Christian Meyer Fretz Sr.

A Patriot of the American Revolution for PENNSYLVANIA with the rank of Private. DAR Ancestor # A042587

II. Christian Fretz, b in 1734, d May 1, 1803, m Barbara Oberholtzer, daughter of Martin and Agnes Oberholtzer. She wash Nov. 10, 1737, d May 8, 1823, aged 85 years 5 months 28 days. At the time of her death she was the mother of 12 children, had 109 grandchildren and 103 great grandchildren.

Christian Fretz was one of the executors of his father's estate, and inherited the old homestead in Bedminster where he lived and died. To the homestead he addtd l/y purchase from his son John, the tract knoun as the "Poor Fields" in 1753, consisting of about 30 acres. He and wife were members of the Mennonite church, and wor.shiped in the ever memorable Old Stone Church at Deep Run, which was the oldest Mennonite congregation in Bucks Co. In his day the Indians were yet quite numerous, and often quite troublesome. It is related that Christian Fretz had a very fine horse, to which the Indians took a particular fancy, and wanted to buy, but he would not sell it. The Indians however, determined to get possession of the horse, and came by night and stole it. Some time after, it was ascertained where the horse was, and he went to the Indian camp, arriving at evening, and seeing the horse turned out to pasture, he concealed himself until slumber had fallen upon the inhabitants of the wigwams. The Indians had a custom of just before retiring for the night, to go outside of their wigwams and shout and make a great noise to freighten away the wild animals. Knowing this to be the signal for retiring, he waited until he thought they were sound assleep, then entered the lot, secured the horse, and returned home with it. It is also related that his son Joseph had a very fine young horse, and that during the Revolutionary war, when Washington's Army was encamped below Newton, that foraging teams, accompanied by an officer on horseback, came to Christian Fretz's place for hay for the army, that the officer saw the horse, and in conversation with the foragemen, said it was a fine horse, that he would try and buy it, but if he could not buy it, he would have it anyway. The conversation between the officer and men was over-heard by one of Christian Fretz's daughters, who ran to the house and told her brother, who was sitting at the loom weaving. As the officer was coming to the house by the front way, to see him about the horse, he not wishing to part with it, leaped through the window, ran to the barn by the back way unobserved by the officer, mounted the horse, and rode towards the Haycock Mountain.

The offficer however saw him as he dashed away with the horse, and followed some distance until he lost track of him. He rode the horse up through the wilderness country, a part of the time fording up the streams to cover his tracks and hid the horse at the place now known as Shellenberger's mill. A few days later the officer came again to Christian Fretz's place, and told him that he would have that horse.

The next day, however, Christian Fretz accompanied by a neighbor went to the Encampment at Newton, and laid the matter before the General in Command. The General gave him a writing of protection, told him not to trouble himself about the horse, and if the officer should come around again, to hand him that paper. In a few days the officer came the second time, and very impudently made demands for the horse, whereupon Christian Fretz handed him the paper from the General in command. He looked it over, dropped it and left. Among the relics of Christian Fretz's home is a table which was used in his family, and on which he, being a wealthy man, counted his money. The table was bought at the public sale of Christian Fretz's effects by Joseph Wisler. There is also a much treasured relic in the form of a finely woven piece of linen trousers material, woven by Christian Fretz and worn by him, in the possession of Miss Altia Rheua Austin, a great-great grand-daughter of Christian Fretz. C: John, Agnes, Joseph, Henry, Martin, Jacob, Abraham, Isaac, Barbara, Christian, Mary, Elizabeth.

III. John Fretz, b May 24, 175S, d Dec. 20, 1804, m Anna Kratz, of Plumstead, daughter of Philip Kratz. She was b Nov. 4, 1764, d Aug. 4, 1813. In 1787 he bought what was known as the "Poor Fields," in Bedminster Twp. which he sold to his father in 1793. In 1790 he purchased of John Thomas a tract of 130 acres iti New Britain Twp. now known as the Curly mill property; this he sold to his uncle Mark Fretz in 1792. He never lived on this property. In 1792 he bought 299 1/3 acres in Warwick, Twp. of Richard and Willet Smith for lb 1200. In 1794 he built a barn on this property, and in 1795 a stone house, which is still standing. To this property he added by various purchases until he owned 800 acres along the Neshaming Creek, marked on old Pennsylvania map as "Fretz Valley." Menn. C: (IV) Christian, Susan, Rachel, Barbara, Elizabeth, Mary, John, Anna, Philip.

