Testament (New York)

Simja de Torres

1746

Sensitive Content

This text includes mention of the ownership and sale of people of color. It provides insight into Jewish history; however, The Posen Library does not condone or promote human trafficking or oppression of any kind.

In the Name of God Amen I Simja de Tores latte of Jamaica Widow being indisposed, and weak in body but of sound mind and memorey and knowin the Certenty of death and the Uncertanity of Its Approch doe make and ordain this to be my last will and Testement in manner following

Imprimes

I recomend my Soul to Almighty God Craveing pardon and forgiveness of my Sins and my bodey to the Earth to be decentley Buried acording to the manner of the Jews and att the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned

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I will and desier that all my Just deabtes and funeral Expenses, be first paid.

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I give and bequeath to the Tresurer of the Sinegoge for the use of the sinegoge of New York the Sum of five pounds currentmuney of this province to be paid one mounth after my deces.

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My will is that my Executtors Shall remit to the tresureres for the time being of the sinegoge of Kingston In Jamaica five pounds Current muney of Jamaica one mounth after my deceas.

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I give to the poor of my nation of new York five pounds to be devided acording to the discretion of my Executors.

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I give and bequeth unto my brother Samuel da Silva the Sum of five pounds current muney of Jamaica which he maye demand and receive three mounths after my decease.

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I give unto my Nease Rebeca da Silva daughter of my brother Samuel da Silva one Negrow Girle to be the Value of fiften pounds, to be purchased by my Executors orders, on or before one year after my deceas in her Name and for her heairs for Ever.

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I give and bequeth unto my nease Rachel da Silva daughter of my Brother Josuah da Silva deceased one negro gireal to the Value of fiften pounds to be purchesed by my executors orders, on or before one year after my deceas in her name and for her and her heairs for Ever.

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I give and bequeth unto my Nease Simja da Silva daughter to my said deceased brother Josuah da Silva one negro gireal to the Value of fiften pounds to be purchased by my Executors orders, on or before one year after my decease in her name and for her and her heairs for Ever.

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I give and bequeth all the Resedue of my Easttate both Real and personal of what manner so Ever unto my Dear and Loving Grandson Moses Gomez the Son of Daniel Gomez of this Citty merchant to him and his heairs for Ever to be put in posesion of the Same att the day of his Mariage or att the Age of Twenty one Years which shall first happen.

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My will is in case Itt should (God for bid) happen that my said Grandson Should dey before his mariage or arive to the Eage of twenty one years In such a case I give and bequeath unto my Son Daniel Gomez all my Eastate Real and personal to him and his heairs for Ever. Lastely I do hearby constitute and apoint My Said Loving Son Daniel Gomez and his son my Dear and Loving Grandson Moses Gomez to be the Executtors, of This my last Will and Testaments Hereby Revoekeing and Disanulling all former Wills Testements legacis and beque[s]ts by me hertofore made Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have herto sett my hand & seal this Sixtenth day of February in the Sixtenth Year of his majesty’s Reign one Thousend Seven hundred forty-tow & three

Simja de Tores

Singed Sealed published pronounced

and Declared by the Testetares as
her Last will and Testament in the
presence of us the subscribers and
subscribed by us in presence of each other

Daniel Bontecou

David Gomez

Samuel Burling

Published in: The Posen Library of Jewish Culture and Civilization, vol. 5.

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Creator Bio

Simja de Torres

1677–1746

Not much is known about Simja (Simha) de Torres, daughter of Moses de Silva, who lived in Jamaica. She was married to Joseph Torres and, after his death in 1724, ran the family business, which included the sale of African and African Caribbean slaves. She later moved to New York, where she was a member of Congregation Shearith Israel.

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