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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS ) V" J4 F0 T4 K" X8 S8 Y) P2 {
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JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
6 j, K5 j% i' N& WPHILANTHROPIST. ; N/ [) S% ]- p i6 A- e; J
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/ `+ E. P6 g" s8 j9 x. K/ BBy max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
2 D# A0 W+ r. `6 C$ ~. \* b) S4 y- y0 v6 Q' a
8 D% `! H% w; N4 E! c( H& Q
8 n7 k! g3 T! J6 q, `9 \+ QReprinted from # @! q6 L! ]7 N6 p* L# D
3 h, f5 R: F* {$ [
Publications of the |" v" q+ w/ P. Y
8 z3 @( _; S2 a3 Q+ E" EAmerican Jewish Historical Socibtt,
4 U4 _* j$ H# A: B8 z2 e* t3 @& P/ L% U+ x
No. 13, 1905. . T; A* E" V+ l1 j. d" I& T
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6 ~! i6 A) l3 r' _JUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND 4 ?7 Q' i% F5 u
PHILANTHROPIST. : t. f. h; W5 e7 z0 x% ~
/ I4 P, \( z% x2 ?; g' x
By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. & w6 L7 T9 A+ o) q
6 m+ \7 K) P9 _' E, o( JIt is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak
7 I" O5 L9 _8 v! C1 nTouro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, 7 R/ I. b( e2 m* R. u
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the 0 D$ _8 w# q0 [) M9 U! H" Y
name, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
/ D" r/ X0 Z0 Q' z' L. z1 |from a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor- & k. e1 t$ g7 ~* w
mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in , T# F+ ?/ x4 _# {( F; r
consequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
1 v8 L9 C- C; \1 m% g7 \History of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring 8 y ~/ Q* n0 g
the very name of one who would probably by common consent
. N6 a. d1 L/ z( [# Tbe singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the
' R+ u4 a- w1 T7 \first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the
0 f& L) `+ J9 y) U& R8 S( Vrelations between the investigations of local historical socie- - l: R. o* ]5 D6 i2 w* |+ K
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account 6 O5 X N; A h: S+ ^; J3 o
for the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
z/ L, X% s2 E2 `9 E0 d, Z6 {/ zignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such
7 M+ V3 S5 Q- A& aspecialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
/ B( }$ w: @' u2 `torian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi- 0 ~+ j0 s: e& }% D3 b3 _
vidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in
9 H) R2 R( I0 N! |% Cquestion did not figure prominently in the political or mili- & S+ B( n! o5 f5 e6 f& U
tary history of his . , |3 @& j# M4 c: f2 g' o$ B
. H+ L0 D# n8 g6 a% v# V( AA couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
$ X6 K& F, b: s* t3 ]6 zwithin a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
$ k W' z7 j+ @+ snon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- F8 d& w3 P2 s' j( ^* Q
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what 8 j3 t3 N! S5 ^# i6 v% X; Z
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
8 Q: s. x7 a2 L. \Walker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
) J# x/ |/ I& O2 ~- Q9 F. f8 a: W1 E, L2 I( P1 f A. O
' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
% B/ Q) u! h: @. S9 mchants," published in 1856.
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\6 q! Q4 N! o6 k0 C! ]93 / L3 V- x6 v8 l0 r* N, h' O6 v1 P
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94 American Jewish Historical Society.
1 J1 g; I- u, b3 u
6 R+ X& f3 P8 i; ?9 i" \ p/ }reminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol-
0 ]& c- Q" ?, \$ f3 l; Mlections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or- $ _% w$ p$ }% B6 B
leans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
7 | Z6 @. q; |9 a$ z4 Jthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
: N- S4 Z) M Q7 ^0 ^% C$ N, H; alikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog- 8 j* E+ O4 @0 k3 m5 S1 T1 E& w
raphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
& s, x- C0 L( _5 {" d3 osketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal 0 f- Q( p+ g& E# p( Q
reminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago 4 ]: E. I0 f9 h% ?8 l# Y% ]
are for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
/ \, _6 }& I( z1 C8 q4 vJudah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known 5 L+ I# t# a5 j$ W
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy 2 |$ t8 h9 t K: E/ u* W
and early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his , a9 H/ Y0 C" H
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no # q9 K" |% U. ^4 i
guile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and
1 Z& k4 n; {, Umore than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect
, c& q! f. ?* y2 m" X8 T, zand admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
: s6 q9 U3 @: `& r6 \ wname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh
; B( ]: ?, p0 ?+ e2 E) Yunprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic
- B& `) X2 Z; c1 xgifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com-
& s3 v, ~0 o S* G- U, o( Q: kmunities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore 8 q2 c: E' K& n1 v5 t0 y! C
impossible, in view of the small and humble means at their + m) _( h2 \$ E( R' I9 r; P
disposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the g: }$ W6 i5 t/ g) _: d: |
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
" J! \; K+ p5 v5 Z& r4 w* m [since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. 0 J; V! O$ z; X; j7 z* o% j& A0 b
U7 q+ l0 J6 w" ?% QJudah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June ! V8 i, W1 H/ L7 H `
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum-
- i; _$ Y1 F" `9 G* i6 U' Pstance that his individual career thus began with that of his
- J; k) y1 g! s4 h6 @! Z0 y5 E4 Ebeloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min- ' ]4 h9 f5 Y! _" i
ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption ; ~ L& ^8 N Z) d2 R2 I4 }3 p. ^' ^
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by
! ` d4 v5 F+ ~0 U1 ^" p, n4 d4 ythe dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
3 ? p) n0 q; s3 Xtery being more than a century older, and concerning whose : b; ^ @2 @% K+ T7 H+ U
career our society has already published various items.^ Isaac 9 R. I% Y/ f& d/ P3 }+ N
. Q8 Z' I% d- z3 E2 s9 P$ Q
' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854. ! ^5 F( m! _4 [ I1 q$ H
' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- & k$ p& y; x' W4 B B1 Y
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- * S2 D3 y) `- ` u" u C
1 a3 Q3 n2 X, u6 q1 D+ V; q, w$ u+ ~
& Q# E! i( I7 Q4 {8 | hGift ) n; g* P7 S8 ]' f8 r! V
Authc: : P% q6 |& @& N; U; ^% v6 f% Z
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) H, M* B L, MJudah Touro — Koliler. 95
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Touro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
2 }( X( @* Z, I% f+ q0 E5 {in 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and - O/ K7 W3 W7 e" q
Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and # T0 R1 {* X' c& t2 Q8 u: V
died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem- 7 D% n. |5 w7 I+ \3 Z' Y" k k
bers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city ) g: L# e( Y! a" `# `6 O
during the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- / W) H* e. J% Z; N; g6 Z) C' D: z
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December 3 j* b8 N. f" D( O: a4 W& A) k5 r% L
8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country,
, _$ x! e: S, e7 a1 eand became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays, 3 T+ ]! Z1 b# E% j* g+ G' a
brother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- ( J& D4 k- Z- X
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
G# c5 G* a( E) Gber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays,
- k! E5 o1 d% R* w. I4 PAbraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely
, |. u# f' T; ~4 athose principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
5 k4 s& L4 O0 e* G% [them in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
7 z3 p- L9 N1 A0 s1 ]0 a+ ]& |also brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- - l6 z, f" y2 I
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views
8 r7 p4 f) q- \) Z7 K$ Mof those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac- # _+ E3 @8 _& I: f2 T
companying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays ! C" O7 g+ T r/ Y3 G9 b: _& L' h- O
was an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the / O2 I6 D) n& [& T+ i* n
patriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and ' E' Q/ \/ X% z, a5 a, z0 w
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the 1 S4 u4 g: \. f
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist, ; ] e1 e- }9 c; e2 g3 ]
while such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- $ G- w: X/ O' v" D) _4 m
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these + i. P+ t' g7 Y9 {
early associations can probably be traced the sentiments which ! G/ p5 U) Q5 r; Q1 J
induced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase ' C, O2 a& u/ G* O! b4 D5 O
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and # Z& [8 |+ P. t( r8 `- i
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and ) x( w( n: _' b$ \$ Y. @
# G ]& e9 \0 C( g& Q' E7 [
trow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
' ?6 S) w* e+ p& k X& ]1 f% y& |7 rNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. . D1 L s& a6 |* S
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport 8 j4 Y6 I' s _( k# T R$ ]8 Q
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences . k7 l* ]$ f, J6 k
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New-
) W* t1 Z g/ ]4 _: vport," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105;
+ r! |) }& S) n8 m5 gRev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." 1 w" A# f; a: t* e, O0 x/ A4 F$ U
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7 j7 }4 j- R$ P96 American Jewish Historical Society. , G T; ^$ S# t2 d" M' M
. B- P1 D2 {$ M/ ?commercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in ( }6 C+ F) q" y# q; Z
1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with.
