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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
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0 J* K: ^( h9 ?7 a+ w0 d0 ? P ACopy 1 . _, W8 E& a' E7 {1 m: [
8 g% F: Y- ?- T9 V6 P# VJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND , d8 s* h9 J5 s) x) `3 x2 J' d
PHILANTHROPIST.
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By max J. KOHLER, A. M., LL. B.
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, P+ z, G+ R g- k% J% \Reprinted from " `2 i# Z d6 G0 U* J
; i7 _6 G) z/ a3 {$ v* ?% x
Publications of the
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American Jewish Historical Socibtt,
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No. 13, 1905. " u8 m2 s; ^/ S5 D" V# F& X
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/ s5 p) g0 K: L8 jJUDAH TOUEO, MERCHANT AND
! y+ W- N* a, W. {! APHILANTHROPIST. 6 S$ j' C3 P' Q, l8 h8 `
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By Max J. Kohleb, A. M., LL. B. 8 Z$ \6 |0 Z) n1 L" o/ G" h
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It is a strange circumstance that no paper devoted to Judak 7 `6 f& j0 l- E/ k
Touro has thus far been presented at any of our meetings, * L/ z) S7 f$ \+ r
nor has any sketch of his distinguished career, worthy of the
" m' U) e, X a1 k9 v) G- Z! ]4 U. y9 fname, been thus far published, certainly not any emanating
- Y5 A9 e, r' \$ Jfrom a Jewish pen. The result is that little definite infor-
1 {3 Q; F* R/ U3 Q" j4 j: @mation concerning Touro is conveniently accessible, and, in
6 r. z( i. ?' X' Uconsequence, we find the four enormous tomes of Fortier's
* O; T2 M9 p2 O& Y1 IHistory of New Orleans, Just published, absolutely ignoring . e7 Q. v- H7 D" M6 q( i' }0 ]
the very name of one who would probably by common consent . [# U# Y( t' x
be singled out as the most prominent American Jew of the ( c0 c' _/ l& z$ G4 p3 ^0 ^5 N8 t
first half of the nineteenth century. One familiar with the - P# r# ^$ E. g4 _; j) R' }
relations between the investigations of local historical socie- ' `, C& y# G" Q! ^4 |/ c3 g
ties and more general historical writings, can readily account
( Z. z% C4 B9 [4 l' Kfor the general historian's neglect of an individual's career,
$ p& U1 e! m" t3 G, Oignored even by his own near ones. It is, accordingly, to such " _6 F8 l& B5 u7 l- D
specialized investigations as our own, that the general his-
; m" b* [' L3 b- n% E1 N; ftorian is likely to turn before including or excluding an indi-
0 \9 S* Q' ~. ^4 J6 [" {: mvidual in his general histories, particularly if the man in 7 O3 {. c+ g" d1 C0 r8 x
question did not figure prominently in the political or mili-
/ H0 b7 q8 Z# n' x$ N5 I$ R; ktary history of his .
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A couple of biographical sketches of Judah Touro, written
) D! N; ?% D+ c' A2 }within a few years after his death, and strangely enough, by
5 M4 f' F5 H" m9 D) a7 }. G9 anon-Jewish writers, are still our most detailed and satis- 1 s7 p" g; ?/ e9 p( ?
factory authorities on his career and tend to show in what * k8 @$ U( Q1 `2 ]2 n$ _
high regard his contemporaries held him. Judge Alexander
; \' x" s2 C9 I$ f! f# |# A- jWalker's biography ' and the Rev. Theodore Clapp's personal
& F) {$ b! ~# D% @
5 h" n. ~( b$ Q: }' In the second volume of Hunt's " Lives of American Mer-
: y# T. \6 V: q* U/ M7 ychants," published in 1856. . w3 \( R/ N+ R# d* _8 j9 @
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) v% ^8 K# u/ R% c7 g94 American Jewish Historical Society.
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6 j! X# v; b4 r" vreminiscences in his " Autobiographical Sketches and Eecol- d( o$ Y# [* f: Z" I
lections During a Thirty-five Years' Residence in New Or-
! V! X4 w" {+ D) V5 @; E' E- y3 P2 {% Oleans" (1858) are still our chief sources of information;
6 q( p6 w9 F( X& l- d8 bthough few persons seeking light on Touro's career would be
' i9 t! B. Y4 X$ D) L8 Xlikely to look for it in such little-known works. The biog-
/ W& `/ A) e0 \$ praphy of him which Isaac Leeser called for in his obituary
, n0 ~8 e- {9 U' R" lsketch ' still remains unwritten^ though to-day the personal
- u; M p( c: j" creminiscences and documentary material of half a century ago
4 B. t: {( n" _9 ^5 hare for the most part no longer, it is to be feared, extant.
5 ?, s+ Y$ l9 {7 W# ]Judah Touro, merchant prince and philanthropist, was known ( f" T$ H: y+ O3 E0 c
in his day from Newport and Boston, the cities of his infancy
2 I) k' x7 A d& }1 S6 Dand early youth, to far distant New Orleans, the city of his 0 E9 t- F6 O- Z
maturity, as " An Israelite indeed, in whom there was no
% Z3 l0 V* p" ~+ Sguile," as typical of what is best in the Jewish character, and ) |$ t W' |# [. i3 w! W$ {
more than any other resident co-religionist, inspired respect 3 u( g" H g) _2 C% ^
and admiration among Jew and Gentile alike for the Jewish
, m4 m N6 c+ V" m) s2 n1 w- zname in America. And beyond that, his generous, well-nigh * Q0 { z' V- R0 X) X- x- ?+ H
unprecedentedly large-scaled and diversified philanthropic 5 [! O4 w. w" s
gifts made it possible for the various American Jewish com- $ a: c( B0 o3 U) k5 J4 b5 c8 d
munities to undertake institutional charitable work theretofore
# O( Z7 b; E2 aimpossible, in view of the small and humble means at their
& |* n2 ~' c+ @1 D( r0 H. `: |# ndisposal, so that, throughout the land he pre-eminently laid the I- X, N2 |8 W: O& Z
foundations for those noble Jewish charities which have ever
6 ~) M: ~4 W4 n8 ^since been the pride and the boast of American Jewry. 1 b7 w7 i4 I. I* h7 _" z4 P
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Judah Touro was born at Newport, Ehode Island, on June " g7 i9 o( a" D$ {7 K& x. M
16, 1775, and in his maturity he often rejoiced at the circum- , g0 l# ^$ g; H; _
stance that his individual career thus began with that of his / U+ |* R0 c1 C
beloved country. His father was the Eev. Isaac Touro, min-
$ C% B2 G# U1 Y% e1 J' \ister of the Newport Jewish Congregation, whose assumption ; z- h2 K/ W* u+ E; a% o* _1 P& x$ Z( Q# Y
of activities at its helm was marked soon after, in 1763, by ; ]9 s: y' x, R+ h) [' h
the dedication of its first synagogue building, its first ceme-
. c4 a. i' D6 x( v) Dtery being more than a century older, and concerning whose
) G9 b I6 B1 A$ dcareer our society has already published various items.^ Isaac . f$ x; d+ I% X
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' The Occident, Vol. XI, p. 594, March, 1854.
