OUR FREY FAMILY LINE:
Fredric Frey - Switzerland
Jacob Heinrich Frey - abt. 1640, Germany, Anna Hirtzeller
Hans Heinrich Frey - 1663, Germany, Anna Catherine Levering, came to America in 1680
Elizabeth Amelia "Millie" Frey - 1719, Pennsylvania, Johann Fredrich Leinbach,
came to America in 1723
Johann Jacob Leinbach - 1740, Pennsylvania, Susannah Margaretha Nein
Rosannah Leinbach - abt. 1775, Benjamin Keller
Rheaboam Keller - abt. 1825, Tennessee, Melvina Staggs
Jacob Nathaniel Keller - 1860, Indiana, Lueanna Green
Leona Keller - 1887, Illinois, Robert Hancock Gifford
Martha Gifford - 1917, Tuckerman, Arkansas
Mary Jo Gifford - 1937, Leachville, Arkansas, Luther Goodman
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Fredric Frey - Switzerland
Jacob Heinrich Frey - abt. 1640, Germany, Anna Hirtzeller
Hans Heinrich Frey - 1663, Germany, Anna Catherine Levering, came to America in 1680
Elizabeth Amelia "Millie" Frey - 1719, Pennsylvania, Johann Fredrich Leinbach,
came to America in 1723
Johann Jacob Leinbach - 1740, Pennsylvania, Susannah Margaretha Nein
Rosannah Leinbach - abt. 1775, Benjamin Keller
Rheaboam Keller - abt. 1825, Tennessee, Melvina Staggs
Jacob Nathaniel Keller - 1860, Indiana, Lueanna Green
Leona Keller - 1887, Illinois, Robert Hancock Gifford
Martha Gifford - 1917, Tuckerman, Arkansas
Mary Jo Gifford - 1937, Leachville, Arkansas, Luther Goodman
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Descendants of Fredric Frey
Generation No. 1
FREDRIC FREY was born in Gunderswil, Zurich, Switzerland.
Child of FREDRIC FREY is:
i. JACOB HEINRICH FREY, b. Abt. 1640, Altheim-Neuried, Baden, Germany.
Generation No. 2
JACOB HEINRICH FREY (FREDRIC) was born Abt. 1640 in Altheim-Neuried, Baden, Germany. He married ANNA HIRTZELLER, daughter of JACOB HIRTZELLER. She was born Abt. 1646 in Altheim, Germany. JACOB HEINRICH FREY: Burial: Baden of Alsace, Germany
Children of JACOB FREY and ANNA HIRTZELLER are:
i. HANS HEINRICH FREY, b. June 17, 1663, Altheim in the province of Alsace, Germany (now France); d. 1734, Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
ii. PETER FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany. Peter Frey came to America as an indentured servant to Peter Schumacher. He had been a shoemaker's apprentice back in Altheim, Germany.
iii. CATHERINE FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
iv. WILLIAM FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
v. ANDREW FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
vi. ELIZABETH FREY.
Generation No. 3
HANS HEINRICH FREY (JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC)was born June 17, 1663 in Altheim in the province of Alsace, Germany (now France), and died 1734 in Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married ANNA CATHERINE LEVERING April 26, 1692 in Germantown, Pennsylvania, daughter of JOHN LEVERING and MAGDALENA BOKAR. She was born March 16, 1675/76 in Mulheim on the Rhur, Germany, and died July 1754 in Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Notes for HANS HEINRICH FREY:
Heinrich Frey who was one of the first German settler in Pennsylvania, arrived on the banks of the Delaware River in the early Summer of 1680, before the advent of William Penn. He sailed from Rotterdam on the good ship "St. Markus", Captain Sauder, master. He is said to have been born in Altheim in 1653, but his parents at this time lived in Heilbronn. Heinrich Frey was a woodworker and Joseph Plattenbach, his compaion, who hailed from Bruchsal was an ironworker. Frey's party located on a plain near Wissahickon Creek, between Roxborough and Germantown.
On October 1, 1692, Frey bought one hundred acres of land in Roxborough, next door to Gerhard Levering, from John Hennett. In the decade following, Frey and his family had moved from Roxborough to Towamencin Creek, near Skippack in western Philadelphia County. According to a deed dated March 26, 1713, Frey and his family later relocated to Whitemarch Township.
Frey had two brother, William and Andrew, who immigrated at about the same time, and settled nearby, in Skippack. The Frey brothers, along with a well known religious leader, Henry Anter, John Bechtel, and others of various religious tendencies and persuasions, belonged to the 'Associated Brethren of Skippack,' an alliance for religious union and information.
