Jamaican Family Search Genealogy Research Library

A RECORD OF THE JEWS IN JAMAICA

By Jacob A. P. M. Andrade

APPENDIX "F"

EXTRACTS FROM WILLS

Extracts from 48 Wills embodying bequests to the Synagogues which have been erected in the Island and Jewish charitable institutions.

(1)   Extract from the Will of David Pacheco of St. Jago de la Vega, dated 15th April, 1688, recorded on 23rd September, 1699, at Liber 9, folio 64.  He requested to be buried at Hunts Bay (at Liguanea).

(2)   Extract from the Will of Joseph daCosta Alvarenga of St. Jago de la Vega, dated September 4, 1699:  Recorded at Liber 9, folio 141 (F102) of Wills on October 24, 1700.
"E. A. Esnoga deste St. Jago de la Vega deo lib. . s dinh. . o corr. . . te outres des libras a de Porto Real e outros des libras a de Londres for Lequodos para que me digase a minha mulher cadis en os dias acostumados quando el Dio fir Cervide charmanos e diego se repartud des libras per as pobres de minha nacao de la Ilha a os seto dias de me fallecim . . . te e outres des libras a os trinta dias e outros des libras a os ouse mesas para que digao piadade me minha alma o outres des libras quo se dem a os trinta dias de mos fallecim . . to a os Churchwardens deste St. Jago de la Vega para que os reparto esse dia por os pobres que sao de la parroduia."
The translation of the above, which is in the Portuguese Language is as follows:-
"And to the Synagogue of this St. Jago de la Vega ten pounds current money and another ten pounds to that of Port Royal and another ten pounds to that of London as legacies, in order that Kaddish may be said for me and my wife on the accustomed days when it may please God to call us, and I leave ten pounds to be divided among the poor of my nation in the Island seven days after my death and another ten pounds thirty days after and another ten pounds eleven months after in order that they may ask mercy on my soul and another ten pounds to be given thirty days after my death to the Churchwardens of St. Jago de la Vega to be divided that day among the poor of the parish."

(3) Extract from the Will of Joseph Ydana dated 8th August, 1704, recorded at Liber 11, folio 37- "I  give £10- to ye Jews' Synagogue in the Parish of St. Catherine to be paid to ye Parnasses of said Synagogue for ye use thereof."

(4) Extract from the Will of David Lopez Narbona of St. Andrew, dated 20th April, 1707 - Enrolled at Liber 11, folio 77 on 7th August, 1707.
"I desire that my body be decently buried in the burial ground appointed for the Jewes of the said Parish of St. Andrew."
Item: "I give and bequeath unto the Collectors of the account for the time being of the Synagogues at Kingston and Port Royal, and each of them the sum of 40/- of like current money yearly to be applyed for the uses of the said Synagogues."
"Should my grandson Jacob Narbona die without lawful issue I desire and bequeath the whole of my estate given him to my good friends Diego Luis Gonsales, Jacob Baruch Alverez, Aaron Lemego and David Nunez of Port Royal aforesaid, Merchants; and to the successors of them, two parts thereof, the whole in three parts to be divided and applyed unto the use of and to be paid into the hands of the Collectors of the Synagogue at Port Royal aforesaid for the time being at two half-yearly payments in any yeare; and the remaining third part to be paid by my good friends unto my cousin Dan Crudo and his heirs &c."

(5)  Extract from the Will of Isaac Henriques of Port Royal dated 20th February, 1722- Enrolled 6/3/1722. "At Liber 16, folio 28.
"My body to be decently interred at the common burial place of the Hebrew Nation at Liguanea according to the rites and ceremonies of the same." "I give and bequeath to the poor Jews of the parish of Port Royall £15 current money to be paid and distributed amongst them in the Synagogue of the Jews by the Executors on the day of my death; on the 8th day, on the 30th. day and at the 11th Month thereafter:-
Item: "I give and bequeath unto the Wardens of Synagogue at Port Royall for the time being for the proper use of the said Synagogue the sum of £50 current money immediately after my decease as Impost or Legacy, and £5 each for the Synagogues at Kingston and Spanish Town.  He directed that his executors purchase in Great Britain three new large marble tombstones of a dark blue colour, and of good thickness for the graves of Abraham H. Alvin (his brother) Hester H. Alvin and the third for that of his own grave."
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Note: As will be observed, Alvarenga bequeathed £10 to be distributed amongst the Christian poor of Spanish Town. (Members of this family were residing in England in 1699).
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(6)   Extract from the Will of Jacob Correa dated 13th January, 1723. Recorded at Liber 16,  folio 181 (F 111) on 15th October, 1724.
Item: I give and bequeath to the three Synagogues, the one at Port Royall, one at Kingston and one in St. Jago de la V'*ea to each of them the sum of £20 current money of Jamaica" and one hundred pounds to the poor of the Portuguese Synagogue at London (Bevis Marks).

(7)   Extract from the Will of Moses Touro of Port Royal dated 15th May, 1722, and recorded on 23rd June, 1724, at Liber of Wills 18, folio 99.
Item: "I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Isaac Touro my five books of Moses with all the ornaments belonging to the said books which are now in the Synagogue at Port Royal etc." He also bequeathed £5 to the Synagogue at Port Royal.