III. Agnes Fretz, b Sept. 13, 1759, (d), m Abraham Bewighouse. Farmer, Menn. C: (IV) Daniel, Barbara, Christian, John, Mary.

III. Joseph Fretz, b May 9, 1761, d Mar. 29, 1806. m Maria Kraut Nov. 1,1781. She was b Feb. 11, 1762, (d). He owned and operated a fulling mill, near the Tohickon, in Ha3'cock Twp. and was known as "Fuller Joe." Menu. C: (IV) Elizabeth, Christian, Barbara, Anna, Maria, Susanna, Agnes, Rachel, Joseph, Sarah, John, Veronica.

III Henry Fretz, b Feb. 17, 1763, d Oct. 9, 1S20,, m Anna Krout May 13, 17S4. She was b Sept.1764, d Jan. 22, 1806. Farmer, and lived in Bedminster on the farms later owned by John and Abraham Bewighouse. He was called "Hurrying Hen" from his habit of hurrying, or urging his men who were working for him. Fie m second \^•ife — Beidler. No issue. C: by first wife: (IV) Elizabeth, Barbara, Christian, Mary, Sarah, Agnes, Abraham, Joseph, Annie, Henry, John.

III. Martin Fretz, b Aug. 9, 1784, d Sept. 26, 1835. Farmer and Linceed Oil M'f'g'r. He lived in Hilltown Twp. near Yost's Mill, on the farm now occupied by Jacob Smith.

He was an honest upright man, and held in high esteem. As a christian, he endeavored faithfully to discharge his religious duties, in all of which he was conscientiously strict. He never allowed any member of his family to leave the church before the benediction was pronounced. An adage of his was "Wernaus geht vor dem segen, geht dem fluch entgegen. " Though at times taking a smoke, it was a saying of his, "That he never wanted to be a slave to tobacco or whisky." In the time of the subject of this sketch, many of the luxuries of the present day were not enjoyed. There was no carpets, and no parlor matches in those days. Sometimes they had to go to neighbors for fire, and on one occasion the Fretz meadow was set on fire by borrowed fire. For married girls in those days the dry goods outfit was mostly home-made. The spinning wheel was one of the fixtures of the family, and in this family of ten girls there were six spinning wheels going at onetime, commencing at 5 o'clock in the morning, and continuing until 10 and 11 p. m. One of the daughters, Mrs. Susanna Funk, generally spun 1 8 cuts of flax per day, and one day she spun 20 cuts. The reel and the shaving bench were in the same room, Martin Fretz was twice married. His first wife was Anna Kratz, by whom he had 15 children. She was b Sept, 11, 1768; d June 24, 1 816. His second wife was Anna Licey, They were members of the Mennonite church at Blooming ,Glen, where they were buried. C: (IY) Barbara, Mary, Agnes, Betsey, Betsey, Nancy, Veronica, Martin, Martin, Susanna, Silas, Veronica, Catharine, Leah, Rachel,

III, Jacob Fretz, b Jan. i, 1767, d jan. 12, 1799, m Elizabeth Kratz Nov. 6, 1787, She was b 1768. Lived at Fleecydale in Soleburj', Fuller and Dyer. C: (IV) Philip, Barbara, Christian, Elizabeth, Mary,

III, Abraham Fretz, b Mar. 30, 1769, d Mar. 7, 1844, m Magdalena, daughter of John Kratz of Hilltown, Apr. 30, 1793. She was b Aug. 30, 1776, d Jan. 9, 1840. They lived and died on the old Fretz homestead, in Bedminster Twp. The farm consisted of about 255 acres he inherited from his father. He was an honest, upright citizen, a conscientious christian, and much esteemed by the community in which he lived. It is related that while he was working in the field one day, a man rode up, and seeing his fine cows, wanted to buy one, but he did not want to sell. The man however insisted and asked him to set a price. He then thought that if he should ask double what the cow was worth, the man would leave without buying. But contrary to his expectations, the man laid down the money and drove the cow off. After the man was gone, he talked the matter over with his wife, and they decided it was "Usury." So he mounted a horse, rode after the man, and gave him back half of the money, saying, "I don't ant to be damed for a cow." He and wife were members of the Mennonite church at Deep Run, of which he was for many years a deacon, and there they are buried. C: (IV) Anna, Rebecca, Jacob, Christian, John, Isaac, Martin, Elizabeth, Barbara, Abraham.