1 ~0 V* D: Z6 t0 ~* X, }/ ]a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. " C# J+ W9 ? G
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their
) q+ E& [* J# c/ W x" nvessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com-
D: A# Q9 T3 i6 ?( E( }mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad- 7 H( A9 o9 @$ L# V7 ^: c8 o: ]( F
vised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a
2 a; m6 F* n* `$ xFrench possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after 9 i1 P, _0 H4 E6 ^
a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends ' b* ^$ L( G: l5 @5 o+ s
knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
2 y1 [9 ]+ t+ Z9 s7 Y, ]ment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 9 o2 B: D- w5 |% q* Y: X( q. O
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in 3 s% Q: h: a9 ]: V! z" s
New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
4 m& N! h9 z) ]( xchant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
+ g0 S1 |; ^" v" M5 D$ `1 Z" fport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts % y G- z7 `8 b% `" G
into six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library 9 [8 m! ]+ r+ T0 o* n
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
7 z8 D! H2 z# S2 s& }; vBancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah 5 H1 B! m0 c9 Y
Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham-
; o s! l5 c6 v+ {+ Tplain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws % ^5 N9 h* P2 i3 U" z$ Q) l% E; C4 ^
light on the scope of his business dealings.
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Tradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for
) N" ^3 K1 F& p+ I+ lhis cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their
; |: A. Q/ U% N- \: }near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- - i1 g' y1 ]# F) b% T1 F/ V$ O1 Q" l
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., - N& O8 }* a0 B6 C8 A2 W9 x/ u8 g
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, & r0 Q7 T$ L' t# H5 T
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
: ^: d/ s8 N1 X, ?month in ignorance of her death. / |* B) ^# a) W3 X8 L' O
. q+ A& ]8 [) e
Abraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
1 i- Y# X5 j% @& W9 E4 D0 v) Ston, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an
% x: S& j& n3 N# f7 @2 D4 W( n, zaccident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his
4 Z) f8 z$ S9 B8 eespecial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New- , Z# q5 g2 Y; r# T w' m8 H$ k; {
port, though the Jewish community of that town had been
' s9 G( n, f3 ~- Q+ Hscattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
; g8 `# a$ O/ N2 y1 _. pa substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for 7 S1 z' Y! o3 v3 A' c0 _6 s
which he made further provision by his will, which contained
3 ]8 e Z. L6 ]3 m6 k
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# T R# |+ b* pJudah Touro — K older . 97 ( t( u+ ~, R6 y3 C8 `5 g, v
/ y" ^5 e' ^" d9 p& _a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston
0 ]: o4 Z7 D( \# x, T2 h7 \3 _institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and
, |, w, T3 ?+ v8 w* ]% F6 z$ gNewport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly ! ]' ?" c. G/ C2 R- M
to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog- & G! E9 @# p6 Y' k: D0 |, I( ], e
nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly. $ |+ h( l; B& N/ S
; s! K0 S& }* m2 ZEeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot- ) `- p7 I' }1 ^4 D1 r
ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during / Y7 `3 b0 z, U8 K4 N4 C
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests,
# F% [- J# \. r. A/ u7 C0 bin order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or-
! L1 b) V' D6 A+ H; Nleans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun- 9 O$ u X( J; I4 m3 C9 j
teered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of ) y$ ]$ Q, H* f, D5 l1 G: h
the American batteries during a British cannonade, and while
- y+ d- |: G" X4 [in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- 1 _- d. x( k1 D' Z
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that . f9 b, e- V8 C
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. 7 X3 G; ^! v" F! [* j
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians
4 g C: H4 u* \! ~) e+ Ihad abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death ! R- q! a1 G2 e3 U
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
6 c4 \+ a. B0 N/ r, TJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of
" o" U# T& U* KShepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- / U, ?' c: q. ?6 O
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- 5 _* ^: [6 C; {4 p
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
) W& z& m* {+ O/ F9 dbequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, 2 ]) \8 s4 p/ V
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
" A. l j8 ?8 t# bscribed in the will itself.
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Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred
/ M. S; O* n4 }" D r! Ato, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began
8 [: f9 ?4 |( R8 t; D4 r( Ja brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other 5 D8 O0 r* j) _- y8 B) ~5 Q
exports of New England, making prompt returns to his
5 K6 Y$ X2 o6 D$ T2 Ofriends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- @. W8 L7 G/ G X# \( v4 {$ m; W
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every 9 \3 N5 Q: ]" t7 u! O
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and 2 {' O6 K# A7 v0 U5 H
many ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain ; M, K7 V- N( X; [
cargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his 1 `: I+ g6 |# H% f/ m8 ?) p
funds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in
% _2 N2 A+ D$ m- U% fships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His * `* Y2 d& O! a# H0 v$ x
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$ f; O/ X1 R1 K& y% f
98 American Jewish Historical Society.
" h0 ^* J" w3 `) `6 Q$ P, D0 N% a0 ~5 D4 v L7 O
career as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and
* [! H- J% @6 Kstem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- 8 h. e9 w5 F7 I; }1 @, r
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn-
9 L# P9 P# K* [: l+ R9 f `( Ring aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to 2 T$ V6 _+ l, v; A6 W
the cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents
, g [' F. t% ~of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
/ w1 r* _8 s4 R6 Z" hHis neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
4 Z9 T; ]$ A3 n9 A& p+ kby his movements. In his business he rarely employed more ; G# K9 Y+ \7 f1 F0 b ]
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus-
3 o# u. E& ?5 gtom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
' n3 w9 |; D9 J! n, f- vHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well 1 o8 O5 u) i3 L
arranged that there was no possibility of any misunder- ; l C3 v2 S$ l u# T
standing.