0 W* S" R4 m) p+ q5 k0 e( V- D' See Max J. Kohler on " The Jews in Newport," American Jew- * r+ ^& P# ~( ?
ish Historical Society Publications, Vol. VI; Prof. Morris Jas- / {% L* t& x# {4 C
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Gift , @: |& p' a7 ?" \3 i
Authc:
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Judah Touro — Koliler. 95 Y# Y y, f, r' b! y
7 i: c9 J" p- B, pTouro married Reyna Hays, the sister of Moses Michael Hays,
, b6 X$ @+ Q$ m' ein 1773, and they had three children — Abraham, Judah, and
1 E N6 d* W2 J! | {Eebecca; the latter became the wife of Joshua Lopez, and
9 k4 R) C0 J5 |% S3 k% r2 @died in New York in 1833. The large majority of the mem-
# |0 f7 j U6 V) L. wbers of the Jewish community of Newport having left the city
+ C& |" ^& w, aduring the Eevolution, Eev. Isaac Touro and his family de- 9 i( ]8 S* ?% q; f2 R* T
parted for Kingston, Jamaica, where he died on December
8 U# b3 \6 p( A7 P# q8, 1783. His "uadow and children returned to this country, 3 h- B$ W! V; ~+ E) [2 k6 Y
and became members of the household of Moses Michael Hays,
" }( ^& M, z) p' |$ X. u" w' p bbrother of Mrs. Touro, who was at this one of the lead- " Y s7 a0 I9 Q3 c" m% M6 K+ Q
ing merchants of Boston; there Mrs. Touro died on Septem-
) `5 r8 }3 l Y( X7 u Dber 18, 1787. In the home and office of Moses M. Hays, # _( P' ?' Z! V' Z
Abraham and Judah Touro had inculcated in them not merely : t7 q0 \6 _2 O" ~: N
those principles of rectitude and business acumen which stood
5 j; o9 m# D6 t5 cthem in such good stead throughout their lives, but they were
& q# o- E. g+ H( talso brought into close contact and personal intimacy with emi- " u. S- z, w; P" ~# I3 E8 d8 V: Y( ^
nent non-Jews, and acquired respect for the opinions and views 6 X# v! e( G# r2 U8 I, }
of those of different faith and mental equipment, and the ac-
4 @8 }' {2 [8 ccompanying increased breadth of view, Michael Moses Hays
, F; \ ]% }. ]2 z& v6 z% o# O* qwas an intimate friend of Harrison Gray Otis, a son of the
8 C/ h. S2 v* k# d* Ipatriot James Otis, and himself United States Senator and 3 t& I8 L" b6 x+ {! p/ H o
Mayor of Boston, and of Thomas H. Perkins, projector of the - H7 B- J" H* M5 T
first American railroad and a distinguished philanthropist,
3 ^- q8 ?, P8 A5 i5 D2 L- mwhile such younger men as Rev. Samuel J. May, the abolition- & b' c- x3 `+ r5 n% t4 N3 v
ist leader, made the Hays' household a second home. To these
: w2 A8 E4 `( a. l! v7 G0 I) Searly associations can probably be traced the sentiments which
: e+ E- Q$ t, g& V; M. }) D1 {9 }6 Vinduced Judah Touro, in his New Orleans home, to purchase ( ~# V& A* T7 |4 ?& Z% o
slaves with a view to restoring them to liberty. Abraham and ) V9 z0 k) ^/ U1 G6 l$ X, R% L
Judah Touro acquired a practical knowledge of affairs and H; V/ ?( d6 ]( Y- ]
& j; E5 y! _9 [& _$ Ctrow, " References to Jews in the Diary of Ezra Stiles," Ihid.,
# G# S$ M) d0 w. W6 F( J: iNo. 10; Rev. W. Willner, "Ezra Stiles and the Jews," Ihid., No. ! k8 i1 A/ @6 g& ~
8; N. Taylor Phillips, " The Levy and Seixas Families of Newport " e8 h+ }6 U2 d! D
and New York," Ihid., No. 4; George E. Mason's "Reminiscences 7 X6 }: u% v3 y" K% x* e
of Newport," Rev. A. P. Mendes, " The Jewish Cemetery at New-
2 c4 C; Z! ~# m) k( r* S% {& S9 I8 kport," Rhode Island Historical Magazine, Vol. VI, pp. 81-105; / Z: o* }% y% ~1 m2 e
Rev. Geo. A. Kohut, " Ezra Stiles and the Jews." ) U1 M% X- A+ \, o; Y3 @
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96 American Jewish Historical Society. # [: x9 [ n" g" S2 ?; n
7 e4 {, {. y* c, I6 a) S+ dcommercial procedure in their uncle's counting-room, and in
5 s) l9 F4 E6 |/ Y% r0 o1798 Judah was sent along as supercargo in connection with. # S* b( V N& X4 e7 i
a valuable shipment made by his uncle to the Mediterranean. . Y& d6 z: }1 r, e
The voyage was marked by a desperate conflict between their 3 ~' f4 R3 n0 w+ O& Y
vessel and a French privateer, in spite of which it was a com- 9 G# J) z2 A; v4 L X( p" S4 G
mercial success. His Boston associates and connections ad-
$ g9 R+ N+ O' X3 J( P. O% \; zvised him, soon after, to mi,grate to New Orleans, then still a * _: b1 ]$ {: Y- A5 s4 f0 r
French possession, where he arrived in February, 1802, after
; @4 l+ }6 a0 H3 L$ N2 a8 \a voyage lasting from October. His numerous Yankee friends
1 n" p0 }( e" s6 }4 }knew that they could absolutely rely on his integrity and judg-
9 ]7 r2 n" a$ j# iment to handle, with the best results, the consignments they 2 {7 \. ^0 ~& d2 ?2 ?9 h0 @2 p. x
made to him, and he soon built up a flourishing business in
`3 U# t1 ~6 n; y; u+ _New Orleans, which made him one of this country's " mer-
# {( }( t* f/ g) }) O+ rchant princes." A copy of Mason's " Eeminiscences of New-
6 u; p5 u: Y$ O/ l, i- Qport," expanded by the insertion of portraits and manuscripts
+ S6 b, u/ k0 S6 ?! N5 x9 Ginto six volumes, which was acquired by the Lenox Library & ]! m2 l7 O! W; u3 a( Y& w
from the collections of the distinguished historian, George
0 d1 e) \, F1 w! ?Bancroft, contains an autograph business letter from Judah
; C' Q5 \7 _ ]7 z) ]Touro to one of his New England correspondents, C. G. Cham- 0 U0 A- c8 I7 e
plain, United States Senator from Ehode Island, which throws + B+ m: q+ H! @; R. C
light on the scope of his business dealings. 7 N; c+ t* `' H0 @4 x+ e
. g ^, r8 x$ E6 |1 cTradition has it that he formed a romantic attachment for ( M H3 S3 E/ T$ b3 v
his cousin, Catherine Hays, in these early days, but that their ( Y; [! A" S, P/ d# V! _, y# o
near relationship precluded their marrying, so that each re- 7 k$ m L5 F# w" ^, R" o* K
mained single. She subsequently removed to Eichmond, Va., 8 G3 v& X' a8 q, X# _- Q3 s F! F
and died the very month Judah Touro himself died, January, - K g K. T( o3 q; D4 S+ l/ W
1834. She was remembered in his will, executed that very
1 s7 j4 p% H6 c5 L) umonth in ignorance of her death. & G6 J* L, Q. M( I0 j
0 Y; a# e: D3 bAbraham Touro, Judah's brother, died, unmarried, in Bos-
' N% w$ x1 n& ?3 l9 s/ Gton, October 18, 1822, at the age of 48, in consequence of an 9 N2 V$ B; J& z, G* W
accident to the carriage in which he was driving; at his ( T/ Q( y- H; A" g, y5 {% G" n
especial he was buried in the Jewish Cemetery at New-
6 f5 T- j. A5 Tport, though the Jewish community of that town had been 7 ?1 x2 t/ c& i1 }
scattered long before. Two years previously he had caused
* V) t* D N# Q; ]7 A: Da substantial brick wall to be erected around the cemetery, for
; k7 i- Q& J# ]" Twhich he made further provision by his will, which contained . t! J+ \) Q1 z5 Q! b
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Judah Touro — K older . 97
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x! G4 s9 l6 O1 Z. {a number of larger charitable bequests, principally to Boston - k0 p; n5 s8 v% b# j q+ Q
institutions, though the Jewish synagogues of New York and / v$ F3 Y4 Y: N- ~' H
Newport were liberally remembered. It is due particularly
5 I6 b9 C: a0 r1 O! ?to the overshadowing fame of his brother that posterity recog-
, u% ~% M8 _2 J8 f4 b7 u0 `nizes the philanthropic gifts of Abraham Touro so slightly.
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Eeturning to Judah Touro's career, we note that he patriot-
% y( }: z: m. f, ~ically recognized the claims of his country upon him during 7 A% Z, w& h9 ~, L
the War of 1812, and thrust aside his large business interests, : w4 s% K0 ?) Q/ w. G2 y8 V
in order to enlist in the ranks during the siege of New Or- # c2 S8 d% w d
leans. After having served as a common soldier, he volun-
8 D/ r; X3 _' l. k! Rteered his services to aid in carrying shot and shell to one of
1 k! i3 w! y. k: f: jthe American batteries during a British cannonade, and while 3 ^0 n% q+ H) u! K$ Q( U
in the performance of this duty he was struck by a twelve- . l$ o5 z" r: e7 V! m- I
pound shot on January 1, 1813, and so seriously injured that . c( t2 U$ z, `! N4 I& r
he was left for dead. Here an intimate friend, Eezin D. 8 E2 N$ j! U3 v- u# H
Shepherd, found him and saved his life after the physicians 8 A- Y" f, R# g! s
had abandoned all hope. Their intimacy till Touro's death 9 c0 n+ W; P/ V$ `
was great to the point of romance, and nearly forty years later
: }+ r" {; o% PJudah Touro, in his last will, refers to the circumstance of & I0 |% w0 Z2 `. w7 O+ l- x
Shepherd's preservation of his life " under Divine Provi- / z; }) L; l2 D5 ^
dence," and appointed him his residuary legatee. As Shep- " k( s; e P5 A7 T
herd had independent means of his own, he treated this large
! j I ^/ x2 e( K" q- Fbequest as a trust to be administered for charitable purposes, - u5 Z3 z# @( t' Q1 \: i3 r
so that Touro's bequests even exceeded the amounts so de-
$ t/ C1 c) ]6 T* C2 U1 kscribed in the will itself. 0 n9 J/ V7 g/ J7 \/ i* r7 v
K) W5 E) d$ u& b5 F+ }) n2 n
Judge Walker, in the biographical sketch already referred 3 V, h$ ?9 z% G2 c' X
to, summarizes his commercial career as follows : " He began 2 W. V" v1 i6 Z
a brisk and profitable trade in soap, candles, codfish, and other
% {$ \$ O; N: z8 f+ l" vexports of New England, making prompt returns to his
6 h) l6 ~' T. }friends in Boston. His fidelit}^ integrity, and good man- 2 n( f, L7 Y6 ?6 b: w8 L
agement soon secured him a large New England trade, every $ q9 e2 z5 N# p. l7 f
vessel from that section bringing him large consignments, and
2 U i6 T' W j; @/ J2 l7 Q6 jmany ships being placed at his disposal, as agent, to obtain
' u) {& [1 W; ^! }3 Hcargoes and collect freight. His business was prosperous, his
2 Q- ?0 I4 z4 g9 jfunds accumulated. He invested his surplus judiciously in ! y) P7 ]! f9 O! v) J1 G& N+ H
ships and in real estate, which rapidly advanced in value. His
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& h% i; t: j; i98 American Jewish Historical Society. * P+ v2 p. ~, {% w
! Y9 s: B9 A( o5 m7 U& a4 u$ {7 J0 lcareer as a merchant was one of honest, methodical labor and 8 U/ b4 K1 ?, W' e0 g$ d
stem fidelity to the principles of legitimate trade, never em- " L3 E- L$ E# k0 f& T0 A
barking in any hazardous ventures or speculations, never turn- 3 B4 k X; `4 p6 a9 w
ing aside from his line of business, and adhering rigidly to
9 r# P5 r# |. ?! f& f Fthe cash system. Such a career presents but few incidents * C7 P, v# l/ A, I. }
of interest/^ He was as methodical and regular as a clock.
