Venguessone Nathan

Venguessone Nathan was a wealth merchant and landowner from a prosperous family from Provence, France.

Her business activities were mainly known from her will. In 1424 she is listed as the largest Jewish landowner in Arles, with property including a house, vineyard, and shop where she sold drapery and dishes of wood, earthenware and glass. She was also active in field of moneylending and her will mentions money owed to her from debts, claims, and pledges. She was a supporter of the written word and owned books in Hebrew and Latin.

After her death, the largest bequests went to her grandsons because her son, Isaac, was already wealthy man. She left to family members “a house and well free of all taxes,” “a vineyard in St. Medard,” and jewels of gold, silver and pearls as well as items of silver plate and large amounts of cash.

She also left several charitable legacies including money for the cemetery, a light for the synagogue, ten florins for the crown of the Torah scroll, and money for dowries for poor brides.