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: U) n# z# h" R' @: O& y. u( PIt is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
1 [; z- s/ W1 @2 I+ e+ V3 }5 r9 k* Ydevoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of / F' s8 h8 s: B! g0 M
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
% g0 o9 T; o$ F- {work the maximum of good in every instance, that has made
8 a/ C# _1 p. a7 Shis name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- % ^: v" m& k1 Z: |& t* O
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for-
. s7 _; C+ R7 Z6 P( k' S# c0 vtunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, $ Y5 W" U& B4 ?! |% i1 K
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not-
4 ^$ q6 y1 g" s& Y8 Owithstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that / d0 o" W4 h7 k5 s: u$ h9 M! s
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- # X# m" t! C4 D' Q! x7 s( Y
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
/ M$ e7 `( J1 i. N- ]! ^8 cOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- % O1 h4 W0 ~! y$ ]( e# X; i
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who
Q1 z4 o: |8 z" x3 khad won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than 8 v. L! o7 u7 n$ G/ G+ s U
that which the most successful merchant, the most daring : O5 @! U! j0 S0 ^. i
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw " M5 f2 W+ l" h0 _! o: M
him in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
; A) x! o# C) H; h& ftions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little 0 e" t2 [4 k5 r. I, M- r
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble ~9 i& s$ K, b6 d- j
aspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to 5 V; B3 | \4 R0 \ ~( |& x2 j7 ~/ G
glide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
7 C- \( j0 ^$ F j- U5 u! shands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his
& C8 ]7 R2 p1 `( ^$ O( U. Ghomely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex-
4 j6 Q) T2 l% b) L; T2 x2 I+ f8 o! D$ w, r. C- u$ I9 k, f, U& M
' l$ A& L# P, m5 F# n( M6 e3 D
& _, l2 ^/ O8 {) Y; u# KJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 8 ]- v4 m2 y. e7 \) q7 c
8 s- K' E" ^2 }" F
pression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, 7 S3 e. S" O6 P. a8 @0 `, ?, E @
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali- 6 w- G" r% B$ U) X: _
ties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a 9 B$ M9 \0 h$ ?" J1 `- z
whole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn 1 R/ l2 m/ j, Z) Y
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
- A4 j, X- e* S5 n, Z' Jbewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
- O+ ?, |- x" p& l$ X4 u+ kmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death 3 V$ a, X [- x% I9 H, [% Z$ ?& i
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who 2 v2 X! A: n2 @; f
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large
9 ]9 O( d5 F T# ^wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
$ O( ~( |4 A& d/ q. Freward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
1 g) w$ m9 i0 j( X% ^- bcence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 6 w# d1 x2 F7 t
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise
9 X/ {8 J) y9 g4 Q' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall 7 J6 R4 ~. @% k% ^& g3 E) `
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
6 n& J: m% V' Zwere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He 9 }+ [5 o. V" G8 X3 S& ^6 ]
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
0 K+ ?; t% ?0 b: }! A- kgratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single
}3 n, S, G: B6 ^passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was . x% b: i% }3 M& y, {
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, 5 T, ^4 y9 n0 g/ u: @. q" m: W# i6 Q
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and + r; w" |" Y0 \; V. m- W$ ^/ I: p
stealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
' r! |6 N6 h" z4 ]- w; J5 iand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta-
( C* Q9 C0 L7 H! R0 V* h( m/ Ition and display which are too often the main incentive to % j: F$ ^( k( ~7 h3 r
liberal and benevolent deeds." 2 C1 s3 s0 {7 ?" [
1 Z$ L K. R3 U! x) g1 lTurning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
/ W) g$ x* i+ H( e" m- \that Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the 7 F; ]% D* F4 j4 e
public to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac-
$ M4 e, P, `: ctions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they 6 ?6 g9 k: L; `
are, has been handed down to us. The time was one when Q* Q" o8 a- u3 G; U. h
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as 5 F" ~6 L" a9 {, g* D: k3 p; H
common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards " d% H/ E& ^$ W( k+ g! s5 X9 j
the erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in- $ b5 I$ m! I0 s: y L% ]
terested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
5 v6 T% n7 y8 b. q9 o: Q; Ztheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid 0 p5 k) y! \. t% a W. t7 U: L
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle.