The history of this man's [Heinrich Frey] coming to America..., (note: they were the first two Germans(Joseph Blatenbach and Heinrich Frey) to come to this country) was written in German by A. Barba. It was printed in the Allentown, PA 'Morning Call' in a continuing story form. It was written in German by Ludwig August Wolienweber, and translated by Preston A. Barba... The two men Frey and Blatterback befriended a young Indian boy they found in the forest who was seriously injured. They nursed him back to health. He was the son of Urgurt, the chief of the Lenni Lenapi Indians. When Henrich Frey returned the boy to his father, the chief gave Frey a large grant of land. He told him that he could have all the land he could walk thru from the setting to the rising of the sun. The path Frey took during his walk is still to this day, called Rising Sun Ave. And it is in Germantown. The grant of this land was ratified by William Penn in 1691, and has become a part of the archives of the state of Pennsylvania.
The following are letters that are in the possession of the Fry Family Association. They were written by the Father of Henry Frey. The letters are self explanatory. These letters are frequently quoted by Professor William I. Hull, and other authorities on the early history of the Pennsylvania Germans. Henry's Father and the rest of his family came to America several years after they were written.
"Dear Son,
Your letter from far away America reaches us by the hand of the brave Captain Souder, and it gave us great joy. America, according to your writing, must be a beutiful land. We rejoice greatly that your name is among such God fearing people, and that the Indians of your community are a peace loving people."
"Dear Henry,
Since you have been away from us the conditions in South Germany have become very much worse. The French have wrought much devastation and this is pressing us very hard at this time, and besides this, we are suffering a plague of high taxes. Thousands would gladly leave the fatherland if they had the means to do so.
A merchant from Frankfort was with us last week and informed us how along the Rhine a number of families have banded together and are planning to accept the invitation of a young Englishman, named William Penn, who recently visited the community, to go to America and there establish new homes.
After I had received this information, I went at once to our pastor, whose parents are in Worms on the Rhine, and begged him urgently to learn what truth there was in these reports, and to find if possible, if it would be possible to join them and go to the new world. He informed me that in a place called Krugsham, near Worms, many were preparing to leave for the new world.
When I gave the good man your letter to read, he was greatly impressed and said that you were now on the very land to which these immigrants were going.
America is the only dream of your sisters Catherine and Elizabeth. Catherine is only six years old, but she asks daily when we are going to our brother in America?
Your dear Mother, your brother Peter, your sisters Catherine and Elizabeth greet you heartily and pray to the dear Lord that he may protect and keep you.
Your True Father"
Heinrich Frey, a German, settled on a broad tract of land between what was to become Germantown and Roxborough about 1675. This is before Franz Daniel Pastorius founded Germantown. Two of Frey's companions were Weigart Levering and Jacob Reiff. Levering had a wife and daughter. The daughter, Anna Catharina, was a teenager. Since there were no available women in the area for Henry to marry, he asked for the hand of Catharina. No one objected to the wedding and Henry and Catharina were married on 26 April 1692 in the presence of Franz Daniel Pastorius and the entire population of Germantown, who affixed their signatures to the marriage certificate. This may have been the first marriage recorded in the history of Pennsylvania.
"Whereas, Heinrich Frey, of Altheim, in the province of Alsace, in high Germany, now inhabitant of Germantown, in the county of Philadelphia. A bachelor, and Anna Catherine Levering, of the county of Bruch, likewise in high Germany, a young woman. After due consultation with their respective parents, have produced a sufficient certification of their clearness of all other engagements, under the hand of published and affixed their intention of marriage in the eeting house of the said town on the 24th of the first month past.
As no objections were filed, the ceremony was performed, and this certificate witnesseth that the said Henry Fry and Anna Catherine Levering have this day solemnized such their marriage by taking one another as husband and wife, according to the law of this country and before and in the presence of us, whose names are hereunder written at Germantown, the 26th day of the second month (April), 1692.
Francis Daniel Pastorius, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses: Wigard Levering, Gerhard Levering, Magdalena Levering, Hans Peter Umstat, Arnold Cassel, Heinrich Shellenberg, Jon Ponder, Andrew Supplee, Manigha May, Catein Tompkins, William Rittinghuysen, Henrich Zollern, Jacob Pfoutz, Henrich Bucholtz, Elias Tossen, Honnas Miller, Elizabeth Cassel, Herman Trapman, Sara Hendricks, Anecki Supplee, Maria Bonus and others."
Heinrich Frey is known to have owned three pieces of property: Germantown, Roxborough [100 acres] and Towamencin [200 acres]. The Towamencin property was bought from one Benjamin Fairman, written 12 Oct 1724, recorded 12 Mar 1743 - the property had passed through several owners but Frey was the first actual settler on the land. The Freys may have settled in Towanmensing Twp as early as 1713 when a survey was made of it for Thomas Fairman.
