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the fact that Jerningham’s correspondence with the Catholic
governor of New Spain was preserved and later published.
Jerningham spent several years negotiating for the safe
passage and land grants for Catholics living in the “heathen”
land of Maryland. He successfully negotiated the
transportation and peaceful reception of a large group of
German Catholics who immigrated to Maryland seeking
religious freedom. These German Catholics were the
foundation of a German community in the region near New
Orleans.
Dr. Jerningham was in the midst of investigations
and negotiations to remove his own family to New Spain
when death intervened. Because Henry is the 5
th
great-
grandfather of this generation of our Thomson line, the
timing of his death is directly related to our existence.
With these insights, enjoy reading the curious will of
Dr. Henry Jerningham.