8)   Extract from the Will of Daniel Lopez Laguna of Kingston (which is in Spanish with English translation) dated 11th August, 1721, recorded at Liber 16, folio 32, on 25th March, 1723. He evidently resided in Tower Street in the vicinity of Temple Lane, where he owned four places; one each of which he gave to his three sons. David, Jacob and Isaac, and the fourth to his wife Rebecca respectively. He directed that his body be interred in the Cemetery at Kingston (i.e., in North Street) , and that a tombstone of the value of £10 be imported from London to be placed over his grave. He had a cousin named Esther Suarez Delvalle.
The witnesses to his Will were Moses Gutierez and Isaac Rodrigues deLeon.

9)  Extract from the Will of Moses Jussurun Cardosso, dated 9th December, 1725, and recorded at Liber 17, folio 104, of Port Royal "requests to be buried in the burial ground of the Jews in the Parish of St. Andrew (Liguanea) £5 on the day of his death, £5 one month and £5 eleven months after to be given to the poor.  £10 to the poor of Bayonne."
His Will continues:- I give, devise and bequeath to the Synagogue that shall then be of the Parish of Port Royal otherwise called Parnass & Gabay the sum of £10 for the use of the said Synagogue; also £5 to Synagogue and Kingston and £5 to Synagogue at Spanish Town, also £5 more for the use of the Yeshibah of Port Royal; £5 more for the use of the burial place aforenamed in St. Andrew (Liguanea)-(Enrolled 13th March, 1726).
Five hundred acres of land in St. Elizabeth was patented to him on 29th September, 1674 (Liber 4 of Patents, folio 144). He was one of the grantees for the land purchased at Port Royal for the Synagogue.

(10) Extract from the Will of Raphael Rodriques Andrade of
Spanish Town in the Parish of St. Catherine, dated 15th November, 1726; enrolled 15th December, 1726, at Liber 17, folio 60.
"I give to the Synagogues at Port Royal, Kingston and Spanish Town £5-current money each, to wit to the Synagogue at Port Royal £5, to the Synagogue at Kingston £5, and to the Synagogue at Spanish Town £5, to be paid within one month after my death. £10 to the Jewish nation at Spanish Town to be paid one month after my death." Witnesses: Jacob Mendes Guitieres, Moses Yadana and Thomas Crosse. He died on the following day (Vide inscription on his tombstone).

(11) Extract from the Will of Jacob Guttierez of London, dated 24th October, 1723, recorded at Liber 17, folio 32 of Wills on 3rd May, 1726. He bequeathed £25 to the Jewish nation of Kingston and £10 to the Christian poor." (See Wills 31 and biographical sketch No. 5).

(12) Extract from the Will of Diego Luis Gonsallis dated 9th May, 1725; recorded at Liber 17, folio 94 of Wills. Enrolled 1st February, 1726.
"I give and bequeath unto each of the Synagogues at Port Royal, Kingston and Spanish Town, the sum of £5 of current money &c."

(13) Extract from the Will of Isaac Gabay, dated 18th June, 1730; Enrolled 1st May, 1732, at Liber 18, folio 165.
Item: "I desire to be buried in the burrying-place in the Parish of St. Catherine that belongs to the Jewish nation, and wherein they are usually buried."
Item: "I give to the Jewish Synagogue at Spanish Town the sum of ten pounds current money of Jamaica."
Item: "I give to the Jewish Synagogues of Port Royal and Kingston the sum of £5 each of like current money of Jamaica."

(14) Extract from the Will of Daniel Carvallo, dated 26th November, 1730; recorded on 2nd October, 1733, at Liber 19,
folio 29 (F 83). "I give and bequeath to the Synagogue at Port Royal £5, and £5 for the Jewish Society at Port Royal respectively.

(15) Extract from the Will of David Carvallo Ladesma of Kingston, dated 7th March, 1731; recorded at Liber 18, folio 247 (F 210) on 22nd May, 1732. "He requested to be buried in the Cemetery at Kingston." "He left £5 to the Collectors of the Synagogue at Kingston and £5 to be distributed to the poor Jews of Kingston on the 7th day after his death one month thereafter and the eleventh month thereafter respectively.
Item: "It is my will and pleasure that my son Isaac Ladesma doe retain in his hands the sum of £10 of like currency money and pay the same to the Collectors of the Jeshibah of Kingston, when any repairs be made in the Jews' burial place aforesaid."

(16)   Extract from the Will of Abraham Rodriques of Kingston dated 9th August, 1734; recorded at Liber 19, folio 104 (F 248) on 3rd February, 1735. "And as for my worldly effects wherewith God hath been pleased to bless me with, I leave in the manner following:
Imprimus: "I leave and bequeath unto the Jews' (my brethren's) Synagogue of the Town of Kingston in ye Island aforesaid all and every the said several slaves
viz: one negro man named Kingston; one boy named Dickey; one negro woman named Fortuna as also one black horse marked I. S.; and also one message I lately purchased of Isaac Lopez Laguna (senior) and Rebecca his wife, situate etc. in Kingston aforesaid with the premises and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and all and every other thing that shall or may be known to be my right property, all of which shall be delivered immediately after my decease unto the Wardens of the Jews' Synagogue in Kingston for the time being."