Heinrich purchased twelve hundred and fifty acres on Towamencin Creek in 1724. It is a family tradition that two of his sons walked up from the Wissahickon Creek, a distance of eighteen or twenty miles, on Monday mornings, bringing their provision along with them for the week, for the purpose of making a clearing and erecting a house, which they completed by the following spring. A few Indians, who appeared friendly, were still lingering here, having a couple of sigwams on the banks of the stream. The chief, who visited the scene of their labors, ovserved them eating bread, when they gave him a piece, which he ate and pronounced good. On the following week they brought him an extra loaf, at which he was greatly delighted and in return the following day brought them a saddle of venison. The eldest of these brothers was Jacob.
Fryes Fort, was located on part of the land that laid out along Cedar Creek in Shenandoah Co. The Fort was made of stone and is now owned by John and Pat Youmans. According to Moore, as many as 65 pioneers fled to the Fort from as far away as Cacapon River area in West VA. After one shooting at the Fort the Indians were so overwhelmed that they were unable to retrieve their dead or wounded. The dead Indians were buried in a common grave at a site called Indian Rock, located along state route 606.
Benjamin Frye Sr. and wife Christen, were parents of at least these children—Benjamin Jr. born 1730; and Joseph Frye and Abraham Frye, married Agnes and he died in Washington Co., PA in 1805 and Jacob Frye. All total, Benjamin and Christen Frye had nine children, according to Moore.
In 1732, Heinrich Frey and Anna Catharine entered into an article of agreement with several of their children to provide for the necessities of life. 12 Oct 1732. "Henry Free, of County of Philadelphia, Yoeman, and Kathrin his wife to Jacob Free of the same place, turner [apparently he turned wooden jars] one of the sons of said Henry & Kathrin and Eliza, Rebecca and Amaly, three of the daughters of said Henry and Kathrin. Do sell unto Jacob all livestock, household goods, etc. In consideration Jacob Free will sufficiently maintain and keep the said Henry & Kathrin with good sufficient and competent meat, drink, washing, lodging, apparel, etc. during their lives and the life of the longer liver of them and will provide and maintain the said Elizabeth, Rebecca and Amaly until they reach the age of eighteen or marriage and give to each of them a legacy or portion as their eldest sisters have had. Signed in the presence of Jacob Levereing: Henry [X] Fry, Kathrin [X] Fry, Elizabet Fry, Rebecka Fry, Amelee Fry, George Fry.Receipts:Rec'd 18 Aug 1735 of Jacob Fry the sum of 10 £ becoming due unto the within named Elizabeth Fry now my wife. Signed: Johannes Muller19 Nov 1737 Rec'd of Jacob Fry, 10 £ due Amely Fry now being my wife. Signed: Frederich Leinbach, Amelia Leinbach "
Ann Catharine was still living in 1742 when her father Wigard Levering made his will as he gave to his "daughter Catherine ye sum of tenn pounds".
Heinrich and Anna are buried in the family cemetery which was on their farm in Towamencin Township.
More About HANS HEINRICH FREY:
Burial: Bertlolet Cemetery, Frederick Township. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Wood turner
Children of HANS FREY and ANNA LEVERING are:
i. AMELIA FREY.
ii. JACOB FREY, b. 1694, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. 1785, Towamencin Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; m. MARGARET EASE.
iii. WILLIAM FREY, b. 1695, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. June 1758, Frederick County, Maryland; m. ANNA VERONICA MERKLE.
iv. BENJAMIN FRY, b. Bet. 1696 - 1701, Pennsylvania; d. March 1753.
v. HENRY FREY, b. 1698; d. 1758; m. CHRISTINA BACHE.
vi. ABRAHAM FREY, b. 1700.
vii. JOHN FREY, b. 1700, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. October 23, 1766.
viii. GEORGE FREY, b. 1704; d. 1750; m. ELIZABETH HECHLERIN.
ix. REBECCA FREY, b. Bet. 1706 - 1714.
x. ELIZABETH FREY, b. 1719; d. 1781; m. JOHANNES MULLER, Bef. August 1735.
xi. ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY, b. July 01, 1719, Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; d. June 05, 1781, Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland.
Generation No. 4
BENJAMIN FRY (HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC)was born Bet. 1696 - 1701 in Pennsylvania, and died March 1753. He married REGINA ANN CHRISTINA MERKLE, daughter of ABRAHAM MERKLE and ANNA VERONICA. She was born March 20, 1697/98 in Bonfield, Germany.
