The New York herald., 1877-09-10
NEW PORT.
Literary, Art and MOrtuary Attrac-
tiOns-Synagogue and Park.
THE T0UR0 AND BELMONT GIPTS.
Rare Wines and an Extra Dish at q Jews
Dinner Party.
THE REDWOOD LIBRARY DEBT.
THE TOURO AND BELMONT GIFTS
THE REDWOOD LIBRARY DEBT

Az tue recent annual meeting OF the Council OF the
Union OF American Hebrew Congregations at ST.
Georges Hall in Philadelphia 1t represented that
the Oldest congregation of Jews in the United States Is
Shearith Israel OF New York. and it stated that
very old synagogue existed in Newport r. l., Of which
no record was received. II may provo interesting,
thcn At this time, TO make note Of this edi1ce
connection with the and times that created H. 1t
Is called the Synagogue Yeshuat Israel, and was built
115 years ago. Al that period tho most opulent and
influential citizens OF Newport Jews and nearly
eighty families Of that order resided in the place.
witch may be said to have been at time the homo
OF the Jews America but at the present day can
not boast of permanent Jewish inhabitanI
The most prominent Jews have been the Touros,
namo that has long been associated with many local
institutions, including not only synagogue, but also
park. cemetery, library, street, hotel aud chapel.
Isaac Touro noted for his crudtion. He was a
native of Holland, and, emigrating tho West lndes
removed thence to Newport Tho synagogue was ded-
Gated in l763 and Mr. Touro became It's ON ciating
clergyman. The revolution found Newport rival OF
New York. In Europe II had been regarded by many
tho most aourishing community In the New World,
and letters would come from abroad addressed to
''New York, near Newport, Il. l." Tho Jews had
contributed preeminently TO this thrift, and when
the ''broke out" the congregation OF the syna-
goguo embraced the most patriotic citizens. Now
port now mot with Its downfall a place OF CON-
merc,ai importance and the Jews dispersed.
Mr.. Touro with his family sought homo
iu Kingston, jamaica Tho duties OF his sacred
calling had been performed with that grace and loveli-
OF manner which tho pure in heart alone ex-
erclse. For sixty years tho synagogue remained
closed, and how easily the mag alton shape it's
darkened altar throughout that long period into
silent sentinel patiently keeping watch within tho holy
templel
While In Newport Row. Mr. Touro married daugh
ter of Michael Moses Hays. Boston merchant and the
intimate friend Of Harrison Gray Otis. In 1888 tho
Jewish clergyman died In Jamaica, and through the
misfortunes OF war his widow and three chill
dren loft destitute; but they succeeded
In returning to the United States, wherc they
were aGectionately Received by Mrs Touro's
brother, who lived in anluence. He educated
the chdron-two sons, named Abraham and JUDAH
and daughter, who aiterward married IA Mr.. Lopez.
Abraham was born in Newport In 1774, and became
successful merchant In Boston. Ho died 1922 and
lett large fortune, principally to charitable insttu
tions He gave $4,000 to the authorities Of Newport
the interest to be applied toward keeping the syna.
gogue, Touro street (narped for him), and tho
cemetery In repair Mrs Lopez died in 1881. and the
mother having departed this life In 1857. Judah was
lett alone He born in Newport 1776 and became
of tho greatest OF American merchant He died in
New Orleans In 1854 In the latter city ho accumu-
lated an immense property, and gave largely to the
poor throughout the country. The iron and granite
fence enclosing the Jews cemetery in Newport
was erected by him at cost OF $4,000.
The gates this little village OF the dead arc seldom
set asr to those whose mission and pleasure It Is
10 keep the place In Upon the trees within un-
moiosted birds sing requisms the graves OF 'the
shseted dead" while throughout the grounds beauti-
full flowers may be seen blooming in profuson from
early spring time until tho mellowed days Of autumn.