(17)    Extract from the Will of Judith Baruch Alvares of Port Royal dated 12th September, 1732; recorded at Liber of Wills 18, folio 200, on the 22nd November, 1732.
"I give and bequeath to the Churchwardens or persons officiating as Churchwardens of the Synagogue of the Jewish nation in the Town of Port Royal the sum of forty pounds of current money of Jamaica, together with a sett of Silver Bells belonging to the Five Book of Moses, the said sett of Bells, being of the value of sixty pounds sterling, prime cost, now in my possession for the use of the Synagogue at Port Royal aforesaid to be paid to the Churchwardens of the Synagogue aforesaid with all convenient speed after my demise." She also bequeathed £10 each to the Synagogue at Spanish Town and Kingston.
A further Bequest in her own words was: - "My Will is that my executors do expend the sum of £100 current money of Jamaica, for making a convenient causeway or walk from the usual place of landing of corpse of the parish of St. Andrew to the burial-place of the Jewish nation in the said Parish well fenced on each side with penguin in order to the more commodious carrying my own and other corpse to the grave, and for the better accommodation of the people, of the Jewish nation who shall accompany my corpse to the grave.
She requested to be buried at Liguanea (the above named burial ground) where her husband had been interred.
    
(18)   Extract from the Will of Mordechay daSilva of Kingston, dated 10th November, 1737; recorded at Liber 22, folio 73, on 28th February, 1739.
He requested that he be buried with that of his brethren in the Jews' burial place in
Hunt's Bay, near his mother's or any other relatives' there (if possible) and that his executors purchase three tombstones for the graves of his father, mother, and his own all at Hunt's Bay "with proper epitaphs to be engrossed.
He bequeathed to his cousin Rebecca deSilva twenty pounds the amount to be paid to her when she attained the age of sixteen or on the day of her marriage, whichever should first happen.  If however she died before one or other condition took place, the legacy was to be paid over to the Wardens of the Kingston Synagogue, for the support of poor Jews. He bequeathed five pounds to the Synagogue at Kingston for Kaddish to be recited for him during the eleven months after his death. He bequeathed unto the Wardens of the Jews' Synagogue at Port Royal for the time being the sum of £10 for the poor Jews residing therein, and unto the Wardens of his brethren the Jews within the Parish of St. Catherine for the use of the poor Jews residing therein the sum of £10, and unto the Wardens of his brethren of the Jews' Synagogue in the town of Kingston aforesaid the sum of £30 current money for the use of the Jews residing therein at the discretion of his executors respectively.
(He was naturalized on 6th December, 1681. (See Liber of Patents 8, folio 166).

(19) Extract from the Will of Jacob Baruch Lousada of London, dated 23rd February, 1748, and recorded at Liber 29, folio 37, on 29th March, 1753.  He bequeathed £10 to the Synagogue at London (evidently Bevis Marks) and £10 each for the Synagogues at Kingston and Port Royal.

(20) Extract from the Will of Emanuel Baruch Lousada of Kingston, dated 24th March, 1795, and recorded at Liber 62, folio 185 on 25th October, 1797.  He bequeathed £20 to the poor of the Synagogue at Kingston and £100 to the Portuguese Synagogue at Kingston.  (His sons were Jacob, Daniel, Aaron and Isaac.  His wife's name was Esther). (He was a son of No. 19).  His cousin was Grace Lopes Torres. His granddaughter was Abigail Ximenes.  His nieces were Rebecca Baruch- Lousada; Abigail Lumbrozo and Rebecca Lumbrozo.

(21) Extract from the Will of Deborah Toura (? Touro) of St. Catherine, dated 21st July, 1756 and recorded at Liber 31, folio 39 (T 51) on 4th August, 1757.
"I give and bequeath unto the Synagogue at Spanish Town the sum of five pounds current money and also my negroe woman named Quasiba and her son Adam. Her sisters were Rebecca Lazarus De'Azevedo and Judith Alvin; Mrs. Alvin's husband was named Elias. Mrs. DeAzevedo evidently pre-deceased her sister.  Her nieces were Simah Lopez Alvin; Diana and Sarah De'Azevedo; their father's name was David; and Sarah Letot or Letob (?)

(22) Extract from the Will of Jacob Baruch Lousada of St. Catherine, dated 27th November, 1800, and recorded at Liber 69, folio 52.  Proved 19th December, 1800.
"I give and bequeath to the old Synagogue in Spanish Town £100 for the use of the poor of the said Synagogue." He was the son of Emanuel Baruch (See 20).

(23)  Extract from the Will of Abraham Henriques Quixano of Kingston, dated 9th April, 1752, and recorded at Liber 29, Folio 105. Enrolled 25th October, 1753. "I give to the Wardens of the Synagogue of the Parish of Kingston for the time being for the use of the said Synagogue the sum of £10 current money; in like manner I give the sum of £5 current money for the use of the Synagogue of the Parish of St. Catherine. I desire that the sum of £40 current money may be distributed among the poor and indigent Jews living in this Town and at Spanish Town, same to be done at the discretion of my Executor." He further bequeathed £20 to the Society "Abi Yetomin" in Kingston for and towards the support and education of the Orphans of the said Society.

 
(24)    Extract from the Will of Daniel Nunes daCosta of St. Andrew, dated 14th November, 1751, and recorded at Liber 29, folio15.
Item: I give to the wardens of the Synagogue of the Parish of Kingston the sum of £10 current money for the use of the said Synagogue; and also I give to the Wardens of the charitable Institution in Kingston called "Abi Yetomin" the sum of £5 for the use of the Orphans belonging to the said Institution. (Enrolled 28th December, 1752).