0 [! h) p) Q2 `! u; N! P% |' v9 f# i$ k+ g, v, N3 K' Z
6 y1 \! @1 H& Y- p+ q3 |2 N8 k- C) n# s2 M
100 American Jewish Historical Society. " C* C' ]9 \, U# e9 }9 b7 z. K
+ q0 }/ y: c+ [& h: Z
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material & c8 `# v. H8 g
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward
7 v) X! [# W P% G/ d4 }- N# G* hEverett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately
% K+ H' q T& ^4 t9 {; joffered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
+ T: e. I6 N4 } }- ~. _1 uAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces- $ w/ ^# V* g7 ]: g! X5 N
sary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
+ M3 ?4 M! M) t! Bdignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his
# {* c* V6 m% Pinjunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he 6 X/ E9 y) A' J3 H$ ^8 Y# C
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- 2 S' B( _. N- X
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew- 9 P4 a; N. |& r6 B
ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
% z% g, R3 p6 D) Ysingle gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world,
2 U V" ?( G: b+ {: m) I. x) @( iand well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication ; a/ M& K$ c" ^ @; W
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of . X- `" V6 ? `
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity : d/ w: @- ^/ h( s) ]
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
% c+ Z+ s$ W0 ~lines, since become famous :
% `8 g- _* B' y# M$ d8 z+ B& |6 k8 W% P X$ }
Amos and Judah — venerated names! 3 k+ l) c9 v6 x6 Q
, w0 p4 g: W8 Z5 z0 q, s
Patriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
# q: ?0 R" ?$ e: r# S6 \" Y$ H/ T# t* y, L; f3 _2 }) c @
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
! N, j4 Q1 t2 ^4 r
# E& [, L4 X) @; `! _+ nEach aids the work by giving it a check. 4 i- }: i9 d( ^ y, @
4 ]8 @8 S _/ E: _4 L" V
Christian and Jew, they carry out a plan —
7 r& v& N% o4 D- y
* y( ?4 Q' |8 QFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man. 1 W# p: g4 E1 o& S$ s6 N% \
" d0 R: W1 z# AJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent 5 j! s1 d- v) B: I' k& f% t4 Z
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often
0 U4 s. @; c# p2 ~3 a5 [astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration ; B( o! s# ?+ |% {( w
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- / o7 C1 ?) x5 P. Y+ W3 E" z! F; j/ d
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min-
8 p6 [* m* z9 s4 p# ~ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,- ( E8 n1 P: m" @
000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
# g2 G; `7 w) F1 L3 M. R: oby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- # R3 {+ k6 i. Z- ~: ^
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to : w7 @4 V5 Y$ O/ A7 e
occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after 0 S) e# i: y Y$ G& } z" v5 Y# C
many years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con-
) \/ y2 S) k4 G: X7 i8 d9 h/ @& f' l" {; h J" C# y
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. * `5 ?; u2 z8 o
, R6 \) }+ v7 |( a1 l6 a
3 H \, U$ M3 f+ V1 d% G- J! S0 E9 W) q4 c# {) V5 q5 {4 |
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 9 x& [; b) V" E+ D' g3 w) F5 S
* l; ?. Z; p, B* |/ M K
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested
6 x; N+ t$ y# ]8 @* Hthat he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, % R( ?) M) n" c. Y( `7 J( \0 [) x
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I $ r* {, d+ d7 r7 y: @4 C
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church 4 r8 E# x6 [8 X: \% u( P; F
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from
4 U5 n7 ~( D7 ?0 Whim no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
2 R( Q7 B6 I" z( `' e6 ^6 mdied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
' J% O. I2 T N9 N: b% `; a/ rdeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be 2 K. [4 n1 c$ D3 Y- U! N
distributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary + H: Z7 S% S' x$ @
at New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- - S* i. {. k" x v- l
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
% H, g5 t: D7 J. R5 |4 dof jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's
2 I% d6 a Z* L3 n# }* Jsettlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
+ x4 i2 ~. F+ F& z% O- E2 Dsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he 5 {. l4 v0 q5 h) L/ e9 j2 Q
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans;
7 n, a$ x8 f8 [6 i- L! B2 ?+ K& {subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected
1 o5 y! \9 T1 e. Qa synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
) Y4 j# j2 a. v5 Dpense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
( C' L9 j5 K' @6 M5 x; `( C! Klar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed
% @ P' _$ s# w" d6 w; F5 MJanuary 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- ( a+ Q( x, W H5 r9 Q0 u( x8 i* W
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable
% G- ]2 o4 O: T0 G* ipurposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
2 g% ^* ]4 p, C+ g; U' `5 QClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have
~$ T. i3 ^7 h/ E# R' Cnever heard of but one religionist in the United States who # Q) h. [ H( C2 t/ V
can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
" [# }4 ]9 w: o: f! rhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
6 g0 I3 k5 b2 s. h/ Eon other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran- " f. I# W3 i5 l2 O* s( {+ T y
gers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he 9 f) a% l$ q( |# b0 R' H% Q2 K2 U
scattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. 4 m, }' m" m9 i: J5 g6 M
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated
/ U( I$ n2 `% D. X3 C# nthe Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni-
2 k/ f# w8 Z- I) g$ rhilation." & z; z2 Y" a! a+ a
5 s/ ], D, g2 G( [! @0 g3 FOne cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
- n/ X- L. z2 }/ q) qprised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by 9 c+ x! \# K; k/ \8 J
him at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
* ^1 ^* A& s) @! B/ |- Cties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their
# M* ?$ _: q" q5 E1 M) |4 ^: q' U# [; v# e3 B" g
/ d0 x( Z' ~- i9 s9 n, n6 h! F! H- n( F% v6 `
102 American Jewish Historical Society.
( j! p; v, m6 n% i: Y" E2 o9 b
: b/ Y: w4 [3 W/ w" p% fcharitable institutions, many of which owed their continued
* @1 L7 h) y8 @' D; Hexistence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
1 H8 \$ x" n. W5 _, x. [- awise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
4 e1 C1 w3 o/ D& Y5 mtions in most distant sections of the country, would have ; j: x* p) c8 D$ `9 }6 N
found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of & R/ ]- L% N- N5 z6 ~
necessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
2 j6 i O+ }' x, } ]: R7 \summarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
& Q2 Y2 t& w1 v4 \4 u, O+ L2 }quests, as follows : ' j) Q6 f( v( Q$ @1 A3 I
1 h3 G+ L& H" [ K+ ? s8 O1 I
He thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
4 e" z8 X8 N: D5 @he had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to
4 x( P" K$ i; w: ]4 Z; K0 Jtheir relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
4 N( z, |- L6 G Y8 Pnot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will * n4 L1 Q5 C- I* N
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
* [* u8 `" M/ Q& chis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in 0 m# _1 }' q4 G1 @1 R( v
the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- % F, M0 E4 B& L1 g. E- v7 k' j3 N6 U
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied ; a0 R+ j! k$ x% [
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of
3 u4 `0 C0 f( q1 v+ h4 O+ hthe new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded / ?* x8 D4 z% {/ J" K
them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the 9 h0 t a+ W% z1 [9 Z: H- e) y
blessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He 6 B2 m5 i1 f H- C0 ^" }
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the
( G5 m$ g! t; t8 d( ?5 V1 z5 mchildren of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
; z# @* L# W6 j, Y3 Kinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish 5 G+ _. Y! ` X# r
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
4 W T& s O8 F2 J" IHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to
S/ m% T7 E# _4 k+ [glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of * C$ @- g, `# A. Z' O* D/ \9 m
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop ; b0 d5 x* ]* }1 [6 `
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of 4 ~% g" x: _* `
Israel, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro-
& P" ]5 x4 G6 p, ]. }2 R% }1 l$ ytection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far
7 v$ s% T' m# m4 R4 k" BWest, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost
/ z! N5 M' H* T" p& a( [a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged 0 I: Y3 J' L; S Y3 Y
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- - } r. G% q% K2 T* C( V8 z9 t, Q* u! Y
( ~2 }/ c0 _/ V: o! Y) Y# v° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because
" r0 R$ r2 k. K+ Zit is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of , I: D9 ]" a% g2 E+ d" Z7 T
the various Jewish communities of the United States and their : V0 ^' o9 Y$ V: V7 \" h" h
institutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information * G( [2 Y1 t: s3 P* z2 O7 T
obtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
' r$ w1 G/ [: S; Jtry, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have 0 H) l: q- j @9 \1 x' X* @
omitted no deserving Jewish community. " x; V1 L6 S6 H; B4 v8 [$ h- k
2 L$ i: @# I( i0 {
5 w* g/ V; p7 t, Z
% P* N* s( d: a; o" ?4 DJudah Touro — Kohler. 103
% D( s. D8 X9 V+ \$ x! f* q; R2 G' T% q. `9 r
crated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
) ^% p: o' E5 U8 P# Y4 \history, to them on in the deprivations to which they are C3 e( C: R) E' Y) @' Y
subjected. : K% _, Y1 n8 p- z- C( \, T2 @, Q
4 |, S9 d9 Q, J0 h! y: S0 D( n1 N" k
One reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
/ t3 C' T, n7 [. l$ Yshould have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with : L T2 s) H# k3 ^" Z- G
Sir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
' H( @+ `1 y. R& h- N8 Cing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish
$ v- ^! j1 i7 V) ?9 gbrethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- 0 |: q0 x/ m4 x$ L/ y
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious ! V3 g* p. Z4 H4 d+ ?/ G5 }, r i
temptation.
