Fry family

The Fry family is not one unitary genealogical entity, but rather many separate (often prominent) families with distinct genetic profiles and geographic origins. One such distinct Fry Family was prominent in England, especially Bristol, in the Society of Friends, and in the confectionery/Chocolate business in the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. They were a very prominent family in the Society of Friends or Quakers, and intermarried with many of the other prominent Quaker families, being involved both in business and social and philanthropic causes. Although at their peak during the 19th century, this Fry family remains very active within England, specifically in Somerset, where descendants can trace their families geographical location to as far back as 1200AD.

Another prominent Fry family (with ties to Dorset, England) is that associated with Col. Joshua Fry of US Revolutionary War fame. This family has been zealously documented for its many contributions to the founding of the United States (e.g., the commissioning of George Washington as commander), its role in the histories of Washington, D.C., Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky, as well as in the establishment of institutions of higher learning.^[1] Although well-documented, there are many misconceptions regarding the descendants of Col. Joshua Fry. In recent years, advanced genealogical work and genetic testing have dispelled some of these misconceptions^[2]

Henrich Frey (b. about 1660 in Alsace, Germany) is considered the progenitor of another notable Fry family in the United States. Heinrich Frey is commonly considered one of the first two German (speaking) immigrants to the American Colonies. Having arrived in Pennsylvania around 1680 (even before William Penn), Heinrich Frey and his family is credited with holding the first charter for the land that became Philadelphia and building what is considered today the historical "Old Town" section of that city. The Heinrich Frey Family Association^[3] is dedicated to promoting genealogical research and fostering connections between the descendants of Heinrich Frey (which are thought to include, among many others, Nicolas "Fry" Charney founder of Psychology Today and Bill Haslam, 49th Governor of Tennessee).

Origins

The name Fry has many spelling variations including Frey, Frye and Frei, all of which probably started out as a designation for someone who was free (i.e., not a serf and not belonging to a lord). The Old English root frig, meaning "free born", is associated with the name. Thus, anyone earning their freedom or who wished to be known for their free-born status, was potentially known by that name. Although the traditional no "e" spelling of Fry is typically associated with any number of British, Fry lines, it is by no means exclusive to those lines (particularly in the United States where genetically distinct Fry lines of British, Swiss, and Germanic origins have been identified).^[4] In Britain, the earliest records of this surname appear mainly in the west country. Thomas le Frye, recorded in the Wiltshire rolls of 1273 and the Malmesbury region of North Wiltshire, provides one such example.^[5]

The surname Fry is further associated with an inherent nobility of freedom. That is to say, the designation of freedom, as separable from serfdom, gave the individual bearing the name certain rights and privileges. In its earliest forms, depending on the source of the designation (e.g., as an honour won in battle or other service to a King, Lord or Nobleman), the name could also have included land ownership, knighthood, title or other privilege. It could also have been a designation bestowed upon a master craftsman who was "free" to travel to exercise his craft (e.g., in the tradition of a Free Mason who, due to the high demand for his skill, was given free and unmolested passage across borders). Later, those seeking religious and political freedom took the name themselves as an expression of their desire and love for freedom (e.g., the anabaptists who came to the American Colonies) or as a nickname given by others (e.g., as in the case of George Frey, born Eberhard (1732 in Germany)), whose story was recounted in the Pennsylvania church records of Rev. Traugott Frederick Illing ^[6]

Other names of similar social class include "Franklin", which also survives as a surname, "Freeman", Free, Fries, Freeze, and Froese.

Fry in England

One of the earliest possible British Fry ancestors has been reported to be Richard Fry who married secondly Joan Beaufort, great granddaughter of John of Gaunt.^[7]

This particular Fry family has traced their roots to the Wiltshire village of Corston.^[8]

William Fry who was baptised on 31 May 1627 in Malmsbury, Wiltshire married his wife Mary about 1652 in Sutton Benger, Wiltshire. William moved from Corston to Sutton Benger and was the first of the Fry family to live there. It was in Sutton Benger that the Fry family established themselves as leading Quakers in Wiltshire.

