Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-02-18

gence, or enterprise, which 80 eininentl
distinguished those who subsequently Sc,
tied ~ this town which, with the smalnes q
OF their number, accounts for the lapse q
time from the frat Jewish settlement il
Newport, Ia the erection OF the Synagogue
il Is not probable, however, that during n
this time, they maintained no regular form o
public worship and there is a tradition
amongst the most ancient people OF Newport
now living, that from their earliest settlcme "a
hore. public religious worship was regulsrl,
maintained in private houses. Between The
years l73O-VO, many families of wealth IN,
distinction came 10 this Country from Spair
snd Portugal, ,ohich contributed largely TO III.
intelligence and prosperity of the tomn"
Aud further says A. A. Ross-"A About thi'
time, 1863, end long after, flourished the dis
,lagaishcd families Of Lopez, Rivera, Har,
Pollock, Levy aud their lalo respected prizes
Isaac Touro."
Many Of these we're distinguished mcr
chants, and with their enterprise, charscteris
tic Of that class Of men, when commerce
forsook the American Rhodes, they pursued
her to her new seats at Manhattan, Boston
Charleston, New Orleans, &C., but chief
they settled at that great emporium Of trade,
New York, where SO far from yielding tc
Public opinion in religion, they and ,heil
descendants still maintain a high standing
as distinct Religious Society.
Although this article is longer than in-
tended, cannot withhold the testimony OF
another intelligent elderly citizen, as to the
treatment Of the last Of the lsraelites who
resided in Newport. Moses Seixas, one OF
the latest Jewish residents in Newport, was
appointed Cashier of the first Bank in town,
at its establishment, and remained in that
office till his death, which occurred about the
year 1910. 10 show in some degree tho
high regard entertained for this worthy man,
very numerous concourse Of citizens, i'll
cIuding the Masonic Society, lhc Being
Grand Master Of the Lodge in this State
assembled al his re- esidence to participate in
his funeral obscquics-to pay the last tribute
Of respcc, to ono whom they justly honored
and esteemed. Moses and jacob Lopez,
who were brothers, the two last survivors Of
The Jews in Newport, we're remarkable for
their atfcciionatc conduct towards eacllother.
They seldom appeared in the street separate
ly. and it will be recollectcd by many who
perusc this article, were very polite and cour-
teous to oil whom they met. Moses was
cminently a learned man, and both were
highly respected by all classes of this com
muniiy. Upon the dccease Of Jacob, Moses
removed TO New York, doubtless impelled
by the loneliness arising from the separa-
ton Of so near a relative, to seek consolation
in the converse of those of the same faith
How different this way Of removing-one
by ono-fron the flight described by the
Washington correspondent, conseqne ut upon
the attacks Of bigo,ed religious opponents
In conclusion, would add, that love
Of controversy has not mpclled me to make
this communication, neither as trust spirit
Of bigotry, for the character Of src'arian
entirely discaim,-but rather n desire that
they who, as Historians and Chroniclers, sit
in ugdment upon the conduct of their pre-
dccessors, may award impartial justice to all (;
prompted also by feeling of patriotic pride
IN the character of our ancestors, which IT is
hoped may ever justly warm the breast OF
every NATIVE RuoDE-lsLANDER.