/ ]" Q; V9 j$ q" E6 [His neighbors were in the habit of judging the time of day
1 i) s! j' j- d: l+ i. gby his movements. In his business he rarely employed more - E+ U# O3 O4 y8 T! [
than one clerk, and he was generally a lad. It was his cus- ; O' [* X$ c: c$ @1 [
tom to open his store himself at sunrise and close it at sunset.
8 @3 {+ H, |# l! B1 @5 OHe attended to all his affairs himself, and had them so well
# K z6 W- M7 _( \, uarranged that there was no possibility of any misunder-
7 V7 i+ L2 q8 Z% c d2 \) _& @+ B$ {- lstanding. ) ]# a T+ T4 I- c0 }! n& P/ F
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It is the circumstance that Judah Touro's whole life was
# g. z. O3 Z' ~* _1 ?devoted to personal charitable service, knowing no limits of & c" p. P' d; C: K1 \; k
age, creed, or race, and so intelligently administered as to
" p- }5 s. |& a& q rwork the maximum of good in every instance, that has made 5 b2 i: G r6 ?- G0 t$ b# v# T
his name immortal, as are the names of few other philanthro- ; H1 F/ I. C) M* c' |- j
pists. Other men during his liftime also amassed large for- 8 u/ }# z. V2 i3 g0 u8 W
tunes and gave liberally spasmodically or by their last wills, 8 S0 S1 m% i4 ?" P2 d4 d" o6 S2 b
yet unlike Judah Touro they are forgotten. The public, not- + O! m- I/ v2 c2 A+ F+ }' G$ B
withstanding his modesty and retiring disposition, knew that $ y) W4 e! }: d% @: R3 ^& t: |, F
his whole life was consistently devoted to intelligent philan- B" f9 K' g7 N
thropic action. Judge "Walker, who was a resident of New
9 z3 ~& S# G9 [* h6 T% pOrleans at the time of his death and for many years pre- * Y9 e7 T" w2 k) K/ _' l
viously, well says of him : " It was the death of a man who . y9 b( |: Z- G, E1 Y
had won a renown nobler, higher, and more enduring than
; E/ V$ ^9 V: _ kthat which the most successful merchant, the most daring / d3 F( U' l' L; a
warrior, or the most gifted author ever earned. Who that saw
3 J% M, G( ]8 Yhim in life would have anticipated such fervent demonstra-
6 R+ [% g: J% @: _" T& @tions of popular affection and grief at his death ? How little ! Z& ~4 Y- a' A: M% ?0 [
of the hero or great man was there in the simple, humble
* S5 t( E0 X1 Z6 ~- r' {3 haspect of that timid, shrinking old man, who was wont to
7 L9 [$ e: ~6 R) a/ B4 rglide so silently and diffidently through the streets, with his
a* ?, ^8 p: K8 \ Ehands behind him, his eyes fixed on the pavement, and his 3 P3 |1 v/ U4 F8 [ y8 y X" [
homely old face, wrinkled with age but replete with the ex- 3 f) y2 f0 `9 T
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; j2 L% }* `1 } }" ^1 S- q; KJudah Toiiro — Kohler. 99 # O o) W7 p* }4 Q' e3 d5 a
$ F4 D; d$ U- N( O/ m7 Jpression of genial kindness and benevolence. He was, too, % ~% W$ ~ ^( U* ]
a man of no great deeds, or public services, or brilliant quali-
8 r. _' l/ @5 I1 Y: ^; gties. And yet, when the tidings of his decease go forth a
+ t# Y+ {6 Y" ^( _' jwhole people, a reckless, frivolous and cynical people, turn 4 P3 t3 ]9 {$ N
aside from their various pursuits of pleasure or ambition, to
, @6 V2 \+ F7 o6 j0 D& {bewail with heartfelt sorrow his departure. And he died a
6 \% h1 F' j9 {2 Kmillionaire. The people do not usually sorrow over the death # [$ S8 i2 I2 h6 H) w Z( ?6 Y
of the rich man. ... It is rare, indeed, that the man who : e! D! N0 o( y
does his duty by his fellow-men in life, accumulates large 5 N+ o+ N7 q: k2 l5 x6 u/ k, J
wealth. . . . Wealth seemed to flow into his coffers as the
3 R. R# a4 d$ preward of a boundless and incessant benevolence and benefi-
2 ^2 v. g1 {' O# acence — an ever-active philanthropy. His career was a 5 Z1 l, X% Z2 E* x$ |
splendid illustration of the Divine injunction and promise {, q, H/ L- j) ]* y+ S6 K& [
' Cast thy bread on the waters, and after many days it shall 3 H/ h# ]* X4 J# l
return to thee.' Avarice, the love of money for its own sake,
0 r' f, {* d/ j6 ?4 Kwere as foreign to his nature as dishonesty and falsehood. He # C; Y. L5 Q5 u ~" l3 ~5 ]
deprived himself of all other luxuries in order to enjoy and
+ c# ~) K4 R% g; D- vgratify with keener relish and greater intensity his single 0 s" q' N0 A+ ^3 M4 n$ M
passion and appetite — to do good to his fellow-men. He was ' v- P% G" e, g5 s0 Z1 K3 f
a miser only in the exercise of his charity and benevolence, + q' C! h+ L( H" [ F( y
from which he jealously excluded others. His only art and
3 J/ L, V( ?4 Vstealth were displayed in the concealment of his benefactions,
4 z& L5 `: P1 @- Yand his chief vexation and trouble were to avoid the ostenta- & F' J$ U- m! @; F) S3 F4 _7 p
tion and display which are too often the main incentive to
3 p$ l; X9 {" ?: g9 ^; {$ @" Qliberal and benevolent deeds." 1 H; J( o5 p `; }4 |$ f
; y) Z* J1 a& l6 j( G
Turning from Judge Walker's panegyric, we must confess
$ b/ D9 L3 c k5 Rthat Judah Touro's shrinking, retiring nature permitted the
1 }! }% r! \- w' ?5 Q( Cpublic to know of but a small fraction of his many benefac- 2 H: H+ L. G, V. Y% X, ]# l ]
tions, and familiarity with but a fraction, numerous as they
( F' h1 z( L8 J, r( W. Tare, has been handed down to us. The time was one when , g. g" F9 {" E5 o
large gifts to charitable and other public ends were not as
& M) E# e5 _, B( K. ]9 ^common as they are now. When he donated $10,000 towards
, X' d2 v% K2 k& bthe erection of the Bunker Hill Monument in 1840, those in-
, X" v7 g2 T. B& jterested in raising the necessary funds had almost given up
/ M# w g, ?8 x2 ^' rtheir project in despair. Though the cornerstone was laid * f- x5 Z9 h0 j0 e
already in 1826, on the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. 7 T @+ p2 t9 h- w a/ T& M
. @& L) u) J$ ^: ` a3 |' R& W, m* Z' G, X M9 n
* l% q% ^7 b& c100 American Jewish Historical Society.
M/ g4 N$ _- b( `& t- x9 v4 \, n" N3 Y* c4 P
Amos Laurence's generous offers of aid met with no material & C5 `2 U1 a' ?6 \4 i
response, even when aided by the eloquent appeals of Edward ; z# o" w3 J$ `0 a) ~1 [7 D4 d
Everett and Daniel Webster, until Judah Touro privately , X5 ~7 K# q/ S3 r+ `( J
offered to contribute $10,000, duplicating a similar offer of
/ X% V% W0 j, G2 ~* [+ jAmos Laurence made in 1839, provided the remaining neces-
% P& @; K- L E! L. Y" m9 v! bsary $30,000 would be raised. It is said that he was so in-
% `$ h' B$ S6 I6 a2 ?( b* U" z5 i: `( Gdignant at the publication of his name, notwithstanding his 8 e, L' G# l2 ^2 i! g& F ?- \3 A# C7 T
injunctions of secrecy in connection with the offer, that he 8 c: N; F& G; D0 ^: S6 w+ A
seriously thought of withdrawing his offer for a time. Prob- * R/ i; L$ [7 C% F: P8 N3 I
ably this generous benefaction to New England from a Jew-
% Z( ~+ m: d4 ~ish resident of distant New Orleans, more than any other
/ L y8 C3 U: B; esingle gift, made Touro's benefactions familiar to the world, $ T& E0 {6 J7 h* p
and well might it be, when, on the occasion of the dedication ) M/ t9 }6 n7 T, z6 S! h4 d
of the monument in 1843, in the presence of the President of / z; h" A8 O, ]
the United States and Daniel Webster as orator, his generosity # a% ^, r5 h$ K% ?
was commemorated by the presiding officer who read these
& o/ X: Q9 P# P; W2 ]8 a9 jlines, since become famous :
" ~ Y+ J/ X9 a2 r J2 P) b. m% Q3 i* G- P
Amos and Judah — venerated names! 3 Q7 g$ v5 @( M
; M+ w* p8 d }1 KPatriarch and prophet press their equal claims,
. I' q1 ]9 Z/ h( R& D( \2 q9 L, Z1 e" Z; K
Like generous coursers, running neck and neck.
0 I$ D {) V% z3 \- E# H+ {& E
: |( e2 l8 X9 |/ N, M! s2 fEach aids the work by giving it a check.