5 n' ^% b' u% k3 ?; D. n
`: i2 _, S2 U8 M) S$ S5 \$ qAt the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 7 u; p7 F) F9 G$ C
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect, 9 \ P8 M$ M8 q8 N! j& r4 @) y. S1 c
and these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, 3 _* t8 c1 m5 x# M! A7 h
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were / B. u5 F5 v3 D7 Y& y
attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he
" `/ j: U1 T" r1 l, G Vhad so generously remembered, coming from all over the
' K, {. Z9 j7 p# b! H+ @3 mland. By official resolution of the public authorities of 6 h- q6 n( @* Z; V
Newport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy,
: @6 ]: `& I8 J8 q" Q I0 ]. jhis executors and all these delegations became the guests of , f- c3 @" s. Z6 q7 y# {
the municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells * i N# W2 ?6 ]0 X) _
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
" Y+ ^ \, T8 r/ owere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were 7 ?6 J4 g0 E4 N6 L- l7 `' K
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel-
. U% H) M6 F2 D* |$ lphia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew ) r- I3 R1 l# x' f
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was - `2 D+ F: D+ R: K
bitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of : ?% ?* q% b. o1 v
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
: B1 y0 V8 R5 Z* `were named after him in order to commemorate his generous ( T) O* ^( U( a. A) o* Q
philanthropy. ) J. k0 [- m/ F" R& [
; }1 `8 t i4 b, n
His tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
: G9 n9 {: s" M; Jlowing appropriate inscription :
- q; L0 |3 |! ~6 e
- y( f8 s, \6 o3 QBy righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
! R v1 r) o" A" p* w4 l( Q0 c+ sIn charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ' k E8 i$ i$ z6 x$ j! v. f! k/ n+ |
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan- 6 e/ g, p c) _# ]3 i) z
thropy . ?( @( X4 u3 M: X- C. F0 m- H
To be remembered forever. ( f; a- O9 p( |1 c8 {2 B/ J3 r
9 - S! H; E- {7 R& V
, W$ C: @% G4 K, M
1 r# B8 e% j) y: g; Z1 f
( b+ @ @' J6 M! H/ [6 U104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
& d- z+ F0 y5 |7 B1 C
1 x$ n& B; ^8 G5 ~0 T5 MWILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. 6 g# j, q8 J3 X$ D
+ \+ N R! F8 Y2 v& L
United States of America, 0 V0 M* x- q5 Y/ M4 z
# Y3 `4 z3 F2 ~2 }: `' F3 `4 C
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans. 0 H8 H$ w. q9 T& ]" d2 L# m: i: O3 ]
( ^* M6 `; t" k5 m6 PBe it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
, |6 p6 {* y6 h* Qour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence U/ k- F5 Q! r% ?. X" C
of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter 7 I. i8 L2 q* q7 ]; _% s
before 10 o'clock a. m.. & k5 p3 a9 h: y w
+ D0 Q! T; U' F% |/ u& }3 N7 t
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the 4 _7 a+ e5 @# O2 L8 l) |/ {. b& h/ Y
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, 3 f- m& q1 h) Z$ g
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep-
7 H F; S( J; R& E Xherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re-
( d. e2 W. t5 g* [; F6 m! Fsiding in said city, and hereto expressly required — 1 |) w b" z+ c# m
9 z: w v5 |3 S/ r2 `+ U4 hPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant,
5 W0 u0 u, k9 Bwhom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a
! o' I: \, s8 R1 |$ {& Proom, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but
8 ~0 C, F4 i" h- ~+ L- Bsound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the
" R% N2 i. p1 ?said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
+ E; n% w2 F9 I uTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa-
4 u# I, M9 n. w% Rment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
' e1 m2 C: i" Y! x( Upresence of said witnesses: 4 L9 t4 x& C1 ]9 i; g w
& B" C6 ?+ I3 ^: W! P5 S6 C1. I declare that I have no forced heirs. 8 u9 y& v7 C- A# a1 q- @# ?8 Y
+ N! O5 r( Q/ R& O( n
2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish 0 l7 o. V7 E5 T: o; c- M- Z, g' P) P
Cemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after
% Q, h% P P% o3 ^: Emy decease. + \ g4 G0 J; j& f! W
; h3 l3 j8 {2 Y0 E* ]; x% h5 ~
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends
$ _2 H9 `4 e+ _- P L, DRezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of j8 ^! r) T1 V/ n
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
$ p _2 X" y1 O/ ]% z LAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
2 [5 {. p/ D+ x5 V3 ~4 [ _% Ltors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- % ?3 f- R3 m9 d& x4 y/ n
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said
& ?, ~7 b- t# ?4 ]9 ]: } G7 qAaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre ) T8 h4 v% f- ]9 m% D
Destrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the , K( S% v- j* _# n! f
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively,
8 z' `: A n+ V* m' u5 Pnot only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
6 B. m. A& i, P ^' |% H, Malso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, , g4 ]9 k k: N- i* w
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
& J# e6 y/ o, [5 S0 W* ^* i5 jbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors * C0 G$ J7 k) G* b7 ^
as aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
! {) S0 R0 }* f1 F0 H$ E& Amy dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, . P+ t$ ]# k' c% w0 c( L
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
$ s9 j( K3 Z3 t. H# U' Ntion of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, 5 n- M. J* m1 ~4 Y
7 v* t/ ^. l; R" b% I' w! J5 ~
2 [% S# [* a( o) N: O
( s4 D7 t5 q; ]. `7 B& g- NJudah Touro — Eohler. 105
# ]* V: v# l( s4 p% w
$ u! s: ^6 f- m8 m, N" H$ LI hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
* U3 n" w" P, [; A2 G; @* y7 Jherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
1 r( h5 a3 `% t1 E% M: wof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of 8 F& s, |4 v$ I4 h- I0 f
my estate, movable and immovable. 9 |# J: @ Z: S6 e% t5 l
0 o) N' N# I( ^9 a: L# M1 k+ YIn case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more / q8 T- e0 I N5 Y3 }
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor 5 ~1 N+ ?/ w& B+ j
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last 7 ^$ d0 N# U n1 v6 y
will; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more " k/ k0 r6 ^0 \; J! H
of my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that p! |0 w8 v9 x+ G4 b: v( l; z
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of
5 f" E o' J; hthose who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
4 u* M6 M. [7 F( \6 f+ L/ e& Rherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made
2 @. C) s' c& T0 Z9 A5 B# Kto them. 1 ?6 m$ C7 Q+ `
3 u: ~# q$ t! i0 [4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in + n" Z0 N) ^9 p8 m2 U
force at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
: x0 d5 g) K j7 }6 o* M6 Cthe same shall have expired. * O/ K% h1 N" X: P8 X
7 [# k) m' b( B: m8 q
