Abraham Touro

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

As an adult he lived in Medford, Massachusetts. Abraham entered into the merchant trade and insurance business with his cousin, Judah Hays, taking over the family business when his uncle died. 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. However, he is most remembered for caring and concern for the synagogue and cemetery in Newport, now known as the “Touro synagogue”.