III. Isaac Fretz, b Feb. 12, 1771, d Nov. 1, 1843, tn Susanna Kratz of Hilllown Twp. May 28, 1793. She was b Sept. 3, 1775, d Mar. 20, 1798. C: (IV) Abraham, Eno.s, Susanna. He m second wife Veronica Kratz, of Skippack, Montg. Co. in 1800. She was b Oct. 28, 1778, d in 1821. C: (IV) John, Elizabeth, Jacob, Isaac, William, Mahlon, Mary, Samuel. He m third wife Betsey Landis, in 1822. She was b Nov. 16, 1799, d Feb. 13, 1S87. In early life Isaac Fretz followed farming. He owned and lived on the farm in Tinicum Twp. now owned by Henry F. Myers. He also for a time liad teams on the road freighting goods from Philadelphia to Easton, Bethlehem, and Nazareth, witli an occasional visit to Pittsburg and other points west. During his absence from home, Mar. 4, 1804, his barn was struck by lightning and burned. On this occasion his wife Veronica displayed heroic energy, in rescuing horses and cattle from the burning building. In spite of all efforts to rescue the cattle from the flames, one horse and 14, (some say 21), head of cattle perished. In 1815 Isaac Fretz built what is now known as the Fretz Valley Mill, on the Tohickon Creek, and in addition to farming operated the mill. During his busy life he succeeded to competency, and accumulated nearly 300 acres of land. He and wives were Mennonites.

III. Barbara Fretz, b in 1773, d about 1821, m Henry Fretz, son of Abraham and Dorothea (Kulp) Fretz, about 1791-2. He was b 1770-1, d soon after marriage. C: (IV) Catharine, Anna. She m second husband Henry Hockman. Farmer in Bedminster, on the farm now owned by Rev. Allen M. Fretz. C: (IV) Mary, Christian, Barbara, Abraham, Veronica.

III- Christian Fretz, bin 1775, Apr. 5, 1799. S.

III. Mary Fretz, b May 15, 1777, d Nov. 9, 1822, m Henry Tyson. P'armer, Menn. C: (IV) Elizabeth, Cornelius, Joseph, Martin, Mary, Barbara, Henry.

III. Elizabeth Fretz, b Oct. 20, 1780, d Feb. 29, 1828, m Abraham Meyer Nov. 21, 1809. He was b Apr. 21, 1784. Mason and farmer in Salford, Montg. Co. Pa. Menn. C: (IV) Mary, Rev. Isaac, Christian, Rev. Abraham, Anna, Elizabeth, Barbara. pg. 16-22 A brief history of John and Christian Fretz and a complete genealogical family register to the fourth generation, 1904, Fretz, Rev. A. J. (Abraham James), Press of the Evergreen news Milton, NJ.

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4. Christian M. FRETZ (Johannes Gross FRETZ Jr.7, Johannes S. FRETZ III6, Johannes W. FRETZ Jr.5, Johannes K. FRETZ4, Jacob K. FRETZ3, Jacob W. FRETZ2, Johannes FRETZ1) was born 1734 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 1 May 1803. He married Barbara Kolb OBERHOLTZER, daughter of Martin Ely OBERHOLTZER and Agnes Fretz KOLB. She was born 10 Nov 1737, and died 8 May 1823.