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of , d% b- p$ ?2 c1 y. g
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
( q* e5 V0 h5 _, H7 {directed by this my last will or testament. 3 h' ` h/ V8 U2 d$ P/ D" w
! B# {# v* A( m8 x& n) J! V
6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis- 8 r. z* F" a8 o$ V
persed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
. C' y1 y# S2 Uproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their ' U2 \8 p. K1 n- c
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
$ a7 {1 I" ]2 j1 L% Lthe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from
$ U4 n1 N b( ^0 i8 u. uthe bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
! J+ V2 L( n: |. \ ]0 k+ ~4 wthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
* G! w: k7 q% vUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found-
( B4 o% k: j7 d& King and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- # N9 M6 r/ \4 e( |, s
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their / V& a& h! U$ `" D3 y7 n$ k
Reader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
' y( [7 X/ [' H2 h5 Ymy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re- ; f! N5 h( D1 W( u
strictions. # j) P4 i) X4 v& E5 U% I7 R
3 E3 X% \6 }& ]) X7 I( t9 Z7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New 5 b! l3 v; }: S5 Z3 n; E. u: v
Orleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession 8 H; |' d% P# U# y0 n3 ~% `
sale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building
8 k8 ]; A' b N) K9 znow known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
* n, {; s) B4 |* }( E9 Mtemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- " j+ Y, D: h; @/ E
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
: u+ B( g$ Z* F' W4 V3 b( d# q. D, Gecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them / J) Z+ C5 \ j3 ?+ N6 ]+ |; t9 |
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
2 h E; D5 ~9 [* C# V- P$ w7 Y$ h! Z j- ~$ j5 ]( j8 v
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of 4 r8 c E y3 ~
New Orleans five thousand dollars. 2 w( A- G3 @; V
1 v" e W# F( R5 @. N9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- : Z0 Y) }0 G) M0 t) t; k6 G+ I
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars.
* u+ V& H) \0 o3 l; ?
* M1 W! j8 K- j! C9 G, u, O
+ N0 _7 K) c$ k" R
! o$ b; ~1 V! i |106 American Jewish Historical Society. [! I) C: Y( x0 y
1 X6 [: b) v; a( c/ _8 W2 x10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 8 |6 ?6 B4 D! }$ i+ S
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. 6 u8 F5 a' M6 S+ ?
+ T4 T4 C& |3 G+ G) p2 E11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society - E& L: U. d' v9 w+ L$ B
of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 3 A! k3 F7 n# f& U- V7 d
$ Q' u# l* z8 t+ D6 @/ M12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
/ A C% ]2 T* ]7 Y3 qOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars. 9 O3 x, \, F2 l; n7 Q( n: R& e% @
, w& `* B ?5 f3 d7 v, X: Y, @& q0 X13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
1 b. o: G' B( a$ x: \( q- I+ _tute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars.
: Q4 x5 \0 R6 N* Y2 J5 ~- P+ b a t' n0 j& t' O% R
14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief
, Z* j/ q& Y& e/ w) ]of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol- ( l* u0 ~' ]! y
lars.
3 \( f ]' F* X( K5 w2 y/ z1 D5 I( `* U
15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan 1 R4 |* |8 X+ C$ c7 H
Asylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou-
- T- j: W ^- ?/ d4 dsand dollars. , ~& L4 V# @% [
M7 M3 V2 O; Z5 m( h
16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy- . T8 w) _& b3 h5 m8 t7 g0 Q
lum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
1 r2 j1 U7 ]1 D$ qchairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand 2 P# M( K1 K1 T0 Q% I! j
dollars.
v# t. x7 G' ~0 {. Z& [8 c T" N$ H- s5 H8 _- b6 M
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans,
" c) M4 X0 ?7 M6 R/ Cfive thousand dollars. # I. S# g0 g( e3 u. E- ?
% b9 w5 j$ V; }: A
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
0 l8 f) {: ^5 a% u1 [tion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. / b8 `6 X, Y" j1 m. r
( u4 t' n2 |8 }7 O1 N8 G) o: \19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First 0 S) q4 i$ l+ h
District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
b; q- u j" O; i! N, o& k* U+ n, o% R
20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
, h+ }' l7 j( H _* ]2 e' U" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of : u& i- T% c ]$ V9 ^3 u
contributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
9 T* @4 i) \! ]5 r& t9 i1 Bin said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000) 0 w3 ~* _) w6 R/ n# D
and I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be 0 x) Z: U' V* l! G6 n+ d
organized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
3 R# D! H% Q2 [; I* m3 Wafter my executors shall have legally organized and established $ a0 a4 Y, e" a! J/ E+ u/ j$ S
said contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to
" D# V( F# C2 madminister and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- # K2 o6 |; I4 c$ m6 A( D
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con-
9 j6 \* J4 B/ }jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc- ( M4 j) Z9 k) G' A7 y
cessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control
7 Q5 O6 U( J6 I% D. Y/ ?thereof. & T) x$ n+ u3 a4 ~7 J
6 _; r1 |* Q6 y# D& X8 p7 a6 C3 R
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of
# b" ?( ~: Q' S0 i3 pRhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that
/ z: b" P, h7 M/ Hthe said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
3 Y4 u( X. P2 y" s4 b+ kproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
2 J/ L( Z, Z% N; B: X2 g+ Oas a public park or promenade ground. ) L/ P6 T7 T4 _. |4 f
, y0 u8 k0 Z; e' r* A1 U22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport 7 u+ h- l1 }" Z. I
aforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars.
$ I( k% U8 T) O7 L O% R+ o6 X% V9 W6 o; G- } u& G4 \6 b6 I
% i! ~: C1 }- A' x5 o" `4 _8 {, F4 K
( p/ @' S9 }: j& J) H/ \( ~Judah Touro — Kohler. 107
7 @) l3 {, u l6 G# l3 G- e: l2 C8 p% K
23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay 5 \+ q& Y5 w* W/ e: M+ N
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
5 {6 ]5 a/ V( C1 E& O( n: n" n6 C( S2 H
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart-
9 X1 M+ H9 v, k# z, {/ C; x$ D: qford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
5 E J/ X: N' V8 }0 j d" H( Z7 D8 v7 q) v E
25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New 8 M+ R+ B! S) I: v5 v j# i1 M
Haven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
. N. w4 q n) ^
3 B8 q* _. L B: e26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society, 5 y2 |0 D. T# ^; H/ [- j! [' O; s
for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and ; {& T& P: p/ c C. z
State of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
, |2 B: |2 v6 Y+ R6 Hten thousand dollars. & ^. Q! ^( [: ?( [+ ?