(25)   Extract from the Will of Abraham Gonsales of Kingston, dated 21st September, 1753. Entered 1st November, 1753 at Liber 29, folio 168.
 Item: "I give unto my Executors hereinafter named all my wearing apparell: and also the sum of £25 current money of Jamaica IN TRUST and to the intent that they distribute and divide the same to and among such poor Jews of this Island as they shall think proper subjects for this Bounty, and at such time and times and by such parts and portions as they shall judge most convenient.
Item: "I give and bequeath to the Wardens for the time being of the Jews' Synagogue at Kingston aforesaid £100 current money aforesaid for the use of said Synagogue to be paid within 12 months next after my decease; provided always and upon this condition that there be had for me an ESCAVA on our fast day called Kippur IN THE SAME MANNER as was done for the late David Bravo deceased. But if the same shall not be allowed and permitted then and in such case the said Legacy of £100 to be void and thereupon I give and bequeath in lieu thereof to the Wardens of the said Jews' Synagogue at Kingston aforesaid for the use thereof the sum of £15 currency aforesaid and no more to be paid within the tune last above mentioned.
Item: "I give and bequeath to the Wardens for the time being of the Jews' Synagogue at Port Royal in the Island aforesaid the sum of £10-currency aforesaid to be of paid within 12 months next after my decease for the use of the said Synagogue.
Item: "I give and bequeath to the Wardens for the time being of the Jews' Synagogue at Spanish Town in the Parish of St. Catherine in said Island like sum of £10 to be paid within 12 months next after my decease for the use of the said Synagogue.
Item: "I give and bequeath unto the Wardens of the College of the Jews for the use of the poor Jewish Orphans in Kingston aforesaid the like sum of £10 to be paid within 12 months next after my decease."

(26) Extract from the Will of Isaac daCosta Alvarenga of Kingston, dated June 14, 1754 and recorded at Liber 30, folio 20, on the 30th January, 1755.
"I give and bequeath to the Synagogue of Kingston £10.  I give and bequeath to the Wardens of the Society "Yeshiba Abi Yetomim" otherwise the father of the Orphans, £5 currency for the use of the said Orphans.
      
(27)  Extract from the Will of David Almeyda of the Parish of Vere (now incorporated in the Parish of Clarendon), dated December 9, 1743 and recorded at Liber 24 folio 82 (T 151) on August 16, 1744.
"I bequeath £5 to the Synagogue at Spanish Town Kingston and Port Royal respectively; and £15 to be distributed among the Jewish poor."
        
(28)  Extract from the Will of Raphael deCordova of the Parish of St. Dorothy (now incorporated with St. Catherine), dated June 11, 1794, proved 26th June, 1794, and recorded at Liber 61, folio 9.
"I give, devise and bequeath to the Wardens for the time being of the Synagogue at Spanish Town the sum of fifty pounds current money of Jamaica for the use of the said Synagogue in order for a prayer to be said on the morning of the Day of Atonement. To the Wardens for the time being of the Synagogue of Kingston the sum of £10 current money of Jamaica to and for the use of the said Synagogue for a prayer to be said on the eve of the Day of Atonement.

(29) Extract from the Will of Moses Adolphus (jr.), dated 25th December, 1795, recorded at Liber 64, folio 56, and proved 16th April, 1798.
"I give and bequeath unto the Wardens of the Synagogue of the Town and Parish of Kingston, which was last built and commonly called the New Synagogue £25, to be paid and payable to the Wardens of the said Synagogue for the time being on the first Fast Day of Atonement, which shall happen after my decease."
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Note:- deCordova's daughter Simha, was the wife of Jacob, son of Moses Bravo. He had a son called after himself. His niece was called Judith deCordova. The witnesses to the Will were Moses Cohen Henriques, Jacob Azevedo and D. Garsia.
Notes:- (The Synagogue referred to was that of the English and German Congregation).  He made similar provision for the Synagogue of the former Parish of Port Royal.  Was the donor of the land of the Synagogue at Spanish Town in connection with the English and German Congregation, together with £1,200 currency towards its erection, referred to earlier in these notes.
Abraham Myers of St. Elizabeth--the great-great-grandfather of Horace V., Alfred deC., and Dr. Florizel deLorme Myers married in October 1773, Rebecca Adolphus (see Liber 346 of deeds, folio 67), evidently a sister of Moses Adolphus (jnr.).
One of Myers' sons-in-law was Dr.(late Sir Jacob) Adolphus, M.D. (see Mr. Myers' Will, recorded at Liber 94, folio 217).
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(30)  Extract from the Will of Isaac Dias Fernandez dated 2nd September, 1801; proved 24th October 1808 and recorded at Liber 80, folio 26.
"I give and bequeath unto the Wardens for the time being of the Portuguese Jews' Synagogue of the Town of Kingston, the sum of £100 current money of the Island for the use of the poor of the said Synagogue."
"I give and bequeath to The Society of Orphans called Abi Yetomim, the sum of £10 current money of the Island."

(31)   Extract from the Will of David Bravo, dated 25th June, 1821; recorded at Liber 102, folio 99, on 6th February, 1823.
I give and bequeath to the Portuguese Synagogue in Kingston for the use of the Synagogue £100 current money, that an Escava may be said for me on the Day of Kippur next following my decease, the said legacy to be paid within 12months after my decease."
Bravo married Rachael, daughter of Jacob Guttierez of London. (See wills No. 11 and biographical sketch No. 5). His eldest son and heir-at-law was Joseph Guttierez Bravo.  His grand-children were Abraham, Jacob and Rachael Bravo. He died on August 26, 1822, and was the last body to be buried in the old Portuguese ground in North Street.

