TERRE HAUTE —
This week is a continuation of the discussion of when various nationalities first immigrated to North America.
Czech: The historic Czech lands include Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. Immigrants from these lands in the 19th century most frequently called themselves Bohemians.
Joachim Gans of Prague was the first known Bohemian who visited North America. He came with Sir Walter Raleigh’s expedition to explore what is now Roanoke, North Carolina, in 1585.
The first Bohemian settler to the colonies was Augustine Herman, who arrived in 1633 in New Amsterdam (now New York City), which was controlled by the Dutch. He came as a member of the West India Company and rose quickly to become one of the most influential members of the community. Fluent in several languages, he was a skilled merchant, planter, surveyor, draftsman, politician, and diplomat. In 1649 he was elected to the “Board of Nine Men,” a body which advised Gov. Peter Stuyvesant. He later led that Board. As his wealth grew, he owned lands that comprised most of present-day Yonkers, New York.
Herman was unhappy with the leadership of Gov. Stuyvesant and was one of a group of petitioners against the governor in 1649. The following years marked a time of conflict with the governor.
In 1659 Herman was sent by Gov. Stuyvesant as a diplomat to resolve a conflict with British-owned Maryland. He made a favorable impression on the Calvert family, which governed Maryland, and offered to map the Chesapeake Bay region in return for land in Maryland. He ended up with 25,000 acres, making him one of the largest landholders in North America. He settled at an estate he named “Bohemia Manor,” in what is now Cecil County, Maryland.
Herman took an oath of allegiance to Britain and became a naturalized citizen of Maryland in 1663. His descendants can be found at familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/o/o/John-Hoopes-/GENE6-0001.html.
A second person of Bohemian descent, also living in New Amsterdam during the same time period as Augustus Herman, was Frederick Philipse. After the Thirty Years War, Philipse’s aristocrat family had been persecuted in Bohemia for their protestant religion. They fled to Holland, where Frederick was born in 1626. It is believed that the family’s name in Bohemia was Tchynsky.
Frederick Philipse immigrated to New Amsterdam and eventually became the wealthiest person in all of the New Netherlands. A successful merchant, he was nicknamed “The Bohemian Merchant Prince.” He owned land on Long Island, land in present-day Westchester County, and nearly all of present-day Putnam County, in New York. He had a large mansion in Yonkers, called Philipse Manor. Philipse’s family were loyalists in the Revolutionary War and the family subsequently lost many of its parcels of land to the Americans.
Query: I would like the death date and full name of James Adams, who married Anna Wolfe in 1822 in Greene County, Indiana. James was born in Virginia about 1796 and died in Sullivan County, Indiana. Anna also died in Sullivan County, in 1846. Please contact Philip Rogers at email pdrogers@sbcglobal.net with any information you may have.
History
GENEALOGY: Listening to the rhapsody of Czech arrivals
- History
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Looking back: In 1988, the drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties
The drought caused water shortages in Parke and Vermillion counties. Both Montezuma and Cayuga were selling record amounts of water to farmers and residents of neighboring towns.
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Federation of Genealogical Societies conference in August
The Federation of Genealogical Societies will stage its 2013 conference Aug. 21-24 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne.
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Historical perspective: Engraver Fahnestock among local headlines in 1856
While perusing antique Terre Haute newspapers, the following story by editor-publisher Robert N. Hudson in the April 2, 1856 issue of the “Terre Haute Daily Express” attracted attention:
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Terre Haute fortunate to have a fine symphony orchestra
We are fortunate in Terre Haute to have a fine symphony orchestra as one of our entertainment venues.
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Looking back: In 1988, the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute opens in Central Christian Church
Eighty persons attended the opening of the Children’s Science and Technology Museum of Terre Haute, housed in the lower level of Central Christian Church, 720 Larry Bird Ave.
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Genealogy: Any community can take advantage of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism is a subset of the tourism industry that focuses on a region’s cultural heritage, lifestyle, history, geography, art and architecture. We may think of it as something elaborate and grand, like traveling to Europe or Africa to experience the culture of our ancestors, but it can take place in almost any community.
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Historic treasure: Fold-up map fit in glove box of Model T
My maternal grandparents used to love to tell the story of how they decided on the driver/navigator orientation on their road trips after their retirement.
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Histori9cal perspective: Mace and Hyde included among significant educators
Since this column was launched in January 1995, it has emphasized notable accomplishments of past and present Wabash Valley residents.
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Historical perspective: The death of newspaper publisher George M. Allen
The name of George Murdoch Allen, editor and publisher of the Terre Haute Express for 16 years, is rarely mentioned today.
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Genalogy: Gen Gathering site a great opportunity to volunteer
Gen Gathering is a website that aims to match volunteers who have access to resources and are willing to do someone a favor, with researchers who need help.
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Looking back: In 2003, Terre Haute Police Department resumes bicycle patrols downtown
In 2003, members of the Terre Haute Police Department resumed bicycle patrols in the downtown area.
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Historical treasures: Horses, buggies and the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company
In her history of the Fouts and Hunter Carriage and Manufacturing Company, Mae Hunter Weinstein wrote that her father, William Robert Hunter, always had a song in his heart. Maybe that joyful spirit helped Hunter and his son keep the company going from the Civil War through World War I.
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GENEALOGY: Info sought on people buried in Clay County
This week, we have several queries.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: O.C. Simonds’ ideas launched Fairbanks Park
Among the first serious efforts to beautify the landscape near the Wabash River in Terre Haute occurred early in the 20th Century.
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: The Waffle House closes after 21 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Treasure: Davis Gardens: Once one of the largest greenhouses in world
Another rainy spring day kept me out of the garden so I decided to research some gardening history at the Vigo County Historical Museum.
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Historical Treasure: The 1947 Terre Haute Phillies and the history of baseball in America’s Crossroads
As another spring blossoms, it is time for another season of baseball to descend upon the city of Terre Haute.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: George Lance dominates intercity golf rivalry in 1927
What was expected to be a close match between two Terre Haute golfers for the 1927 Indiana Amateur Golf championship turned out to be a cakewalk.
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GENEALOGY: Follow ‘Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs’
I recently read an article called “Tips on Caring for Documents and Photographs,” by Tamara Hemmerlein, Hoosier Heritage Alliance Coordinator for the Indiana Historical Society
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LOOKING BACK: 1988: Teachers issued rubber gloves to use in management of blood, other body fluids
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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Historical Perspective: Wabash Valley is home to prominent comedy opera stars
Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
Spring to me means putting away heavy winter sweaters and bringing out fun lighter sundresses. It also means the possibility of shopping for a new dress or even new shoes.
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
The primary style of old handwriting in the mid 1700s through the 1800s is sometimes called Copperplate or English Round Hand. This style of writing is much more recognizable and readable than the older Secretary Hand style discussed last week, and it is much less ornate as well.
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
The lifeless body of Catherine Preston, commonly referred to as “Irish Kate,” was found Saturday morning, Oct. 5, 1895, on a sandbar at the western edge of the Wabash River wagon bridge.
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
Terre Haute North Vigo High School’s nine-hole record at Hulman Links was broken by golf team member Matt Sherertz who shot a 4-under-par 32 in a team-record win over Northview.
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
Railroads have played an important part in the building of our nation and in the history of Terre Haute. It is no small wonder that these amazing machines were turned into children’s toys, as well as models for the more mature train enthusiast.
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
At least 700 teachers were absent from their Vigo County School Corp. schools as part of a job action to protest lack of progress in contract negotiations.
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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