Children of Christian M. FRETZ and Barbara Kolb OBERHOLTZER are:

• 28 i. Johannes O. FRETZ was born 24 May 1758 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 20 Dec 1804. He married Anna K. KRATZ, daughter of Philip C. KRATZ and Susanna KROUT. She was born 4 Nov 1764, and died 4 Aug 1813.
• 29 ii. Agnes O. FRETZ was born 13 Sep 1759 in Bucks Co., PA. She married Abraham BEWIGHOUSE.
• + 30 iii. Joseph O. FRETZwas born 9 May 1761 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 29 Mar 1806. He was buried in Deep Run Mennonite Cemetery. He married Maria KROUT 1 Nov 1781, daughter of Henry KROUT and Elizabeth. She was born 11 Feb 1762 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 25 Jun 1821. She was buried in Deep Run Mennonite Cemetery.
• + 31 iv. Henry O. FRETZ was born 17 Feb 1763 in Bedminster TWp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 9 Oct 1820 in Bucks Co., PA. He married Anna S. KROUT 13 May 1784, daughter of Henry KROUT and Elizabeth. She was born Sep 1764, and died 22 Jan 1806 in Dep Run East, Bucks Co., PA. He married BEIDLER AFT Jan 1806. She was born AFT 1762.
• + 32 v. Martin O. FRETZ was born 9 Aug 1764 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 26 Sep 1835 in Hilltown Twp., Bucks Co., PA. He married Anna M. KRATZ, daughter of Abraham C. KRATZ and Barbara B. MOYER (Meyer). She was born 11 Sep 1768, and died 24 Jun 1816. He married Anna LICEY.
• 33 vi. Jacob O. FRETZ was born 1 Jan 1767 in Bucks Co., PA, and died 12 Jan 1799. He married Elizabeth K. KRATZ 6 Nov 1787, daughter of Philip C. KRATZ and Susanna KROUT. She was born 1768.
• + 34 vii. Abraham O. FRETZ was born 30 Mar 1769 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 7 Mar 1844 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA. He married Catherine FRY. He married Magdalena KRATZ 30 Apr 1793, daughter of John KRATZ and Anna MOYER. She was born 30 Aug 1776 in Hilltown Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 9 Jan 1840 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA.
• + 35 viii. Isaac O. FRETZ was born 12 Feb 1771 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 1 Nov 1843. He married Susanna M. KRATZ, daughter of Abraham C. KRATZ and Barbara B. MOYER (Meyer). She was born 3 Sep 1775 in Bucks Co., PA, and died 20 Mar 1798 in Bucks Co., PA. He married Veronica Y. KRATZ, daughter of Isaac C. KRATZ and Maria YELLES. She was born 27 Oct 1778, and died 13 Jan 1821.
• 36 ix. Barbara O. FRETZ was born 1773 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 1821. She married Henry H. HACKMAN.
• 37 x. Christian O. FRETZ was born 1775 in Bucks Co., PA, and died 5 Apr 1799.
• 38 xi. Mary O. FRETZ was born 15 May 1777 in Bucks Co., PA, and died 9 Nov 1822. She married Henry TYSON.
• + 39 xii. Elizabeth O. FRETZwas born 20 Oct 1780 in Bedminster Twp., Bucks Co., PA, and died 29 Feb 1828. She married Abraham Bergey MOYER (Meyer) 21 Nov 1809, son of Christian M. MOYER (Meyer) and (Barbara?) BERGEY. He was born 21 Apr 1784, and died ABT 1830 in Montgomery Co., PA.

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"He was one of the executors of his father's estate , and inherited the old homestead in Bedminster under the conditions previously mentioned in the will , and where he subsequently lived and died. To the homestead he added by purchase from his son John , the tract known as the "Poor Fields ",in 1793 , and which consisted of about 30 acres.In his day the Indians were yet quite numerous , and often quite troublesome. It is related that he had a very fine horse , to which the Indians took a particular fancy , and wanted to buy , but he would not sell it. The Indians however , determining to gain possession of the hourse , came by night and stole it. Some time after , he ascertained where the hourse was , and went to the Indian camp , arriving at evening , and seeing the hourse turned out to pasture , he concealed himselv until slumber had fallen upon the inhabitants of the wigwam. The Indians had a custom of just before retiring for the night , to go outside of their wigwams and shout and make a great noise to frighten away the wild beasts. Knowing this to be the signal for retiring , he waiteduntil he thought they were sound asleep , and then entered the lot , secured the horse , and returned home with it."