It was William and Mary's son Zephaniah Fry (1658–1728) who was the first member of the family to embrace the Quaker faith. There was a rise in the popularity of nonconformist religious practices across the whole of North Wiltshire in the seventeenth century, and in Sutton Benger this was also true. Zephaniah was one of those who embraced the doctrines of the Society of Friends (Quakers), while still single. He attended the Kington Langley meeting.^[9] A record of one meeting held in their house is given in George Fox’s Journals: “At … Frye’s in Wiltshire we had a very blessed meeting and quiet, though the officers had purposed to break it up by thieves, and they were required to go back again with speed, to search after and pursure them; by which our meeting escaped disturbance and we were preserved our of their hands.” However, meetings of more than five persons were forbidden by the Conventicle Act, and once arrested Quakers would be orders to take the oath of allegiance, which they refused to do taking the command 'Swear not at all' literally. Zephaniah was arrested in 1683 and sent to Ilchester Goal for three-month, but "emerged unscarred".^[10]

The patriarch of the most important branch of the family was Zephaniah's son, John Fry (1701–1775),.^[11] John moved to London at the age of 13 or 14, probably to take up an apprenticeship, but he disliked London. He appears to have already made his fortune by the age of 25 and married Mary Storrs of Chesterfield, Derbyshire, on 23 March 1727 while in London. With his wife John returned to Sutton Benger, where he built a small house, carved their initials above the door, fathered six children, employed one servant, and enjoyed to the end of his days a quiet, rural life. His house was certified for Quaker meetings. He was active in the unpaid ministry of the Society of Friends and wrote poetry. He was also an author. He published a Quaker book of 'Selected poems Containing Religious Epistle etc.' which was prefaced "Sutton Benger 25th March 1774".^[12]

John's son, William Storrs Fry (1736–1808) was probably born in Wiltshire, where his parents stayed and he who moved to London. He married Elizabeth Lambert. William was a Tea Dealer, though Elizabeth is credited as being the one with "the financial acumen which had enabled money both to be acquired and prudently managed: it was a quality which perhaps neither of the sons inherited".^[13] William and Elizabeth lived in Plashet House, a mansion in East Ham, which passed into the hands of William Storrs Fry in 1787.

William was the father of the Joseph Fry (1777–1861) the tea merchant who married the prison reformer Elizabeth Fry née Gurney (1780–1845). There is also another William Storrs Fry (circa 1806–1844) who was one of the 11 children of Joseph and Elizabeth Fry.

The start of the chocolate dynasty

John Fry's other son, Joseph Fry (1728–1787), was apprenticed to Henry Portsmouth of Basingstoke as an apothecary and doctor. He married Portsmouth's daughter, Anna (1719/20–1803). Joseph Fry founded a chocolate company called Fry, Vaughan & Co. in Bristol. He also founded Fry and Pine later Joseph Fry & Co., a typefoundry.

Typefounding Frys

Joseph Fry & Co., the typefoundry, was continued by Joseph Fry's elder son, Edmund Fry (1754–1835)^[14] and renamed Edmund Fry & Co. Edmund Fry had two sons who survived to adulthood: Windover Fry (1797–1835) and Arthur Fry (1809–1878). Windover joined him in the business.^[15] An example of a font that the firm designed is Fry's Ornamented.^[16]

Chocolate-Making Frys

After Joseph Fry's death in 1787 his wife, Anna Fry, took over the chocolate company and it was renamed Anna Fry & Son. The son was the first Joseph Storrs Fry (1769–1835) who, after his mother's death, renamed the firm J. S. Fry & Sons under which name it became quite well known. Joseph Storrs Fry was the first to introduce factory methods into the making of chocolate and the first to use a Watt's steam engine to grind the beans.

The sons of Joseph Storrs Fry and his wife Ann Allen (1764?–1829) are

• Joseph Fry (1795–1879) (See below)
• Francis Fry (1803–1886) (See below)
• Richard Fry (−1878)

They also had four daughters. The sons all became partners in the firm.