Notes for BENJAMIN FRY:
“The Frye Family, was a first family in Old Frederick Co., VA., arriving in 1739 and spreading out to what later became Shenandoah, Hampshire and Hardy Counties VA. The oldest representative of the family seems to be one Benjamin Frye Sr. 1703-1753 , whose will was filed in Winchester. In 1745, Benjamin Sr. bought land between Cedar Creek and Hoges Run, from John Richards. According to local historian Merle Moore, the father of Benjamin Frye Sr. was Heinrich Frey, who married Anna Catherine Levering, April 26 1692. Heinrich emigrated from Germany to Germantown, PA in 1685.
Fryes Fort, was located on part of the land that laid out along Cedar Creek in Shenandoah Co. The Fort was made of stone and is now owned by John and Pat Youmans. According to Moore, as many as 65 pioneers fled to the Fort from as far away as Cacapon River area in West VA. After one shooting at the Fort the Indians were so overwhelmed that they were unable to retrieve their dead or wounded. The dead Indians were buried in a common grave at a site called Indian Rock, located along state route 606.
Benjamin Frye Sr. and wife Christen, were parents of at least these children—Benjamin Jr. born 1730; and Joseph Frye and Abraham Frye, married Agnes and he died in Washington Co., PA in 1805 and Jacob Frye. All total, Benjamin and Christen Frye had nine children, according to Moore.
After the French and Indian Wars ended, some of the frontiersmen continued to kill Indians and steal their horses beyond the Alleghenies. The governor of Virginia was concerned that these acts of violence might result in renewed warfare. In 1769, General Adam Stephen was asked to investigate. Adam Stephen, reported to the governor in Oct. that one person implicated in the murder of an Indian named Stephen, had been captured and was lodged in the Winchester jail until he was rescued by a band of seventy men led by Abraham Fry and his three brothers-Jacob, Joseph and Benjamin. However the Fry brothers, who were freeholders in Frederick County, were not convicted for abetting the escape.”
Children of BENJAMIN FRY and REGINA MERKLE are:
i. BENJAMIN FRY, b. Pennsylvania; d. Abt. 1812, Shelby County, Kentucky; m. CATHERINE. Benjamin received from his father's will the sum of fifteen pounds.
ii. ABRAHAM FRY.
iii. HENRY FRY.
iv. JACOB FRY.
v. JOSEPH FRY.
vi. SAMUEL FRY, married CHRISTINA SPEERS
vii. LODOWICK FRY.
viii. CHRISTIN FRY.
ix. WILLIAM FRY.
x. ELIZABETH FRY.
JOHN FREY (HANS HEINRICH, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) was born 1700 in Roxborough, Pennsylvania, and died October 23, 1766. He married MARY KIESLER. She was born 1706, and died August 31, 1766.
Children of JOHN FREY and MARY KIESLER are:
i. SAMUEL FREY, b. March 13, 1726/27; d. May 31, 1813, Delaware Township, Juniata, Pennsylvania.
ii. ENOCH FREY.
iii. HENRY FREY.
iv. JACOB FREY.
v. WILLIAM FREY.
vi. JONATHAN FREY.
vii. DANIEL FREY.
viii. HANA FREY.
ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY (HANS HEINRICH, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) was born July 01, 1719 in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and died June 05, 1781 in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland. She married *JOHANN FREDRIC LEINBACH June 10, 1737 in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, son of *JOHANNES SR. and *ANNA KLEISS. He was born July 15, 1703 in Hochstadt, Wetterau, Germany, and died July 06, 1784 in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland.
Notes for ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY:
After celebrating her 66th birthday, Elizabeth complained of chest pains and died suddenly. Burial: Graceham Moravian Church Cemetery
Children of ELIZABETH FREY and JOHANN LEINBACHare:
i. JOHANNES LEINBACH, b. 1738, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. January 10, 1745/46.
ii. HENRY CHRISTIAN LEINBACH, b. January 13, 1738/39; d. July 13, 1792; m. ANNA ROSINA PAUS, April 30, 1782.
iii. JOHANN JACOB LEINBACH, b. April 02, 1740, Skippack, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. 1826, Greene Co., Tennessee; m. SUSANNAH MARGARETHA NEIN, Abt. 1766, Skippack, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; b. 1747, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. 1826, Greene County, Tennessee.
Generation No. 1
FREDRIC FREY was born in Gunderswil, Zurich, Switzerland.
Child of FREDRIC FREY is:
i. JACOB HEINRICH FREY, b. Abt. 1640, Altheim-Neuried, Baden, Germany.
Generation No. 2
JACOB HEINRICH FREY (FREDRIC) was born Abt. 1640 in Altheim-Neuried, Baden, Germany. He married ANNA HIRTZELLER, daughter of JACOB HIRTZELLER. She was born Abt. 1646 in Altheim, Germany. JACOB HEINRICH FREY: Burial: Baden of Alsace, Germany
Children of JACOB FREY and ANNA HIRTZELLER are:
i. HANS HEINRICH FREY, b. June 17, 1663, Altheim in the province of Alsace, Germany (now France); d. 1734, Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
ii. PETER FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany. Peter Frey came to America as an indentured servant to Peter Schumacher. He had been a shoemaker's apprentice back in Altheim, Germany.
iii. CATHERINE FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
iv. WILLIAM FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
v. ANDREW FREY, b. Altheim, Province of Alsace Loraine, Germany.
vi. ELIZABETH FREY.
