In 1641 Nicholas Hervey, also called Harvey, sought a grant of 1,000 acres on the south side of the Patuxent River for transporting himself, his wife, and five other persons into the province that year. On 25 January 1642, Cecilius Calvert ordered that it be created as the Manor of St. Joseph's, with court leet and court baron and all things belonging to it by the law or custom of England.