ Z' U B5 I- _6 D; P
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
9 w9 c+ r5 ~! _9 R9 w& D z% D5 i6 J! j6 T0 {
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila-
/ l9 E# e: s* M3 q8 h8 c G D" F ndelphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. ; ]' h" f- V( ~: ~
6 B+ z% X- Y) X( P p39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
: c- j* |1 e' X- X& D) e, xIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. * e7 |' l* b" I
2 B/ w& Z* H/ ]. s' p
40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
4 q: U$ y% e7 i$ c( x, @; {! z) [Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
0 d z7 W: z6 a: _8 p( a
/ |+ g1 k6 o* N4 c: ]& J0 s41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith 2 F* z" m K/ a$ R: e
Israel," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand # {" z# l8 Y* [1 d( r+ Z
dollars. 6 V" I* J4 ^0 p/ g
# D, w4 ^2 J! i( H* K3 r$ V42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- " w% |* n& r7 d* u
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 4 W" p- R* O; ~3 Z+ K
2 T; ~0 f, P2 K
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
9 J5 c8 _/ ^8 u( AIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars. % J: ]# h# n* l9 f
0 R3 {' S8 p3 y' e1 @" [
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- + L* d4 ^2 ?) k1 f4 S! n* N
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
7 q# B) I5 S' _; G/ Y( D) P% j- T: A/ s: j: r2 ^1 a
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- , A3 c, t! ?7 G* F: F
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
: |7 ?( P/ \3 |' z6 O4 @
. e) _( ~- G+ I& b46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
" o1 V2 N) f/ JIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars. 8 m1 A9 z0 U$ _' C8 H
# _" w3 Y3 n" I( C, X47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
9 a' R3 t x* b7 V* vrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
: w& i4 p7 i4 s0 Z
& I% {) N8 N' n8 A48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
' f# o1 K+ s. B }4 Adim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. 7 `# t; j3 k- ]4 M; k/ f
+ F5 {& I% j: e# ]' x49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, % R" ?& p% Y' R
Ohio, five thousand dollars. & K4 \& \$ |, e7 M; K
) @/ R2 Z$ w7 x! k& z- @
0 R. u, S+ K% k) W7 B A) L6 z* f3 k9 J. k
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109
2 h* Z7 P) y9 y! k4 ^% u4 H9 C: E/ @! \2 m/ a
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth ; t0 H7 U4 s; h* ^$ O
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. 2 p* x( o0 z" O
3 L( H+ b% R8 I- j51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
0 u8 s0 k/ Q& a' Y+ q1 B hEl," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
# g; _) _8 Y! k1 |; i( R2 M7 F
0 E' q" h. ]" e4 \& V52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," 4 L1 v" }) P7 ^' E
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 8 M; Z- i, o: u6 C8 h( U" s
8 L M4 H& _. D; P53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth - c; i4 D }) b! E/ |* A: w
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars.
1 y3 F7 U2 z6 L& U
" i% t: f# m! _3 Y- \4 m, V54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, ) k& d. x$ z& `* X( Z
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
1 P+ V; Z9 M( Z* u/ O# @ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: ) f( w- H" v+ L0 p: g
, ]# y) Q* n4 S" J2 Y' @First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts,
6 V8 I) @. {* ^8 ?% hfive thousand dollars.
{9 o$ {( y& ]7 y$ v) r( o" X6 r& Q3 k5 [* ^
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, 0 o" z+ S+ n/ D+ j" e
five thousand dollars.
5 K+ p& N6 q$ q, R2 _8 B* y8 A/ I
Third. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
, c: j0 u4 @0 `sand dollars.
% Z2 `# V) V b" V7 r' y0 D% ~7 X* [+ g* W3 [3 _8 l, R: V5 k
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
* A) ]: @1 n# z% Q( K3 a' N$ ]/ c, fpaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- ; P( C0 k# Z9 V* X/ `6 @
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- 6 W/ I' `4 h. _* N" a0 _0 i, o
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
8 E4 R0 x- C r+ n hJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
: y! \ t. s, Bappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner 8 v+ R4 M* A8 ~! G) I; p
as my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
2 X- D& n! g8 y3 u1 Jof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
$ n! c, u; I! k4 C0 x" W& ythat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed : S* B3 P) R! ^) W( F
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
/ i& p; K4 b1 m, Econtinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct 2 Z: g6 Y( A6 A6 n& H
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
7 Y* L, T! j: S+ @) p0 S4 Pof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the - ]$ J! t0 t1 B7 O. @4 t% [
sum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
2 a8 e1 T( r7 w' L& s$ ?0 A' X& f3 Hthe said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
9 A3 z# L4 |$ `: |
2 C! K5 a' A) @/ ?3 d& \56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine , E7 ]/ j6 H( ~4 }6 ^* B
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind 5 B1 ^+ Y/ _3 t1 u' c2 q5 r% j% F/ E
remembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
) B3 Z8 I, @3 W! v! w4 D" {
1 z- c. Y- T& S* q9 W57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and ) ?" x( }# T' v
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of , D4 p- o; B$ a6 z+ V2 Y. Y
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
: d$ v* h/ ^% i z& m# requally divided between them.
