Peter (Herrmann) Herman (1774 - 1853)

Born 25 Aug 1774 in Berks Co. Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Barbara (Bowman) Herman — married about 1795 in Lincoln, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died 15 Apr 1853 at age 78 in Lincoln Co . N. C.

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Biography

Peter Herman (1767-1853) Peter HERMAN (son of Johannes Wilhelm, son of Johann Georg Herrmann, son of Martin Herrmann, son of Hans Herrmann Jr., son of Hans Herrmann)

Peter Herman was the fourth child and the third male child born to Johannes Wilhelm and Catherine Herrmann. He was born late in the year of 1767--exact date unknown--in Berks County, Pennsylvania. (Note: Rev Crouse reported his birth date as Aug 25, 1774 but does not give a source.^[1] The third child, Catherine (Cattie) was one year older than Peter. She was conceived in Germany and born in Berks Country PA December 21, 1776--just two months after the family arrived from Germany.

Peter, similar to all the second generation children of Johannes and Catherine Herrmann, was very prosperous, owning land near his father in Lyles Creek and farther north several miles near the Catawba River in Lincoln County (now Catawba), North Carolina. Following marriage to Barbara Bowman in 1795 he farmed his land in the area until 1828. He and Barbara purchased 251 acres of farm land from Barbara's father, George Bowman, about 30 miles south near Maiden. This farm became known for many years as the Peter Herman Place. When Peter and Barbara left the Catawba river area in the northern part of Catawba County, they gave land to the local community to build a church. The church was named St. Peter's Luthern Church and is a viable and active church today--2005.

Both Peter Herman and Barbara Bowman Herman died in the early 1850s--some reports say 1853-the date his will was filed. A copy of his will is on file at the Catawba County Courthouse, Hickory NC--1853, Book 1, page 105. Their burial spot is not identified but more than likely was on the "Peter Herman Place" farm.

The children of Peter Herman and wife were:

1. Elizabeth "Betsey" Herman (1800-1877), who married George Bowman (1802-1876)^[2]
2. George Herman (1802-1861), who married Barbara Hunsucker (1806-1861)^[3]
3. John Herman (1803-1878), married Elizabeth "Betsey" Killian (1805-1894)^[4]
4. Leah (1806-1896), married Jesse Lee Brown Barger (1811-1879) and moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama^[5]
5. Ephraim (1808-1874), married Mary Ann "Annie" Herman (1825-1915)^[6]
6. Mathias Herman/Harmon (1810-1889), who married Ann Peterson?^[7]
7. Mary Ann Herman, married Grissom Spencer (^[8]
8. Ruby Dessa Lourina Herman (1819-1878), married Adam Flowers (1796-1880)^[9]
9. Catharine, who had one child, but was not married ^[10]
10. Rachel; our last informant could not tell who she married, but we had been told that one of the Herman girls married a Lafon^[11]

Will

"Will of Peter Herman I, Peter Herman, same of the County of Catawba and that of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: That is to say, first that my executor (hereinafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my last debts, however and to whomsoever owing, out of the moneys that may first come into those hands, as part in parcel of my estate. Item: I give and devise to my beloved wife, Barbara, the tract of land whereon I now live to have and to hold to her that said parcel for and during the term of her material life in satisfaction for and in lieu of her dower and hands of and in all my real estate. Item: I give and devise to my beloved wife, Barbara, two beds and furniture, and also a sufficiency of kitchen and _____ furniture. I request that the said Barbara, my wife, be maintained by my son Ephraim Herman in doing-I give and bequeath to my son, Ephraim Herman my windmill, also farming tools such as my other sons got. I direct that my daughter, Lorinah shall have two beds and also necessary furniture to them also as much stock and kitchen furniture as my other daughters got. Item: I will and direct that my grandson, Able Herman shall have twenty dollars not to be paid until notes on sale money is collected. Item: My will and desire is that the residue of my estate, if any after taking out the devises and legasees above mentioned shall be sold and the debts owing to me collected and if there should be any stipends over and above the payment of debts, esplees and legacies that said stipulations shall be equally divided and paid over to my sons, George Herman, John Herman, Ephraim Herman, and Mathias Herman and to my daughters Catherine, Sally Fox, Elizabeth Bowman, Anna Spencer and Lorinah share and share alike, and lastly I do herby appoint my two sons, George Herman and Ephraim Herman my lawful executors to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the terms intent and meaning of the same and every part, and clause thereof hereby making and dissclaiming utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made, in writing. Whereas published and declared by said Peter Herman to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do in writing as witness."

H.H. Hallman (signed) Peter Herman Peter Ries

Sources

1. ↑ #Crouse
2. ↑ #Crouse
3. ↑ George: #Crouse, #FGGeorge
4. ↑ #Crouse, #FGJohn
5. ↑ #Crouse, [[#MarriageLeah[[
6. ↑ Ephraim: #Crouse, #MarriageEphraim
7. ↑ #Crouse
8. ↑ #Crouse
9. ↑ #Crouse
10. ↑ #Crouse
11. ↑ #Crouse

• Source: 1840 Census Lincoln Co. Peter Harman 037
• Source: 1850 Census Catawba Co. Hickory N.C.: Peter Herman age 78; Barbara Herman age 76; Ephraim Herman age 40; Wife Herman age 37; Able Herman age 17---Catherine's son
• Source: Historical Sketches of Alexander County, N.C., Book was published in 1905 and authored by Rev. A.L. Crouse, Subtitles is Friendship Lutheran, Hopewell Reformed , and Charity Baptist Churches and of the Bowman & Fry Families. Copies are located in Friendship Library and with descendants.
• Source: "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/QV2M-T7VZ : 13 December 2015), George Herman, 1861; Burial, Taylorsville, Alexander, North Carolina, United States of America, Friendship Lutheran Church Cemetery; citing record ID 58946756, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.