Descendants of Peter Fry
of the Palatinate of the Rhine

Generation #3

Peter (²Johannes Peter, ¹Peter) Frye

Research Note: The first proven member of the Fry family of Newton TWP, Licking Co OH is Henry Fry b. 1812 in Ohio. And from the 1880 census, we learn that his parents were born in Virginia. Having failed to find historical references and/or records which precede Henry, this research starts again by looking at gravestones in the surrounding communities. [Fry Research Notes]

The first record for this Peter Frye was in 1796 in Loudoun Co VA which was settled and populated by ethnic German immigrants, initially from Philadelphia. Having survived their journey to America, these ethnic Germans spread out from Philadelphia in search of lands to settle. In the subsequent generations, their paths lead west across the Susquehanna, then south into Maryland, and then across the Potomac at Harpers Ferry to Loudoun county. And, their children populated the Shenandoah Valley before migrating west.

Peter Frye was born in about 1761. Peter's date of birth is proven from his tombstone where he is cited as having died in 1849 at approximately age 90. However, Peter is cited in both the 1830 and 1840 censuses as born after 1760.

Originally, research indicated that Peter might have been a descendant of the numerous Fry family of Loudoun county. However, after extensive research, it is apparent that Peter is not a member of the Fry family of Loudoun nor a descendant of the Frey family of Frederick/Shenandoah and Hampshire/Hardy counties of Old Virginia. Failing to connect to those two prominent Fry families, this research now shifts to examining the immigration records for the many ethnic German Frye men who immigrated from the lands which would become Germany.

As previously stated, there is a record for a Peter Frye who married Sarah Jacobs on 12/10/1769 in Loudoun Co VA.

Peter and Sarah may have set up their household in the vicinity of Lovettsville and the New Jerusalem Lutheran Church. Sometime later, Peter and family migrated west to Ohio. With this early migration date, their path would have taken them west to Ohio; down Zanes Trace (1796) or later down the National Road (1806).

We know that Peter was settled in Ohio by 1812 when son Henry was born. In about 1823, several different Fry families settled in Licking Co OH. Continuing research reveals that the Frys of Liberty township descend from the Hans Jacob Fry family of Loudoun Co VA. And, the Frys of Burlington and McKean township descend from the Frys of Greene Co PA. They and the Freys south of Newark, Ohio, are not related to this Frye family.

Peter and Sarah initially settled in Newton township near St. Louisville where they were enumerated in 1830. And by the 1840 census, Peter is next found in the adjoining Washington township. Without records, there is no proof. But, I believe son Henry inherited the family farm in Newton Township from Peter.

Peter and Sarah lived in Washington township, perhaps in the town of Utica. Sarah died first in January, and Peter died in December, both in 1849. And both are buried along with other family members in Evans Cemetery in Newton Township near the family farm.

• Born c. 1761 in Loudoun Co VA

• Married 12/10/1796 in Loudoun Co VA to Sarah Jacobs b. 1776 Loudoun Co VA

• 1789 Loudoun Co VA Personal Tax List B & C:  Peter Fry

• 1802 Loudoun Co VA Personal Tax List A & B:  Peter Fry

• 1810 Loudoun Co VA Census

• Migrated by 1812 to Ohio

• 1820 Guernsey Co OH Census

• Migrated c. 1823 to Licking Co OH

• 1830 Newton TWP, Licking Co OH Census

• 1840 Washington TWP, Licking Co OH

• Died 12/27/1849 Licking Co OH

• Buried Evans Cemetery, Licking Co OH

    Children

    1. Peter Fry

This Peter is found living next door to Johannes Peter in the 1820 Guernsey Co OH Census. But, nothing else is known.

• Born c. 1797 Loudoun Co OH

• Migrated by 1812 to Guernsey Co OH

• 1820 Guernsey Co OH Census

• No further information

    2. John Fry

• Born c. 1798 Loudoun Co VA

• Married 8/23/1824 in Shenandoah Co VA to Artemesia Booten b. 4/1811 Shenandoah Co VA

• Had sons Peter, Edgar, William, James, and daughter Susan Jane who died early

• 1830 Washington TWP, Licking Co OH Census: John Fry, age c. 35

• 1840 Washington TWP, Licking Co OH Census: John Fry, age c. 55?

• Artemisia died 3/17/1841 Licking Co OH

• Artemisia buried in Evans Cemetery, Licking Co OH

• Married c. 1843 in Licking Co OH to Sarah Ann Beasley b. c. 1823

• Disappears from Licking Co OH

• Died 1/20/1870 Shelby Co OH

    3. Henry Fry b. 1812 Licking Co OH

    4. Unknown daughter b. c. 1815 Licking Co OH

    5. Christena Fry

• Born 7/20/1820 Licking Co OH

• Married 1838 in Licking Co OH to Nelson Matthias Jones b. 10/4/1816 Berkeley Co (W) VA

• 1840 Burlington TWP, Licking Co OH Census: Nelson Jones

• 1850 Burlington TWP, Licking Co OH Census:

1850 Licking Co OH Census, Burlington Twp
HN   FN   Last  First      Age  Sex  Occup.      POB
===============================================================
1534      Jones Nelson     34   M                Ohio 
                Christena  31   F                Pennsylvania?

• 1860 Burlington TWP, Licking Co OH Census:

1860 Licking Co OH Census, Burlington Twp
HN   FN   Last  First      Age  Sex  Occup.      POB
===============================================================
102       Jones Nelson     43   M                Ohio
                Christena  40   F                Pennsylvania?

• Died 11/1/1860 Licking Co OH

• Buried North Lawn Cemetery, Licking Co OH

Generation #4