' p1 ]) D" L" w W, ~
) b2 B& ` r# |) c, MChristian and Jew, they carry out a plan — Y X: o+ o- A" \1 e/ h
5 Z& X' o( y5 MFor though of different faith, each is in heart a man. ' V, n0 J. W) g8 B/ A; t+ W! N
9 h5 g% P$ z: AJudah Touro's private benefactions were munificent 4 v$ g1 _1 q: W) P5 R
throughout his lifetime, and the recipients thereof were often / Q9 C7 v1 @" n2 V+ `% i [ i
astonished at the degree of his generosity. An illustration 3 n5 P1 R% d" _
in point is set forth by the Eev. Theodore Clapp.* A Chris- 5 A+ x+ Q7 }8 r. G8 M7 l1 Z
tian church in New Orleans, of which Mr. Clapp was the min- 0 ` ]7 Y. a; k1 n
ister, found itself in serious financial difficulties with $45,-
9 }4 u$ Q. x% u: b- d; P+ o000 of indebtedness. Twenty-five thousand dollars was raised
$ J) T! x+ k, g- }# Dby private efforts, whereupon Mr. Touro purchased the build- * H( p: `4 J6 U) ]2 p) f- L9 ]
ing itself for $20,000 and permitted the congregation to % t0 x1 P0 K) K
occupy the building rent-free until it was destroyed, after
( n- Z- C+ ?9 w3 P+ Wmany years, by fire, when he furnished its most generous con- ' W5 d, Y( t! r: G+ U
X3 K7 F) U$ b9 q' U8 M
* " Autobiographical Sketches and Recollections," p. 24, et seq. ' @' L6 f( ]& J1 j; @5 `
9 e: E4 t6 r" E* s) l& Q
8 G/ ]( M* J! e4 t, o3 B- E! [: l/ B$ I( Z) }+ @: V2 K
Judah Touro — Kohler. 101 ( E' o/ f+ Y; ^' w
4 B6 H- G7 ?% Z# ?
tribution for a new building. To a friend who had suggested 2 r @# @) S8 w6 Q' o. {: S
that he could profitably erect business buildings on the site, 8 `$ z. n0 k: I4 z" Q$ |9 }
he promptly remarked on purchasing the church edifice : " I 8 L5 O6 _. p! V6 I
am a friend to religion and I will not pull down the church ; h) _+ I$ X/ S# Y; L
to increase my means ! " Mr. Clapp, moreover, received from % l" O5 ~. x$ j6 X0 i( C
him no less than $20,000 during his lifetime. When his sister
4 V' Q) n* D) Y1 ~7 wdied, leaving an estate of approximately $60,000 to him, he
; |- i' [9 b' [! H6 z, y+ X/ Edeclined to accept the money, ing instead that it be
) I7 x$ `8 i9 G4 W9 xdistributed among deserving charities. The Touro Infirmary
2 C/ x# m9 k V! z$ Yat New Orleans was established during his lifetime. He be- $ K X% J* [& l# X- @- v+ l8 x/ `
came interested in reports concerning the " Old Stone Mill "
8 t+ m9 P& }' N1 W5 [of jSTewport, supposed to be a relic of the early Northmen's + F- G$ o" Q, {
settlements in America, and bequeathed $10,000 for the acqui-
! E. V3 o7 @- P/ x4 j3 n/ F4 ], j8 wsition of the site by that municipality. For many years he 7 W1 p- _/ p& D5 |9 ?, p
was practically the only Jewish resident of New Orleans; . ]8 E0 ~# T* o
subsequently, as the Jewish population increased, he erected 5 h! h0 K) x0 N$ ~; Q7 I0 y
a synagogue building and donated it for such uses at an ex-
4 R0 J$ w% I8 c) ypense of approximately $40,000. Thereafter he was a regu-
3 |+ o% G% W/ K7 t) R& @) ylar and devoted worshiper at its services. By his will, signed " c$ u1 [1 s" Y) W$ M
January 6, 1854, less than two weeks before his death, he dis- 8 ?) B8 C9 g& @) W* W6 n7 o( |
tributed upwards of half a million of dollars to charitable 8 n+ h3 p" [( k( Y- K1 d C
purposes, two-thirds of the sum to non-Jewish purposes. Mr.
( {& D1 r B' h' s0 Q- t+ _3 TClapp, in commenting on this circumstance says : " I have , J4 c% z3 |8 }3 h: P
never heard of but one religionist in the United States who
% t. }- n9 M& T) [: X: N% r \can be compared with Mr. Touro, as regards the liberality of
& ^8 k% @' L t; e6 N/ K/ v& [8 Bhis benefactions to his own church; and he bestowed nothing
& j" w( x' b2 pon other denominations. But Mr. Touro gave more to stran-
, B1 W1 y9 v7 x! q7 n" N6 dgers than to his brethren. With a generous profusion, he
3 L- G" [7 f$ S/ Ascattered his favors broadcast over the wide field of humanity. 6 ]4 {' x0 K* y( {
He knew well that many of the recipients of his bounty hated & O" _& T4 c$ ]
the Hebrews, and would, if possible, sweep them into anni- 9 M6 ~1 S$ \# \/ F
hilation." " `# {( N6 P6 p5 z6 o
5 p8 p6 u! U& z7 ^) _9 u. `6 O( O
One cannot read the will of Judah Touro without being sur-
1 i8 X; U. N- D" C7 e/ k$ G! Y3 Zprised at the accurate knowledge and familiarity acquired by
4 \) X5 E! v. t) Chim at this early date concerning the many Jewish communi-
! Z) L. Y" h |+ {4 lties of the country near and far, their congregations, and their # d( {0 [% C/ J! l3 R9 c+ ~
8 y! W; Q P% [4 J& m" Y! |
, g4 P8 I1 p6 [5 O, X
6 n" L* H0 m: L" _( K9 V102 American Jewish Historical Society.
% f0 l9 T; S2 O5 b7 t/ V7 L x/ ?2 n. f, a3 X Y
charitable institutions, many of which owed their continued $ Y8 E: W- a H, l
existence to his generous bounty/ Had it not been for his
- J, d' \+ v6 M# D" r3 `wise philanthropy, many of our boasted communal institu-
( b7 v$ i" ?% ations in most distant sections of the country, would have
+ H4 p+ d+ X& d( i4 I8 W. x [3 f0 }found their efforts stifled for many years, at least, by want of
6 W$ Y) u4 K! A: R* Vnecessary support. Eev. Isaac Leeser, at his funeral, ably
5 T8 e6 f! Q2 h( }* j; Xsummarized his will, containing upwards of 65 distinct be-
) b/ u/ J5 o" M8 ^; G! J9 z4 _6 ^quests, as follows :
, k/ w8 V. ~1 f
+ n5 `1 t1 \# }# M8 o! y, k8 oHe thought of the widow and orphan in his own city and where
2 @9 A6 |; R& e' y( Phe had dwelt in his youth, and devoted a portion of his means to ' f' g% L, x5 r8 g
their relief; and those to whom he has confided this trust are
# k9 q1 |3 I5 t# G& f7 n T4 l+ h3 Y2 onot of his own faith and kindred, and probably no Israelite will - t k9 _1 u# U3 q6 D; b% S
ever claim any benefit from the funds. He thought of the poor in
6 L+ [% h5 j" N& Q5 W7 s# Ihis own city, and endowed a home of refuge to receive them in
' n! }: I; S. G7 d9 _the day of their distress. He thought of those of his own per- + A( z* {( R, l- c O/ y
suasion who suffer from the heavy hand of disease, and supplied 8 }7 g0 ~ J' p* m" x7 ^ \5 V
the means to afford them relief, in several cities. He thought of ( ?- u% J6 R( g5 `( ]+ J* V
the new and weak congregations in various towns, and afforded
- Z) d$ \0 f% S. q4 ?them the means to carry on their holy mission in dispensing the
' l8 }3 B) n/ d) N Zblessings which our faith is so well calculated to bestow. He 9 I3 m k9 P9 t$ {- `$ _0 X
thought of the necessity of diffusing religious education to the 1 W/ V+ j* s* L2 V9 p
children of Israel; and with wise discrimination selected those
" a0 D4 Q* y; ]. s1 B$ tinstitutions best calculated to farther this end, to make Jewish ) V: p& r" a; s
religion and Jewish literature accessible to the greatest number-
) J" W6 L2 y# p3 g, }. j8 mHe thought of those heavenly societies, whose mission it is to ! v3 R2 Z+ t$ F% ?- G
glide gently into the abodes of the poor, to leave the traces of $ u. B) C) t, l8 l" a
benevolence, to spirits which, without this, would droop 6 d) P# W2 }5 J( H! A% g
into despair and gloom. He thought of the aflaicted in the land of
; Z/ Z# I1 }) e) k% L# ZIsrael, to provide for them assistance in their distress, and pro- # e6 Z, _8 O6 O; l) q* D
tection the arm of violence; he, the merchant in the far 1 t' r. F3 i$ w6 e @
West, who had lived for years separated from his people, almost 1 M/ E: H. g: N, v2 J; H
a solitary worshiper of one God, amidst those who acknowledged . h8 i/ F% w- I2 E2 O
Him not alone, forgot not those who still linger on the soil conse- 4 Z' A6 l. ] g" L
) d; ]* }; X0 K( P7 A* D; G/ @° The will is appended as an appendix hereto chiefly because 4 Y# ~2 w) I6 W. K1 U& J. e" X( Y
it is the best contemporary enumeration I know to be extant of
7 k3 I# ^) t! j5 fthe various Jewish communities of the United States and their
9 f# J% h! N2 {6 w$ h( v" Qinstitutions. Judah Touro obviously sought the best information
) b. X2 Q, k! nobtainable concerning Jewish communities throughout the coun-
+ V! ]9 n) |7 N) A) _try, and came to their assistance in a will which seems to have
+ H& R- A( ]8 r4 n1 b+ k7 C2 C& Gomitted no deserving Jewish community. l. d+ _9 O1 E" y' h
2 u9 j+ X* @* F/ S' O: U& h# j+ f
! x) |+ Q0 D0 S* V9 d' N- C; E: i- ^7 _; Q- ?