/ }4 J3 Y7 v6 p8 Q" b( q% ?* R2 F) v1 t% c3 \, T# ]
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
0 F5 [+ X. m. E0 `, a9 Pthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, ) }7 u3 \+ D" x8 L
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my * \/ m' i; `9 I1 E. b3 K. Y
remembrance. 5 C3 g% K4 @* H& ~
; R& q9 P s0 P, F9 y C
, v8 l% m1 ^/ t( w0 ^% Q% N1 m2 w, ^% Y9 }
110 American Jewish Historical Society. " Q7 f) v0 M7 Q8 O
( \( J& J, e8 e' O59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, / n* H" f5 v" r) ^1 w
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of ) V! x1 t, j9 g- |
my esteem and kind remembrance. : Q# Z0 Z) O N- Q
$ i6 k. U6 D% H0 m1 B, K0 u; p
60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to : M5 v& p1 R2 i3 _+ T0 L- s
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a 3 v; ]% `6 [1 h$ {. y' l2 t/ [
token of my regard. V4 |/ H' h* E E
. M5 X% i: N5 w: ?
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
3 v/ b1 }! K# b1 gmy friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his # @' E/ a) w+ c# ]% l5 M
wife, to be equally divided between them.
- v* q2 Z0 r& Y: m5 f4 _6 `
9 l3 f1 J! w% o, W- V6 c62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
" ^0 F! L! q0 W1 ?- K8 x9 Z; |my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of , }6 U+ ^2 A8 n' ]
my remembrance.
- \( P {. n4 l2 \, ?) S3 [% g* e- a2 V g1 b& P! { A$ X
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire,
4 R& k( d4 A) i" i8 s- m9 Zof Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex- ; L o) v; Y4 j) e: ^+ {4 b
ecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol-
3 L3 G- R, ~8 U9 ?- Y) ^" [lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase : D, h1 { q& X: G! b. L8 N
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
0 _9 y* \3 u2 Y. j, Aregard. " ]+ t7 ]% B) J: |$ T
9 E# q- b$ t- d* f
64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars, . u$ [# O7 W! i' y) F- }
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
4 Z2 G3 n; C! u% N$ \* g2 L$ Wmemorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
3 |. r; j* q3 n! `5 Z- owife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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6 C& U, i0 |2 ?1 A8 A9 b65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
* I: x; {" {$ j' H! Oto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
/ G- v) G2 l7 o2 F& Y7 A3 dmemorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of 7 C6 l( l0 u5 p/ Y9 m
Mr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
1 q$ f( ]/ h+ c U$ i* p t0 ymade previously to these presents. ; V# j3 g1 p' z( Q5 t7 C& @
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Thus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to
# n; |8 N, M# x; M2 Yme, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses 2 R" C) u" {9 F
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
: i: w; @$ ? I& _, e8 ?. ^" Bsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own
+ _7 [3 a/ B- hproper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this
4 k# n* O6 E: W. U: m% |testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
. i' I. [8 o% s! s" ^: c( Eence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same ' |& E$ h! m% }3 t/ r
presence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. 7 A; j" E9 @, ^% S9 s
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn- : W* U' D, r) B2 F, A' h1 e
ing aside to other acts.
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the 6 L) p2 t A" u6 f1 g) _( r* y
said residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and ; X# L" x; O5 p3 \3 Z; b& ]
year first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
; ?0 L; g, D, O2 q; ?' y: c5 |Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
0 F( t1 ]+ A8 [/ W! W! d z, I. r! ?
/ r& y, x" P0 z. T# z
1 Z3 r) E& B# c" \9 I, }6 S
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill
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; E( ?, p. H+ ?' Sall three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
/ ^0 n$ R6 E7 Q0 x7 W) m3 a4 ~( atestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their - x/ q& w& K5 n4 V6 @% B q( k1 r
names. (Signed.) + Q1 u- g& g' ?4 A+ v4 v1 F+ D2 {% m
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J. TOUEO, # q% Z0 P% q( B
! {; y: z) D, y( e, X" p1 Z0 n$ U2 x v
J. Montgomery, 1 K; w& \( O0 |- S% L A# R' @: O
( v9 d% d# p( [$ t
H. Shepherd, Jr.,
; E6 [4 A% X0 h' N( m: ]( J( p" h; Y K/ E: ]5 r
Geo. W. Lee, 8 q) ]+ c1 q* X0 H3 u! A% B% _
3 [3 L+ K4 C# r
Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. , a8 l& z# w% W( T; F/ Y! O; N
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' j. F) [" o( U1 c) {LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
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