Generation No. 3
HANS HEINRICH FREY (JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC)was born June 17, 1663 in Altheim in the province of Alsace, Germany (now France), and died 1734 in Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He married ANNA CATHERINE LEVERING April 26, 1692 in Germantown, Pennsylvania, daughter of JOHN LEVERING and MAGDALENA BOKAR. She was born March 16, 1675/76 in Mulheim on the Rhur, Germany, and died July 1754 in Zieglerville or Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Notes for HANS HEINRICH FREY:
Heinrich Frey who was one of the first German settler in Pennsylvania, arrived on the banks of the Delaware River in the early Summer of 1680, before the advent of William Penn. He sailed from Rotterdam on the good ship "St. Markus", Captain Sauder, master. He is said to have been born in Altheim in 1653, but his parents at this time lived in Heilbronn. Heinrich Frey was a woodworker and Joseph Plattenbach, his compaion, who hailed from Bruchsal was an ironworker. Frey's party located on a plain near Wissahickon Creek, between Roxborough and Germantown.
On October 1, 1692, Frey bought one hundred acres of land in Roxborough, next door to Gerhard Levering, from John Hennett. In the decade following, Frey and his family had moved from Roxborough to Towamencin Creek, near Skippack in western Philadelphia County. According to a deed dated March 26, 1713, Frey and his family later relocated to Whitemarch Township.
Frey had two brother, William and Andrew, who immigrated at about the same time, and settled nearby, in Skippack. The Frey brothers, along with a well known religious leader, Henry Anter, John Bechtel, and others of various religious tendencies and persuasions, belonged to the 'Associated Brethren of Skippack,' an alliance for religious union and information.
The history of this man's [Heinrich Frey] coming to America..., (note: they were the first two Germans(Joseph Blatenbach and Heinrich Frey) to come to this country) was written in German by A. Barba. It was printed in the Allentown, PA 'Morning Call' in a continuing story form. It was written in German by Ludwig August Wolienweber, and translated by Preston A. Barba... The two men Frey and Blatterback befriended a young Indian boy they found in the forest who was seriously injured. They nursed him back to health. He was the son of Urgurt, the chief of the Lenni Lenapi Indians. When Henrich Frey returned the boy to his father, the chief gave Frey a large grant of land. He told him that he could have all the land he could walk thru from the setting to the rising of the sun. The path Frey took during his walk is still to this day, called Rising Sun Ave. And it is in Germantown. The grant of this land was ratified by William Penn in 1691, and has become a part of the archives of the state of Pennsylvania.
The following are letters that are in the possession of the Fry Family Association. They were written by the Father of Henry Frey. The letters are self explanatory. These letters are frequently quoted by Professor William I. Hull, and other authorities on the early history of the Pennsylvania Germans. Henry's Father and the rest of his family came to America several years after they were written.
"Dear Son,
Your letter from far away America reaches us by the hand of the brave Captain Souder, and it gave us great joy. America, according to your writing, must be a beutiful land. We rejoice greatly that your name is among such God fearing people, and that the Indians of your community are a peace loving people."
"Dear Henry,
Since you have been away from us the conditions in South Germany have become very much worse. The French have wrought much devastation and this is pressing us very hard at this time, and besides this, we are suffering a plague of high taxes. Thousands would gladly leave the fatherland if they had the means to do so.
A merchant from Frankfort was with us last week and informed us how along the Rhine a number of families have banded together and are planning to accept the invitation of a young Englishman, named William Penn, who recently visited the community, to go to America and there establish new homes.
After I had received this information, I went at once to our pastor, whose parents are in Worms on the Rhine, and begged him urgently to learn what truth there was in these reports, and to find if possible, if it would be possible to join them and go to the new world. He informed me that in a place called Krugsham, near Worms, many were preparing to leave for the new world.
When I gave the good man your letter to read, he was greatly impressed and said that you were now on the very land to which these immigrants were going.
America is the only dream of your sisters Catherine and Elizabeth. Catherine is only six years old, but she asks daily when we are going to our brother in America?
Your dear Mother, your brother Peter, your sisters Catherine and Elizabeth greet you heartily and pray to the dear Lord that he may protect and keep you.