(32)  Extract from the Will of Isaac Nunes Vaz, dated 22nd March 1844; recorded at Liber 123, folio 73, and enrolled on 15th November, 1844.
"I bequeath to the Wardens of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue £63 for two escavas to be said and read in the Synagogue on the night and day of Kippur after my decease; also the amount of £30 for the benefit of the Orphans of the School attached to the said Synagogue; and the surplus of certain monies and the monies arising from the sale of the house I now reside in, together with the furniture and plate after the death of my wife or after her marriage to be my said Executors and Trustees or such of them as shall qualify to be divided in the following manner, one half to the Treasurer and Wardens of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue for the use of the said Synagogue and School attached thereto;" the other half to his nephews and nieces who may be alive. (A Hazan bearing this family name, who possibly may be lineal descendent, now resides in England).

(33)  Extract from the Will of Solomon Hershfeld, Storekeeper. (The original spelling of this name was Herschfeldt) Dated 15th September, 1872, and recorded at Liber 133, folio 387, on 16th October, 1877.
"He bequeathed unto the President and Directors of the English and German Synagogue of Kingston for the use of the said Synagogue the amount of one hundred pounds to be paid to the President and Treasurer of the said Synagogue.  To the Hebrew National Institution of Kingston for the use of the said School the amount of fifty pounds, to be paid to the Treasurer of the said  Institution and to the Directors of the Hebrew Alms House of Kingston for the use of the said Alms House the amount of fifty pounds."
From the Jamaica Directory published in 1878, I have ascertained that he resided at No. 29 Rae Street, Rae Town.

(34)  Extract from the Will of Jacob Segre of Westmoreland, dated 25th November, 1875, and recorded at Liber 133, folio 274, on 13th January, 1877.
"He bequeathed fifteen pounds to the Spanish and Portuguese Jews' Orphan School in Bevis Marks in the City of London for the use and benefit of the same to the President £15. To the President and Wardens of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Bevis Marks £5 for the use of the poor.  For the support of the Jews' Alms House at Kingston £15. To the Spanish and Portuguese, and the German Synagogues in Kingston £5 each for the benefit of the poor."

(35)  Extract from the Will of Mrs. Abigail dePass, dated 26th April, 1877, and recorded at Liber 133, folio 432, on 9th August, 1878.
"She bequeathed the amounts realized from the sale of her house No. 8 Fisher's Row, Rae Town, and the land numbered 8 Princess Street owned by her together with monies which she may be in possession to be applied as follows:- £300 to the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue; £100 to the English and German Synagogue, for the purposes of both Synagogues. To the Scotch Church in Duke Street £50, the sum to be for the purposes of the Kirk; the Wesleyan Chapel in the Parade £50 for the purposes of the Chapel; the Roman Catholic Church in Duke Street £30 for the purposes of the Church. To the Hebrew (a) Benevolent Society in discretion among the Jewish poor who shall be resident in the Alms House. The rents derived from the (b) House in Orange Street, to be paid to the Treasurer of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue for its use with power to the Directors to sell the place. After making certain bequests to relatives, she bequeathed the residue of her estate for the use and benefit of the poor connected with the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue."
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Notes:= (a) In 1878 £100 was distributed from this estate amongst the Jewish poor of Kingston.  (See Daily Gleaner of 5th October, 1878).
(b) See Hart, Jonas to Rebeiro, Rebecca Nunes, recorded at Liber 954 of Deeds, folio 227, dated 31st January, 1871.  The boundaries of the house in Orange Street were East on Orange Street, West on Luke Lane, North formerly on Dr. Johnson and now on premises in the possession of A. R. daCosta, and South on now or formerly of David Bravo.
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(36)  Extract from the Will of Philip Lawrence, otherwise Laurence, dated 9th November, 1860, who died at London on 14th January, 1864. Exemplification recorded at Liber 129, folio 226, on 23rd July, 1864.
"I bequeath the Shares which I shall hold at my death in the Kingston and Liguanea Water Works Company at Kingston (aforesaid) to the English and German Synagogue at Kingston (aforesaid) to the intent that the income thereof may be perpetually applied in aid of the funds and for the purposes of that Institution, and I declare that the same Shares shall be transferable to such persons as Trustees for the purposes aforesaid (and whose receipt shall be sufficient discharge for the same Shares and any income arising therefrom) as shall be named for that purpose by the Governing Body of the Synagogue for the time being, and that the Governing Body of the Synagogue may from time to time accordingly in their discretion for the succession of Trustees, and that upon every appointment of Trustees the said Shares shall be transferred so as to vest in the Trustees for the time being, and I declare that the said Shares may be sold and the proceeds invested, and the investment thereof transformed from time to time under the authority of a resolution of the said Governing Body if and when, it shall be considered that a better and more profitable investment can be obtained.  He also bequeathed to the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at Kingston the sum of one hundred pounds sterling.

