Touro, Abraham, 1777-1822

Oldest son of Isaac Touro, Abraham was born in Newport, Rhode Island. After the death of his father in Jamaica, he lived with his mother and siblings in the home of his uncle Moses Michael Hays in Boston, Massachusetts.

As an adult, Abraham lived in Medford, Massachusetts. He entered into the merchant trade and insurance business with his cousin, Judah Hays, taking over the family business when his uncle died. Like his brother Judah, Abraham was known for his philanthropy, contributing to, among others, the Massachusetts General Hospital, the Boston Female Asylum, and the Boston Asylum for Indigent Boys. It was his caring and concern for the synagogue and cemetery in Newport, however, that he truly is remembered. In addition to the maintenance of the synagogue, he also contributed funds and oversaw the erection of a fence around the cemetery, the sidewalk from the cemetery to the synagogue, and maintenance and repair of the street that would one day bear his family name. Touro Visitor Center article.
Epitaph states he died in Boston. Note added by AlbFirefly: Mr. Touro was observing a military parade in Boston from his carriage, when the commotion spooked his horses. He broke his leg jumping to safety, and died from the results.

The Touro family of Newport, R. I. was a family of wealthy merchants, famous philanthropists, and prominent Jewish community leaders.

The Touro siblings (Abraham, Judah, and Rebecca) were the children of Rabbi Isaac Touro (1737-1783) and Rebecca Hays Touro (1743-1787) of the Boston Hays family. The children and their mother returned to New England, settling in Boston with Rebecca’s brother, Moses Michael Hays. Rebecca died in 1787, and the children were subsequently raised by their uncle.

Abraham and Judah became businessmen and philanthropists, donating to many public works, monuments, hospitals and colleges, as well as funding the upkeep of the synagogue, which was renamed after Abraham Touro. After Abraham’s death in 1822, monies he had given for the synagogue were held in in trust by the state of Rhode Island for the upkeep of Touro Synagogue.