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THE LAMEGOS.
O f the early history of the Lamegos little is known, but
they also were among the earliest settlers in England after the
refounding of the Jewish community in 1655. In 1663, a »Mr.
Lamego« was a member of the congregation, and a merchant of
London. It was, no doubt, his son, Aaron, who emigrated to
Jamaica and established the fortunes of the family there. He
was a planter and merchant, and acquired a very considerable
fortune. For a time he served in the local militia, with much
credit and distinction. He returned to England in the second
decade of the 18th century, and at once took a leading place
among the West Indian merchants of London, and the magnates
of Bevis Marks. In 1<20, he was one of the eight original
founders of the Spanish and Portuguese Dowry Society. His
son, Moses, subsequently founded the Spanish and Portuguese
Orphan Society by a gift of ¿6 5,000 to the congregation in 1756.
Another of his sons, Isaac, is also well-remenbered for his
courageous campaign for Jewish rights in the West Indies, which
he began as far back as 1722.