Judah Touro — Kohler. 103 3 {9 r& W2 J% Q4 A
$ c1 ^# l5 c" m S, F7 Hcrated by so many wonderful events which marked our early
1 T, r* |; E" v* n" P5 Thistory, to them on in the deprivations to which they are
( w" g3 P$ f; D) C5 o4 nsubjected. 0 A: L Y; t/ \! W4 I2 w, \0 ~4 r
5 v3 Q& @; B6 M* UOne reading the will cannot regard it as accidental that he
3 h( Y5 J( I" V' _4 C( i/ [should have expressed his "earnest wish to co-operate with
: @- U6 ~/ u' w* w* M, nSir Moses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavor-
0 C. W* q' C) a/ t, aing to ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish ' B$ p$ _) b# D$ ^+ X6 l
brethren/' and to make a comparison between these two Jew- 2 \9 v5 X' [' N1 w7 h
ish philanthropists of the nineteenth century is an obvious
0 x* O5 U; p9 G8 Dtemptation. ' q& e. s1 m; l; g: U
* ?( C ?) s& @& q+ @7 L& t6 {
At the funeral exercises at New Orleans, Jew and Gentile 5 g& v! G7 m4 y; }: U4 ^+ E D; T- E
vied with each other in their expressions of grief and respect,
g2 ]! H3 s4 r' N. r8 B( wand these were even more marked at the obsequies at Newport, # d% Y0 \8 z+ E5 D c% K# d- ?
Ehode Island, on June 6, of the same year, 1854, which were
$ A) h0 m, p& @* ?8 Q: ]attended by delegations from the numerous organizations he 7 {3 V0 m# X: d+ i) h/ E' T, G
had so generously remembered, coming from all over the
$ t9 F6 }% E2 m% f+ Q" Lland. By official resolution of the public authorities of
' y1 @) b. l9 O nNewport, which had benefited so largely by his philanthropy, ( q" z- U6 h* C, p m' @, @: K
his executors and all these delegations became the guests of
$ R! [1 n% c4 {5 ]1 nthe municipality. During the funeral procession, the bells 8 N# y# f2 L4 c5 Z8 C! j- ^
of the various churches were tolled, and all places of business
! N. n3 r6 C5 Q' j& qwere closed. Among those who officiated at Newport were 2 P' R" Z5 U* p- s6 V7 r
Eev. J. K. Gutheim of New Orleans, Isaac Leeser of Philadel- * W2 ?4 G1 \+ H7 {0 j% h0 E' C+ h
phia, and Eev. M. J. Eaphall and Eev. S. M. Isaacs of '^ew 2 W! j+ }* y K( ?! a( O, p! T4 q
York. A project to erect a monument to his memory was
$ t% {5 D! ?0 N' y# Nbitterly assailed, a few years later, as an alleged violation of - G) i# n' T& d' Q1 I
Jewish law. Streets in both Newport and New Orleans
7 L# w& O. N( r0 a. t j5 N0 Awere named after him in order to commemorate his generous : i9 |2 @+ ?' x. ]1 w: g
philanthropy.
% \! F* F( p$ L/ e9 D8 L2 ~
: V, `- Q8 {1 I& f8 a/ M+ lHis tomb-stone, in the Newport Cemetery, bears the fol-
' Z- L, l# g2 }; `% q( a2 ]4 Llowing appropriate inscription : + A" g/ U1 h+ J- Z) N
% ^, [- G+ Y. ~( z" H- l
By righteousness and integrity he collected his wealth;
' X9 P3 [% u) v4 W: kIn charity and for salvation he dispensed it. ) m Y* [/ [' b# H# Q6 g4 q
The last of his name, he inscribed it in the book of philan-
! \1 D0 [9 K. H( D: \6 n' fthropy
$ Q, _; C$ b: Y' Q- ~To be remembered forever. 1 r5 J% p; F! e5 ~! K' W1 Y( R
9
% j% ?& s/ l; L9 w7 u7 m- J0 S+ l, s5 Y" o! k+ y
) z( S4 P( A3 C' G5 I+ V6 _7 q2 W3 U* |$ V: l; ]& H
104 American Jeujish Historical Society.
' s e. Z8 M! N, E( M: ~2 Z" K! B* n7 d- e: H9 E$ V% G2 }+ U
WILL OF THE LATE JUDAH TOURO. 7 p; x' h* M' i1 L* [" w: k0 X4 Y
% ^8 p" T9 R+ D5 Q: Z" h7 |
United States of America, - S4 [5 w5 I2 M5 F6 V k: U
' m7 |" @; J/ k
State of Louisiana, City of New Oeleans.
3 E3 ?9 W/ q+ R8 b$ e. X" P5 h. e5 l6 y/ h# k% o
Be it known that on this sixth day of January, in the year of
6 A5 ]' Y* i% b: gour Lord eighteen hundred and fifty-four, and of the independence
3 R$ |: C) n: D7 x; v1 Z+ }of the United States of America the seventy-eighth, at a quarter
5 ?' l+ ?4 X3 u6 Lbefore 10 o'clock a. m..
: M0 T7 b* l1 u! H% }' {% F' t& u" V1 L/ _
Before me, Thomas Layton, a Notary Public, in and for the . w* M! w2 O' J
city of New Orleans aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, & H9 L( X/ V' D
and in presence of Messrs. Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Shep- 6 R0 h; F6 Q& e: {9 @
herd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, competent witnesses, re- $ { C/ ]8 x- K
siding in said city, and hereto expressly required —
( v, H/ K7 D% Q
5 d9 C' h2 g& b2 b( a% x3 dPersonally appeared Mr. Judah Touro, of this city, merchant, 6 i+ T9 |2 {( S/ R
whom I, the said Notary, and said witnesses, found sitting in a 2 d* b2 g; b+ K: r# a# u2 c
room, at his residence, No. 128 Canal Street, sick of body, but # K* D: P" q/ d/ ~% c+ n9 R
sound in mind, memory, and judgment, as did appear to me, the " ]" {& A# V7 E9 {3 P [$ V
said Notary, and to said witnesses. And the said Mr. Judah
+ [! R* r0 \& p4 p+ L5 vTouro requested me, the Notary, to receive his last will or testa- ; C/ b3 ^7 ?4 ?; T
ment, which he dictated to me, Notary, as follows, to wit, and in
- a. p. a6 Y; O# T9 wpresence of said witnesses: ) m2 T% r! x1 y R) e( A0 g
4 E! G1 R8 ?% K& a: n6 |* ]+ e7 L9 i
1. I declare that I have no forced heirs.
6 N* E: i# W; { `
9 M$ Z/ G& U3 w4 Z2. I desire that my mortal remains be buried in the Jewish
6 `+ U f/ W( u% U% |) fCemetery in Newport, Rhode Island, as soon as practicable after ! V; L/ Y M+ ~& j
my decease. * [; S% L7 Z7 Y R2 A( W% ^
: z& O" _7 O, I! l7 e
3. I nominate and appoint my trusty and esteemed friends : z. K" x. S, V u
Rezin Davis Shepherd of Virginia, Aaron Keppell Josephs of 9 J7 r5 Z7 q9 d# u- R
New Orleans, Gershom Kursheedt of New Orleans, and Pierre
6 X7 _; c' x8 ]9 p* l7 wAndre Destrac Cazenave of New Orleans, my testamentary execu-
4 O- W* ] x' ]' b1 H/ a# d. Ntors, and the detainers of my estate, making, however, the follow- & {* N Y" w+ x
ing distinction between my said executors, to wit: To the said 5 C- `% k1 A3 {6 x+ H1 `
Aaron Keppell Josephs, Gershom Kursheedt, and Pierre Andre
/ w5 q# F1 S: P; w4 `. jDestrac Cazenave, I give and bequeath to each one separately, the % k1 }# [9 l1 Y0 P d. w
sum of ten thousand dollars, which legacies I intend respectively, $ y- N- o; Q6 p
not only as tokens of remembrance of those esteemed friends, but
5 j$ k5 J! Z B6 n, l' S8 d1 a' Dalso as in consideration of all services they may have hitherto, * Q( l& m0 d, S7 D+ Z6 [9 l5 r
rendered me, and in lieu of the commissions to which they would
: ~( K. U! T8 v( b8 P( a! ]. t$ v6 o% U9 vbe entitled hereafter in the capacity of Testamentary Executors
) O1 K) z+ H; q# D1 |9 q5 Ias aforesaid. And as regards my other designated executor, say
! W: v$ j8 o6 j' d+ J U) ^9 @my dear, old and devoted friend, Rezin Davis Shepherd, to whom, ) @) f" \; f3 \6 X4 ?2 `7 y
under Divine Providence, I was greatly indebted for the preserva-
2 U! B9 v' h8 Q% I) a" Q9 ution of my life when I was wounded on the 1st of January, 1815, 7 X/ s# W/ K1 Y" N3 T/ t6 }- A0 y
5 x$ ^/ o3 L, _% F3 V* f/ n$ B& W/ l* K9 _8 z( I
: v+ F( Z* o {
Judah Touro — Eohler. 105
& S* H, T- v; B$ o& T/ c. r$ Q0 S4 i/ k! }+ m5 g9 q3 W* v
I hereby appoint and institute him, the said Rezin Davis Shep-
, a" H6 C6 U: Qherd, after the payment of my particular legacies and the debts
9 R9 G/ I! p0 ]9 Pof my succession, the universal legatee of the rest and residue of
; f! L* t# S& i W' pmy estate, movable and immovable.
$ m" A7 y9 E$ k2 u! w% P: G) z; M% U1 U; B4 y
In case of the death, absence or inability to act of one or more & n% |1 B g9 }9 t2 q
of my said Executors, I hereby empower the remaining Executor 7 Q8 i2 v+ K: y# w
or Executors to act in carrying out the provisions of this my last
" z% h+ B7 |+ D! Q& lwill; and in the event of the death or default, of any one or more
. I, ^5 T" ]: L7 W) ^) j1 ]; |2 Yof my said Executors before my own demise; then and in that ! h$ [8 [- d# W: T* z3 l
case, it is my intention that the heirs or legal representatives of & y6 k. j7 `9 J7 @2 {, l7 f
those who may depart this life before my own death, shall in-
* d0 C+ V4 x8 d8 i7 U0 Fherit in their stead the legacies herein above respectively made ( P# |6 W% T7 K% [( ]- n
to them.