. L5 c8 D6 O) ` P/ b6 G9 i
27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir 4 X- l8 ]* J% |% i5 s. ^- A
Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to
( |) s* H2 t* u5 I lameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in
* }. R' K7 K0 T5 P' i' hthe Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
8 ]3 _0 N# m- o' _( Yworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
, z! P7 @: c4 G. ^% x" Nmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou-
4 Q/ c" t" j! Q: _sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through
) y/ G) G1 \0 ]* sthe said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
/ Q/ Y8 p$ j- Z' K0 I) Fas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of ) R- O: Q, s2 a1 _/ H: c% `6 \
any legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry-
: v n! Q9 m' l0 @2 i. M# ~ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and * ^; M/ i Y( _4 j6 J! L) f
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
" E" b( V0 b7 W( M; J2 Fbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the
! R0 R* ~3 ]9 p8 m! y9 T9 zCity of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
6 ~/ S( v2 T Y& r/ L9 H/ H9 |8 pcan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, , f u. f& Z% O) L0 d, u. D
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this 4 g4 d! T- v* O: Z3 Z. J1 i
my last will. % D+ E$ C3 c+ q9 z/ y, [
! g7 s8 Y1 X. h2 D2 {3 r: a$ v
28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I 1 E$ m9 j) j$ @% r! J
have already alluded in making this will, as well as those to 8 w5 V! D+ B/ Z6 F; B/ S' V+ X- f
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer,
/ O# d J6 Z. ^3 b$ G# Hshall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
2 c9 d" C. }' Z/ `6 a1 g+ g$ erespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and 9 Y: {8 u4 A2 P4 B
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
. s2 j. Q c; _9 F" h6 H {desire that the parties interested in such institutions and my + _+ ]5 ^6 X2 E( |* O
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de-
- S$ o b9 B+ t" D3 U! E( hcease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to
! [" F6 e7 a9 |6 W, i1 ginherit in the premises according to my wishes. . F# [1 I0 x+ X) A) d
8 y- ?1 g, h. U1 X29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the 6 p {6 X, v: m- p$ ]; U
City and State of New York twenty thousand dollars. : ]5 K" B7 Q9 a. c" Q8 e$ u
# H$ v! F ^2 y m0 k. |
30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
) k2 {) P! H9 V" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars. 2 L& \# y7 R- A
3 k" q. ]9 W1 Q# y
31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
) x! X4 _1 n5 ]. R3 l' q# [" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
3 z3 A; O' C9 Y9 T3 F, R" I' J5 W$ U/ [! A- M) E
# E* p+ i7 h2 L0 ~# V, f1 |6 b
3 j3 R& H) ~5 q f* w7 z108 American Jewish Historical Society.
4 _$ r8 M5 f% [4 w. |
: c0 m# n- T% Y" j I& i32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
/ F0 q( y& I- |5 Z( Mattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
_7 [ ?& T! i6 E: `" R0 ECity of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand % A! C5 Y5 [: c6 Z$ z
dollars.
. S# v" a$ v& b t! N! c
- r4 R2 P, E$ t8 B' b/ D D0 o) `* H33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- # ^' \7 b/ j) S( w4 e
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York, 3 ?+ [. V8 m# E7 \: d8 \+ J
the sum of three thousand dollars.
( s6 C4 d8 v" a
, W$ h/ u. ^* S e$ m34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
9 ?8 h+ x1 ^$ Mgarai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
: j0 g0 q/ V" ?! }! b2 P. R( c- `. Z4 f
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 3 ]; Y/ ]' Y+ t
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was 1 @ ]6 z0 j1 M* b6 F8 B
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. . P) z+ e% q7 W0 a
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. $ H3 V, \2 k; `% K7 |* M; p7 O
. A2 g4 B! h) {( h2 {5 M D36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- 9 A% H# ^2 a0 O0 N8 q
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol- / Q! h: ^! }2 Z% g; Q6 A0 [
lars. , B4 }. ]! ?3 B$ ~" t6 t
+ D+ W7 S) a, G37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
; W% O6 Y$ S7 PPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars. }6 ~- q( f8 `2 L# q9 }- K8 o
8 A+ `& ?: F# k- X1 C38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- 5 C6 o1 x- _( u
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. , ?5 T; U* f. j* N' Q
8 |% y# [, `5 d6 \/ p
39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat 3 g& n! d3 ?1 `7 k$ }; ]- \# S
Israel," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars. ' b) L' W* ~$ ^
9 j* b3 @$ a, o40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth
/ `' e: [! \( K+ J: `1 oShalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
; _) u) N. v8 r, e1 I7 u4 {
6 ^, `+ N+ I$ V- K41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
$ q5 G# a2 O' `' t% bIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand
/ d" H0 E' _, |. }$ b( m" h% j0 Hdollars. 3 L* P( K5 v# @& H- K
& d8 S% T& Z0 ?42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan-
( ]) E2 z1 n- q0 h2 i" |: u5 ~4 \) ~garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
9 Z" I# e* f1 i* V: D6 ^! k9 p
6 P* g2 t! P( p43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
' l/ c- _- t" [1 L8 yIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
5 `5 C- A' `7 A& n. Z" R7 y1 v# V
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont-
U: K, i$ C. t+ vgomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. 4 |# Y+ S m+ v0 A1 w
, }, J5 s! |4 K4 d1 s) y; o45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem- & G! s) A. Y) @7 @
phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
& ?! X* s F; C5 O" I
6 Z: H) E% i) A- a d" d& o; h46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas
' j/ a5 o0 U& M* B) G9 e1 l& MIsrael," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
B' e# f& ]: O4 P9 P/ S- v
: W v* j0 a/ o: _# E5 {" D% |47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
! D2 a1 a- m. vrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
# W6 G# c" k- [% j
' [) W% E, ?0 S! }' M& _48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
^& G- O1 c$ f! o4 d$ @; [dim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars. , Q" j2 ~$ G' {" a6 _
; B3 k( y: R. S& q; d49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati, ; A9 J1 m0 ^: M
Ohio, five thousand dollars. 2 |& y+ S9 }9 K# O! a2 o7 Z, r
, ~- M- K$ Y% H+ E9 ?) H, d# G( j4 N! A2 o$ y+ u$ ]
* f" F. |: o& @ aJudah Touro — Kohler. 109 : j2 k T5 r% @5 W
# l( u" I5 D" `. r D; E$ V, [5 T$ k
50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth 7 z3 Q# p) D. `1 U& y# H
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars. 2 }' B+ }2 M5 g" K
8 s7 t) A' @2 K; s2 |! ]
51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai % H$ u! F+ C1 f2 k. h
El," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars.