Your True Father"
Heinrich Frey, a German, settled on a broad tract of land between what was to become Germantown and Roxborough about 1675. This is before Franz Daniel Pastorius founded Germantown. Two of Frey's companions were Weigart Levering and Jacob Reiff. Levering had a wife and daughter. The daughter, Anna Catharina, was a teenager. Since there were no available women in the area for Henry to marry, he asked for the hand of Catharina. No one objected to the wedding and Henry and Catharina were married on 26 April 1692 in the presence of Franz Daniel Pastorius and the entire population of Germantown, who affixed their signatures to the marriage certificate. This may have been the first marriage recorded in the history of Pennsylvania.
"Whereas, Heinrich Frey, of Altheim, in the province of Alsace, in high Germany, now inhabitant of Germantown, in the county of Philadelphia. A bachelor, and Anna Catherine Levering, of the county of Bruch, likewise in high Germany, a young woman. After due consultation with their respective parents, have produced a sufficient certification of their clearness of all other engagements, under the hand of published and affixed their intention of marriage in the eeting house of the said town on the 24th of the first month past.
As no objections were filed, the ceremony was performed, and this certificate witnesseth that the said Henry Fry and Anna Catherine Levering have this day solemnized such their marriage by taking one another as husband and wife, according to the law of this country and before and in the presence of us, whose names are hereunder written at Germantown, the 26th day of the second month (April), 1692.
Francis Daniel Pastorius, Justice of the Peace. Witnesses: Wigard Levering, Gerhard Levering, Magdalena Levering, Hans Peter Umstat, Arnold Cassel, Heinrich Shellenberg, Jon Ponder, Andrew Supplee, Manigha May, Catein Tompkins, William Rittinghuysen, Henrich Zollern, Jacob Pfoutz, Henrich Bucholtz, Elias Tossen, Honnas Miller, Elizabeth Cassel, Herman Trapman, Sara Hendricks, Anecki Supplee, Maria Bonus and others."
Heinrich Frey is known to have owned three pieces of property: Germantown, Roxborough [100 acres] and Towamencin [200 acres]. The Towamencin property was bought from one Benjamin Fairman, written 12 Oct 1724, recorded 12 Mar 1743 - the property had passed through several owners but Frey was the first actual settler on the land. The Freys may have settled in Towanmensing Twp as early as 1713 when a survey was made of it for Thomas Fairman.
Heinrich purchased twelve hundred and fifty acres on Towamencin Creek in 1724. It is a family tradition that two of his sons walked up from the Wissahickon Creek, a distance of eighteen or twenty miles, on Monday mornings, bringing their provision along with them for the week, for the purpose of making a clearing and erecting a house, which they completed by the following spring. A few Indians, who appeared friendly, were still lingering here, having a couple of sigwams on the banks of the stream. The chief, who visited the scene of their labors, ovserved them eating bread, when they gave him a piece, which he ate and pronounced good. On the following week they brought him an extra loaf, at which he was greatly delighted and in return the following day brought them a saddle of venison. The eldest of these brothers was Jacob.
Fryes Fort, was located on part of the land that laid out along Cedar Creek in Shenandoah Co. The Fort was made of stone and is now owned by John and Pat Youmans. According to Moore, as many as 65 pioneers fled to the Fort from as far away as Cacapon River area in West VA. After one shooting at the Fort the Indians were so overwhelmed that they were unable to retrieve their dead or wounded. The dead Indians were buried in a common grave at a site called Indian Rock, located along state route 606.
Benjamin Frye Sr. and wife Christen, were parents of at least these children—Benjamin Jr. born 1730; and Joseph Frye and Abraham Frye, married Agnes and he died in Washington Co., PA in 1805 and Jacob Frye. All total, Benjamin and Christen Frye had nine children, according to Moore.
In 1732, Heinrich Frey and Anna Catharine entered into an article of agreement with several of their children to provide for the necessities of life. 12 Oct 1732. "Henry Free, of County of Philadelphia, Yoeman, and Kathrin his wife to Jacob Free of the same place, turner [apparently he turned wooden jars] one of the sons of said Henry & Kathrin and Eliza, Rebecca and Amaly, three of the daughters of said Henry and Kathrin. Do sell unto Jacob all livestock, household goods, etc. In consideration Jacob Free will sufficiently maintain and keep the said Henry & Kathrin with good sufficient and competent meat, drink, washing, lodging, apparel, etc. during their lives and the life of the longer liver of them and will provide and maintain the said Elizabeth, Rebecca and Amaly until they reach the age of eighteen or marriage and give to each of them a legacy or portion as their eldest sisters have had. Signed in the presence of Jacob Levereing: Henry [X] Fry, Kathrin [X] Fry, Elizabet Fry, Rebecka Fry, Amelee Fry, George Fry.Receipts:Rec'd 18 Aug 1735 of Jacob Fry the sum of 10 £ becoming due unto the within named Elizabeth Fry now my wife. Signed: Johannes Muller19 Nov 1737 Rec'd of Jacob Fry, 10 £ due Amely Fry now being my wife. Signed: Frederich Leinbach, Amelia Leinbach "
Ann Catharine was still living in 1742 when her father Wigard Levering made his will as he gave to his "daughter Catherine ye sum of tenn pounds".