(37)  Extract from the Will of Rebecca Nunes Reberio, Spinster, date July 1, 1890, and recorded at Liber 135, folio 210, on June 15, 1892.  (Probate entered at Liber 4, folio 402 of the Supreme Court Wills).
"I give and bequeath by house known as No 90 Orange Street in Kingston to my Trustees hereinafter named, their heirs and assigns upon trust, nevertheless for the benefit of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in East Street in Kingston, and to permit the President thereof for the time being to receive the rents, issues and profits thereof and in accordance with the rules of the said Synagogue to apply the same for the benefit of the said Synagogue.
"I give and bequeath unto the President for the time being of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue the sum of £200 for the use of the said Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue.
"I give and bequeath unto the President for the time being of the English and German Synagogue in Orange Street, Kingston, the sum of £50 and 25 of my Shares in the Kingston Ice Making Co. (Ltd) for the use of the said English and German Synagogue, and I do hereby strictly enjoin and require the President and Officers for the time being of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue and the said English and German Synagogue in consideration of the gifts and bequests herein made for the use the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue and the said English and German Synagogue to see that the Minister for the time being of each of such Synagogues do offer up the usual prayers occasionally on Saturday and on every such holidays as is customary in their or his direction in their respective Synagogues for the repose of my soul, and for the repose of the souls of my last sister Abigail Abraham dePass and her late husband and not to omit this special request on any occasion as they fear God and desire His blessing.
"I give and bequeath unto me said Executors and Trustees the sum of £100 to be by them distributed within one month after my death between and amongst such of the Jewish poor of the City and Parish of Kingston as my said executors shall select.
"I give and bequeath unto the Treasurer for the time being of the Jewish Alms House in the City and Parish of Kingston the sum of £50 to form part of the Jewish Alms
House."
(Miss Robeiro died on October 4, 1891).

(38)  Extract from the Will of Hyman Cohen, dated June 24, 1803, and recorded at Liber 71 of Wills, folio 136, on July 27, 1803.
 "I give unto the Wardens for the time being of the Dutch Synagogue in the City of Kingston (aforesaid) the (like) sum of £200 currency to be by them laid out and applied for the use and benefit of the said Synagogue."
(The Synagogue alluded to was the Spanish and Portuguese).

(39)  Extract from the Will of Ellis Wolfe, late of Folkstone in Co. Kent, dated 27th November, 1816, recorded at Liber 95, folio 7, on 10th September, 1818.
"I give and bequeath unto the Treasurers and Wardens for the time being of the following Synagogues: that is to say Three (3) in England; the English and German Jews' Synagogue and the Portuguese Synagogue at Kingston in Jamaica and the Portuguese Synagogue at Port Royal in Jamaica, if any, at the time such bequests are to be aid, (but in case there should not then be any Synagogue at Port Royal the sum of money bequeathed to the Treasurer and Wardens thereof, shall be paid unto the Treasurer and Wardens of the new or German Synagogue of Spanish Town, Jamaica), two hundred pounds to each, that is to say, the sum of one thousand two hundred pounds to be equally divided between the Treasurers and Wardens of the aforementioned six Synagogues. I leave the amount of £500 to be applied towards rebuilding and re-establishing the Synagogue at Port Royal, Jamaica, which was unfortunately consumed by fire (aa) in the late conflagration at that place, but if no attempt should be made to rebuild such Synagogue for the want of funds or otherwise I then will and desire that the said bequeathed sum of £500 together with its accumulating interest shall remain and continue consolidated until it shall produce a sum sufficient to re-build and re-establish such Synagogue in lieu and in the stead of the one consumed by fire and fully completed for Divine Worship to be performed therein according to the Laws of Moses and agreeable to the usages, forms, customs, rules and regulations as were acted upon and adopted by the Congregation of the Synagogue destroyed by fire. AND for the due and regular fulfilling this my Will and desire it is requisite and I do will that the said Trustees do correspond on this subject with the President and Adjuntos of the Portuguese Synagogue in Kingston Jamaica and act in due and regular conformity with them until the true intent and meaning of this my desire is effectively completed and when such Synagogue shall be rebuilt and re-established in manner and form herein fully described, I give and bequeath such building with all its appurtenances purchased from the money arising from such accumulated funds unto the use of Divine Worship as aforesaid of the inhabitants of the Hebrew Nation at Port Royal in Jamaica for ever.  I bequeath this sum justly with the religious intention of reestablishing the ancient House of the Lord and in grateful recollection and award to the congregation of Port Royal for their very friendly services rendered me at the time I was married to my beloved wife."
I give and bequeath unto the Treasurer and Trustees for the time being of Wolmer's Free School, in Kingston, Jamaica, £1,000 on the following conditions only, namely: that the said Treasurer and Trustees to admit and guarantee the free admission for ever or as long as the said institution shall continue to exist of a number of child of the Jewish persuasion not less than twelve being males either orphans or belonging to poor and indigent parents whether of the English and German Jews or Portuguese Synagogues as opportunity and occasion may occur and vacancies happen and for ever admit and fill up the number of twelve male children aforesaid as fast and as often as any vacancy shall happen or take place by a deficiency in that number whether from the children of the aforesaid Synagogues or the children of any other poor parents of the Jewish persuasion, or orphans from any part of Jamaica, to be educated at the expense of the said institution in like manner as the same description of children used to be educated when admitted heretofore on the foundation of such institution in case the said Treasurer and Trustees should not immediately comply with these conditions on being made acquainted with the conditions of this my bequest I will that my said Executors shall allow time not, less than six months after such communication was made to such Treasurer and Trustees for them to consider and give an answer to such stipulated conditions and at the expiration of the said six months, and in the event of the said Treasurer and Trustees refusing to receive the aforesaid twelve children of the Hebrew nation into the said Institution in form and manner as described in this my Will and Testament, then in that case the said sum of £1,000 shall remain and be considered as part or parcel of my general estate, and be disposed of as I now herein order and direct and be added to the sum bequeathed for re-establishing the Synagogue at Port Royal, Jamaica, and disposed of in like manner as already ordered: (He made reference to Hyman Cohen in his Will).
______________________
(aa)    The fire occurred on 13th July, 1815.
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(40)   Extract from the Will of Louis Lewis of Kingston, dated 6th August, 1875, and recorded at Liber 133, folio 276, on 17th January, 1877.
"I give and bequeath unto my dear son G. C. H. Lewis, my silver epergne with the shades and dishes presented to me by the members of the Friendly Lodge of this Island, and my said son being blessed with children I hope the said epergne will be handed down to them and remain in the family as an heirloom.