: k5 Z/ J* L. l% V. U6 f* L) \) |4 `4 [3 W
52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El,"
* @# a. K% L: q8 @ Yof Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 3 E& t* s# g6 f: n7 u
* c; g: F: A$ u [# K53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth
% X" b( t4 L% n2 f9 g/ Z. a; OEl," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. q* d$ @% S3 Z6 L- V+ @
& \. P8 J) p$ j9 G/ c9 f
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions,
1 P* L+ o7 k0 F, z v( ynamed in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra- % M7 i2 O# m5 o
ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: . F% O2 \+ Y0 b2 e0 G$ ~7 A/ `
/ ^* C& O; X/ n: E9 G
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, 9 e1 s1 h8 I2 d' U& ]" j1 V
five thousand dollars. $ d% _. ?1 `' ~6 O/ u4 p, {& e
, a* h* ~% G9 u' ySecond. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid, 0 o& A0 j4 s% N. b! C% b
five thousand dollars. ! z( r" A% E& J6 ?8 I& ?
& }. C* D$ g9 t: C( g$ _7 Z# bThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
3 e. L9 @) e' u1 _, c8 |sand dollars.
) r w e% c& @; _" I1 t8 y# G" E: l' K* s0 B9 m4 p
55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of
' V7 k7 @1 {$ g& a$ k Ypaying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew- - R/ O% f4 y5 y! z8 R
ish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min- 4 w$ e# ?# y, {/ `/ V9 R
istry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
; ?) c9 Y, |# |4 aJewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be
) U& }; _ Q6 Y( cappropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
0 S, F0 [$ m( N3 l' Das my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation " k4 D3 S: n, x$ e! c
of Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire,
3 _, T" O! J; Xthat David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed R* n+ a# b$ c" g
friend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
; y8 i) W7 m; u( \" }% Ycontinue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct 5 k0 G7 o! T6 j! Q
the same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
. s! G- O6 @ n5 w& @* Hof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
, Q6 Z% b. p4 t' d4 ^: Msum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them, * Z1 K6 X1 V2 q8 a
the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
# v" ~% r1 ~' K: W' q. J: ]# X: g) g0 G* v! ^
56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine ; Z3 w! g9 d5 ]1 w- g2 e
Hays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
. b% Q" o% k) Q% F7 w$ p( jremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me.
3 S }) }1 o; d5 u, P5 q6 }) C! D+ F5 v# q5 {: b
57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and , ]# O% b) s4 J } J( ~- C* E
Julia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of
' E& X( ?* A9 X( kRichmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be
2 ^4 Y! ^5 M9 i( F0 e6 G5 p |0 n Iequally divided between them.
) E5 f) ?: e$ N0 M& |
+ S. w) ?) @2 g: {$ ^58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to
' }1 {+ t2 r3 Y* dthe surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, % F' I% j% ]2 N" T
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my 8 U4 w: n4 {9 _3 d0 X+ G$ N
remembrance.
5 s: V6 g: [& C8 S! n6 t7 ? H9 Q8 _- L. s0 a7 t% @8 d2 \
" o4 d W1 t5 S. ~+ d9 d1 x0 P9 P1 a3 F& P
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
( z: D I6 P2 N' E7 U8 f
& ^6 e1 e" K+ ~9 _0 z, p. o2 P- k. W59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing, 8 x2 c9 @% r- P$ O, K9 c
of Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
2 @# t- g) o! Z" qmy esteem and kind remembrance. : Y$ ?' J5 I, O; b, P
; a- m- o w" O- ? ^) K60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to & E, ^: ]1 m( d8 e( j8 y
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
/ G+ R5 O4 J$ M) `1 j! Jtoken of my regard.
% X$ R7 t( T5 B3 @5 M, X, [( X. [+ O1 X) e C; A) j' |# D# n
61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to
/ {+ {: W1 Z- ~my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his 1 Z/ `5 z4 {/ g
wife, to be equally divided between them.
9 c( F ?% `7 e$ N8 l1 N
# o4 f+ E% S$ m4 p: e6 Y62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 6 ]2 ]6 ~: Q" v' J/ {3 @
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of 0 p$ N' |- E! b" r7 }5 L
my remembrance. 4 s$ z3 J: K, \% [* c: l
; A& h) D% |. B/ P9 r
63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, . n, w/ r( }- y* ^, d" y) a6 K- n5 G
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
5 M! H# b! \5 _# }& Eecutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- 2 j3 Y4 u. b; J4 i% h2 I ~
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase
@' `/ S! W: p: s9 t4 iof a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind
1 E# o" X/ p( wregard. ( K# V% q5 b+ _& ]* v
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64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
& x- Y% ?( ]0 H9 Tto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable 5 \# Q6 j8 b3 R7 T: J. _) d6 K
memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs, 6 @- }3 a! X$ y3 T1 c
wife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
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65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars * S; P" ` w! i+ E8 O" g
to be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable - _% h6 y2 l2 n6 Q" _; W
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
; t. Y1 A ?" E( sMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans.
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have
5 K9 l5 V% A8 Ymade previously to these presents.
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& E5 K5 S: R ^' `4 a u" }9 lThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to 8 z) W) [/ U! B& A9 Y3 p6 w
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses " M- }$ U$ Z9 _; h A
herein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the
3 U) x, u4 q2 C/ w) n9 I5 Bsame, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own ; n) H2 y' h; d+ ~, V
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this ! \& F6 I: W* _ T+ f1 D
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
/ p% N. f$ d! [! x' L. ]ence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
* T. Z; k) r# I/ g; Spresence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein. ( r: p' k1 w8 `7 c' m! V/ j
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
0 O6 y. e% t0 d7 Hing aside to other acts.
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Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
0 _& `) y6 ~1 T y! n: Msaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
5 W/ g% K6 s5 D/ H3 I8 Yyear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
# o" }, h; `0 ~7 A: e( K/ j$ YMontgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee,
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& Q4 R# {2 ]+ A8 v
: l# ~( q3 ]# y" ?9 ^) bJudah Touro — Kohler. Ill
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said
8 x m. |& r% q! r' Gtestator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their
# K" w8 T" P6 j9 }! fnames. (Signed.) 6 ^, T) @* A1 ]. o
) R$ c0 W* q! m1 k$ l: S: P- QJ. TOUEO,
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3 W% x, v/ T' |# |J. Montgomery,
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: Q l' b6 R: AH. Shepherd, Jr., 8 x% G3 ?0 Z% ]5 n/ r) }) R% Z# f
: J- g0 W$ t/ ZGeo. W. Lee, . l: N% l+ s7 O5 g* b* j8 U0 W
+ `! A- ?0 v, F; RThos. Latton, Notary Puilic.
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LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS
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