3 L: {* p: u2 L5 b% G, ^8 w- g1 b( J4 y! {. f
4. I desire that all leases of my property and which may be in
; B( I5 y/ z0 M% {5 w7 o4 `! Lforce at- the time of my demise, shall be faithfully executed until
1 b" m/ \+ M+ e% a1 U" Sthe same shall have expired. - L6 _ U" s3 G( P, k8 }
2 @' h1 H! o/ m& b# Y
5. I desire that all the estate, real, personal and mixed, of ' w# i# Y, ~- P6 e7 r
which I may die possessed, shall be disposed of in the manner
4 K( _- |3 L$ N. mdirected by this my last will or testament. 5 u- V! ]' y4 f5 ]8 N; @/ Y
% J% V$ E% ^' c4 n- ^1 H; \( c: Y: f6. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation the " Dis-
/ H0 r8 v7 G! ipersed of Judah " of the City of New Orleans, all that certain
2 L0 b& W8 J, b1 q& y5 kproperty situated in Bourbon Street, immediately adjoining their ) I$ \# k- I1 ?6 P0 a; D
Synagogue, being the present schoolhouse, and the residence of
+ p9 p! K& @* u* q/ G4 I m$ xthe said Mr. Gershom Kursheedt, the same purchased by me from $ N3 a' g+ o; K k
the bank of Louisiana; and also to the said Hebrew Congregation,
( G0 o: @4 s% N* Y7 T/ Y6 H7 Dthe two adjoining brick houses purchased from the heirs of David
/ X! x, x# Z4 ~9 I$ [9 S: M4 VUrquhart, the revenue of said property to be applied to the found- ) {, o5 o+ Z& x1 p" l- B
ing and support of the Hebrew school connected with said Con- 6 C( f# L+ m: p' I% q2 w
gregation, as well as to the defraying of the salary of their
2 x9 }& ?; e- LReader or Minister, said property to be conveyed accordingly by
( m4 k) u3 o; k. d5 umy said executors to said Congregation with all necessary re-
4 o2 x/ @& H* f6 g2 wstrictions. + Y7 M0 q& T7 {
+ U5 Y; G: G2 f& S& G
7. I give and bequeath to found the Hebrew Hospital of New
+ c7 s# m/ O1 v* D u1 s& l WOrleans the entire property purchased for me, at the succession
: A: n5 j% @. ^- o; hsale of the late C. Paulding, upon which property the building % J, c- ~ ?& \& y' f' t6 l
now known as the "Touro Infirmary" is situated; the said con-
" I8 ?! ^- R- ktemplated Hospital to be organized according to law, as a char- S# x( [$ L3 S4 W1 S4 `( ?9 C9 S3 x
itable institution for the relief of the indigent sick, by my ex-
' w) x! K/ e3 E* L/ \4 X( U! n5 ]ecutors and such other persons as they may associate with them - P! ?2 a4 R3 O5 h5 v1 v# y3 i
conformably with the laws of Louisiana.
7 R0 d. z0 N! F5 {' ^, T4 q% |0 h4 K. e+ V- ~, G
8. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Association of * s0 U6 h- N2 w% c4 b2 F! a+ f) {6 A6 |
New Orleans five thousand dollars.
0 v+ O% |/ |1 S2 I* n' O+ s- F G) g* e3 i: Y& b
9. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 7 ?7 G+ o; `6 P0 V& k5 t' D+ d
garai Chassed " of New Orleans five thousand dollars. 9 f. H. s( [5 Y$ T- ?/ l) U
; e8 O) s3 A2 X. ]
9 H* P6 l; X3 H1 G% R
7 E7 Q/ k' W" d1 M0 J2 S106 American Jewish Historical Society. ~% v2 w* ^) X# ~5 g
7 R; T2 G6 C4 V( N" q- r" M10. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of 3 ^ {2 b3 r4 H2 d6 ~2 x
New Orleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
, O3 \" } {+ ]4 X$ S
. H% B% R0 x+ f! z. O- f( ^4 a; V11. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Foreign Mission Society
# {! ]) A4 k- E% }# F/ Q! kof New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
2 Z0 {9 d* l9 ~5 A- l+ d3 P& c0 l! z
12. I give and bequeath to the Orphans' Home Asylum of New
3 e' H% R$ x; j% LOrleans, the sum of five thousand dollars.
3 k) K3 y2 d) Z+ E: _4 L! ?* e. v( _) v z! F8 B6 T
13. I give and bequeath to the Society for the relief of Desti-
$ e# p u' m0 W. p# Itute Orphan Boys in the Fourth District, five thousand dollars. ( A7 p' a, U: e& Q4 m
, G! {) O6 a' Z& S) T14. I give and bequeath to the St. Armas Asylum for the relief " \% ^5 j1 [: ~2 ^
of destitute females and children, the sum of five thousand dol-
/ y; f, v6 i5 i. t$ `- g: @2 E1 L! o8 M) Mlars.
. g- D' Q( `+ D% |, }
( I3 I$ X/ G5 J# v( {15. I give and bequeath to the New Orleans Female Orphan
6 I% c; c; d* P" E5 h/ BAsylum, at the corner of Camp and Prytania streets, five thou- ) H" d0 X8 {- V- ^5 f( n
sand dollars. 1 r; R1 r3 W/ S' G
5 a" V. r# N) F- D" q+ Y16. I give and bequeath to the St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asy-
+ J! t( j" k3 s0 V wlum, of which my old and esteemed friend Mr. Anthony Rasch is
* x1 _. t& k, Q6 j c0 W0 ichairman of its Executive Committee, the sum of five thousand
1 s' D$ U4 ~9 A7 pdollars.
& B4 u2 |+ E! _' p" z- S7 v' [. r8 Q: @- v* V8 U
17. I give and bequeath to the Milne Asylum of New Orleans, % t/ J' @1 E0 y2 B: Y; H% ]8 \
five thousand dollars.
; l; `1 C3 Q0 G/ ?/ n! ]% P" h6 c6 A5 c0 E( g
18. I give and bequeath to the " Firemen's Charitable Associa-
/ G$ U) X9 i1 c! P$ htion " of New Orleans, five thousand dollars. 5 N: t# r7 H1 x6 }; K- }0 j2 Y8 P& g
2 J, A2 T# \ M$ ~4 z0 p0 \
19. I give and bequeath to the " Seamen's Home," in the First
2 H1 X B1 r5 r) }; c7 \District of New Orleans, five thousand dollars.
/ j% W9 P* I) `
; M3 I6 y! Q; o! N/ ~20. I give and bequeath, for the purpose of establishing an
8 O& i; }4 ~! _3 w" Alms House " in the City of New Orleans, and with a view of
6 ^2 R! B# @& R3 gcontributing, as far as possible, to the prevention of mendicity
0 R: G4 p; q3 h: S4 F$ }in said city, the sum of eighty thousand dollars, (say $80,000)
6 e( ^1 A) m7 Z& c7 m! y3 Wand I desire that the " Alms House " thus contemplated shall be
3 I* a# I, J4 M8 z6 M- rorganized according to law; and further, it is my desire that
, B: o, _- P- [* q+ aafter my executors shall have legally organized and established
; R7 y! z) Y, g$ f) U" c7 ysaid contemplated Alms House, and appointed proper persons to ' B' [9 U% J! N R8 P9 U+ {
administer and control the direction of its affairs, then such per- 7 |8 J4 c$ `. Z# _' K. U6 T' V
sons legally so appointed and their successors, in office, con- l( M/ P# N; C3 s" }' r
jointly with the Mayor of the City of New Orleans, and his suc-
, ?1 w) f- [7 ]0 fcessors in office, shall have the perpetual direction and control , C5 A. a; d; e0 R, j
thereof.
3 ]0 ]8 E6 o9 z8 k9 f' G7 [* M/ d5 H: J) x3 j" x2 P* R
21. I give and bequeath to the City of Newport, in the State of X# u/ W, ^( Y$ }0 i! T7 O
Rhode Island, the sum of ten thousand dollars, on condition that 8 h# U) Z- D# n- y& ?. ^ v
the said sum be expended in the purchase and improvement of the
5 b* k" ^! ]9 A- b" C8 eproperty in said city, known as the " Old Stone Mill," to be kept
9 C5 d5 E t0 d" o; _as a public park or promenade ground.
3 _- j* o7 m" f% x, x* B% B* n5 w3 X9 d
22. I give and bequeath to the " Redwood Library " of Newport
# a+ p: M& U' h. p1 `% O: l2 Q* V* taforesaid, for books and repairs, three thousand dollars. $ H3 e9 I0 K. I2 r N
6 m l9 [' Q$ r; k# r# {% I6 d/ v1 }
" P! n+ n& f h; JJudah Touro — Kohler. 107 ; y6 c; }) c) j& {0 H" Q- U
/ u9 Z) m2 i* r O* N/ O* E; r t23. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Ohabay 3 r* j( n' W* m
Shalome " of Boston, Massachusetts, five thousand dollars.
% a* k s9 `! G/ X+ v2 E* H5 p3 \" {2 L" b3 R- B
24. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Hart- ! ]: N( H& e ~2 D
ford, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
. j: q' L R% V7 C J1 A
0 D+ c4 c* T/ w# N7 o2 U" n25. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of New
- r* B9 K! E+ G5 kHaven, Connecticut, five thousand dollars.