Heinrich and Anna are buried in the family cemetery which was on their farm in Towamencin Township.
More About HANS HEINRICH FREY:
Burial: Bertlolet Cemetery, Frederick Township. Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Wood turner
Children of HANS FREY and ANNA LEVERING are:
i. AMELIA FREY.
ii. JACOB FREY, b. 1694, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. 1785, Towamencin Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania; m. MARGARET EASE.
iii. WILLIAM FREY, b. 1695, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. June 1758, Frederick County, Maryland; m. ANNA VERONICA MERKLE.
iv. BENJAMIN FRY, b. Bet. 1696 - 1701, Pennsylvania; d. March 1753.
v. HENRY FREY, b. 1698; d. 1758; m. CHRISTINA BACHE.
vi. ABRAHAM FREY, b. 1700.
vii. JOHN FREY, b. 1700, Roxborough, Pennsylvania; d. October 23, 1766.
viii. GEORGE FREY, b. 1704; d. 1750; m. ELIZABETH HECHLERIN.
ix. REBECCA FREY, b. Bet. 1706 - 1714.
x. ELIZABETH FREY, b. 1719; d. 1781; m. JOHANNES MULLER, Bef. August 1735.
xi. ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY, b. July 01, 1719, Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; d. June 05, 1781, Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland.
Generation No. 4
BENJAMIN FRY (HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC)was born Bet. 1696 - 1701 in Pennsylvania, and died March 1753. He married REGINA ANN CHRISTINA MERKLE, daughter of ABRAHAM MERKLE and ANNA VERONICA. She was born March 20, 1697/98 in Bonfield, Germany.
Notes for BENJAMIN FRY:
“The Frye Family, was a first family in Old Frederick Co., VA., arriving in 1739 and spreading out to what later became Shenandoah, Hampshire and Hardy Counties VA. The oldest representative of the family seems to be one Benjamin Frye Sr. 1703-1753 , whose will was filed in Winchester. In 1745, Benjamin Sr. bought land between Cedar Creek and Hoges Run, from John Richards. According to local historian Merle Moore, the father of Benjamin Frye Sr. was Heinrich Frey, who married Anna Catherine Levering, April 26 1692. Heinrich emigrated from Germany to Germantown, PA in 1685.
Fryes Fort, was located on part of the land that laid out along Cedar Creek in Shenandoah Co. The Fort was made of stone and is now owned by John and Pat Youmans. According to Moore, as many as 65 pioneers fled to the Fort from as far away as Cacapon River area in West VA. After one shooting at the Fort the Indians were so overwhelmed that they were unable to retrieve their dead or wounded. The dead Indians were buried in a common grave at a site called Indian Rock, located along state route 606.
Benjamin Frye Sr. and wife Christen, were parents of at least these children—Benjamin Jr. born 1730; and Joseph Frye and Abraham Frye, married Agnes and he died in Washington Co., PA in 1805 and Jacob Frye. All total, Benjamin and Christen Frye had nine children, according to Moore.
After the French and Indian Wars ended, some of the frontiersmen continued to kill Indians and steal their horses beyond the Alleghenies. The governor of Virginia was concerned that these acts of violence might result in renewed warfare. In 1769, General Adam Stephen was asked to investigate. Adam Stephen, reported to the governor in Oct. that one person implicated in the murder of an Indian named Stephen, had been captured and was lodged in the Winchester jail until he was rescued by a band of seventy men led by Abraham Fry and his three brothers-Jacob, Joseph and Benjamin. However the Fry brothers, who were freeholders in Frederick County, were not convicted for abetting the escape.”
Children of BENJAMIN FRY and REGINA MERKLE are:
i. BENJAMIN FRY, b. Pennsylvania; d. Abt. 1812, Shelby County, Kentucky; m. CATHERINE. Benjamin received from his father's will the sum of fifteen pounds.
ii. ABRAHAM FRY.
iii. HENRY FRY.
iv. JACOB FRY.
v. JOSEPH FRY.
vi. SAMUEL FRY, married CHRISTINA SPEERS
vii. LODOWICK FRY.
viii. CHRISTIN FRY.
ix. WILLIAM FRY.
x. ELIZABETH FRY.
JOHN FREY (HANS HEINRICH, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) was born 1700 in Roxborough, Pennsylvania, and died October 23, 1766. He married MARY KIESLER. She was born 1706, and died August 31, 1766.
