Augustine Herman facts for kids

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Quick facts for kids Augustine Herman


First Lord of Bohemia Manor
In office September 1660 – September 1686
Succeeded by	Ephraim George Herman

Personal details
Born	c. 1621 Mšeno, Kingdom of Bohemia
Died	September 1686 Cecil County, Maryland
Spouse	Jannetje Varleth
Residences	New Amsterdam Cecil County, Maryland
Occupation	Merchant
Profession	Land surveyor, draughtsman
Signature

Augustine Herman (Czech: Augustin Heřman), born around 1621 in Mšeno, Kingdom of Bohemia, was an amazing explorer, merchant, and mapmaker. He lived in New Amsterdam (which is now New York City) and later in Cecil County, Maryland.

Augustine Herman created a very detailed and accurate map of the Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay areas in North America. He made this map for Lord Baltimore, who was a powerful leader. In return for his map, Herman received a huge piece of land. He named this land Bohemia Manor. It was located in what is now southeastern Cecil County, Maryland.

People spelled Herman's last name in many ways, like Herrman or Harman. But Augustine Herman himself usually wrote "Herman," which is how we spell it today.

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Early Life and Skills

Augustine Herman was born around 1621 in a place called Mšeno in the Kingdom of Bohemia. This is what he wrote in his will.

He was trained as a land surveyor, which means he knew how to measure and map land. He was also very good at sketching and drawing. Plus, he could speak several languages, including Latin. These skills helped him a lot when he worked as a diplomat, talking with the British.

Career in the New World

Starting in New Netherland

In 1640, Augustine Herman came to New Amsterdam. This city is now known as Lower Manhattan in New York City. He worked for a big Dutch trading company called the Dutch West India Company.

Augustine Herman was a strong and smart person. He quickly became an important part of the Dutch community and its trade. He worked for a trading company from Amsterdam. He also owned part of a ship called "La Grace." This ship was used for privateering, which meant it was allowed to attack and capture Spanish trading ships.

Working with his brother-in-law, George Hack, Herman became the biggest exporter of tobacco in America. He traded furs and tobacco for things like wine and even slaves. He quickly became very rich and owned a lot of land. This included most of what is now Yonkers, New York.

Herman became one of the most important people in New Amsterdam. In 1647, he was chosen to be on the "Nine Men" board. This group of important citizens advised the leader of New Netherland, Peter Stuyvesant. Herman even became the chairman of this board.

However, Herman was not happy with Peter Stuyvesant's leadership. He signed a complaint that was sent to Holland in 1649. It described the bad condition of the colony and asked for help. Stuyvesant did not like this challenge. He tried to ruin Herman financially. In 1653, Herman was even put in jail for a short time because of debts.

In 1651, Herman helped the colony buy Staten Island. He also helped buy a large area along the western shore of Arthur Kill. This land stretched from what is now Perth Amboy to Elizabeth.

Augustine Herman got married on December 10, 1651, in New Amsterdam. His wife was Jannetje Marie Varleth. They had five children: Ephraim, Casper, Anna, Judith, and Francina. Jannetje passed away before 1665.

Diplomacy in Delaware Bay

Peter Stuyvesant sent Herman on an important diplomatic trip to New England. His job was to calm worries about rumors that the Dutch and Native Americans were planning to team up against the English.

Even more important, in 1659, Herman was sent to St. Mary's, Maryland. He went with Resolved Waldron to discuss a big disagreement. The disagreement was between New Netherland and Maryland's owner, Lord Baltimore. Both sides claimed ownership of the lands on the western shore of the Delaware Bay.

Herman argued that Lord Baltimore's land charter was only valid for lands that had not been settled before. He pointed to a short-lived Dutch settlement from 1631 called Swanendael (now Lewes, Delaware). Herman said this settlement gave the Dutch earlier rights to the entire Delaware River area. Lord Baltimore completely disagreed. However, later English leaders, like the Duke of York and William Penn, used Herman's argument successfully. This eventually led to the separate state of Delaware. Even though the talks didn't solve the problem right away, Herman made a good impression on the Calvert family.

Founding Bohemia Manor

Herman's 1670 map of Maryland and Virginia

Augustine Herman was tired of arguing with Peter Stuyvesant. He also remembered the beautiful lands he had seen in the upper Chesapeake Bay. So, he offered to create a map of the region for Lord Baltimore. In return, he asked for a grant of land in an area of his choice.

Lord Baltimore accepted his offer in September 1660. Herman then spent 10 years working on the map. The agreement said that as payment, Lord Baltimore would give him "Lands for Inhabitation to his Posterity and the Privilege of the Manor." Herman wasted no time and moved his family to Maryland by 1661.

Herman chose his first land grant of 4,000 acres. He named it "Bohemia Manor" after his birthplace. This land included much of the area east of the Elk River and north of the Bohemia River. His main house was built on the north shore of the Bohemia River. The property even had a special park where Herman kept deer as pets.

Because Herman was not from Britain, he had to apply to become a citizen of Maryland. His request was approved in 1666, and he became a naturalized citizen of Maryland.

After he finished the map of Maryland and Virginia in 1670, he received more land grants. These were called "Little Bohemia" (south of the Bohemia River) and "St. Augustine Manor" (stretching to the Delaware River). In total, he owned nearly 30,000 acres (about 120 square kilometers). This made him one of the largest landowners in North America. To make sure everything was secure, he also paid a sum of money to the Susquehannock Native Americans, who originally owned the land.

Later in his life, Herman managed his large plantation. He also continued some trading activities and official duties. He was a member of the governor's council and a judge for Baltimore County. In 1674, Cecil County was created. In 1678, Herman was chosen to be Cecil County's Commissioner for Peace. His job was to work with the Native Americans.

Death

Augustine Herman passed away in September 1686 at Bohemia Manor in Cecil County, Maryland. He was 65 years old. He is buried there.

Legacy

Plaque in Mšeno, Czech Republic

A special plaque is displayed in the town of Mšeno, Czech Republic, where Augustine Herman was born. The plaque uses the Czech spelling of his name, Augustin Heřman.

Children and Grandchildren

Herman's oldest son, Ephraim George Herman, became the Second Lord of Bohemia Manor. He was born in New Amsterdam in 1652. He worked in different roles, including as a clerk and surveyor. He passed away on Bohemia Manor in 1689, just three years after his father. It is believed that Ephraim's children died young, so the title passed to his brother.
The second son, Casperus Augustine Herman, became the third Lord of Bohemia Manor. He was born in New Amsterdam in 1656 and died on Bohemia Manor in 1704. He was a member of the government in both Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Ephraim Augustine Herman became the fourth Lord of Bohemia Manor. He was born near Bohemia Manor and died there in 1735. He was a member of the Maryland legislature for Cecil County several times.
Casparus Herman, son of Ephraim Augustine, became the fifth and last Lord of Bohemia Manor in 1735. He died four years later without any children, so the title ended. His older sister, Mary Augustine Herman, inherited most of his property.

Other Descendants

Augustine Herman has many famous descendants. Some of them include:

Place Names

Maryland Route 213 between Chestertown and Elkton is named the Augustine Herman Highway in his honor.
Two schools are named after Bohemia Manor: Bohemia Manor High School and Bohemia Manor Middle School.
The Augustine Beach Hotel also gets its name from Augustine Herman.

Images for kids

Augustine Herman
Augustine Herman's signature