Friendsville in Garrett County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Friend’s Graveyard

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 5, 2006

1. Friend's Graveyard Marker

Inscription. Nearby are the graves of John Friend, Sr. (1732–1808), Kerrenhappuch Hyatt (d. 1798), his wife, and their son Gabriel (1761–1852), John and Gabriel were soldiers in the Revolution. The first permanent settlers in Garrett County, they settled on the Youghiogheny River at "Friends Fortune," now known as Friendsville.

Erected 1966 by Maryland Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Historical Trust series list.

Location. 39° 39.739′ N, 79° 24.77′ W. Marker is in Friendsville, Maryland, in Garrett County. It is at the intersection of Friendsville Road (Maryland Route 42) and National Freeway (Interstate 68), on the left when traveling south on Friendsville Road. Marker is in the shadow of the I-68 bridge, easy to miss when traveling north on Route 42. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Friendsville MD 21531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Baltimore Metro Region

and in Western Maryland.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Native American Visitors and Inhabitants (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Legend of Johnny Friend (approx. ¼ mile away); Riverside Hotel & Knights of Pythias

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Friendsville Commerce, Custer's and Ryland's Stores (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Lost Settlement of Kendall (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Friendsville.

Regarding Friend’s Graveyard. The graveyard, which cannot be seen from the road, is just a few steps away down the mowed grass path that begins at the marker and is parallel to the interstate. It can be seen to the left of the marker on Photograph No. 2.

Additional commentary.
1. Friend’s Graveyard, Friendsville
Based on current research, John Friend, Sr. was probably born about 1728 (1749, petition mentioned in Frederick Co, VA Court Order Book 3:210). John's service was in Capt. Coulson's Company (Skipton Dist), Washington Co, Militia, MD (Clements, p243).
The maiden name of Kerrenhappuch is based on family lore, and is not substantiated by any evidence. It is now disputed by most researchers. The early DAR records can not be considered reliable.

Clements, S. Eugene, "Maryland Militia in the Revolutionary War", Silver Spring, MD: Family Line Pub., 1987.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 5, 2006

2. Marker is on the Left When Traveling South
— Submitted February 4, 2007, by Glen Swartz of Alexandria, Virginia.

John Friend, Sr, Pvt, Washington County, MD, Mil. Rev. War, 1808 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Glen Swartz, November 21, 2006

3. John Friend, Sr, Pvt, Washington County, MD, Mil. Rev. War, 1808

The Leftmost Stone Marks John Friend Sr.'s Grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 5, 2006

4. The Leftmost Stone Marks John Friend Sr.'s Grave

Photographed by Richard Hawkins, June 27, 2025

5. Friend’s Graveyard Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,695 times since then and 133 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on February 4, 2007, by Glen Swartz of Alexandria, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 22, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 5. submitted on June 27, 2025, by Richard Hawkins of Phelan, California.