Francis Fry (1803–1886) – his interests and his family

Francis Fry was the son of Joseph Storrs Fry and his wife Ann Allen.^[17] Besides the directorship of the chocolate firm, he was also involved in porcelain, typefounding, director of the Bristol Waterworks, and railways (including the Bristol and Gloucester Railway). He was also a well known collector of old Bibles. He headed the firm when it started producing the first chocolate bars in 1847.

He married Matilda Penrose (circa 1808–1888). They had four sons and three daughters including:

• Francis James Fry (1835 – 15 November 1918) (See below)
• Theodore Fry (See below).

Francis James Fry (1835–1918) – his family

F.J. Fry was the son of Francis Fry (1803–1886). He was Sheriff of Bristol in 1887. He married twice and had two daughters and four sons.^[18]

His daughter, Norah Cooke-Hurle born Fry (1871–1960), was an advocate of better services for people with learning difficulties.^[19] In 1988, the University of Bristol named their new research centre after Norah Fry, because she did so much for people with learning difficulties.

One of his sons was Geoffrey Storrs Fry (1888–13 October 1960) From 1929, the first (and last) Baronet Fry of Oare in Wiltshire. He was private secretary to Bonar Law and Stanley Baldwin. He married Alathea Gardner, the second daughter of Lord Burghclere.^[20][21][22]

• [Ann] Jennifer Evelyn Elizabeth Fry (1916–2003), only child of Geoffrey and Alathea Fry. She was the wife of Alan Ross, the poet.

Theodore Fry – his family

Theodore Fry (1836–1912), was the son of Francis Fry (1803–1886). He was Liberal MP for Darlington and made baronet. His wife, Sophia Fry née Pease (1837–1897) was a prominent philanthropist and political activist.^[23] Their son, John Pease Fry (1864–1957),^[24] the second baronet, became chairman and managing director of Bearpark Coal & Coke of Durham"?

Joseph Fry and his family

Joseph Fry (1795–1879),^[25] son of the first Joseph Storrs Fry (1769–1835), and Mary Anne Swaine (1797–1886)^[26] were the parents of:

• Joseph Storrs Fry II (1826–1913). Headed the chocolate firm after 1886 and very active in the Society of Friends. He never married but was known for his philanthropy.
• Sir Edward Fry (1827–1918), a judge on the British Court of Appeal. Edward Fry was the father of the art critic and artist Roger Fry and the social reformers, Joan Mary Fry (1862–1955), Margery Fry (1874–1958) and Ruth Fry (1878–1962). His daughter, Agnes Fry (1869–1958) compiled his biography.
• Albert Fry (1830?–1903). He worked with John Fowler (1826–1864)^[27] to develop and manufacture a drainage plough in the mid-19th century. He founded the Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works.^[28] He was a Chairman of the Council of the University of Bristol and, along with other members of his family and of the Wills family, a major donor^[29]
• Susan Ann Fry (1829–1917) married in 1856, as his third wife, Thomas Pease and was the mother of Edward Reynolds Pease who help found the Fabian Society.^[13]
• Lewis Fry (1832–1921) was the Liberal, later Liberal Unionist, MP for Bristol from 1878 until 1886 and from 1895 until 1900. He was Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Town Holdings, 1886–1892.^[30] He was a member of the Privy Council. He was the first chairman of the Council of the University of Bristol.
• Henrietta Jane Fry (1840–1911) who married an ironfounder named William Whitwell in 1862.^[13]

and three other daughters, one of whom died in infancy.^[13]

Other members of the family

• Cecil Roderick Fry (1870–1952)^[31] was the last member of the family to head the chocolate firm before it merged with Cadburys.
  • Jeremy Fry (1924–2005) was an engineer and inventor, son of Cecil Fry. Founded Rotork.
  • Geoffrey Fry (D.O.B. Unknown), son of Cecil Fry.