In winter the snow gently fails upon this hallowed
spot where remains In its embomatical purity until
removed by the operations Of nature Among the dis
tingushed Jews buried here may be mentioned Abra-
ham Rivieri Ho was for while the foremost mer-
chant OF Newport, and time regarded tie
leading merchant Of America He the distinction
Of being known 'the honest man." and this
may account for his having failed In business
He assigned his property and, giving up
his last cent, commenced mercantile pursuits
and again successful Newport, In those days,
was tho seat OF culture and refinement and Mr.
Rivier dispensed elegant hospitality AZ one Of
his dinner parties the wines were particularly rare
and choice; but tho 'mind prcdominated over the
body" Ono of the courses was dish seldom, IL ever
before served The guests were his old creditors and
under each plate was q check to cover his 'anClent
debts" with the interest added in full to date.
The possessions OF Aaron Lopez were enormous.
Some OF his Office effects including frame of pigeon
holes, marked with the names OF some OF his SHIPS
have remained IN Newport until the present year. He
had nearly forty vessels engaged In foreign commerce
and large dcet trading along the coast Moses Lopez,
also buried IN this cemetery, was u man of much m.
porancc, and belonged to that immortal galaxy ofJews
which added lustre TO the fame of Newport. lie
the last resident OF tho number
When judah rouro died his family nam. became
extinct II was soon alter his death tna his remains
were brought to Newport for burial when the portals
OF the Synagogue wero again thrown open and tho
sentinel altar reached out It's phantom arms to
brace u sacred reic His grave Is partly filled with
earth brought IRON tho Holy Land. "Monumental
aabaster' is erected IN the cemetery to the memory
of every member OF the rouro family The fouro
House was named for this family. II was a fashion.
able summer hotel, and was totally destroyed by frc
about twenty years ago. The night OF its destruction
intensely cold and the streets almost mpas sabo
IRON tho effects OF a snow storm. Tho bremen were
heroic their efforts TO save tho property and the
elements of weather alone defeated their Efforts The
colored Methodist church has recently been chris.
tened Touro Chapel, and this circumstance Is In evi-
popularity OF The name in the community. This con-
gregaon has been the recipient Of substantial money
donations from several summer visitors during tho
may be said that tho decline Of tho Jewish re,gn
IN Newport began With the exile" of Isaac Touro II
endod with the departure OF Moses Lopez. and It's
vital influence ceased with the death OF judah fouro
but It's fruits belong 10 the best cgaces
mankind aud are impershabic.
Among Utnor gifts oi judah Touro TO Newport
one OF $40 900 for the purchase OF lot OF land, now
known az Touro Park, and upon which stands a
bronze and granite statue oil Commodore Matthew
Perry ana the "old stone mill" The statue was pre-
sented to the city by Mr. August Belmont, OF New
YORK, VINO married daughter oil Perry. IL commem-
crates the Commodore's negotiation OF tho treaty
between tho Untod States and Japan, his herosm IN
the war with Mexico ana his exploits the OF
Africa. One or the most imposing monuments in tho
Island Cemetery was erected by the State Of Rhode
Island 10 the memory Of Commodore Oliver H. Perry,
the nero OF Lake Ere and a brother OF Matthew Tho
old mansion OF the Perry family Is situated on Touro
street, and was built before the Revolution ny prom
nenL Jew.
The old stone mill" 10 situated near the centre OF
the park. II Is sometimes called "the Round Tower"
or "the Newport Rum It's origin ana the uses tor
which II was constructed have been matters oi
continued dispute that the fascinatons OF It's
have gained asccndancy over The uninvtng iacts Of
its history, aud IN public estimation the mill now
holds relative position 10 Topseyseening never to
have had any origin or to nave "growed." There
should be no doubt however, IN the minds OF historians
and antquarians that II orign ally the property OF
Governor Benedict Arnold and that he built IL for
windmill He speaks OF " IN his will as
''my stoncbuilt windmill" evidently In contra.
distinction to the wooden ones then IN general use
and which were also round towers In shape He
simply built IL to crafty tnose tastes and pleasures
which his means mad encouraged. Had he purchased
or inherited It he would merely have SAID, "My stone
eli aa.rlv