Cumberland in Allegany County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Col. Joshua Fry
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, March 28, 2009
1. Col. Joshua Fry Marker
Col. Joshua Fry
Born c. 1700 in England
1731 • Professor of mathematics at William and Mary College, Planter in Albemarle County, Virginia, Member of House of Burgesses, First presiding judge of Albemarle County, Commander of militia, Surveyor
1746-51 • Col. Fry and Peter Jefferson surveyed and produced first map of Virginia.
1752 • Joshua Fry, Lunsford Lomax and James Patton were chosen to make a treaty with the Six Nations at Logstown (Lancaster) which permitted the English to build two forts on the Ohio and to settle southeast of that river.
1754 • During the French and Indian War, Col. Fry was commissioned by the governor of Virginia to lead an expedition to build an outpost on the Ohio River. On his way with 300 men to complete this mission, he was thrown from his horse on what is now called Break Neck Rd. near Fort Cumberland, Maryland, and died at the fort on May 31, 1754. He was buried between the fort and Wills Creek. The command of the expedition fell to 22 year-old George Washington.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, French and Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1887.
Location. 39° 38.969′ N, 78° 45.888′ W. Marker is in Cumberland, Maryland, in
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Headquarters of George Washington (a few steps from this marker); George Washington at Will’s Creek (a few steps from this marker); Where the Road Began (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverside Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Cumberland Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); National Road Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Beginning Of National Pike (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old National Pike (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cumberland.
Regarding Col. Joshua Fry. Joshua Fry was born in Virginia and returned to England as a young man to be educated there.
Additional commentary.
1. George Washington's epitaph for Col. Fry
According to the Memoir of Col. Joshua Fry by Rev. P. Slaughter, George Washington carved the following epitaph into a tree over the body of Col Fry, "Under this oak lies the body of THE GOOD, THE JUST AND THE NOBLE FRY."
Also Peter Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's father, was co-executor of Joshua's estate along with Joshua's wife Margaret Fry.
— Submitted April 1, 2012, by Sigrid Fry-Revere of Lovettsville, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 4,056 times since then and 218 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photo 1. submitted on April 9, 2009, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.