(41)   Extract from the Wil1 of Simon Magnus of Kingston, dated 31st January, 1876; recorded at Liber 133, Folio 343, on 9th June, 1877.
"I give to the Wardens and Treasurer for the time being of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at Kingston £30; to the Wardens and Treasurer for the time being of the English and German Synagogue at Kingston £30;; to the Wardens and Treasurer for the time being of the Synagogue at Spanish Town called Kahal Kadosh Neveh Shalom Mikveh Israel £15 for the use and benefit of the said Synagogue. This bequest was evidently intended jointly for the two Synagogues, then in existence at Spanish Town."

(42)   Extract from the Will of Hon. Charles Hope Levy of St. Thomas Parish dated 27th March, 1926, and recorded at Liber 22, folio 123 Supreme Court Will Book, on 27th May, 1927:-
"Under the Will of his late father Charles Levy, he was entitled after the death or marriage of all his sisters to the whole of the remainder of the residuary trust funds of the estate.  The Will records that the said residuary trust funds were lent to him to carry on the business of Hope and Company, at Morant Bay, and there was at the time standing to the credit of the said Residuary Trust Funds in the Books of the said Hope and Company £9,800.  In execution thereof of all the powers enabling him in this behalf, he appointed and bequeathed the residuary trust funds of this father's estate amounting to £9,800 and the investments representing the same over which he then had or eventually would have by virtue of the said Will or otherwise by any power of appointment of disposition unto his Trustee upon trust to pay therefrom the following legacies and bequests free from estate duty or legacy duty when and as the said Residuary Trust Funds shall become vested in him or his estate namely to his sister-in-law Mrs. Phillip Levy £2,000; to the Dr. Bernardo's Home in England £500; to the St. Dunstan's Home in England £500; to the member for the Parish of St. Thomas in the Legislative Council and to the Custos Rotulorum for Saint Thomas £1,000; in trust to be invested by them in their discretion as they may think fit and to pay the income derived therefrom to such of the poor of St. Thomas as they shall in their opinion be most deserving of assistance from time to time. To the Jamaica Masonic Benevolent Society £1,000; to his Trustees £2,000 to be invested by them as they shall think fit and to pay the income to be derived therefrom to the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Kingston, to be applied by the directors of the Society as in their absolute discretion shall deem most expedient for the objects of the Society. As to the remainder of the Residuary Trust Fund unto his Trustees to hold and apply the same upon the like trusts as are hereinafter declared. He declares that the receipt of any responsible officer approved by his Trustees in respect to the legacies shall be sufficient receipts and discharges to them for the paying over to them of the sum. He directs that his Trustees shall within THREE MONTHS OF HIS DEATH either obtain from his surviving partners in the business of Hope and Company or obtain from his partners satisfactory security for the payment of the sum together with interest at 6 per cent per annum and his Trustees shall be empowered to permit the Residuary Trust Funds to remain in the business of Hope and Company until the death of his partner Joseph Henriques Phillips, this however to be entirely in the discretion of his Trustees and they are not to be liable for any loss which may happen in consequence of their permitting the money to remain in the business, providing after the death of his last surviving sister and so long as his Trustees shall permit the Residuary Trust Funds to remain in the business, the corpus of the legacies above bequeathed shall not be payable to the respective legatees but his trustees shall divide
the interest received from the business of Hope and Company thereon proportionately amongst the several Legatees to whom he has bequeathed the said Residuary Trust Funds. His trustee not be called upon to pay over the corpus of the legacies until the capital sum shall have been received by them in cash.

(43)  Extract from the Will of Aaron deCordova dated 10th July, 1865, and recorded at Liber 130, folio 115, on 30th July, 1866.
"He bequeathed £50 to the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue at Kingston, £20 to the Hebrew National School in that City." (The Silver Testimonial presented to him by the "Wolmer's Trust," he gave to his son Altamont DeCordova).
deCordova married Rosa, daughter of Abraham Israel Henriques, on July 9, 1834.

(44) Extract from the Will of Isaac deClava, dated 31st March, 1874, and recorded at Liber 133, folio 185, on 17th
May, 1876.
"He bequeathed to the Directors of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, the Hebrew National School and the Hebrew Benevolent Society the amount of £100, £100 and £50 respectively." (The Estate paid at the rate of 30% therefore only £75 was received altogether-Vide Liber 976, folio 476; Liber 976, folio 477; and Liber 978, folio 297 of deeds respectively. See also Liber 978 of deeds, folio 296).
He bequeathed all his Hebrew books to Hazan Nieto. He died on 1st September, 1874.