8 n) l& w$ a& {" W5 r k9 p( P' }
% j. Z: O$ R& r# f' ^26. I give and bequeath to the North American Relief Society,
+ ?: w' }1 R: @8 ^for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, of the City and
! {9 k; b( X/ }8 N9 m6 s, [" @* d# vState of New York (Sir Moses Montefiore of London, their agent),
4 o; H- L- g8 d. d+ aten thousand dollars. 8 X7 J) z$ {/ W
9 `* t; t% v) R8 h7 ]8 A; k27. It being my earnest wish to co-operate with the said Sir
% b1 f% U1 ?3 T0 `* VMoses Montefiore of London, Great Britain, in endeavoring to $ l4 W+ s8 N, x
ameliorate the condition of our unfortunate Jewish Brethren, in . x8 F, L# F$ `: K" P
the Holy Land, and to secure to them the inestimable privilege of
0 l! G7 L0 v! z9 k7 ?- xworshipping the Almighty according to our religion, without
9 U& ]7 g! N8 U0 i" x, pmolestation, I therefore give and bequeath the sum of fifty thou- # w3 ?: D2 R. U0 O2 H9 N3 j
sand dollars, to be paid by my Executors for said object, through 7 D2 C& Q6 |+ R9 z; y9 _- u
the said Sir Moses Montefiore, in such manner as he may advise,
7 y1 w& J$ Q$ ?8 }3 R. u$ tas best calculated to promote the aforesaid objects; and in case of
( k6 u+ O" s( c( Z" Zany legal or other difiiculty or impediment in the way of carry- " m/ Q3 W) |) j- Z- m! z' z1 D. f
ing said bequest into effect, according to my intentions, then and " R- t8 T' |1 p
in that case, I desire that the said sum of fifty thousand dollars
9 s" t) f2 q' w1 ]2 W+ vbe invested by my Executors in the foundation of a Society in the 7 p: q- N7 f( s, L, V# R
City of New Orleans, similar in its objects to the " North Ameri-
2 \) C0 u! K) E A4 D& w- ecan Relief Society for the Indigent Jews of Jerusalem, Palestine, ' ]) i& Q/ f( S5 I# g: W
of the City of New York," to which I have before referred in this
" [; S$ d6 O2 ^9 h2 imy last will. & o4 P5 ]6 d6 \" M+ k* T
! p/ k# M" ]8 K, y i28. It is my wish and desire that the Institutions to which I
0 E& t2 V2 {* q( b1 U/ ]5 Ahave already alluded in making this will, as well as those to * S. D- p4 F, x+ x4 u8 E2 Y$ l9 Y
which in the further course of making this will, I shall refer, T. X) o- o* Y' ?, l
shall not be disqualified from inheriting my legacies to them
! ?) |; K! p, ?2 @# ]+ Grespectively made, for reason of not being incorporated, and 5 E n, e. w8 _1 ?" t4 E. f
thereby not qualified to inherit by law; but on the contrary, I
/ v- R. D5 J4 t3 B1 sdesire that the parties interested in such institutions and my 9 ]: d& b) b, q+ @
executors shall facilitate their organization as soon after my de- : D; Q7 s9 _3 x, o; l
cease as possible, and thus render them duly qualified by law to ) S7 j" A# c+ q4 b* M, H# T+ u. k
inherit in the premises according to my wishes. ; ^8 G) a5 Y3 J
( O' U- P9 a- a5 A2 Z+ [: Q: w29. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital Society of the
3 }! K: g# |- a2 B8 HCity and State of New York twenty thousand dollars.
9 w5 h) \# H' E- ]( F
/ m: e, Z+ J+ ^# U S) |% G+ n30. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
( D/ q/ v1 u* Y, D/ h2 z3 I" Meshibat Nafesh " of New York, five thousand dollars.
. ?2 m1 `9 h7 U
* e" u* M/ f6 R6 F31. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Benevolent Society
5 f7 n- N" N: @, n7 p" Gemilut Chased " of New York, five thousand dollars.
/ X4 E+ p* @, G5 U$ {
# ]* G X( I3 w
( I- K7 g9 R/ V1 n, ~) @( K+ R/ t: j) v+ h4 k# r- T
108 American Jewish Historical Society.
; M4 E( O1 i+ ^8 S) i' w
$ F/ P( j% d4 ]32. I give and bequeath to the " Talmud Torah " School Fund
" {/ d, k8 q& Iattached to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith Israel," of the
$ w% r* ~3 ~* H. E* ?City of New York, and to said Congregation, thirteen thousand
9 f' V/ A! \" ?& H6 a7 ?, F) }. qdollars. ' J+ @7 w# t4 w( O9 }1 w2 x
5 ~6 D: J: L( a( o9 D( a, ^33. I give and bequeath to the Educational Institute of the He- 3 T2 F$ c8 c I/ O Z8 _
brew Congregation " B'nai Jeshurun " of the City of New York,
' D& O7 J# K @( cthe sum of three thousand dollars.
$ S8 @4 r! w$ \4 y
) d; K9 D: C" T! T5 x; `) z/ m34. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- " K2 `, ]/ [# c+ c# O
garai Tefila," of New York, three thousand dollars.
" d; x" A* {0 i! N3 S M/ a! ?! a7 H3 K5 d9 V/ \
35. I give and bequeath to the Ladies' Benevolent Society of + Q1 M0 F& J# @2 ]7 y0 K
the City of New York, the same of which Mrs. Richey Levy was ' f8 X9 c7 E5 [% K6 e( }8 y$ E
a directress at the time of her death, and of which Mrs. I. B. " w: N7 @; ]7 D% |% b* [* w: U; Y5 y
Kursheedt was first directress in 1850, three thousand dollars. : _& ^9 T0 A) F' C6 _% h; F
; a" K7 e0 R- G1 c g0 L
36. I give and bequeath to the Female Hebrew Benevolent So- . {$ f w5 {# r( K ?9 a' R
ciety of Philadelphia (Miss Gratz, Secretary), three thousand dol-
# q6 |9 n: O3 g6 _$ [8 I% p1 blars. : C1 M, F2 v; o! s u% @ p6 E% o
; [& S# X3 f$ \- ^" y R
37. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Education Society of
. }6 G9 B% f. C( ?Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, twenty thousand dollars.
8 @$ n4 H `5 {8 v( L' |3 C5 [2 p, U( Z! O0 k2 s' f( L0 p
38. I give to the United Hebrew Benevolent Society of Phila- - I3 M/ G; E% l
delphia, aforesaid, three thousand dollars. 7 V4 j4 \8 p6 O
8 Q9 b6 j6 {1 ?8 I) c6 m39. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation "Ahabat
) ~/ t2 X9 P5 gIsrael," of Fell's Point, Baltimore, three thousand dollars.
$ e' X! \0 j) |4 x1 H
1 ]/ B" R4 v9 h% ]8 x) K6 W g6 j40. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Beth ) H2 h/ l% M# h2 `$ [$ K. K
Shalome," of Richmond, Virginia, five thousand dollars.
* w8 A& y, G* V& _# _
4 T# {# ]; ~% s3 I$ W; |41. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shearith
4 p+ E& }+ P* ^1 \7 A DIsrael," of Charleston, South Carolina, the sum of five thousand ' R2 ?# h+ a3 ^9 e
dollars. ! b! b; n1 b& H, \) Q& ~
) c5 m- M1 v) `# u( o42. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Shan- 6 F; ^2 e5 P6 S' R& ]9 ]
garai Shamoyim," of Mobile, Alabama, two thousand dollars.
8 B3 f% Z" Z% w& a7 |& p; ^% C4 X; J6 Z, x* y& w
43. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Mikve
) c5 M1 K6 e1 X9 f: Z' W C* k8 mIsrael," of Savannah, Georgia, five thousand dollars.
5 u1 R& b* O" q& ^1 t" e6 x2 Y5 ]4 _# U, j+ @2 r- p+ H1 w* F; H
44. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mont- 9 C, ~4 W. O) U8 o% I1 q
gomery, Alabama, two thousand dollars. % T/ ~7 q; _7 a* C! c9 C
) l* @9 b" r! y' F4 |
45. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of Mem-
3 S o9 t6 m: ~phis, Tennessee, two thousand dollars.
$ y7 v% x3 s* M; b. H6 M2 n2 c" T: B L, f
46. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Adas y+ t% n) p7 k- k! r! a3 F$ z! m1 h
Israel," of Louisville, Kentucky, three thousand dollars.
! l* [7 u L% o S5 J
+ \* G+ [$ h6 C6 n7 x- u C47. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation " Bnai Is-
. }& r$ U) V5 S/ \/ ?# lrael," of Cincinnati, Ohio, three thousand dollars. / i# [% F6 J. H
* s$ V1 N* @8 v4 ^: v( E1 P" y
48. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew School, " Talmud Yelo-
; M5 t; \7 c/ N5 a/ R; Rdim," of Cincinnati, Ohio, five thousand dollars.
/ n+ K6 o2 P2 M3 j) Y5 m$ O( z$ W
& }: K+ ^- Z2 j* u0 j# P; L49. I give and bequeath to the Jews' Hospital, of Cincinnati,
E7 H5 F7 J* |% z7 z# w7 @, y: UOhio, five thousand dollars. - W, J, l+ c- J9 Z; G% l ]0 q% ]% k
! q9 H8 @7 n) _6 c# } M6 j( C& }. q' v, w( H0 }0 ^
u# i/ [5 n! H9 Y" Y
Judah Touro — Kohler. 109 $ v7 T7 L1 n3 P$ `) h
6 R" t' J9 h5 p+ L+ D, J( o' @: y5 n$ ^# R50. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Tifereth ) d( H; E6 [2 f: z
Israel," of Cleveland, Ohio, three thousand dollars.
