Familieminder

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.