(45)  Extract from the Will of Philip Stern, K.C., J.P., dated 27th May, 1933.
    (1)   To the Trustees of the United Congregation of Israelites for the use of the Institution £100; and they are to say a Yizkor every Kippur.                                  
    (2)   To the Trustees of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Jamaica for the use of the said Society £100.
    (3)  To the Rev. Nathaniel  Jacobs, if still with the United Congregation of Israelites in Kingston, Jamaica, the sum of £100.
    (4)  To the widow of the Rev. M. H. Solomon, late Assistant Reader of the United Congregation of Israelites, the sum of £100.
    (5)  To His Lordship Bishop Emmet £100.
    (6)  To the Trustees the Jamaica Masonic Benevolent Society of Jamaica for the use of the said Society £100.
    (7)  To the Ancient's Table of the Middle Temple, London, £500 to purchase silver to be inscribed suitably as a ''Gift from Philip Stern, one-time Editor of the Temple Newspaper."
    (8)  A sum not exceeding £100 to his Trustees for the purpose of purchasing a clock bearing the inscrip-
tion "Gift of Philip Stern, formerly Clerk of tne Legislative Council from the year 1908 to the year 1924" to be given to the Legislative Council of the Island: "and it is my wish if it is possible to obtain such a clock that will alarm at the hours of one and five o'clock automatically."
    (9)   All his pictures and china-ware to his niece Olga Stern.
  (10)   The silver mug which was bequeathed to him under the Will of his father to his nephew Lionel Stern as an heir-loom.
  (11) There were some other bequests to relatives and his friends. All these bequests, excepting No. 8. were to be free of legacy duty.
  (12)  He  directed his Executors to expend a sum of about £200 for a proper tombstone and railing around his grave.
  (13)  The rest, residue and remainder of his estate, both real and personal and mixed, he bequeathed in three equal shares to his niece Olga Stern, his nephew Ellis Levy and Oswald Keith Delfosse.
________________
Note-- Item 8: The clock has been purchased and installed.
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(46)   Extract from the Will of Daniel daSilva, dated 19th January, 1757, and recorded on 18th March, 1757, at Liber 31, folio 18 (T 24).
"I give unto the Wardens of the Yeshiba Abi Yetomin of Kingston £5 current money of Jamaica."

(47)   Extract from the Will of Daniel Sveyro of Port Royal by his Will dated 6th July, 1764, proved 26th September, 1764, and recorded at Liber 35, folio 151 (T 126), bequeathed four negro-men slaves to the Synagogue at Port Royal. (This is the third bequest of this kind I traced-for the others see Wills 16 and 21). He requested to be buried at Hunt's Bay.
These several bequests reflect the philanthropic spirit of the benefactors and the age, which unfortunately is sadly lacking in these days.


THE ALTAMONT E. daCOSTA BEQUEST

(48)  The late Honourable Altamont E. daCosta bequeathed upon Trust for distribution of the Income thereof equally between the United Congregation of Israelites and the Jewish Home in Duke Street, Kingston, the following Investments and house properties comprising the Residuary Estate, viz:-
£ 500 Local Inscribed Stock 4 1/2%-Law 13 of 1914
1000 Local Inscribed Stock 4 1/2%-Law 28 of 1927.
850 Local Inscribed Stock 3 1/2%-Law 23 of 1935.
100 Local Inscribed Stock 3 %-Law 28 of 1935
500 British Victory Bonds 4%
500 British Funding Loan 4%.
$5000 Dominion of Canada 1931 Conversion Loan 4 ½%
$3000 Dominion of Canada 5% Bonds
$1000 Canadian National Railway 5% Bonds
$1000 Bell Telephone Company, Limited 5%
United Fruit Company, 25 Shares
$1000 Canadian Pacific. Railway 4 1/2% Bonds.
Kingston Ice Making Company Ltd., 271 £1 shares
Desnoes & Geddes Ltd., 25 shares.
Hardware & Lumber Ltd., 519 £1 shares
Gleaner Company Limites, 312 £1 shares
Jamaica Public Service Company Ltd., 500 £1 shares
Jamaica Biscuit Co. Ltd., 200 £1 shares
Jamaica Telephone Co. Ltd, 2 Debentures £50 each
Palace Amusement Company Ltd., 550 £1 shares
People's Discount & Deposit Co., Ltd., 70 £5 shares
Insurance Company of Jamaica, 1,500 shares.
Victoria Mutual Building Society, 10 Subscription shares.

House Properties:-

27 King Street, Kingston.
2 Peters Lane, Kingston
7 Church Street, Kingston
65 Orange Street, Kingston
3 Musgrave Avenue, Kingston
109 1/2 Water Lane, Kingston
109 ¾ Water Lane, Kingston
123/125 Water Lane, Kingston
129/129 1/2 Water Lane, Kingston
In addition to the foregoing No. 1 Central Avenue, Kingston Gardens, together with the articles therein, was devised by the Testator to Government for use as an Institute to be called "The Altamont daCosta Institute," for the upkeep of which the sum of £2,000 was bequeathed upon Trust for application of the Income accordingly. A holding of £2,000 British War Loan 3 1/2% Bonds has been earmarked to represent this Bequest.


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