Other Quaker Frys

Other Quaker Frys who might or might not be related to the Bristol Fry family include:

• Catherine Fry, mother of Lewis Fry Richardson, mathematician
• Christopher Fry born Christopher Fry Harris (1907–2005) — playwright

For other people with the surname "Fry" but probably NOT related to the Quaker Chocolate manufacturing Fry family see Fry (surname).

DNA-Delimited Fry Lines

Many male Fry descendants have submitted a Genealogical DNA test, allowing genetically distinct lines of the Fry family to be identified.^[32] The process begins by determining the Haplotype of an individual. This is a broad category that indicates the geographic origins of a particular line. The individual genetic markers tested are then used to determine the number of generations you would have to go back to find the Most Recent Common Ancestor^[33] between two individuals. This allows the Haplogroups to then be divided up into smaller groups that are most likely to find a recent common ancestor. These smaller groups are called Lineages.

The Haplogroups and Lineages listed here are based on the naming assigned to them by Family Tree DNA.^[32] Individuals who have submitted tests to Family Tree DNA are assigned a kit number. This is displayed next to their results on the y-Results page.^[32] This kit number can also be used to identify corresponding family trees on the Patriarchs page.^[34] Other members of these Lineages have been identified by comparing tests from other testing companies using the Y-Utility.^[35]

Haplogroup E – Lineage I

Several descendants of Johann Valentine Frey^[34] who was born 9 May 1721^[36] in Wingen, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, married Anna Maria Binckele, and died 13 Sep 1798^[36] in Hope, Stokes County, NC, have submitted DNA tests identifying them as part of this group. The patriarch of this family is Gregorious Frey who was born in Zurich about 1810 and married Varena Oberdorfer.^[34] Johann Valentine Frey immigrated to Pennsylvania aboard the Ship Samuel in 1733^[37] and migrated to the Townfork Settlement^[38] of what was originally Rowan, then Surry, then Stokes County, North Carolina. These are the Moravian Frey's that are buried in the Friedberg Moravian Church Cemetery^[39] & the Hope Moravian Church Graveyard.^[40]

Haplogroup R1b – Lineage I

This is the family of the Heinrich Frey mentioned earlier as one of the first two German (speaking) immigrants to the American Colonies. He came to Pennsylvania about 1677^[41] and married Anna Catherine Levering there in 1692.^[42] Much more can be found about the family at the Heinrich Frey Family Association.^[3]

Haplorgroup R1b – Lineage II

Several families have been identified as part of this lineage, but it is not certain yet how the trees connect.^[43] The earliest known ancestor is Johannes Frey who came to Pennsylvania in 1731 on the Ship Brittania^[44] along with his wife Johaneva and young son Nicholas. Nicholas married Maria Elizabeth Pabst at Moselem Lutheran Church in Berks County, PA, in 1744,^[45] moved his family to Burke County, NC, which became Lincoln County, and died there in 1784.^[46]

The second patriarch is Henry Fry Sr^[47] who acquired land on the west side of Abbotts Creek in what was then Rowan County in 1778. He died there in 1821. This Henry Fry is often thought to be connected to the Moravian Freys of the Townfork Settlement who belong to Haplogroup E Lineage 1, but the DNA is telling us that this is not the case.^[48]

Sources

• Mosley, James Mosley. "Fry, Joseph". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/10212.  (subscription or UK public library membership required); and the articles there on Francis Fry (1803–1886), Edmund Fry (1754–1835), Joseph Storrs Fry (1826–1913), Edward Fry (1827–1918), and Sophia Fry née Pease.
• Bristol Wagon & Carriage Works (references to Albert Fry)
• University of Bristol History (references to the Fry family support in founding the university)
• Frenchay Village Museum — Frenchay, South Gloucestershire is where many of the Frys lived.
• The Frey DNA Project: y-Results chart of genealogical DNA test results sorted into Haplogroups and Lineages.

References

Persondata
Name	Fry Family
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth
Date of death
Place of death