* t6 Y( Y" {2 {" F, G' W
1 I- u* C: K4 B/ t. n) L51. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Bnai
2 [. L& G ?$ j9 Z9 L* f9 GEl," of St. Louis, Missouri, three thousand dollars. ( U5 g- V8 h3 n
; o! k9 c7 Z% E" |5 G52. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation, " Beth El," . q' q( A4 @) h/ @+ y, F
of Buffalo, New York, three thousand dollars. 2 @0 m Q8 S( q Z' @
' Z( J: b5 }; Y53. I give and bequeath to the Hebrew Congregation of " Beth ) l `5 Q$ O# W% o% f7 O
El," of Albany, New York, three thousand dollars. 2 L) P9 E' b( E( ?; W" W" a: A
" ?' U" l, j0 ^' m( ~) ~# a
54. I give and bequeath to the three following Institutions, 5 ~3 o; J3 H. \* A! Q' Q2 B& X3 u
named in the will of my greatly beloved brother, the late Abra-
: A- p0 { d' E4 J( @5 K" I( Q* F( y! l( [ham- Touro, of Boston, the following sums: ( q3 P4 o3 A9 m" z [) u
- s/ `+ e/ x3 k( \2 X
First, to the Asylum of Orphan Boys, in Boston, Massachusetts, ; i% E1 v5 N; E l/ C& m/ q
five thousand dollars. 7 O7 d& a$ u ^: R$ b* \* y
% I' E: ^' n8 I3 t
Second. To the Female Orphan Asylum of Boston aforesaid,
$ C. B- p4 d/ w* Ffive thousand dollars. 5 n' O- y+ c3 `% P$ ?
3 L, R4 I s$ ^/ s9 hThird. And to the Massachusetts Female Hospital, ten thou-
% S( H2 y2 E2 o- \, m0 X/ Usand dollars.
- N6 X" f- G. L k7 |7 m
$ J. u1 T3 v8 r, Y0 m# O. w55. I give and bequeath ten thousand dollars for the purpose of 0 J5 }- {2 I& e+ I, r
paying the salary of a Reader or Minister to officiate in the Jew-
4 U; x, |3 j1 B" A1 c! v8 |3 d) Uish Synagogue of Newport, Rhode Island, and to endow the Min-
: L+ G, V+ t( h4 q- _, n: N; Z' gistry of the same, as well as to keep in repair and embellish the
9 ~$ A4 V2 ^0 P7 X# i- S8 ~; C ]Jewish Cemetery in Newport aforesaid; the said amount to be + K9 A% |3 r, _/ I+ l
appropriated and paid, or invested for that purpose in such manner
( U( B2 z$ h1 g, Q( V: kas my executors may determine concurrently with the corporation
: J. r! P* B8 H; Wof Newport aforesaid, if necessary. And it is my wish and desire, 2 @" ]: }" ^' W- l" m& W3 ?5 e
that David Gould and Nathan H. Gould, sons of my esteemed
* Q: F$ r/ p5 W/ v; i; P' D5 Tfriend the late Isaac Gould, Esq., of Newport aforesaid, should
* ~% F/ X4 D5 t3 ?continue to oversee the improvements in said Cemetery and direct
$ ~( P6 G! m) Q+ `- Cthe same; and as a testimony of my regard and in consideration
# {6 ^; O+ l: j5 ^4 Oof services rendered by their said father, I give and bequeath the
# O7 t0 ~4 x* `2 E5 \/ ~0 ysum of two thousand dollars to be equally divided between them,
2 _7 J1 ~& A Q% C" v {the said David and said Nathan H. Gould.
; L) d. C- {' a* f: j
/ c% z6 z2 d$ h5 o. x/ P9 b' X56. I give and bequeath five thousand dollars to Miss Catharine
/ m; [+ o/ K! NHays, now of Richmond, Virginia, as an expression of the kind
, j ~& I* s* D+ @) n/ Mremembrance in which that esteemed friend is held by me. 7 b$ \0 b: @0 ?, N f; L, |
' t- k5 I% f& ~; m. |# f57. I give and bequeath to the Misses Catharine, Harriet and
7 D0 R3 z g2 u8 t7 BJulia Myers, the three daughters of Mr. Moses M. Myers, of - H: ?1 }0 t# `/ m5 G* l
Richmond, Virginia, the sum of seven thousand dollars, to be & d. ~. O/ A8 g- T/ Q8 y. ~& F
equally divided between them.
( c" O; p' A/ v2 @% B- ^0 p' I m8 P2 A" c% z& t
58. I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to ( \6 \& G! `7 P) G! v
the surviving children of the late Samuel Mj^ers. of Richmond, . f& b% c! K+ A. [7 k! v4 N) P
Virginia, to be equally divided between them, in token of my & h) K6 J; H- G# T1 S Q
remembrance.
( G: T9 Q0 [' K, D1 l8 m
& t7 R6 S" t8 b" U, p5 `5 \5 \% Y; @7 a8 {% q9 H9 V
1 _# o7 |$ L2 E/ c
110 American Jewish Historical Society.
8 m1 d$ _% @3 v0 _( K* _+ I
# }3 d' S9 A6 ]5 V2 x! i( |1 f$ Q8 T59. I give and bequeath to my friend Mr. Supply Clapp Twing,
y9 N/ y5 s( S9 ~; g1 e# |6 Eof Boston, Mass., the sum of five thousand dollars, as a token of
; b" P& r! a; C+ L; qmy esteem and kind remembrance.
1 J d5 \& e0 S/ F: G
0 J5 U/ [+ s3 @) ^* H60. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to % h6 L: V% s( W$ l' v
my respected friend the Rev. Isaac Leeser, of Philadelphia, as a
5 [' n2 l1 S6 \! ]5 Z/ A; @token of my regard.
3 M9 _1 ~, `4 P) c/ e2 v6 `1 O
8 q* c/ @. C1 ]2 I; C6 L61. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to 3 K4 j. @* k: \3 b, G5 l2 n$ R
my friends the Rev. Moses N. Nathan, now of London, and his
3 ~. \2 d p* m; Y" N) iwife, to be equally divided between them.
" j- V( q5 J4 L" s! H+ W9 O. o. y6 d* O9 N9 e
62. I give and bequeath the sum of three thousand dollars to ) ~6 V0 w% Q$ f# B7 j8 A
my friend the Rev. Theodore Clapp, of New Orleans, in token of ( C1 d, {9 r: N( g ^) T' ?
my remembrance. ! d6 z. f( d3 j
2 s- s/ {$ H; Y- e: p. U63. To Mistress Ellen Brooks, wife of Gorham Brooks, Esquire, ; ^( D$ X% V( \) ]! z$ A
of Boston, Massachusetts, and daughter of my friend and ex-
* m( N3 u* v& g" V0 O5 Secutor Rezin Davis Shepherd, I give the sum of five thousand dol- ( a$ F( \( S7 ] w& E
lars, the same to be employed by my executors, in the purchase ' m7 W/ h- U3 x1 P' F0 |) r
of a suitable memorial to her as an earnest of my very kind 0 N2 e, t7 r6 j! x+ e. q0 m% r$ ~
regard.
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. V* w, a7 @, i* R! z3 Y64. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars,
# J- k, d4 `2 W" s0 r$ gto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable
* P1 x( x- @# }9 `0 r, \memorial of my esteem, to be presented to Mrs. M. D. Josephs,
: R0 `' G: T! o; `) ?$ H) Hwife of my friend, Aaron K. Josephs, Esq., of this city.
% B6 d, F$ U1 n- I( c6 N; k3 y5 R
+ i: L# Z V- p' w65. I give and bequeath the sum of twenty-five hundred dollars
0 n6 O# _ l) ?- c+ V: k4 F' gto be employed by my executors in the purchase of a suitable c% @# {2 j$ E( \' A# O- t& ~8 n& N. |/ v
memorial of my esteem for Mistress Rebecca Kursheedt, wife of
' {4 ?5 d; g, fMr. Benjamin Florance, of New Orleans. 9 d' f* H8 e# p: \! \1 R B; B
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66. I revoke all other wills or testaments, which I may have + \ R& |4 F5 Z$ a
made previously to these presents.
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) E2 T3 Z5 i- l9 RThus, it was, that this testament or last will was dictated to ! a! K/ P* b! x; _* L# e
me, the notary, by the said testator, in presence of the witnesses
. n' ^+ ]- C4 Mherein above named, and undersigned, and I have written the - j: t. Y% u- m3 q8 _) ~7 x J: `
same, such as it was dictated to me, by the testator, in my own 7 ~$ r" h5 h2 n# Y" _& _
proper hand, in presence of said witnesses; and having read this 4 B. ^4 m1 S, |: [
testament in a loud and audible voice to the said testator, in pres-
7 T2 w0 C; Z: D6 P7 qence of said witnesses, he, the said testator, declared in the same
5 L+ d, l" P# E$ s+ vpresence, that he well understood the same and persisted therein.
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All of which was done at one time without interruption or turn-
5 ~# \" g9 h) \6 ~, \7 G- Oing aside to other acts. % B5 K3 L% C; u% R% u( i7 w( X
, `! X& I1 Q' I4 _2 _
Thus done and passed at the said City of New Orleans, at the
; F8 ?5 g( s) [9 X$ Lsaid residence of the said Mr. Judah Touro, the day, month and
$ S5 {/ q( V, @+ myear first before written in the presence of Messrs Jonathan
$ p+ ]3 Y+ b5 n# P( O {Montgomery, Henry Shepherd, Jr., and George Washington Lee, 4 _& e: C5 T; _: I1 c |
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S: Z. a* {' V; v8 k! l1 b8 W, u0 ^# M
Judah Touro — Kohler. Ill 4 x4 l) Q* a" ?. G! C
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all three being the witnesses as aforesaid, who, with the said 0 k% e( a5 f& B G. @
testator, and me, the said notary, have hereunto signed their 8 L5 O$ E# K! A% P5 U4 t4 l+ p
names. (Signed.)
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J. TOUEO,
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' F V+ ?8 N! q4 WJ. Montgomery,
$ y2 t. z7 b( U& B& G' A2 u% M* x9 ?! J- x' t. x5 K8 U( P, Q
H. Shepherd, Jr., ) T7 g B O8 g4 J9 v
4 _/ O: N, i6 e7 c8 IGeo. W. Lee,
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Thos. Latton, Notary Puilic. + [7 B& c1 y4 B; _/ A
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: Q' u& {, w" u( a# B+ t& _/ TLIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 8 T" X) N4 \7 b; Y z$ q/ P
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014 495 461 |
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