Children of JOHN FREY and MARY KIESLER are:
i. SAMUEL FREY, b. March 13, 1726/27; d. May 31, 1813, Delaware Township, Juniata, Pennsylvania.
ii. ENOCH FREY.
iii. HENRY FREY.
iv. JACOB FREY.
v. WILLIAM FREY.
vi. JONATHAN FREY.
vii. DANIEL FREY.
viii. HANA FREY.
ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY (HANS HEINRICH, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) was born July 01, 1719 in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and died June 05, 1781 in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland. She married *JOHANN FREDRIC LEINBACH June 10, 1737 in Skippack, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, son of *JOHANNES SR. and *ANNA KLEISS. He was born July 15, 1703 in Hochstadt, Wetterau, Germany, and died July 06, 1784 in Graceham, Frederick County, Maryland.
Notes for ELIZABETH AMELIA "MILLIE" FREY:
After celebrating her 66th birthday, Elizabeth complained of chest pains and died suddenly. Burial: Graceham Moravian Church Cemetery
Children of ELIZABETH FREY and JOHANN LEINBACHare:
i. JOHANNES LEINBACH, b. 1738, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. January 10, 1745/46.
ii. HENRY CHRISTIAN LEINBACH, b. January 13, 1738/39; d. July 13, 1792; m. ANNA ROSINA PAUS, April 30, 1782.
iii. JOHANN JACOB LEINBACH, b. April 02, 1740, Skippack, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. 1826, Greene Co., Tennessee; m. SUSANNAH MARGARETHA NEIN, Abt. 1766, Skippack, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; b. 1747, Oley Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania; d. 1826, Greene County, Tennessee.
__Generation No. 5
SAMUEL FRYE (BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married CHRISTINA SPEERS.
Child of SAMUEL FRYE and CHRISTINA SPEERS is:
i. REBECCA FRYE
Generation No. 6
ELIZABETH FRYE (SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married HENRY SHEPLER
Child of ELIZABETH FRYE and HENRY SHEPLER is:
i. SARAH SHEPLER
Generation No. 7
SARAH SHEPLER (ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married ELIJAH FRYE
Child of SARAH SHEPLER and ELIJAH FRYE is:
i. MARY ANN FRYE
SAMUEL FRYE (BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married CHRISTINA SPEERS.
Child of SAMUEL FRYE and CHRISTINA SPEERS is:
i. REBECCA FRYE
Generation No. 6
ELIZABETH FRYE (SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married HENRY SHEPLER
Child of ELIZABETH FRYE and HENRY SHEPLER is:
i. SARAH SHEPLER
Generation No. 7
SARAH SHEPLER (ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married ELIJAH FRYE
Child of SARAH SHEPLER and ELIJAH FRYE is:
i. MARY ANN FRYE
Generation No. 8
MARY ANN FRYE (SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married JOHN PETER OVERHISER
Child of MARY FRYE And JOHN OVERHISER is:
i. GEORGE MCCLELLAND OVERHISER
MARY ANN FRYE (SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married JOHN PETER OVERHISER
Child of MARY FRYE And JOHN OVERHISER is:
i. GEORGE MCCLELLAND OVERHISER
Generation No. 9
GEORGE MCCLELLAND OVERHISER (MARY ANN FRYE, SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married FANNIE SCHREIBER
Child of GEORGE OVERHISER and FANNIE SCHREIBER is:
i. MARY MILDRED OVERHISER
GEORGE MCCLELLAND OVERHISER (MARY ANN FRYE, SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married FANNIE SCHREIBER
Child of GEORGE OVERHISER and FANNIE SCHREIBER is:
i. MARY MILDRED OVERHISER
Generation No. 10
MARY MILDRED OVERHISER (GEORGE, MARY ANN FRYE, SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married BERT M. LINDEMUTH
Child of MARY OVERHISER and BERT LINDEMUTH is:
i. ROBERT GERALD MINDEMUTH
Generation No. 11
ROBERT GERALD LINDEMUTH (MARY MILDRED OVERHISER, GEORGE OVERHISER, MARY ANN FRYE, SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married EVELYN LAVERN DAVIS
Child of ROBERT LINDEMUTH and EVELYN DAIVS is:
i. ALICE LINDEMUTH
ROBERT GERALD LINDEMUTH (MARY MILDRED OVERHISER, GEORGE OVERHISER, MARY ANN FRYE, SARAH SHEPLER, ELIZABETH FRYE, SAMUEL, BENJAMIN, HANS HEINRICH FREY, JACOB HEINRICH, FREDRIC) married EVELYN LAVERN DAVIS
Child of ROBERT LINDEMUTH and EVELYN DAIVS is:
i. ALICE LINDEMUTH
